BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter One: A New Beginning

Chapter One: A New Beginning

In the soft embrace of the evening, where the last rays of the sun danced with the shadows, I found myself hesitating outside my apartment door. A sigh escaped me, laced with a cocktail of anticipation and nostalgia. "Why do goodbyes always feel like the end of an era?" I murmured to myself, my breath visible in the cool air.

My fingers, cold yet determined, wrapped around the door handle, hesitating just a moment longer.

Beyond this threshold, the comforting hum of familiar voices mixed with the alluring aroma of margherita pizza – a scent that had become synonymous with late-night confessions and shared dreams. It was more than just a fragrance; it was a memory, a piece of our collective story.

As I pushed the door open, a wave of warmth washed over me, a tangible contrast to the crispness outside. This place, an eclectic collection of thrift store treasures and shared secrets, was on the verge of witnessing one last, pivotal moment: our goodbye.

The room, basked in the soft, golden glow of our old lamps, took on an almost magical quality, like a scene lifted from a faded photograph.

There was Sarah, lounging on the couch with the effortless grace of someone who always seemed to know more than she let on. She caught my gaze with a look that conveyed a depth of understanding, no words needed.

She lifted her glass, a smirk playing on her lips tinged with a touch of sadness. "To Emily, about to set the Big Apple ablaze. May your story there outshine even Times Square."

Before the warmth of Sarah's toast could fade, Sophia, our resident drama magnet, chimed in, her flair for theatrics on full display.

"Cut the Hallmark crap. Em, you're about to plunge into the deep end of the big leagues. And on the subject of a deep plunge, last night was insanely hot – I'll dish out the steamy details later."

I stifled a chuckle, my words dripping with both sarcasm and amusement. "Soph, judging by the moans and screams echoing from your room, I'm starting to think my noise-canceling headphones are just a pathetic joke. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole street has started keeping tabs on your nightly escapades."

With an exaggerated roll of her eyes and a wickedly sharp grin, Sophia shot back, "Honey, I love you, but you two are living like a nun. It's practically my civic duty to be your source of erotica. Seriously, it's been ages since you've been on a date. I think both you and Sarah should be sending me thank-you notes." She gestured pointedly at both of us, her smirk unwavering.

"Thank-you notes? Please, I ought to be invoicing you for all the sleepless nights I've endured, courtesy of your... let's say, very expressive escapades. Honestly, I could probably narrate your 'adventures' with more flair than any romance novel by now."

Sophia, feigning shock, hand on her heart, protested, "We weren't that loud. Right, Em?"

Trying to keep a straight face, I raised an eyebrow. "I can sleep through a hurricane, but judging by the bags under Sarah's eyes, maybe consider investing in some soundproofing?"

Sophia, unfazed, flicked her hair with a theatrical flourish. "Darling, those nights are my own brand of performance art."

Shaking my head with a laugh, I couldn't help but admire her unabashed confidence. "Sophia, if New York ever runs out of entertainment, you'd be their next big hit."

Sophia's laughter still echoed in the room when Sarah's calm voice cut through the excitement. She laid a hand on Sophia's arm, a silent request for a momentary pause. "Okay, let's put the midnight tales aside for now," she said, her eyes turning to me with genuine interest. ""Em, you're on the brink of diving into the tech world, right? Spill the details. What's got you buzzing?"