unedited nor proofread

I was sitting down on my vanity, staring at my reflection in the mirror, I still couldn't recognize myself; I had dyed my hair platinum blonde this morning, switching from the bright red. meanwhile original brown haired me seized to exist along with the old me and her memories.

I heard a faint knock on my door, "come in" I called out, the door creaked open and mom's head popped from behind "Adeline honey, dinner is ready" she said softly "okay i'll be down in a minute" she nodded her head and closed the door.

Oh yeah, not only did I change my hair's color and length, but I changed my name, my style, I wear contact lenses now, I've completely killed my old self, I didn't want to remember her. My old self couldn't imagine her life without Noah, she struggled with depression for months, dropped down twenty pounds, and all for what? An illusional heartbreak based on a dream that felt so real. Old me was left stranded on the island for weeks before my mother found me, she was the last person I'd wanted to see at that time, my heart was full of hatred towards her, but again, all based on a version of her I saw in my dream.

She never made a deal with Noah and sold me to him, we basically never met, besides our small encounter on the yacht before it was wrecked. After I was back in my old home, I couldn't function normally, I didn't sleep for days as I stayed up searching for Noah online, any news about him, any updates, any way to contact him, I literally went insane. I failed to reached him, and the only news I could find at the time were related to the yacht incident, his father had passed away, and he took over all his companies and wealth, other than that, I didn't know anything.

For months I couldn't adjust to my new life, which was my old life, except my mother was a thousand times better, more loving, and well motherly, I guess losing me and thinking I was dead clicked something deep within her that made her change drastically.

Today, I own sixty percent of the shares in mom's company, I've made a few new friends who I'm grateful for, but I remained single, something deep within was still not ready for love, I don't why but I tried dating a few times it just never worked out, none of the men felt real or like we had a connection, or maybe none of them were him... him? who is him exactly, I laughed at myself. It doesn't matter anymore, I'm completely satisfied being independent and free, a year changes you a lot.

I shook my head in attempt to shake my thoughts away, I stood up and headed downstairs to the dining room, the smell of my mom's famous chicken lasagna filled my nostrils, "mmmm smells delicious" I commented causing a proud grin to spread across mom's face "only the best for my baby", I smiled back and took a seat opposite to hers, at the head of the table Gerald, mom's husband was seated, Gerald was like a father I never had, he was amazing, I loved him as if he were my biological father, he treated mom like royalty, and he played a huge role in aiding me back to normal, in fact he was my psychiatrist, thats how he and mom met and well they fell in love.

"Adeline, looking as beautiful as your mother, how are you feeling darling?" Gerald asked offering me a warm smile "Why thank you, I feel good honestly, how are you doing?"

"Im happy to hear that, as long as I have you and your mother by my side, Im well" my mother instantly let out a loud awhhh, she inched closer to him giving him a quick peck, I just smiled in return

"enough talking, the lasagna's getting cold, hand me your plate didi" mom stuck her hand out, I gave her my plate and she placed a huge slice of lasagna on it, I licked my lips ready to devour it all.

~*~*~*~

"Miss Adeline! Welcome back we've missed you!"

"Welcome back boss!!"

"This company felt so empty without you!!"

"Loving your new hairstyle!"

employees all around me kept calling as I walked towards my office, I took a one month break from work and now that I'm finally back, their warming welcome made me feel so good about myself, I was basically their friend, not your typical boss, and I loved every single employee here. I smiled at each one of them, mouthing a thank you in return. Being away from the office for a month also meant I had a heap of paperwork to go through, thank god I was updated daily via emails.

I stepped into my huge office, my literal second home, my secretary Angelina stood there, a huge smile on her face, holding her clipboard ready to recite my schedule, this girl was the best at her job, I love how responsible and dedicated she is

"Good Morning Miss Lockwood!" she chirped happily, another thing I admired about her was how positive and bubbly she is, she radiates good vibes

"Morning Angelina, how are you feeling today?" I asked, I placed my bag on my desk and took a seat "Im great! So happy you're back!!" I couldn't help but get up and hug her, "I've missed you too, now back to business! Tell me, is there anything important planned for today?" I asked as I sat back down, her eyes scanned the clipboard before looking back up "Uhm well, you do actually, I'm not sure If you've read the email regarding the collaboration request from the new clothing company based in Spain" collaboration request? guess I've missed it "I don't think so, kindly elaborate" she moved from behind my desk and stood next to me, taking out her iPad, she scrolled for a few minutes then handed it to me "Okay so, there's this brand new online clothing store thats based in Spain that gained a huge popularity over a very short period of time for their unique lines" she then pressed on a slideshow that showcased their designs, I was honestly impressed, and not surprised at all as to why they've gained this quick popularity, they had diverse unique designs, each one made a statement "thats pretty interesting" "I know right? And the best part they want to collab with us for their upcoming line, apparently inspired by the kickboxing season, its called 'Fight Like A Tigresa'"

Tigresa? I couldn't help but shiver as a wave of nostalgia hit me, this nickname...

I gave Angelina the iPad back, not wanting to see more, "What do you think?!" She asked "Im fascinated to be honest" I said "Thats great! I was hoping you'd have this positive feedback because you have a meeting today at 2PM with the company's CEO personally, to discuss in details the collab and all" she smiled hopefully "Okay sure, but what did you say the company's name was?" is their brand name, the company itself is just one of many owned by the same american-latino businessman, you've surely heard of him-" angelina was cut off when a loud knock on my door grabbed our attention "Come In" I said, the door opened revealing my bestfriend who also happens to be marketing manager, "Pamela!!" I screamed excitedly, happy to see her after my break, "Adeline! I was told you were back! Ugh i've missed you, I hope I'm not intruding or anything, I could come back if you're busy" she said with the same excitement "Oh please, you'd never, come in I missed your ass" I stood up and hugged her "Miss Lockwood, I guess i'll come back later, don't forget your meeting at 2!" Angelina said then she left the office "Soooo, whats with the platinum blonde change, you're literally shining girl"

"You know me Pam, I got bored with red, so why not go to the extreme" she laughed "You're one crazy b"

"Eh- I guess so, anyways wanna go out to grab something to eat with coffee?" I proposed "I mean duhh, our morning ritual! we could catch up, I have so many thingsss to tell you"

"I would go a day without talking to you and all the world's drama would hit you, I could only imagine what i've missed out on over the past month, c'mon lets go" I grabbed my purse and car keys, and we headed out.

~*~*~*~

Pamela and I stayed out laughing and chatting for like four hours, this girl literally never fails to lighten up my mood and make me laugh till my sides hurt, We had to go back cause I had a meeting at 2 that I certainly couldn't miss.

I checked the clock at my desk, it read 1:45 P.M, I packed some important papers and portfolios then dialed Angelina to know which room she organized for the meeting. I checked myself in the mirror, grabbed my stuff and left for the meeting to make sure everything was in-check.

~*~*~*~

This is it, it's time for us to be reunited, I've waited long enough, I've searched long enough, but not anymore, the longing, the ache, the wait is all about to be over. I thought to myself, my palms were sweating and I could swear the elevator was closing in on me, call it next level nervousness

When the elevator doors finally opened I hurried out, I stopped to compose myself when I spotted a short lady wearing glasses double the size of her head, approaching me, "Hello and welcoming Mr. Massorati, we're very happy and proud to have you here! I'm Angelina, Miss Lockwood's secretary" she smiled, and I could see she was trying to hide her blushed cheeks as she was checking me out, "Ahem" she cleared her throat, she looked at me, her eyes wide with excitement and adoration "Miss Lockwood is waiting for you, please let me guide you to the meeting room" she said nervously, and just at the sound of her last name I myself grew anxious, not knowing how she would react, not knowing whether she moved on or not, was she married by now? Did she even remember me? What would she think of me when I told her truth? Would she resent me forever or maybe understand me? So many questions flooded my mind, Angelina then stopped in front of a huge glass door, "She's probably already inside, goodluck! I really hope we get to work with you..." she trailed, her eyes wandering my face, "Yes thank you, I hope so too" I replied sternly, she finally snapped out of it and fixed her posture, her cheeks turned bright red, she looked down at her feet then turned around whispered "I should get going.." and left me there.

I took a deep breath as I grabbed the cold handle, I slowly pushed the door open and froze when my eyes landed on her

She stood there, her back to the door, facing the huge windows, looking down at the city, thats her, how could I not recognize that body, those curves, her smell that hit me when I first entered the room, the same smell that haunted me for months, I missed her so much, she stood there looking so perfect although I could only see her from behind, I knew she looked perfect. Something was different, her hair was short, and blonde, not the same long honey brown that cascaded down her shoulders, not the one I remembered. I wondered if she had changed anything else

I realized I've been standing there for a few minutes just staring at her, could she not sense my presence? And as if I just said that out loud, she started turning around, ever so slowly, she finally faced me, her eyes grew wide open, the size of golf balls, her mouth fell a gap, as if she'd just seen a ghost

"Adriana" I called, and just like that tears started flowing down her face, my heart beats were out of control, and I couldn't move a muscle, we stood there staring at each other, before she finally broke her silence, "Noah?" her voice cracked, that voice, like music to my ears, oh god if only she knew how much i've missed her.

~*~*~