Building an empire

Chapter 1

It was a cold new-year's-eve night here in New York City. Thirty minutes until the new year. I stood on the balcony of my best friend Alice Wintour's, penthouse, overlooking Times Square. Being a moderate drinker, the glass of welcome-champagne in my hand was still half full, three hours into the event. Vague music traveled from all directions. The jam-packed party behind me still was very much alive.

This was my first ever new year's-eve in New York. Alice hosted this year's new year's-eve party and invited me along with her whole group of friends. I seriously regretted it the moment I accepted her invitation. Small and intimate was more of my scenery. This was not it.

The dress code for this event was super formal. Very typical of Alice. She even dressed me for tonight, suggesting that I needed something 'sexy'. Well, somebody didn't watch the weather channel, given the fact that she picked a backless gown for me to wear. No sleeves whatsoever. Luckily, yours truly knew her way around a needle and thread and sowed herself a pair onto the dress. I also covered the back in sheer fabric for extra warmth. It still had some major sex appeal, but chances of me freezing were minimal.

"Ah, there's the social butterfly" I heard a familiar voice behind me.

The voice that made me want to run for the hills.

With a plastered smile on my face, I turned around casually. The one and only, Adam Miller. The son of my boss, Richard Miller. We had a very complicated relationship. The motto he lived by was his way or the highway. And that might have worked for the people from his department, but I, however, didn't work for him, so I didn't settle for either. The fact that I didn't murder him during these past few months, actually gave me hope for the new year.

The number one personal improvement I promised myself to accomplish this year, was to become unapologetically resilient. Overcoming life's hurdles and turning them into learning opportunities. Becoming the woman of my dreams - strong, independent, and confident - no matter the circumstances. And to those standing in my way of achieving that success this year, my middle finger was on standby.

"Where's Kyle?" he asked, leaning over the balcony. Why the sudden interest in my relationship, Adam?

As I was about to answer him, my phone vibrated. I unlocked the screen and opened a photo sent from an unknown number. A clear photo of my boyfriend, Kyle, and a girl kissing on a yacht, popped up on my screen. Pathetic.

I can't believe he held me back all those months. Six months of wasted energy and emotions. Six months of hearing how much I meant to him, repeatedly. Six months of me thinking he was as different as he said he was. You definitely had me fooled, Kyle.

"Out of the picture" I replied, locking my screen.

"You need a shoulder to cry on?"

"Me? Cry over a man? Never" I scoffed, sipping my champagne. Crying over a man was never an option. Especially a cheating one! Karma took care of that part.

This breakup could not come at a better time. Testing my resilience this soon now, are we? Challenge accepted. Thanks to you, Kyle!

"Screw him, you deserve better" Yeah, that's the problem. I thought he was better. But you're right, I did deserve better.

"Why aren't you at the party?" I asked, trying to avoid the conversation about why my relationship failed.

"Not in the mood for it" he sipped some of his whiskey. "You?"

"Ah, now there is something we both can agree on, and it's not even the new year" I teased, knowing that rarely happened.

Adam never missed an opportunity to party. Last week, he flew to Monaco for a friend's birthday bash, and they celebrated the whole week. No, I didn't stalk him on Instagram.