Chapter 1 A NEW BEGINNING

Tonia woke up to the sound of her alarm blaring in her ear, signaling the start of another day. She rolled over, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The soft morning light streaming through the window highlighted the faint lines of exhaustion etched on her face. She had been up late the night before, working on a project for her event planning business, and it was starting to take a toll on her.

With a sigh, She stood up and began to make her way to the bathroom. As she brushed her teeth, she couldn't help but think about the previous night's events. She had spent hours pouring over the details of a wedding she was planning, ensuring every aspect of the big day was perfect. It was a tedious process, but one that she loved. Bringing joy to people's lives made all the hard work worth it.

As she rinsed her face and began to get ready for the day, Tonia's mind wandered to her own love life. Or, rather, the lack thereof. It had been a while since she'd been in a serious relationship, and the more she thought about it, the more she realized she was okay with that. In fact, she was more than okay – she was relieved.

The past few years had been a rollercoaster of emotions, with her diving headfirst into one failed relationship after another. There was Kingsley, who had cheated on her. Then there was Rowland, who had been emotionally unavailable. And Pedro, who had been downright abusive. Each experience had left her feeling more cynical, until she finally decided to take a step back and focus on herself.

The decision had been liberating. For the first time in her life, Tonia felt like she was truly in control of her own destiny. She was building a successful business, spending time with friends and family, and learning to love herself. It was a beautiful feeling, one that she didn't want to give up anytime soon.

As she finished getting ready, Tonia caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, and her bright green eyes sparkled with a newfound sense of confidence. She smiled, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over her. This was who she was meant to be – a strong, independent woman, unapologetically herself.

With a spring in her step, Tonia headed out the door, ready to take on the day. She had a meeting with a potential client later that morning, and she was determined to make a good impression. As she walked to her car, the sun shining down on her face, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. This was her life now, one that she had carefully crafted, and she was determined to enjoy every moment of it.

The drive to the meeting was short, and before she knew it, Tonia was sitting across from a prospective bride, discussing the intricacies of wedding planning. The woman was lovely, with a kind smile and a warm demeanor, and Tonia found herself getting lost in their conversation. They talked about everything from flowers to music, and Tonia was impressed by the woman's attention to detail.

As the meeting came to a close, Tonia felt a sense of satisfaction wash over her. This was what she was meant to do – help people create unforgettable experiences. The rest of the day flew by in a blur of meetings and phone calls, but Tonia didn't let it faze her. She was in her element, and she knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, Tonia made her way back to her car, feeling more at peace than she had in weeks; But as she turned the corner onto her street, Tonia realized she wasn't ready to go home just yet. She was feeling restless, like there was something missing. And as she pulled into a parking spot, she noticed a small bar across the street. The sign above the door read "The Red Door," and Tonia felt a sudden pang of curiosity.

She turned off the engine and stepped out of the car, her eyes fixed on the bar. It was a place she had never been before, but something about it drew her in. With a sense of trepidation, Tonia pushed open the door and stepped inside. The music was loud, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol and perfume. But as she made her way to the bar, Tonia felt a sense of excitement build within her. She had no idea what the night had in store, but she was ready to find out. Little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would challenge everything she thought she knew about herself and her place in the world.