We Are In Love In NYC

An Unforgettable Saturday

June 23, 2029

With her hand poised to ring the doorbell, the door swung open unexpectedly. There he stood, looking surprised to see her. He was clad in a white tee and faded blue jeans, the faint sound of music leaking from his AirPods, indicating it was playing at full volume.

She stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, still awestruck by the revelation her composition had brought. It was more than just music; it was a mirror reflecting her deepest desires. Who was she kidding? The truth was crystal clear now. She wanted it all. The empire, the label — she envisioned herself as a fierce CEO, guiding artists through the tumultuous industry, shielding them from its cutthroat nature. For too long, she had settled for the comfort of the familiar, a coping mechanism to shield herself from the pain of losing her mom. But now, she was ready to embrace life in its entirety. She was prepared to claim every bit of success she could muster, and it started with the person standing right in front of her.

"Hey," she muttered, a touch of surprise in her voice as she crossed the threshold.

"Hi," his expression mirrored her astonishment. He stepped aside, allowing her entry into the loft.

"Wow, nice place," she remarked, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Thanks. Best Airbnb in the Upper West Side," he explained. She looked at him, puzzled. "That's what the landlord said."

"Oh," she replied, understanding now.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting to see you," he confessed, still rooted near the door. It dawned on her that he was likely about to leave just as she arrived.

"Yeah, I should have called or something. But Liv mentioned you were home and weren't leaving until 11 p.m."

"Yeah," he said, his gaze lingering on the door. It struck her that her arrival might have disrupted his plans.

"Were you heading somewhere? I'm sorry if I messed up your plans."

"No, I just wanted to take a walk around the neighbourhood for the last time. Had plans with Liv, but she's out with Spencer. Thought I'd stroll around and maybe stop by a café for some doughnuts."

"Well, I can join you if you don't mind," she offered.

"Yeah, sure."

"Okay."

Together, they stepped out of the apartment, with him following quietly behind her.

*****************************

"Wow, that was actually good," she exclaimed, dabbing her hands and mouth with a napkin after relishing the strawberry-glazed doughnut.

"Yeah, I hope doughnuts in L. A is still really good. I remember Spencer and I used to get some at Slauson Cafe anytime we visited my dad at Crenshaw," he reminisced.

They strolled along the bustling pavement, surrounded by the hurried rhythm of city life. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper on her mind, something she seemed to be avoiding. They had barely exchanged more than pleasantries, discussing mundane things like their walk, her choice of doughnuts, and the café.

He pondered her presence, questioning the unspoken thoughts hanging between them. It was evident that her visit wasn't merely about saying goodbye before he left for L.A. There was a quiet tension in the air, waiting to be acknowledged, a conversation waiting to unfold. Yet, neither of them dared to broach the unspoken.

"When did we become like this?" he said, breaking the heavy silence that lingered between them.

"Like what?" Layla asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant.