A/N: This is dedicated to Beatrice, who wanted to know what happened to the OC Dulce from "Close Your Eyes and Let Go." Enjoy!
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Dulce sat in her seat, waiting for her plane to unload passengers. She was ready to get the hell out of the airport. It had been over a year since she had broken up with Gio to pursue her dreams of owning a restaurant in LA and she had now saved up enough money to start her life in California.
The engagement notice she had read in the newspaper one week ago hadn't helped her to be any more patient.
She could still clearly see Gio and Betty's smiling faces on the announcement page. She couldn't say it surprised her. She had always known that Gio was deeply in love with Betty, more so than he ever loved her. And Betty would have to be blind and stupid not to fall for Gio, which Dulce knew she was not.
But as much as she felt as though she had gotten over Gio, a part of her felt a twinge of regret, a feeling which she always hated to have. She was a woman that moved forward, not lived in the past. She didn't want to pine or mope over Gio. She wanted to live. She wanted to succeed in LA. She wanted to fulfill her plans.
She had never wanted to get married and Gio did. Now they would both have what they wanted. But that didn't make her heart feel any better about it.
The sound of a crying baby behind her made her cringe. It only reassured her that she never wanted to have children. She shook her leg up and down. Usually, she was so cool, so calm, but she was tired of waiting. She was also plain tired. It had been a long-ass flight and this move had been a long time coming.
The flight attendant told them that they could start exiting. "Finally," she grumbled, her muscles aching as she stretched them. She grabbed her carry-on luggage and weaved her way to the exit of the airport. Hailing a taxi, she told him the address to the apartment she had secured online the previous month.
In the back of the taxi, she flipped her cell phone open and saw that she had a voice mail from her future boss that said, "Hi, Dulce. This is Leaf Powell. I'm excited that you will begin working in my kitchen on Monday. Chef Seward gave you rave reviews from your last position and I always trust his judgment. I called to remind you that you begin work at 8:00 in the morning, but we would like for you to meet the rest of the staff at 7:30. See you then!"
She smiled. She had been lucky to find a job at one of the biggest five star restaurants in LA. No, it wasn't luck. She was a damn good chef and she deserved it. She wanted it so badly.
The cab stopped in front of a large apartment building. Getting out, she paid the driver and dragged out her luggage. She took the elevator to the tenth floor and found her apartment.
She opened the door and went inside. She stared into the unfurnished front room. Her belongings were being shipped the next day. She didn't care. She didn't need anything but a warm bath and the sheets that were in her luggage to put onto the bed.
A feeling washed over her. It was stronger than any feelings she had left for Gio, any feelings of doubt or regret. It was hope, promise. She knew what she wanted and she was there to get it. It was determination. A proud smile slid over her face.
She loved New York City. And she loved Gio.
But she was home. Finally.
the end.