1.

Alex was sitting in her apartment in the south of Johannesburg staring out of the window while having a cigarette. Tomorrow she starts the new journey in her life. Ever since she finished school 6 years ago she wanted to get out of South Africa and go and see what other parts of the world had to offer. So when she inherited a shit load of money from her godparents little under a year ago she decided that the time is right. While sitting there staring blankly out in front of her she recall the conversation she had with the love of her life two weeks ago and how it went down. She frowns at the memory and feel the pain shoot through her heart again.

Riley was standing in this same apartment cooking dinner in the kitchen when Alex went up behind her and wrapped her arms around her. "Two weeks to go and we start the new journey in our lives. I can't wait. I am so happy that it is with you." Alex said as she placed kisses on Riley's shoulder and in her neck. She felt Riley stiffen a bit and she got a bit concerned. "What's wrong baby?" She asked.

Riley turned around in Alex's arms now looking at her. Alex's stomach went into a tight knot when she saw that Riley had been crying. She knew this wasn't good. "We need to talk." She recall Riley saying to her while leading her to the living room and they both took a seat next to each other on the couch. "I can't do this Alex. I can't just pack up and leave everything behind. Everything I love, all the people I love. They are here. At first it sounded so exciting but when the realisation of what I will have to give up kicked in I got scared and sad." Alex was at a loss for words while Riley spoke. She was in shock and just tried taking all of this in. Riley continued "I don't want you to give up your dreams. Even though it hurts like shit to have to let you go because I love you so fucking much."

Alex turned to Riley taking her hands in her own "If you love me so much, come with me. Please come with me. I can't lose you. I won't survive anything without you." Tears are building in Alex's eyes as she speaks and Riley's has already started streaming down her face. "Please, if your not going I am not going. I'm not giving you up for some stupid dream."

"I won't allow you to stay Alex. It's because I love you so much that I am letting you go. You need to take this adventure to figure out what it is you want out of live. Your dreams aren't stupid, they are amazing. You are amazing. I guess I am just to scared and not as much of a free spirit as you are." Riley explained.

The conversation between the two of them that night went back and forth, back and forth. Alex was unable to convince Riley to stay or to go with her. "I really do love you so fucking much Alex" Alex recall Riley's last words as she walked out of the apartment, crying and leaving Alex behind with tears of her own.

During the last two weeks Alex considered everything and re-considered everything. Should she stay, should she go. She tried to contact Riley numerous times but without success. She knew that Riley loved her and that she didn't want to stand in the way of Alex's dreams. It didn't make it easier though. Alex thought that Riley would be the person she spends the rest of her life with. They were high school sweethearts. Alex had to go through hell to eventually get Riley, who was straight at the time, to agree to go out with her. They were inseparable ever since.

Alex can't get used to the idea of a world without Riley in it. For the seven years they were together these two weeks was the longest they were apart. Alex eventually decided to stop trying and not make it any harder on her or Riley.

Now today here she is in her packed up apartment ready to leave in the morning. Most of her things are already in storage. Her parents would pack up the rest of it when she is gone and take it to storage. Two suitcases and shit loads of pictures of her and Riley is all she is taking with her from this part of her life which she is now leaving behind.

She already greeted the family and friends as she didn't want any of them coming to the airport stating that "I hate emotional goodbyes. It just complicates shit."

Three cigarettes later she decides it's time for her to turn in as she has to be at the airport 05h30 in the morning. Tonight will be her last night in her home, her bed, her country. Through all the pain she also feels a hint of excitement. Everybody always has dreams to get out of where ever the hell it is that they are. She is one of the lucky ones, one of the ones fortunate enough to actually do it.

Even though Alex didn't need to work she is going to the States on a work permit. Alex is also not the sort of person who could sit around all day doing nothing or hanging around in malls. She likes to work to keep her mind busy. She also loves to read so she was excited for the job she got in a library. Her work permit is not permanent. Obviously it's a lot harder than that, but these two years should be enough for her to know if that is where she wants to be or if it is time for her to come home or go on her next adventure.

She was woken up by her alarm the following morning at 04h00. After a quick shower she was out the door and into the cab taking her to the airport. The plane starter boarding at 05h00 and she was ready for the 16 hour journey to New York.

As the plane was moving along the runway preparing for take off a single tier escaped Alex's eye as she looked out the window and again realised that Riley is not with her and that this is it. There is no turning back. After the pilot announced that they are now cruising at 575 miles per hour and everybody can take off their seatbelts and relax, Alex laid back and started reading a book. She didn't take much of it in and if you had to quiz her on what she had just read she would fail miserably. All she could think about the whole time was the girl she left behind.

The flight felt much longer than what it actually was. Alex read a little, slept a little, walked up and down the aisles a little to stretch her long legs and had a conversation with the air hostess who tried flirting with her without any success. She eventually told the lady that she was not interested as she had just come out of a relationship and the wounds was still very raw.

Eventually the pilot announced that they will be landing soon and it was the best thing Alex has heard in days. As she exit the plane the air hostess slipped a piece of paper in Alex's jacket and said "I am from around here, so when you feel better give me a call if you need some company and if I am not somewhere halfway around the world." Alex nodded, smiled politely and walked off the plane in the direction to collect her bags.

She was lucky enough to get a cab as she walked out of the airport.

"Hilton, 42nd street please" She gave the cab driver her destination as she got into the back seat.

"Here on vacation" The friendly old man smiled

"More of an adventure" Alex smiled back

"Where are you from" He asked and they kept making small talk all the way to the hotel. Alex was happy that the first person she had a conversation with in the unfamiliar place was so friendly.

During the trip to the hotel Alex learned that the friendly man's name was Bill.

After Bill unloaded her bags he stretched out his hand "Well good luck to you Alex. Maybe I will see you around again."

Alex took his hand "Good luck to you to Bill. It was a pleasure meeting you." and smiled before she walked into the lobby area of the hotel to check in.

She didn't take much note of her surroundings. She was just too tired and wanted to get to her room and sleep for days. Not really, but that is how she felt.

"Good day ma'am" the clerk behind the desk greeted with a warm welcoming smile. "Do you have a reservation."

She nodded "It should be under Alex Vause"

He found it quickly, Alex signed in and he handed her the keys to her suite. "I hope you enjoy your stay with us miss Vause. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact the front desk."

There was so much commotion in the lobby, cameras flashing, people shouting but Alex couldn't get out of there fast enough. She had no interest in finding out what it was all about. Yes, she was here to have an adventure, but an adventure can start tomorrow. It was only 17h30 but she planned on going straight to bed when she got upstairs. Where she is from it is half an hour before midnight now and she can feel it. Jet lag.

She took the elevator up to the 44th floor on which her suite was. Inserted the key card and opened the door and allowed the porter entrance first so he can put down her suitcases. The curtains was open so there was no need for lights. She tipped the ported and closed the door behind him before looking around.

The suite features a living area with a couch that converts into a bed. The bedroom had a king-sized bed, large work desk and chair, a comfortable arm chair and ottoman. There were large windows which could open in the living area and bedroom. There was a flat screen TV, a safe, a refrigerator, alarm clock and internet access. The bathroom has a whirlpool tub, separate shower, oversized vanity and upscale bath amenities.

After she explored the whole suite her mind went back to the King-Sized bed. She closed all the curtains so the room was nice and dark and hopped into bed and slept through the night but not before she once again though about Riley for don't know how long.

Hi Guys

I hope you will enjoy this as much as you enjoyed my first story.

I will try and upload at least one chapter a week.

Please review. Comment / Criticize / Suggest. All is welcome.

Marlene