The cold air from the air conditioner greets me as I enter the skyscraper, a welcome relief considering the lingering heat of the last remnants of summer. After everything that has happened in my life this year, these last three months have passed reasonably quickly.

After receiving the message confirming that I would indeed be interning at Cravath & Sullivan, I made a key decision to move on with my life: I had to turn the page definitively. In fact, I had to close the book and start a new one, keeping certain secondary characters but forgetting the main one after his sudden departure. That's why I limited myself to having fun in any way possible, which I had to discover through trial and error.

And that's how I changed. I visited at least five different countries with my friends in search of parties, beaches, and all kinds of adventures that would permanently occupy my mind. I was still the same Alexa, but at least squared. I wanted more, always more of absolutely everything, except for one thing: men.

I neither wanted nor needed to get close to any man, determining within a few days that they were a waste of time. I didn't even want sex, why would I? To have someone constantly trailing behind me, being part of my circle? No, thanks. The only good thing men can provide is sex, and they don't even seem to do that well. Besides, having discovered rather painfully that love is nothing more than a hoax to deceive naive and innocent fools, that wasn't a goal in my mind either. But there was another reason, of course there was. I discovered it through trial and error, but honestly, I'm grateful I realized it in whatever way possible.

At first, when I went out partying, I drank as always, or even twice as much. The first night, when the alcohol coursed through my veins and started clouding my judgment, I broke down crying uncontrollably, like a newly opened fountain. I cried for everything I didn't allow myself to express when I was sober, filling my head with memories tinged with the purest and rawest pain.

I missed Ace.

How could I not? I have feelings; it was inevitable that they would come out somehow, but I didn't intend to allow it. I had finally managed to move on with my life normally, and the last thing I needed was to ruin all my progress by getting stupidly drunk. So the solution was simple and clear: staying sober. It wasn't hard for me, mainly because the benefits would be a thousand times better than the harm. Besides, this way I wouldn't damage my liver stupidly.

Mind you, that doesn't mean I didn't think about him while I was sober. I still missed him, thinking about all the plans we had made and looking at the terrace that had long since gone dark. But without the alcohol, I was completely in control of my actions and thoughts, so I could fight all of that in a healthier and more effective way.

And then, summer ended, and soon it will be time to return to Hayden. For the past few weeks, a dead weight has settled in my stomach, as if reminding me that a main character is missing from the story of my life. I try to ignore it as best I can, as if it doesn't exist, but sometimes it hurts without me being able to help it. I almost thanked God when Monday, September the first, arrived, the first day of my internship at Cravath & Sullivan. Now I had something to occupy my mind and kick all those negative feelings away.

So, after everything, here I am, entering the huge skyscraper belonging to the famous law firm. I'm not nervous; rather, I'm excited to finally start living my lifelong dream. I know I won't start by doing great things that will change the legal landscape of this century, but everyone has to start somewhere, and I've never been afraid to work hard to get what I want, especially at this point in my life.

As I enter the elevator, a broad smile dominates my face, a result of joy and enthusiasm. I'm a few seconds away from achieving my dream, finally aware of how real this moment is, and it's impossible not to be happy with the situation. My excitement and eagerness to start as soon as possible cause me to practically burst out when the elevator doors open, like the bulls being released in the San Fermín festivity.

Before I can stop or turn to avoid it, I run smack into what seems like a wall of flesh, exhaling sharply in surprise.

"Ouch! Please, forgive me, I wasn't looking where I was going!"

While I profusely apologize to the man I've bumped into, I take the opportunity to look at him more closely, praying that he's kind and won't scold me for what just happened. I estimate he's about fifty years old, very well-preserved I must say, with a kind face and pleasant green eyes that seem strangely familiar. It's there that I get stuck, unable to look away while trying to remember where the hell I know those eyes from...

"Don't worry," he replies, interrupting my thoughts with a reassuring smile. "You must be the new associate from Hayden, right? First-day nerves are understandable; that's a good sign; you're excited and ready for anything!"

"Yes, I'm quite thrilled," I reply, relaxing a bit now that I see how friendly he is.

The man opens his mouth to say something, maybe to introduce himself, but the sound of an incoming notification from his phone makes him apologize and glance at the screen for a brief second.

"Forgive me for not being able to stay and chat longer, but I have to send an urgent email, or one of my cases could be compromised. I hope it's not disrespectful for me to leave now."

"Don't worry, it's been a pleasure talking to someone so kind to calm my nerves. Thanks for the welcome, despite our small crash." I laugh a bit embarrassed.

"Likewise, I'm sure we'll see each other around the office more often."

With a wave, he bids me farewell, taking just a couple of steps towards a door behind him. Before he can open it and enter, I can clearly read the sign on the door.

'William Arden. Senior Partner.'

The world around me comes to a screeching halt for an eternal second, preventing me from thinking about what I'm going to say before the first word that jumps into my head escapes my lips upon reading the name on the wall.

"Dad?"

THE END

Oh, wow, what a cliffhanger... what the hell is going on?! 😰

Thank you VERY much if you reached this point and walked by me through Alexa's story ❤️ I really hope you liked reading it as much as I loved writing it 🥰

YES, there WILL be sequels. If you want to know information about that, check the next part ☺️

I'll be reading you! ❤️