Chapter five: EIGHT YEARS LATER

I looked at the landscape through the window.

It didn’t look any different from how I remembered.

Except now, I was looking at it from my private jet.

It’s funny how everything and everyone felt so small when you’re the one on top.

“I’ve made the arrangements, anything else you’d like?” My personal assistant, Justin, called me out of my thoughts.

I pulled my eyes from the window and faced him, “What time is the event again?”

“7p.m. We’ll land soon and we’re sure to get there before it begins.”

“Hm.” I responded, taking a sip of the champagne before me.

It feels just like yesterday since I lost everything I held dear. Everything I cared about.

The memories flood me now more than they have in the past three years.

Maybe because-

“Don’t tell me the great Tech empire Queen is nervous?” He laughed, “You’ve won this award two times in a row, your competitors have nothing on you.”

I chuckled, “I know I will win, when have I not?”

“In the eight years I’ve known you… never.” He shrugged, with a small smile on his lips.

“Exactly, so why would I be nervous?” I took another sip.

“You haven’t been here in years…and from what you’ve told me, you don’t have rosy memories here.”

He said, his tone lacking the playfulness it held before.

My fingers tightened around the glass in my hands, “I feel a lot of things… but being nervous isn’t one of them.” I said firmly, dropping the glass before it shattered in my hands.

He sighed, “You can act tough to the whole world, but to me, you’re all mush.”

“Don’t you like your job, Jay?” I leaned in slightly, mock threatening him with a sly smirk on my face.

He scoffed, “Nobody could stand your ass, that's why you hired your best friend.” He rolled his eyes, reaching for my glass, chugging what was left.

“Remind me to sack you when we return to Europe.” I murmured, leaning back in my seat.

He was partly right. I did hire him because he was my best friend, and he was my best friend because he was one of the two people in this world I trusted with my life.

“I love you too, babes.” He retorted, blowing me a kiss.

I rolled my eyes in response, turning my eyes back to the window.

We were getting closer to the ground, I could already see the press being held back by some men.

It was expected. I was accustomed to the unsolicited attention.

When we landed, Jay reached for my hand, giving it a tight squeeze “You ready?”

He did this every time we went for conventions, award events, board meetings and press conferences.

Like a constant reminder that he’d always be here by my side.

And I believed him.

“Always.” I replied with a smile.

And with that, we stepped out of the Jet, my four bodyguards going before me.

Two of them blocked the press from harassing me, while the other two led me and Jay to the Limousine.

“I hope you had a pleasant flight ma'am?" The driver asked, regarding me from the rear view mirror.

“Yes, I did.” I replied politely, giving him a small smile.

“Is this your first time in New York, ma’am?” He inquired, his voice bubbly.

But I didn’t share his enthusiasm.

I dug my nails in my purple Dior suit pants, forcing my lips to tug upwards slightly.

“Yes. I’ve always wondered what it looked like… and now I do.” I spoke, turning the window, gazing at streets and buildings I knew all too well.

But no one knew that.

Except Jay and -

“We’re here.” Jay announced, dragging me out of my thoughts.

Outside swarmed with multitude blinding flashes and protesters holding signs to sanction tech giants, amongst other profanities.

It was expected.

Tonight was the biggest award ceremony for tech mogules leaving their mark worldwide.

And this was the first time the ceremony was held here, in New York City.

My body guard opened the door for me, if not for the shades I wore, I would have gone blind.

I stepped out of the car gracefully, straightened out my suit and walked into the building, Jay and my bodyguards following me closely.

“Miss Rodriguez!! With the worldwide success of your new app, do you plan to open a branch here in New York?” Once the questions reached my ears, I paused.

I turned to face the reporter, a cordial smile playing on my face. “It depends on the outcome of tonight, who knows?”

“Miss Rodriguez! Miss Rodriguez!!” I ignored their calls and stepped into the building.

“Who knows?” Jay raised a brow, walking beside me.

“Like I said, it depends.” I respond casually, not letting anything on.

“I thought you wanted nothing to do with this place?” He whispered.

I smirked, “It seems I’ve had a change of heart.”

Just as we were about to enter the hall, the double doors opened up, and my heart pounded violently in my chest, swirling with so many emotions.

Emotions that have refused to stay buried.

I had prepared for this. Rehearsed this scenario in my head over and over and over again.

But probably not enough.

He hadn’t changed much. Just like the city.

Except now he had a little more muscle on his bones.

When his eyes met mine, he froze.

Did he remember me??