Healing

Ambre’s POV

Here I am... I have finally arrived to the new house I would call home for some time, or maybe the rest of my life. Who knows?!

I landed in Chicago 3 hours ago, to say that I was LOST is an understatement. I’ve never been to the states before. Everything seemed so different, the faces, the smells even the roads seemed so much bigger than what I was used to.

2 weeks ago I jumped on the first opportunity to leave everything behind, the life as I knew it, my family, friends... my comfort zone.

I had to leave, I needed the change, I needed to be as far as possible from Paris, from France, from everything I knew. I was tired of pretending that I moved on after what happened 4 years ago.

I recall, a week ago, as I had to tell my loved ones that the American branch of the company I work for, offered me a position in Chicago with a raise, a house and a car. how could I say no? right?

My mom cried and whined about how her only daughter would leave her, my dad and older brother said they were happy for me, even though they would miss me, I hugged everybody, told them that I loved them and that we would keep in touch. My best friend was there too, she was happy for me and joked about American hotties. Little did she know, no one can help me forget… No one.

So back to the house, it was huge, yeah compared to my tiny apartment in Paris, it was a real change. I stood inside the house for a minute to take in my new home. Everything was white and bright, just like I wanted it, a huge open kitchen, a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, 2 other bedrooms, a small home office, a bathroom, and last but not least a living room with a beige L shaped sofa.

I always wanted a big house, but now I wish they were here so we can enjoy it together as a family, I would give everything to see them again, to tell them that I love them. I wish I died that day; I wish I was the one buried six feet under.

Once my suitcases unpacked, I strolled to the living room, as I was about to sit, the doorbell rang, and I went to open it.

Behind the door, stood a smiling blond with the most wonderful blues I’ve ever seen.

“Hey neighbour, I’m Jessica, I wish I’m not disturbing.”

“Hi Jessica. Nice to meet you, I’m Ambre, and no you’re not disturbing me. Would you like to come in?”

“Another day for sure, but for now I came to invite you to our barbecue, all the neighbours are gathered, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet all of us. What do you say?”

“I.... I.... don’t know, I mean I would love to but... I don’t know if I should?” Actually, I didn’t know if I wanted to be asked about myself, I hate the attention so, I was kind of scared to be the centre of it since I was “the new meat” around here.

“Oh, darling come on, don’t worry we won’t bite” she said grabbing my hand and dragging me with her, I smiled to myself and let her drag me to her house.

Once we entered her backyard, every pair of eyes were on us. I wouldn’t say they were on me since I don’t consider myself as hot, I mean I’m 32 years old, 5′7" tall and sadly 154 lbs so you can imagine all the curves I carry. my waist length hair is dark brown, and my small eyes are hazel under enough light.

My reverie was interrupted by Jessica’s introductions:

“hey honey, this is Amber our new neighbour, Amber this is bobby my husband, and this gentleman here is Lorenzo, bobby’s boss and actually your next-door neighbour.”

My god... He.... wow.... no get a grip, you can’t do that, even if this guy is the sexiest thing I’ve ever laid my eyes on. Trust me, everything about him screamed masculinity, virility and power, from his dark hair, brown eyes, straight nose, full lips, broad chest and let’s not talk about his biceps, or, GOD, his strong thighs... I was checking him out! damn, I cleared my throat and introduced myself.

“Hello, Thanks for inviting me and Nice to meet you. Actually, Jessica My name is Ambre (O-MBRE) not Amber.”

“Oh, sorry dear, you’re not from here right?”

“Nope” here we go with all the questions.

“You have a slight accent, if I didn’t know better, I would say you’re French, but you don’t have the French accent” Bobby said.

“Well, bobby, it’s because I’m only half French”

And then what happened kind of hurt my ego, Lorenzo rolled his eyes just left. Yeah, I was hurt even if I knew he’s WAY out of my league.

For god’s sake why would I be hurt I’m not looking for a relationship, not now, not ever.

So, I stuck to Jessica, and we got to know each other, she promised to show me the city and help me settle, to what I was really grateful.

We ate, I chatted with a lot of people, even made plans with a few of them. And for the first time in 4 years, I felt normal, I even laughed without feeling guilty about it.

I went back home tired, and all I was thinking about was sleeping. And that’s exactly what I did.