Break Me, Love Me Again

　　Year 2024/Amelia's POV

　　New York.

　　A city of dreams for some,and a place of heartbreak for others.

　　For me,it was both—a stepping stone to my dreams and the hometown of the boy who'd broken my teenage heart.

　　The cab screeched to a halt,narrowly missing a delivery cyclist who cursed loudly as he sped past.My heart was pounding,but I couldn't tell if it was from the close call or the sight of the New York skyline rising before me.

　　"Welcome to the chaos,"I muttered under my breath,gripping my phone tighter as Kaylee's voice crackled through the receiver.

　　"You're officially in the jungle now,Ames,"she teased."How's it feel to finally be a real New Yorker?"

　　I glanced out the window at the crowds swarming the sidewalks,their voices blending into the constant hum of the city.Somewhere,a car horn blared long and angrily.

　　"Intimidating,"I admitted,my voice barely above a whisper."But it's like the whole city is alive.The apartment's got these massive windows that look out onto a fire escape.It's straight out of a movie."

　　Kaylee's laugh was warm and familiar."And you've always been the star,haven't you?Don't worry there's a lot more to see in the city that never sleeps and I can't wait to show you!"

　　"I can't wait,"I replied,a thrill coursing through me for the first time since I entered.My best friend,Kaylee had moved up here three years ago and I needed to remind myself that I would also be just fine.

　　"We'll have to celebrate properly once I get settled in,"I added."Drinks on me,at that rooftop bar you are always sending me pictures of."

　　"Deal!"Kaylee exclaimed."But first,I'll take you to the club downtown.Give you a warm welcome with one drink.Or five"

　　I laughed,the sound mingling with the city's symphony of honks and sirens."Don't worry,I packed enough dresses.Besides,with you as my roommate,I do not doubt that I'll be drinking ten cocktails in one night."

　　The cab pulled to a stop with a sigh,the yellow paint job somehow brighter under the city lights.I fumbled with the payment,phone jammed between my ear and shoulder as I finished my conversation with Kaylee.

　　"I'm here!"I announced,a nervous laugh escaping my lips.

　　"Perfect timing!"Kaylee's voice echoed through the receiver."I just came downstairs."

　　A moment later,a flash of sunshine materialized through the revolving door–Kaylee.My smile widened as I disconnected the call and shoved the phone into my purse.She looked incredible,even more so in person,her toned legs showcased in ripped denim shorts and a cute crop top.Her honey-blonde hair,usually in a messy bun for our FaceTime sessions,was styled in loose waves that framed her face perfectly.

　　"Hey there,city slicker!"she greeted,throwing her arms around me in a hug that nearly knocked the wind out of me."Let me help with those!"

　　She effortlessly hoisted one of my overflowing suitcases,the doorman taking the other with practiced ease.

　　"Wow,Kaylee,"I breathed,taking a good look at her."You look amazing."

　　"Thanks,Ames,"she winked."Modeling keeps you on your toes.Speaking of toes gotta jet soon.Big shoot in an hour."

　　A pang of pride shot through me.My small-town best friend,gracing the covers of magazines,and walking runways in Milan.It still felt surreal.I was so proud of her.

　　"Wait,"I blurted,the question I'd been wrestling with ever since I accepted the job offer that had made me make the love to New York from Portland."Was this a good idea,me coming here?Leaving everything behind?"

　　Kaylee stopped mid-stride,her smile faltering for a brief moment.Then,she squeezed my arm reassuringly.

　　"Ames,listen to me,"she said,her voice firm but laced with concern."You're the most talented person I know.This city is full of opportunities,and you deserve a shot at your dream just like anyone else."

　　I bit my lip,the familiar self-doubt creeping in."But what if I mess up?What if everyone's right and I'm not good enough?"

　　"Hey,"Kaylee countered,her gaze unwavering."You're forgetting one thing.You aced that interview,remember?You blew them away with your passion and your skills.Besides,"she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper,"No one here even knows about the two of you and it happened so many years ago,baby.Fuck whoever told you that you're not good enough.Give me their numbers so that I can cuss them out for lying through their noses."

　　"Are you sure?"I whispered back,referencing the ex-boyfriend who'd made my hometown feel like a paradise and had subsequently made it look like a graveyard after he left.

　　Kaylee scoffed."Honey,it's been,what,ten years?We've been through this.This is a fresh start,Amelia.Your chance to finally follow your dreams and I'll be damned if I let you chicken out of this because of what happened back then,okay?"

　　Her words washed over me,filled with reassurance and I nodded.She was right.This city,with its feverish energy and endless possibilities,was what I'd dreamed of for a long time.I deserved to be here.

　　"You're right,"I said,a newfound determination settling in my stomach."Thank you,Kaylee.I needed to hear that."

　　She grinned."Now,let's get you settled in before I head for my shoot where they plan to turn me into a pumpkin.But promise me we'll celebrate properly once I'm back?Drinks on me,at that rooftop bar I told you about."

　　"Deal!"

　　The weight of the brown envelope in my hand felt like a physical manifestation of the knot in my stomach.Two months ago,it had held the golden ticket to my dream job—Assistant Head of the Business Team at Kane Corp.Elation had rushed through me,a sweet validation of years spent meticulously honing my skills.Then,just as quickly,that elation curdled into cold dread when George Kane,the company founder,passed away unexpectedly,and his son was set to automatically replace him.

　　Adrian Kane.The name still scraped against my heart like sandpaper,summoning memories I'd tried to bury.A decade ago,he had been everything:my first love,my first heartbreak,the boy who had turned my world upside down only to vanish without a trace.When he disappeared,he didn't just take himself out of my life—he took my trust,my belief in love,and the girl I used to be.

　　And now,after all these years,he was back.Not as the boy who stole and then shattered my heart,but as the man who now determined my potential future.He was the new head of Kane Corp,and I was about to work under him.The idea of it made me want to scream.

　　"You're just a distraction,Amelia.That's all you've ever been."

　　His voice had been cold that night,each word sharper than the last as rain descended on us,but the worst part was the way he'd looked at me—as if I didn't matter.

　　I'd stood there,stunned and stupidly hoping he'd take it back.That he'd admit it was a lie,that he didn't mean it.But Adrian Kane never did.He'd just turned and walked away,leaving me to crumble alone.

　　The memory burned through me now,as vivid as the day it happened.I could still hear the echo of his words in the quiet corners of my mind,and could still feel the way my chest had caved in as if he'd ripped something vital from me.

　　But that girl?She didn't exist anymore.

　　I shoved the memory aside,as quickly as it came.I wasn't here to relive the past.I wasn't here to face him,or to confront the ghost of what could've been.

　　I was here to follow my dreams.And no one—not even Adrian Tobias Kane—was going to stand in my way.