I've Missed You | CHONI |

Chapter 1

Cheryl opened her eyes, she'd left the window open last night and the sound of loud traffic pulled her from her dreams. Even after all of these years she still wasn't used to living in the city. She threw her legs over the side of her bed, groaning as she stood up, stretching out her whole body. She opened her blinds and reached to shut her window instantly cutting out the outside noise. Silence, perfect. She was about to walk into the bathroom when her phone rang.
'Yes' Cheryl said rolling her eyes.
'Miss Blossom, we have multiple people interested in buying your painting, was there a preference on who you wanted it to go to?' A man spoke down the phone.
'I've told you Tyler, whoever offers the most money. I don't know why I bothered employing you'.
Cheryl hung up the phone, she needed a coffee but first she needed to shower.

Cheryl stepped into the shower, the water washing away her stress, she can't remember the last time she'd had a break. Her work was her whole life, she lived in a beautiful apartment in New York, she had it all or so it seemed. Her art was her passion a lot of it proudly hung in museums or on celebrities walls, she had a lot of clients and her art was always in high demand. Money was no issue to Cheryl and she'd reached all her dreams on her own and made plenty of cash doing it. She had no family except for the little relationship she had with her brother Jason.

She'd also had a few flings with a couple of women but she'd never commit to someone, if they showed signs of wanting anything more than a little bit of fun Cheryl cut it off. After the relationship she had at 17 she'd happily live her life without a significant other. Her mind wondered to Toni, it did that sometimes, she wondered where her life had taken her or if she was happy but as usual she pushed it to the back of her mind.

Cheryl grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself, entering her bedroom with her phone in her hand. She sat at her vanity, looking at herself, she didn't see the broken young girl looking back at her anymore, now it was a empty 25 year old. She huffed pulling herself out of her thoughts, she brushed her long red hair and got ready for the day.

Cheryl entered her workplace, she walked towards her office, practically ignoring all of her employees. The building was where clients would come in for meetings with Cheryl or to see her art. It was exquisite, like a museum filled with Cheryl's very own art.
'Miss Blossom' Cheryl turned to the young girl a perfect brow arched.
'There's a women in your office, I tried to tell her she needed an appointment but she wouldn't listen, do you need me to call security?'.
'I'll let you know' Cheryl marched to her office, she wasn't in the mood today.

Cheryl opened the door and smiled 'And what are you doing here?'.
'Hey girl you missed me?' Veronica stood pulling Cheryl into a hug 'It's been a while and I'm in the city for couple of weeks, I had to come see my bestie, how about we skip out early today?' She smirked.
'Veronica I have a business to run' Cheryl said.
'Cheryl anyone would think you're a Middle aged woman, that's what's great about owning your own business right? We can leave when we like'.
Veronica brought out the side to Cheryl no one else got to see. To everyone else Cheryl was a workaholic, definitely all work no play.
'Fine' Cheryl rolled her eyes, she pressed a button on the phone placed on her desk letting Tyler know to cancel all of her appointments today.
'Great let's go' Veronica grabbed Cheryl's arm pulling her out of her office.

Veronicas driver pulled up at a little wine bar. The young women walked into the bar arm in arm and took a seat, they ordered some drinks and started catching up.
'So any new women in your life?' Veronica nudged Cheryl with a smile, she knew her friend had a hard time with what happened with Toni and it took her a long time to even think about dating again.
'Definitely not' Cheryl laughed 'I don't have time for relationships, are you still with Archie?'.
'On and off, we're just friends with benefits really, I just can't keep my hands off him when I see him but I'm too young to settle down'. Veronica owned a franchise of clubs around the states, she was a business women but she also knew how to enjoy herself, something Cheryl needed to learn to do.
The girls started to feel the effects of the alcohol.
'Hey how about we go back to your place, get ready and hit some clubs tonight' Veronica said excitedly.
'I don't know about that V'.
'Cheryl how many times do I need to tell you you're 25 years old, live a little, now email your assistant and let them know you won't be in tomorrow'.
'Urghh fine' Cheryl said pulling out her phone.

Cheryl and Veronica decided to walk back to Cheryl's apartment, they needed the fresh air to sober up at little.

'You're apartment is beautiful Cher, it's a shame you have to live here all alone'.
'I like living alone, let me make us some food and then we can get ready for tonight'.
'Nope I'll order some pizza, you're having a day off today'.
'Pizza in the afternoon, really Ronnie?'.
'Yes really' Veronica laughed.