Grace Li returned to her apartment, still feeling a bit disoriented.
Had she really just said goodbye to Nova Capital, the office building in Midtown Manhattan where she had spent six years, a place filled with so many memories? There were the high moments of passionately discussing big projects in the conference room, and the low points of facing tough challenges and office politics. But no matter what, that chapter had been a key part of her life.
She looked at the personal items she had brought back from her office, packed in a cardboard box. Inside was her custom-made mug with her favorite Marvel superhero design, a special souvenir from a comic con; her leather-bound notebook, filled with everything from project notes to random flashes of inspiration; and a few small sculptures she had picked up at MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art, souvenirs from her trips to exhibitions—each one a reminder of her love for art.
She had really left Nova Capital, decisively. Although it no longer fit her career plans, she still had a lot of sentimental attachment.
As these thoughts ran through her mind, her heart felt unexpectedly heavy.
Aiden Thompson sat beside her, pulling her close, his voice full of concern. "Hey, babe, what's going on?"
Grace Li looked up at him, speaking softly. "Just feeling a bit nostalgic, you know?"
"Missing the old days?"
"Yeah, a little. But I'll bounce back. I always do. Remember when I graduated from junior high, high school, and college? I was a mess for weeks."
Aiden chuckled softly, pulling her even closer. "That just means you've got a big heart, babe."
Grace Li snuggled into his embrace. "Maybe it's because I was a latchkey kid for a few years when I was younger. When I first started to understand things, my parents had to work long hours. They were gone for an entire year. Every time they left, I cried my eyes out. I don't remember all the details, but I've always been scared of goodbyes."
Aiden took her hand, his voice warm and sincere. "Grace, how about we make a promise? To always stick together, no matter what. What do you say?"
Grace paused. A promise like that—one for a lifetime—was a serious thing, a vow that would be tested over the years.
She wasn't sure why, but deep down, she'd always felt a little uncertain about such things.
But still, she smiled softly and replied, "Sure, babe. I'd love that."
Aiden's eyes lit up with excitement as he asked, "Tomorrow, we start this amazing new journey. How are you feeling, Grace?"
"Excited, but a little nervous. I can't stop thinking about all the possibilities and challenges ahead." Grace Li smiled. "What about you, Aiden?"
"I'm just hyped! Can't wait to take on the world with you by my side."
"You're definitely cut out to be a boss. You've got nerves of steel."
Aiden's eyes twinkled with a playful gleam. "Also, we don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn tomorrow."
"Aren't we looking at office spaces?"
"Yeah, but we can take it easy for a bit first. No need to rush into things."
Grace Li lifted her head from his shoulder. "And then?"
"To celebrate the start of our new journey, how about we kick back tonight?" he whispered in her ear, his lips almost grazing her earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine.
Grace didn't respond immediately. "I'll go take a shower first."
Aiden Thompson immediately scooped her up in his arms. "Let's go together."
"Are you serious?" Grace had never showered with Aiden before. Though they were very close, this was new territory for them.
"Absolutely! C'mon, it'll be fun." Aiden carried her toward the bathroom. "You said we need to save money. Showering together saves water, right?"
**
Grace Li and Aiden Thompson had already planned their next steps after leaving their jobs. They decided to first find a good office space, do some light renovations, and once the location was finalized, they would begin the company registration process. Afterward, they'd focus on raising funds and scouting for high-potential projects.
They chose a location in a tech park near an industrial area. The park housed several innovative companies and had a strong entrepreneurial vibe. It was just a 30-minute drive from Grace Li's apartment on the Upper East Side and a little over half an hour to the busy downtown business district. Although it wasn't in the heart of the city's commercial zone, the location had good transportation links and nearby amenities, making it an excellent choice for a startup.
The office they rented wasn't huge—just over sixty square meters—and it was divided into two rooms. The larger room was set up as the workspace, furnished with office desks they had carefully sourced from a second-hand market. Each desk had its own unique character, marked by years of use but giving the office a charming, vintage vibe. The smaller room was converted into a meeting space for client interactions or project discussions. They added a simple conference table and comfy chairs, creating a professional yet cozy environment.
Once the office was coming together, Grace Li brewed two cups of rich coffee, and she and Aiden Thompson stood by the large window, admiring the view.
From here, they could see lush greenery and a sparkling lake, with the blue sky and white clouds reflecting off each other, creating a picturesque scene. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, almost like it was playing a melody to accompany their new journey. Grace Li had quickly decided on this spot because of the breathtaking view outside the window. The balance of peace and energy made her feel inspired, as though it was telling her that anything was possible here.
Grace Li took a sip of her coffee, feeling a rush of excitement. "You know what? At this moment, I've got so much I wanna say."
Aiden Thompson glanced at her, his voice soft. "Lay it on me, what's going on?"
Grace Li stretched out her hand, jokingly serious. "Honey, check it out. This is the empire I've built for us."
Aiden Thompson chuckled and leaned in closer to Grace Li. "Well then, should I offer myself up as your loyal subject?"
With that, Aiden Thompson wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
Grace Li nearly spilled her coffee—she had kicked this off as a playful joke, but now she was feeling a little shy. "Hey, this is the office. Keep it PG-13."
"There's no one else here, just us."
"You…"
Aiden Thompson's kiss landed gently on her lips. Grace Li, still holding her coffee, was pressed tightly against him. Trying to keep the coffee from spilling on the freshly vacuumed carpet was a challenge, and she had to balance carefully. She thought to herself, This is a lot harder than it looks.
When Aiden finally let go, Grace Li was still catching her breath. "You're really pushing it these days."
Aiden Thompson smiled, his lips still slightly moist. "Can you blame me? With this view and you by my side, I'm on cloud nine."
Grace Li couldn't help but laugh. She hadn't expected Aiden to be so into the playful moment. She cleared her throat and shifted back into business mode. "Alright, let's get down to business."
"What's up?"
"Well, we've got the place looking pretty good, but we still need office supplies. There's a stationery store nearby. Let's go stock up."
"Okay, let's roll."