NEVER LET ME GO.

~Alyona~

I've heard that people come to New York for two reasons: to follow their hearts or their dreams.

The first time I ever traveled to New York was when I was in my mother's womb like a peanut.

My parent's short love story brought two kids into this world, including me.

Their particular love didn't last long. Predictably, for the former reason - because of another woman.

But the allure of the city that never sleeps has never left my mom. After all, New York City is one of the most (maybe the most) iconic city in the world for a reason; the art and the history; the music and the architecture; the diversity; the noise; the never-ending lines of yellow checkered cabs punctuation every block.

Growing up in New York, I believed life in the city was for masochists. In the summer, we complain about the heat. In the winter, the cold.

At present, it's a harsh winter. Keeping calm is vital when we are blasted with terrifying storms like the present arctic-polar-vortex-bomb-cyclone. While walking toward home, I thought about grabbing a cup of hot coffee.

The coffee shop air swirls with aromatic dreams; little wonder it is a place where people decide their future. The coffee shop of white cups and black coffee, of small jugs filled with cream, has that ambiance of friendly chatter. Standing in the queue, I love seeing people's expressions and how they change in a single moment.

"Hi. How are you doing?" A beautiful girl purred from another side.

"Hello. I want a small latte, please," I answered.

"Anything else?" She marked a small white cup.

"Nothing, thank you." I smiled.

"Your name? Please," still holding the black sharpie marker to write my name.

"Alyona Marshall, write Alyona," my mom gave the name.

After a few moments, she passed my coffee cup. The coffee cup was small enough to fit in the palm of a child, holding that potent magic brew only the hardiest of the grown-ups could savor. I took the first sip; rolled my eyes till heaven.

The steam coming from the little hole of the cup gave me a sense of warmth on my nose tip. Snuffling the aromatic coffee, I started walking towards my home. I live in the city's heart, where I can hear the pumping and thump in my house, the nightlife. The nightlife of New York emerges. Without the crowds and the commerce, the city comes alive after dusk. It blushes on its avenues, whispers on its bridges, grumbles in its bars, and roars in its clubs. My home is an old building, a townhome.

The houses stood together in all seasons, feeling the rain and sunshine just the same. In any weather, they sheltered our families, stood firm against the winter wind, yet let in brilliant light even as it blew.

I took out my jiggling keys and wanted to open the door. I can hear a worship song melody coming from my house. Holding the cup in my other hand, I opened the door. The sound of the melodious song changed the atmosphere in my heart as it hit my ear more profoundly. As I entered the living room, I saw my mom dancing in God's love.

It's normal for me to see her madly in love with her God. I stood there and smiled at how she created her new dance moves to show her happiness. I kept my jiggling keys in the bowl next to me.

I took out my feathery coat and kept it on the chair, but my mother opened her eyes and signaled me to keep the fur on the hanger. It made me smile; Is it only my mother who keeps me in check while worshipping?

She came toward me while dancing.

"For the fullness of his grace, we received one more blessing." She twirled my body.

"What blessing? Mom," I loved it when she danced like this.

She lowered the volume of the speaker.

"I got a promotion," her eyes sparkled up.

"Wow, congratulation." I hugged her.

"Yup, he always amazed me with his unexpected blessings. He knows I needed it, and he gave it to me." Her eyes filled with tears while praising her God.

"Ok, tell me,"

"I got promoted as a head nurse with a salary increment," she revealed her words with another twirl.

"That's superb news, mom," I purred excitedly.

"Did you inform Cassandra?" I added.

She shook her head left and right.

"Then let's call her and give her this good news." I grabbed my phone and called her.

Cassandra is my elder sister. She fell in love with a true-hearted man named Lucas.

They got the job in California and shifted last year.

Sometimes I miss her, but I am happier with the thought of getting full access to my bedroom without sharing it with my bossy sister.

I loved the window side bed after she got married.

"Hello, Cassie. How are you?" I screamed as I kept my phone on the Dining table.

"I am good. Did you give water to my Sammy?" I rolled my eyes. Even after one year, she didn't forget her potted plant.

Fond with the plants, she called her potted one, Sammy.

I rolled my eyes and answered.

"Yeah," I passed my phone to my mom.

"Hey baby, how are you?" My mom appreciates her elder daughter more than I do.

She said Cassie is more responsible than I am. I am the lazy one in our home.

I have never seen my dad, but my mom and my sister have pampered me since I was born. That makes my elder sister like my other mother.

"I am good, mom. You look happy. Tell me the good news." Cassie knew my mom's heart very well. Without letting her spill a single word, she knew there was good news my mom wanted to share with her.

"Did she get a job?" She added.

"No, she didn't." My mom defended me from my other mother,

"Mom got a promotion as the head nurse of the hospital," I interrupted in between, trying to avoid her non-stoppable questions about me.

"Congratulations, mom, Hallelujah," another praise.

"Aly, what is going on with your job search?" How did I forget? She never left me without asking her question.

"I am searching,"

My mom understood my irritated gaze; she interrupted.

"She just finished college. Don't worry, she will get it." My mom answered her fireball questions.

"Hey, mom, congratulations," Lucas purred,

The rude Cassie's husband.

He is like a big brother to me.

I love him very much as he always protects me from his rude wife, my sister.

"Hey, Lucas," I popped up again on my phone.

"Hey, sissy. Did you got any boyfriend or not?" He asked.

"Nope, not lucky as Cassie," I smirked at her.

"Don't worry. I pray you will get a handsome hunk who will love you." He winked at me.

"Amen," I excitedly answered him.

"Think of a job first," a harsh voice came in between cheerful conversation.

Cassie never missed a chance to dictate her decision to me.

"I will," I answered in a low voice.

"Ok, mom. I will talk later.

Bye, Aly," her voice irritates me.

But I know if she sees a single tear in my eyes, she will burn the world for me.

This is my small happy family, where the love of God binds us; his presence and our faith in him made all the mountains move from our lives.

I love my mom and my rude sis,

We enjoyed our supper as we watched prime time news.

Other than that in my life, I have two friends in my life.

Olivia and Ivy.

In the middle of the night, an expensive Boeing private helicopter landed with a whirling-whapping sound on the world's tallest residential building in New York.

The thrumming of the helicopter blades twirling the chilly weather into the gale of icy wind.

As the door opened, an elegant young man wearing an expensive business suit designed by his couturier came out.

His arrogant, cold looks perfectly matched his classy moves.

At nearly 1,400 feet, looking down on the Empire State Building, you aren't just above New York City - you lord over it. Cars become toys, and people become dots. Central Park shrinks from a lush oasis of trees and playing fields to a small grass welcome mat for your private domain. Your head is truly in the clouds.

He lives on the top floor of the world's tallest residential building.

The penthouse on the top floor is called the statement.

He is the owner of New York's top fashion company named Enamore. Recognized as the youngest entrepreneur, he liked to stay on top of everything.

He is the most eligible bachelor in the country.

Every girl is dying to get his attention and eager to crawl into his bed. As he came out of the helicopter, his manager came and greeted him.

"Hello, Sir." the manager purred.

"Are you done with the arrangements for the party?" He ruffed.

"Yes, I sent the invitations to all the business competitors...,"

The manager answered.

"Change the theme to Masquerade ball."

"It will be difficult; tomorrow is the party, and all the arrangements are finished. Sir," the manager answered.

"Who am I?"

"You are Alexander Hunt," the manager purred in a low voice.

"And?"

"You never listen, no, for anything. Sorry, sir, I will arrange it as you say." The manager answered.

Alexander entered his house and closed the door behind his back.

The manager stood in front of the closed door, not surprised by his rude behavior.

He signed and left the closed door,

Hastily, he sends the e-mail to all the teams.

Tomorrow is the party, and the theme changed to a Masquerade ball.

He took the elevator from the 132nd floor to the ground.

As Alexander entered his house,

He smiled at the way he dictated his fate. He feels proud when he sees his achievement without his father's help.

He stayed alone, or should we say there was no other option for him?

His mother died when he was five years old, and when he realized the vacuum created by his mom, his dad married another woman.

She became a wife but never a mother to him. In his early childhood, he understood the meaning of money and power.

His mother never loved him, although he was affectionate with his little stepbrother.

During his teenage, he had a few affairs to find love from a woman, but sooner, he realized the bird called love never existed.

His family turned him into a ruthless and arrogant man.

He uses women for his pleasure but never loves them.

His ruthless behavior broke thousands of hearts.

The only aim for his life was to be on top and beat and swallow others' business.

He threw on his shoes and took off his clothes for a hot shower.

The shower alone has a panel with more than a hundred options you can choose to regulate water temperature, pressure, soaps, shampoos, scents, oils, and massaging sponges.

The shower was not a closed room made of bricks or concrete.

It comprised glass, exposing the view of the city.

While taking a hot shower in this chilly weather, placing his hands on the glass walls, he can enjoy his dictatorship while being nude at the city's top.

After an exposing shower, he came to his gigantic closet carrying thousands of masterpiece clothes and shoes.

From the corner, he took out his exclusive boxers; wear them.

Whether you are a rich guy or a poor guy, at night, all you need is lovely food and sleep.

He walked towards the kitchen where his chef cooked. His meal was ready and hot.

He grabbed a few bites and took his wineglass as he opened his tv.

It was not an ordinary tv; it was the giant tv available in the market by Samsung.

The Wall MicroLED TV is a whopping 292 inches, with an 8K model at 150 inches. Just plain huge.

He changed a few channels as he finished his glass of wine, threw the remote on the floor, and walked toward his bedroom.

Although he had all the pleasure in the world, there is an emptiness in his heart that no one can fill.

He never allowed a woman to come near his heart and never showed his weak phase to anybody.

He lost the capability of love after his mother's death.

He became an expert in hiding his feeling, wrapped and concealing everything behind his arrogance and ruthless dictatorship aura.

After finishing his wine, he opened his laptop and read the mail sent from his partner, his best friend, Israel.

The only man who saw a soft heart in Alexander was Israel.

Israel is the partner in his company and his only friend.

The message that popped up on his phone made him smile.

It was Israel asking him about the trip.

"Hey man, so how was your trip?" He called.

"You know me," Alexander answered with a smirk.

"I know; you got the contract. I am talking about your trip?" He raised his brow at the video call.

He winked his eyes as he was asking about the pleasure trip he had in a few days or not.

"Ahh... Yeah," Alexander answered casually.

"Fuck man, you seriously got his daughter," Israel screamed excitedly.

"I did nothing to allure her. She willingly came to my hotel room."

Alexander answered.

"Man, you are a real hunter. I need to know every detail tomorrow." Israel answered in a jealous tone.

"There is nothing to say," Alexander laughed.

As they hung up the phone, Alexander went to his bedroom.

He looked at himself in the mirror and called himself.

A winner.

He jumped on his bed and snuggled under the blanket.

~Alyona~

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Shawn purred.

"Shawn, I have never seen you like this. I don't love you." I answered as I was trying to get rid of him.

"Please give me a chance," He jeered.

I tried to run, but my leg seemed stuck in the ground.

His face is getting bigger as he pouts his lips towards me.

I saw a stick to hit him, but when I picked it, it recast into ice- cream.

What the hell is happening to me?

"Alyona Marshall," a sound was calling my name from far away.

I looked here and there.

"Alyona, don't make me come up there," it's my mom screaming at me.

But where am I?

I woke up in a shocking state. My mother screamed my name as she called me to come down and have breakfast with her.

But to whom I was running into my dreams.

I shook my head.

Suddenly, I remember. My clingy senior wanted me to be his girlfriend. He used to be my unwanted admirer.

But why am I dreaming about him?

I thought to myself,

"Alyona, if I have to call our name again..."

"Ahh... coming, mom," I answered.

I threw my blanket at the thought of an unwanted admirer.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

"Am I so much desperate to meet Mr. Right?" I zoomed my eyes on the whiteheads on my nose.

I peeled myself from my thoughts.

Otherwise, my mom will again remind me that her elder daughter is far better than me.

I jumped into the shower to rinse my thoughts about Mr. Right and not to mix Mr. Right with my clingy senior.

"Oh, God. When are you going to show me my Mr. Right?" I purred as the shower water went into my mouth.

Once I adequately scrubbed, shaved, and scented, I stepped out in my goofy towel. I looked at myself one more time in the mirror to check my nose should be pointy and clean.

The chilly weather will not allow me even if I want to wear short clothes.

I wore my jeans and a tank top.

I can hear my mom whine about me.

I roughly put on some makeup and rush down.

Looking at her, I understood. She is angry as she is getting late for her work.

We had some rules in our family, and eating breakfast together was one of them.

I hugged her from her back. "Mom, I love you."

I tried to cool her down.

"Al, you know we have to do breakfast together." She glared at me.

"I am sorry, mom. Last night I didn't sleep well." I whispered.

She turned towards me as she knew I had an asthma problem.

"What, are you ok? My baby," her tone suddenly changed.

"No, mom, it's just the chilly weather. And it seems like my room heater is not working properly." I gave her a reason to wake up late.

"Why didn't you come to my room?" She sighed.

"Ok, let me call the society office." She took the phone.

"Wait, mom. I will do it. You are getting late; let's have breakfast first." I took the phone and arranged the table.

Sitting at the table, I took the toast in my mouth.

My mom glared at me one more time.

The second rule is always to thank God for everything.

"Sorry," I whispered.

As we finished our morning prayer, I looked at her.

"Mom, why do you always pray?" I questioned her with blind faith.

She smiled and answered,

"Al, when your father left me, I knew nothing about this city and place. I was not even a believer. But my mom told me he is always with you, even when you don't see him." She added,

"And you will see him standing next to you when you call him. I called him that night when I had nothing to eat or any place to stay."

Tears rolled out from her eyes.

"Look at me now. I am blessed with two beautiful daughters, and I have my house." She smiled and looked up.

"I know you are listening, but we love you, father. Bless my daughter with a handsome man." She wished for something unusual.

"Mom?" I gave her a surprised look.

"What? I know you want your Mr. right more than your job," she laughed out loud.

"Well, if you are saying then, let it be." I winked at her and thanked God for accepting her prayer for me.

With this emotional, spiritual ride, we finished our breakfast.

As we were talking, we heard a knock on the door.

"Go, your gang is here," my mom rolled her eyes.

I smiled and gave her a flying kiss.

As I opened the door, I saw Olivia and Ivy rushing inside and hugging my mom.

I sensed they came up with the plan, and we need my mom's permission on that.

I raised my brow as I looked at Olivia, holding something in her hand.

"Omg, girls, calm down." My mom felt like a sandwich in between their hugs.

"We need your permission to take Alyona to the masquerade ball." Olivia opened her cards.

"Masquerade ball?" My mom raised her brows.

"Yeah, before you say no. I want to tell you, it's a free entry. I have three passes, and my company organizes it for completing five years."

Olivia spills everything in one breath.

My mom smiled as she read my face.

"Dress? I am not paying for anything," my mom answered.

"Don't worry. We will manage." Ivy jumped.

My mom agreed, and she gave me permission for the ball.

"So, how are we doing this?" I asked.