Chapter 1
Christen always believed that life was decided in the big moments: when you have to choose to move to another country, or when you have to make a decision about a job offer in a new city or buy a new house. But life itself is decided in the small details and, for Christen, a train ticket to New York bought on impulse would change everything. Forever.
8 years ago, when Christen took the train to New York to run away from a marriage proposal she had accepted the night before, she didn't know what she expected to find. Maybe hope, maybe an epiphany that gave her renewed meaning about her future marriage or a sign that the "yes" she had said would be the right step. Maybe, just maybe if she distanced herself from that big moment, even for a few hours, she would feel herself again and found peace about the path she had chosen.
Then, after that night, after her, she had never returned to New York. For what that night had meant or just to avoid the chance of seeing her again, she had never returned. Now, years later and with a 4-year-old daughter, it was to New York that she was running away once again, this time to start a new life. 8 years ago, she had declined the opportunity the city had given her to start again. Today she was back. Hopefully, this city would have a second chance to give.
Her marriage with Craig was not a mistake, she was sure. Seven years sharing the same house with a man who always treated her well and a beautiful and wonderful daughter later, she couldn't consider it a failure. Although she always felt that her life had fallen short of her own expectations. She never felt at peace with herself. That's why, when her marriage started to slowly die after Alice's birth and the bankruptcy of her husband's company, she didn't had the strength or the will to fight back.
In the hardest moments, her mind would always slip away again to that night in New York and to that girl. And occasionally Christen wondered if the other girl would still remember her too.
8 years ago...
Each step towards Central Station was getting heavier. The afternoon and night with her seemed like a cheesy love movie. Christen kept reminding herself that this was a true story and there wouldn't be a happy ending. Each step towards her destination was also a farewell to a life that would never be hers. And that was slowly killing her. Christen didn't believe in fate and even if it existed, she wouldn't be one of the lucky ones.
Christen was always a rational person, whose feelings always had a meaning or a reason behind, but that day her emotions had played a trick on her. Deep down, she knew that it couldn't be a few hours to define her life path, that it would make no sense to say "I love you" to a stranger she had only met 12 hours before and to whom she had unexpectedly opened her heart and revealed her deepest trues.
They were walking so close that their fingers brushed against each other's and Christen had the temptation to hold her hand, but she knew she couldn’t do it, otherwise, she would end up never letting her go.
The brunette glanced again at that beautiful stranger girl who was in silence since their heated discussion moments before. So much had happened since their first encounter, so much had changed in a few hours, and so many truths and feelings had been revealed.
In an hour, the sun would rise again. They walked inside the empty station and only a few people were sitting in the waiting area. Christen tried to focus on the departure board. On discovering her train would be leaving shortly, she thought of a thousand things she wanted to say but couldn’t.
The other girl interrupted her thoughts, "Can you at least give me your phone number?"
"I don't think I should". Christen answered with a sad smile, turning her body so that she could face the other girl.
"At least save my number”. The other girl pleaded as she struggled to find a pen in her backpack.
"Stop, please”. Christen said softly, putting her hand on the other’s girl arm. A few seconds of silence passed between the two before the stranger whispered again.
"Is it going to end like this?”. Her gaze begged for Christen to do something, maybe to stay.
"Like what?"
"I mean, you are going back to your old life. We’re not seeing each other again". The beautiful stranger said sadly. "We said we'd be honest with each other, so I guess”. She held her breath. “I feel that we met for a reason, we were meant to find each other.”
"I have to go back. Tonight, was special but that's it. We're both in a broken place and that connected us. But it's nothing more than this". Christen exhaled slowly and tried to believe in her own words. "I'll just be someone you met on a great day in New York." She smiled with sadness. "You know I don't belong here."
The other girl took a step towards Christen and grabbed her hands. They were so close that the skin of their arms almost touched. "I don't want to let you go". The girl said with assurance, looking Christen in the eyes.
They held eye contact for a long moment until Christen abruptly leaned forward and connected their lips, without thinking about it. Their lips moved in harmony as they kissed each other with such passion. The other girl’s arms wrapped around Christen’s waist and pulled them even closer. It only lasted for a few seconds but Christen pulled away breathlessly. The girl leaned her forehead against Christen's and asked again. "Is it going to end like this?”
"We have to get back to our real lives”. Christen said, backing up a step and running her hand through her hair, trying to compose herself before she got too overwhelmed.
A voice over the loudspeaker announced the departure of her train.
“This is my cue." She took two steps back and said simply. "We're going in different directions, but earth is round, maybe we'll find each other again". Her eyes were filled with tears and hers too. How would it be possible to feel something so strong in such a short time? Christen turned her back and left without ever looking back.
Christen forced herself to not think about that memory and concentrate on the task ahead. She had to get to her new job on time. Her new life was now beginning, in a new city, in a new job.
"Come on honey, we need to walk a little faster”. Through the chaos, the cars, the noises of New York, Christen pulled her daughter's hand. This was Christen's first day as Business Development Manager at Sportz inc., the most famous and prestigious sports marketing and talent management company, and one of those places where everyone wanted to work.
When Christen received this job offer, she knew she had to accept it. This was everything she dreamed of: a new job, a challenge, a new beginning. Bringing Alice to her first day wasn’t the perfect situation, but classes didn't start until the next day. So, a few days ago she called her new boss explaining all the situation, and for her relieve he said that Alice was more than welcomed too.
After a short walk downtown, they reached the entrance of the building, one of the most iconic skyscrapers in town. Christen looked up at the tall building in front of her and steadied herself, taking a deep breath as she walked in.
Sportz inc was a modern company, with state-of-the-art facilities and the interior with glass walls. At the reception, a nice woman that should be in her sixties welcomed both girls with a warm smile, which made Christen feel more relaxed. The brunette introduced herself and after a brief phone call from Mrs. Dawson (Christen noticed the name on the badge), she saw a girl walking towards them in a quick pace. She was a beautiful black girl with black hair and a flawless complexion. Her lips formed into a welcoming smile.
"Welcome Christen. I'm Crystal. I'm on your team and I’m in charge of the women's soccer teams.”
"Christen. Nice to meet you". She smiled and stretched her hand to greet her but was quickly surprised by a hug instead, what made her relax instantly. "And this is my daughter Alice."
"Hello sweetheart! Welcome too! You have nice braids and a really pretty smile". She hugged the little one who blushed with the sudden attention. "Today our CEO is out of town, so I'll be the one to guide you on your first day and to introduce you to everyone". Crystal explained.
Crystal led them on a tour around the company. Each space was visually stunning and perfectly designed and the people Christen met so far seemed genuinely happy there. She could picture herself there for many years. Crystal introduced the whole team one by one. Christen had a good memory, but for sure she wouldn't remember half the names at the end of the day.
Finally, they arrived at theirs workspace, which occupied one of the corners of the office. Christen's office was down the hall. With glass walls, her office was completely integrated with the rest of the workspace. That space would give her the privacy she would need for the most stressful moments but wouldn't isolate her from the rest of the team.
"You've met the whole team already, you're just missing Allie, our Marketing Manager. She is one of a kind, super fun and always playing pranks on the staff". Crystal paused. "Oh, and Heath, our creative director. Super talented and she's the hot shot here. We all have a crush on her". Christen couldn't help but find Crystal's comment funny, especially since she immediately realized that her new colleague and Pierre, a nice guy she had met a few minutes ago, were hopelessly in love with each other.
"This is your office. You have everything you need there. I'll give you some time so that you can get acquainted. Any questions tell me". Despite being some meters away, the office was right in front of Crystal's desk. Crystal turned to Alice, "Do you want to draw a picture with me?" The child nodded cheerfully.
The office was spacious, beautifully decorated with a modern wooden desk in the middle, a leather chair behind and two cushioned chairs in front and there was plenty of natural light from the floor to ceiling windows. Christen couldn’t be happier. She took a deep breath and finally let herself relax. She was grateful to Crystal for distracting Alice and giving her some time to process all the information. She decided to organize some of her things and read the documents that were left on her desk. Christen was so wrapped up on her work, that’s why she didn't notice the woman who had just arrived.
"Hello Tobin! Did you get a chance to look at the memo I emailed you?". Crystal asked hopefully.
Tobin was gorgeous to say at least, with big brown eyes, an exquisite charm, and a unique smile who for sure had no problem winning women's (and men’s) hearts. She was wearing what looked like a tailor-made suit, that fit every single curve of her body, almost to the point of perfection.
"Not yet. Sorry! I am working on the details of my trip to Miami next week and I have been really busy“, she said apologetically.
The sound of pencils scratching on paper caught Tobin's attention. "Oh, I see you have company today". She said curiously. Alice’s cheeks immediately reddened once she realized the adult was talking about her. The kid was dressed with a lovely blue dress that matched her green eyes and had braids perfectly tied.
"What's your name?". Tobin asked nicely as she bent down to be eye level with the kid.
Gaining confidence from the adult's kind smile, the kid stretched out her hand and answered. "Alice.”
"Tobin Heath but you can call me Hobin Teeth”. She shook the child's hand at the same time her other hand pointed to her bright smile. Alice laughed with Tobin’s playfulness.
"Alice is the daughter of the new business manager." Crystal spoke and approaching Tobin, she whispered, "Trust me, the woman is a goddess. She is really hot. Be careful because she's either gonna steal your spot or your heart!"
Tobin sighed like she was annoyed, knowing perfectly well where this conversation could lead. “Really, Crystal?”. Crystal made a playful shrug. "Just saying."
Tobin turned her attention again to Alice and noticed the kid was drawing a few figures that looked like dogs. "I see you like puppies a lot". The child replied excitedly, "Yes, I do! My dream is to live in a house full of puppies". Tobin laughed at Alice’s thinking. "Sounds like fun! I love dogs too and I would like to live in a house like that too".
"Do you want to draw a dog too?" Alice offered the pencil to Tobin who accepted it with enthusiasm.
"Sure, I'll try not to ruin your picture". Tobin couldn’t help but grin, happy that she had the opportunity to draw something for the child. She knew that her artistic skills were the delight of the little ones. The adult carefully drew a dog, similar to a golden retriever.
"What do you think?” Tobin asked then, setting the pencil back down and looking at Alice for an answer.
"I love it! Can you draw another one?". Tobin chuckled at Alice’s reaction and patiently, drew three more dogs and returned the pencil while Alice was looking in awe at the beautiful picture.
"You really are something else", said Crystal who looked at the scene with a smile on her lips.
Tobin returned the smile and asked then. "Well, when you have a time, could you send me all the information about the Paralympics project?"
"Yup. Right away". Crystal nodded.
"Where is that woman who's gonna take my place?” Tobin asked playfully.
“At her office, down the hall” Crystal replied, turning her attention to the kid.
Tobin who had been with her back turned to Christen’s office, was finally facing the space down the hall. It was one of those breathtaking moments where you could swear life was in slow motion. Tobin couldn’t rip her eyes off of Christen. She didn’t know how but her body was acting by itself as she took a few steps towards the office.
A laughter from Alice caught Christen's attention, who lifted her eyes from the papers and glanced to Crystal´s desk. The first thing she noticed was that another woman had joined them. But it was only when Christen heard that voice that she realized. She would recognize that voice anywhere in the world. Her heart was beating so fast she could swear its sound was heard all over the city.
When the other woman turned, they both stared at each other. Her eyes were locked on Christen’s green ones. Her heart seemed to stop beating as she looked to the face before her.
When Christen saw her moving in her direction, a wave of panic invaded her. She stood still. Tobin was now walking into her office, her comfort zone. In that moment, she felt like running away again. Then Tobin spoke first.
"Chris"
"Tobin”
"I never thought I would find you again"