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Chapter 2

Nyla

O'Hare International Airport. The last time I was here it was to leave from my father's funeral. It's been almost a year, everyday it gets easier. I picked the perfect time to travel. Everyone's already back home for school and work right before the holidays.

Chicago is home. It's a place full of diversity and some of the best art I've ever seen. New York has its own flair, but Chicago is in a league of its own. Baggage claim has to be airport hell. I grabbed my bags and placed them on the cart and went to the exit to grab a cab. I needed to find one to take me to the Magnificent Mile towers. My home away from home... now my only home.

After grabbing a cab, I sent a snap to Molly letting her know I was safe and on my way home. I was missing her already, I wish she could've come with me. But if she would've given up her business for me, I'd never forgive myself. If I asked her, she would've. But I would never.

The traffic wasn't as bad as NYC, but damn I hate traffic. I needed a hover car. I smiled while I read Molly's message, "This is going to be good for you, and you can get back to your work." Painting was something that I put down after my father passed. I left for New York thinking that I'd be discovered and I had left him here with a promise I'd always come back. I feel like this is part of that promise. "We're here." The cabbie said as he got out to get my bags.

The doorman helped me with my bags and I stopped at the security desk to get my key that I called in earlier. "You can't pay for a better September day." The doorman said. I just smiled and looked at his name badge. Xavier; a tall, dark and handsome young man, probably 22. No more than 24. He felt like a boy to me. I could feel him looking me up and down. I didn't mind the attention, but that's as close he will ever get. The elevator chimed and I exited and walked to apartment 529, I put the key in the door and turned to Xavier with a $20 bill in my hand. "Thank you, I got it from here." I said as I held the money out for him to grab. He smiled and headed towards the elevator. I pulled the bags in and flicked on the lights. I let out a breath. "Ok so I'm here, now what?" I thought.

I opened the window length curtains and watched all the lights, the people, and the cars go by. I walked to the kitchen with cherry wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and breakfast bar. I needed something to eat. Why did I even bother to look? It's been almost a year since I was last here. Thank God I found a bottle of wine. I poured myself a generous amount in my glass and made myself a list with grocery shopping at the top, then maybe pick up some art supplies.

My phone began to vibrate on the counter with a text notification. I grabbed the phone and took a glance at the screen. Immediately pissed that I hadn't blocked his ass, it was Sullivan.

"How are you Nyla?" I read the text probably one hundred times and the fury I'd been holding in was about to show her ugly head. I took in two deep breaths, went to contacts and blocked his number completely. As I did it, I yelled out "Fuck you!"

I slipped my shoes off and started unpacking, filling the closet with my things. This should be a ritual for everyone; unpacking with a bottle of wine. I might pay for it in the morning, but it got me through the night.

I awoke to the sun beaming in on my face. I hadn’t shut the curtains. I passed out on the couch, leg sprawled out and lipstick smeared on my own shirt collar. I looked at my phone to check the time, it was in the afternoon.

After texting Molly for about forty minutes, I got in the shower and got ready for the day. I pulled my hair back into a sleek braided ponytail, which fell two inches past my shoulder blade. The braid paired perfectly to my cream, fitted, long sleeved, mid-thigh dress. It hugged every part of me just right. I completed my look with black thigh high boots and a matching Michael Kors leather satchel.

I scheduled an Uber and headed out the door. The elevator came like clockwork, I stood alone in the elevator as it descended. I waved at the security officer as I walked toward the doorman holding the door open. I exited the building and looked at my phone to remind myself of my driver who would be picking me up. Just as I was looking down, a black town car pulled up and an older, pale faced man exited the car.

I watched him as he walked around the car to let out his rear passenger. When he opened the door, a man's charcoal grey dress shoe appeared and hit the jet black tar. Everything stood still until it faded away. Everything except him. With the phone to his ear and dark aviators to match his deep navy double breasted suit. I watched as his mouth moved and I took in a deep breath as the September breeze cut through the fabric of my dress.

At that moment, I could feel the warmth of his breath breathing right into my core. I felt as if I were on fire, and my skin was scorched. He stood there unphased by the conversation my body was having with him.

"Miss, do you still need a ride?" the thin woman with neatly styled dreads said. He looked my way and flashed a smile the way you flash a smile to a stranger, but in those twenty seconds, I had fantasies of that smile. Him smiling at me after I came all over his perfect mouth. I was breathless and restless, I felt as if I was carrying a bowling ball in my panties just from his smile.

I turned towards the Uber driver and got in the back seat and said "Sorry, I was just-" I spoke as if I had just ran a marathon, I was out of breath damn near painting. "Are you ok?" She asked.

"I'm fine, thanks. Take me to Treasure Island, please." I said as I looked out the back window to catch a glimpse of him, he was gone and I wished he took this bowling ball with him.

I texted Molly to let her know I was heading out. I was alone in the city and wanted to let someone know I was safe. As I hit send, an unknown number flashed across my screen.

"Hello?" I said hesitantly, as I waited to hear the voice on the other end of the phone.

"Nyla, WHERE ARE YOU?" It was Sullivan and his voice was panicked.

He must have realized I left the loft. I didn't say a word; I just hung up. Where am I? How fucking dare he! It had been 3 whole fucking days that I waited for him to come back after grabbing his things.

If it wasn't for Molly, I'd probably still be waiting for him in that closet. If she hadn't shown up when she did, I would have still been there waiting for him. Thank goodness she did and brought the pictures that sealed the deal.

I stared out the window and watched the bucket boys bang their buckets. I always loved the way they played. They'd be a great addition to any drumline. The phone buzzed in my hand and I looked at the screen.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Please come home, I messed up." I read it disgusted and blocked that number, too.

"What's the best phone company here?" I asked Cynthia, my Uber driver.

She looked at me through the rearview mirror and said, "T-Mobile is the best."

Our eyes met and I said "Take me there first."

She nodded and I turned my phone off. Cynthia took me to T-Mobile, then Treasure Island, and then home. Xavier was waiting outside of the building. He rushed over to the car to get the door when he realized it was me. I thanked Cynthia for driving me around. She told me to request her anytime, and I would. She did her job well. She knew all of the shortcuts and didn't constantly bitch and moan about the traffic.

Xavier helped me to my door and this time, I let him help me sit the bags in the kitchen. I thanked him and on his way out he stopped in his tracks and said, "That's a beautiful painting."

I walked toward him with a soft smile and said, "You've got good taste." He asked shyly, "Who is the artist?"

I looked him in his eyes and said, "Me."

His mouth dropped, he looked at the painting then back at me. "It's my favorite as well." He stepped closer and asked "Who is she?" The "she" he was referring to in the painting was me, well metaphorically. Hands bound behind my back, blindfolded, with my chin up looking into the sky; on my knees, naked, with a pool of water surrounding me.

Xavier turned towards me and said, "This should be on display for the world." I smiled a genuine smile and nudged him gently. "Seriously Ms. Carlisle, it's amazing!" he said while heading to the door. I didn't speak I just walked him out smiling, and it was the first time in a long time someone besides Molly and my father truly enjoyed my work. Before I closed the door, I said "Please, call me Nyla." He smiled as I closed the door. I stared at the art, wishing I could be the girl who painted that picture again.

While unloading the groceries, Molly and I FaceTimed. She told me about her day, we laughed and it was like we were there together. I felt as though I was going to be ok.

"Any cute guys?" Molly asked me wagging her eyebrows. Instantly and reflexively I rolled my eyes and said "I did just get out of a relationship, Moll."

She shrugged and said "Clearly he's enjoying himself. So, you should, too." I bit my lip and stared into space thinking about the mystery man from earlier. "Okay tell me everything." Molly said snapping her fingers.

"There's nothing to tell." I said holding back a smile. She wasn't buying it as her expression told me so. I rolled my eyes and told her about the man who almost made me come undone in the middle of the magnificent mile. Molly was clapping screaming "YAS Bih!" all I could do was laugh at her.

"So does he live in your building?" Molly said while tilting her wine glass to the phone and pointing with her index finger. I shrugged and took a sip of my wine. It was the truth. I didn't know if he stayed here and I wasn't trying to find out. Then, I told her about Xavier and how he was taken with the painting. She laughed saying "Yeah because he wants to get in them silky drawers." She really has a mind like a prepubescent boy, whose mind lived in the gutter. We talked for a few more hours and I went through two slices of Oreo cheesecake.

We finally ended the call and I felt a weight lifted off my chest. I feared that she'd somehow resent me for leaving, but she was never like that. So, why did I expect her to be that way now? After talking about art and discovering my passion again, I decided to look for a job. I searched the internet for art assistant positions. I sent my resume over to a few galleries, but one really caught my eye. Not just because the pay was more, but the art director was a young, handsome man. His smile was warm and inviting.

I emailed my resume and hoped for a call back. I showered then flexi rodded my hair. I drifted into a sleep content with all things surrounding me, and ready for whatever may come my way.

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