Chapter 1 Leaving Chicago

Looking outside the window, I was lost in the thought of being broken. I was leaving Chicago for good, I was going to start a new life in Los Angeles and leave my past behind.

The thought of Levine, my ex boyfriend made me

feel sober, he was the man I thought I would end up with, the man I could do anything for. I wasn't expecting him to cheat on me and especially not with Rose, my surrogate mom.

Levine and I had always been inseparable that if I hadn't seen it for myself, I wouldn't believe he was cheating on me. We had dated for about a year and half and I felt he was going to propose to me soon.

**

It was Levine's 27th birthday, I had planned to surprise him at his house. Seeing his car at his house by 4pm seemed odd because he often closed from work by 5pm but I didn't mind "maybe he took the day off" I had said to myself. I set the candles and cakes in the sitting room and tiptoed to his room to get him and that was when I received the shock of my life. Levine was in bed with Rose.

"Mom!" I screamed at the sight of her and fell to the floor. Levine was confused and disappointed, not because he had cheated on me but because I caught him cheating. I struggled to stand on my feet as it left a large hole in my heart, which I never thought would be able to fill up anymore. I walked as fast as I could out of his house, dropping the car keys on the table, I left after warning him not to come after me.

I couldn't bear the pain of staying back in Chicago as everything there reminded me of him, the supermarkets, cinemas and most especially my apartment, deep down, I still loved him but I was going to try getting over him and moving over to Los Angeles would be the best, I decided.

I wasn't going to open up my heart again to love, I was just going to have fun with no strings attached, I had sworn to myself.

**

The weather was breezy making strands my blonde hair cover my face, I slowly removed them from my face and reached out for a hair tie. As I parked my hair into a ponytail, I could reminisce Levine's feeble but firm touch.

He would slowly run his bare hands through my face and down to my neck, making me let out a whimper of pleasure. He would run his hands through my blonde hair and aggressively remove my hair tie, he didn't like my hair being tied up during foreplay and intimacy. He'd always remove them aggressively as he loved the way they got in the way.....

The abrupt stop of the bus jerked me back to the real world and I realized I had gotten to the bus station. I quickly waved Levine's thought off my mind and tied my hair.

Luna was waiting for me at the bus station, she has always been my closest friend since childhood. Seeing her from afar brought in good memories of our childhood. She wore a blue shirt over a black pant and her curly brown hair fell to her shoulders

I walked toward her with a smile on my face, but the pain still lingered in me. It was for the best, I knew, but the best wasn't something easy enough to defer.

A sigh escaped from my lips as I finally attained Luna.

"I was starting to think you canceled," Luna said, looking intently at me, she had an excited grin on her face, but her brown eyes held concern.

"Nope I can't even if I wanted to, I guess this is for the best" I replied forcing a smile.

She smiled back turning my fake smile into a genuine one. "Let's go to my apartment then" she said walking ahead of me and she flagged down a taxi.

After what seemed like a never ending ride, we finally attained her apartment, a three bedroom flat well furnished was situated on the second floor.

"Feel at home" Luna said leading me into the house

"Thanks" I mumbled as a look glances around the house as everything seemed to have changed, I had been to her house a couple of times over the years.

"I thought you won't ever quit your job for anything" Luna said starting a conversation

"Me neither, my work and relationship has always been my passion but I guess my happiness comes first" I had taken my relationship as my priority and it was what I regretted most.

"And you and Levine, what really went wrong? You guys seemed all lovey dovey every time I got the chance to meet you two together" she peered at me

"That's not something I feel the need to talk about. Goodnight Luna I guess it's past my bedtime and you know I need to look for a job tomorrow" I stood up heading into my room

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought that up" I heard her say.

Laying down on my bed staring at the ceiling, I fell asleep.

***

"Alexa! open the door" I heard Luna call my name as she knocked.

I opened my eyes slowly, I could still feel my eyes wanting to sleep more. I struggled to look at my clock and it was already 10am

"Damn! I overslept" my eyes widened, I guess they didn't want me sleeping anymore.

I rushed over the door and opened it. Luna was staring at me with breakfast in her hand, her downturn lips curved into a warm smile.

"Good morning Alexa"' she greeted inviting herself in.

I mumbled some greetings as I headed towards my bathroom to take a shower.

While in the shower, memories of the last time I and Levine had an intimate time in the shower together came flooding my mind. He wore his boxers into the bathroom and let me watch him as he took them off slowly, revealing his shaft. I let out a soft moan seeing how his boxers would protrude due to his boner.

"mmm" he smacked his lips in a sensual manner, moving towards me. I could hear my heart race as he drew closer to me. I felt his erection against my thighs and I bit my lips waiting for what would come next......

"Lexi!" Luna's voice echoed interrupting my thoughts and I realized I had been smiling while caressing my boobs, indeed, getting over Levine was going to be a difficult task.

"I'll be out soon" I said immediately upon realizing that. What was I doing? reminiscing my moments with Levine? I sighed as I walked out angrily. I was angry at myself because I wasn't meant to think of Levine no matter what, my eyes met with Luna's and I quickly turned away.

"I'm sorry for bringing that up yesterday" I could hear remorseful feeling in her voice.

"That's all in the past" I said smiling trying very hard not to reveal that I was angry.

She gave me a look which meant she could tell I was still angry, I couldn't tell her that I wasn't angry at her but myself so I had to accept it "Alright, I'm still angry, but it's fine now" I said putting on my clothes, a navy blue skirt and a white blouse "Thanks for the breakfast though, aren't you going to work?" I said amidst eating my breakfast.

"I took the day off" she said blushing

"Mmm.. guess someone's having a romantic date" I teased her.

"Well.. Damian and l are meeting up today" she smirked

Damian has been Luna's boyfriend for 6 months. He helped Luna around LA when she was new in the city.

"That's nice" I told her getting up and heading towards the mirror. My eyes peered deep into me and I could still see the broken pieces of my heart. I quickly waved it away "You look stunning, any employer would want to have you work with them" Luna complimented.

"Let's hope that's the case" I blushed. Picking up my files, I looked at Luna

"I hope I find a job soon"

"Your looks will get you one" she smiled leading the way out of my room.

"Enjoy your time with your boyfriend and don't forget to use protection or maybe you both love it raw"

"the latter" she bit her lips as she pushed me playfully out of the house.

I looked around without a sense of belonging, deep down, I didn't know where to start from and I didn't want to see Luna bear the burden of searching for a job for me, so I had to find my way.