Amor Vincit Omnia

✝Chapter 1 - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams

- All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy, for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another -

10 years prior.

I snuck up behind Phil and scared the hell out of him, a talent I've mastered over the years.

''Sarah!'' Phil elongated my name, dramatically. ''You took at least ten years of my life away from me.''

''Oh come on, you're such a scaredy cat.'' I smiled, showing off my white pearls, making him smile as well. His cheeks were chiseled like a finely-carved Michelangelo statue. The rays of sunlight highlighted his dimples on his cheeks and chin. His nose was perfectly symmetrical and his lips were slightly full; the kind that end in a cute little smirk at the corners.

''Am not!'' whined Phil, taking off his apron. ''Now, would you please sit down so we can both enjoy these pancakes?''

Phil was my best-friend and has been for about six years. Four years ago we finally decided to move in together. At the age of sixteen, two years after the death of my mother, I begged Phil, who was twenty years old at that time, to take me and raise me as his own. I just couldn't stand living at home anymore; my father had started drinking, and wasting all our precious money on ridiculous things. My sister had moved far away, to London. While she was happily married, I was left here in this hell hole, completely and utterly alone. I had no job and therefore had to drop out of school to help my father who was good for nothing. And of course one day, when he was needed most, he left, and never came back. Even to this day, I have no idea where he went. Having no money, I couldn't keep living alone so I gave up the house, this is finally when Phil took me in and gave me more than I needed. For that I owe him everything.

I had to focus on something else, knowing I couldn't have afforded college so three years later I began writing, hoping one day it could be published. I tried to base the book on my life, about a young girl, who has the world on her shoulders and doesn't give up, no matter  how much life tries to push her back down again, she stood right back up and soldiered on.

Phil began work as real estate agent about three years ago, working with his father in a large company. If I were told to describe Phil in one word I would say he is a workaholic. It amazes me that each and everyday, he's always doing some kind of work for the company.

The house we lived in, in Chicago, was like a palace to me. I was the princess and Phil, the King. The two of us got along so well, better than anyone else since the death of my mother.

For as long as I can remember Phil worked at home. He always used to say it's better to work at home from your couch and stay naked than clothed and in an uncomfortable small office at work. Yep, that's Phil for you.

''Do you have any plans for tonight?'' Phil asked, sitting beside me.

Blowing  a wayward strand of hair off my face, I grinned at him. ''I have a date night with Damon tonight.''

He smiled. ''That's nice. Where are you two lovebirds going?''

''Down by the Navy Pier.'' I said, taking a bite of my pancakes. ''There's a brand new restaurant and Damon thought we should try it out.''

''Seems like a good idea.'' He grinned. ''So how long has it been?''

''We've been dating for five months.'' I smiled, remembering my first date with Damon.

A gorgeous hostess led me upstairs to a quieter VIP bar that overlooked the stage from below. I was shown to a small seating area by the balcony and settled at a table hugged by two half-moon velvet sofas. She propped a beverage menu in the center and said, ''Your drinks are on the house. Enjoy your night.''