Emma struggled with the weight of her bag as she dragged it across the pavement towards the entrance of the airport. The wheels were old and worn, barely doing their job. This added to her frustration but she didn't mind. Laura and Buster walked with her. Laura wore a cheerful smile on her face , and Buster, her golden retriever, trotted alongside, it could sense the tension in the air, it wagged half-heartedly.
"I can't believe you're actually going," Laura said, her voice was thick with emotion. She had been so happy for Emma a few moments ago and now she's already missing her already. She reached out to grab Emma's arm stopping her in the track."I'll miss you so much Emma , and I promise you , you're not in this alone, I'll be here with you.
Emma paused, she took a deep breath and she turned to face her best friend. The decision had been hard enough, she stared at her eyes and she equally will miss her too so much. " I will miss you, Laura, I can't even imagine leaving her without you. But I have to, that's what you said." She said and the both nodded at the obvious truth.
" I have to find out the truth about the letter and about my father, it's the only was I can know who I am." Emma said.
"New York is quite a distance for us Emma. We've never even left this two since we were birth." Laura's eyes glistened and unshed tears. "I really hope nothing happens to me." Emma said.
"Common Emma, you'll be fine, I know it." Laura said.
Emma, forced a fake smile, trying to lighten the mood. "I don't think I've watched enough New York moves to know how to dodge traffic and avoid sketchy alleyways."
Laura managed to laugh but the sadness didn't leave her eyes. "promise, you will call?, Every day?" Laura asked.
"Every day," Emma agreed, her voice answering slightly. "And you promise to answer, no matter what time it is?"
"Deal" Laura promised as she nodded her head but neither of them made a move to start walking again.
Buster, sensing the change in pace, sat down between them and let out a soft whine, his big brown eyes moving from one girl to the other. Emma crouched down to pet him , scratching behind his ears in the way he loved. " You be good okay?" Take care of Laura for me.
Buster licked her hands with his warm tongue, it was a small comfort in the chilling morning air. He didn't understand why Emma was leaving but he could feel the sadness in her touch.
" I really wish I could take him with me there" Emma said, "but I don't really know what's waiting for me over there, it won't be fair for him."
Laura knelt beside her, wrapped his arms around Buster's neck. "We'll be waiting soon join you and you better prepare a good comfortable place for us, Emma Stones or else New York's gonna hear me scream."
Emma laughed, though it sounded more like a sob. "You'd really do that, wouldn't you?"
"Absolutely," Laura replied with a firm nod.
"No way , I'm letting get lost in that big city without me."
They say there in silence for a few moments longer, neither one willing to let go of the other. But eventually, Emma stood up, knowing she couldn't delay the inevitable any longer. "I guess this is it," she said softly.
Laura stood too , wiping tears from her eyes quickly, "I guess so."
They walked the last few steps to the entrance of the airport, where the automated doors whooshed open, welcoming Emma to the sterile, bustling world inside. She turned to laura one last time, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'll miss you so much," Emma whispered, her voice trembling.
"I'll miss you too," Laura whispered back, her tears finally spilling over, " But you can do this Emma, you're strong."
Emma pulled away, blinking back her own tears. "I'll call you as soon as I land."
"I'll be waiting," Laura promised, her voice steady and she tries to be strong for her friend .
With a final glance back, Emma turned and walked through the door, her heart feeling heavier with each step she took. She handed over her ticket at the check-in counter and made her way to the security, with a feeling that every step she took was taking her further away from the life she knew.
The goodbye had become harder than she expected, and for a brief moment, she wanted to turn around, run back to Laura and Buster, and forget about the mysterious letter that had turned her life upside down.But deep down she knew she couldn't, there were many unanswered questions about her father and she needed to find out the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
The flight to New York was too long. It gave Emma too much time to think. She tried to distract herself with the in-flight movie, but her mind kept wandering back to the letter she'd just two days ago. The letter that had come from a high-profile law firm, informing her that her father, a man she had never known before, had passed away and left a substantial inheritance. But it wasn't just the money. There were secrets tied to this man, secrets that will change everything she thought she knew about her life.
When she finally touched down on New York. She felt exhaustion and nervous energy all at the same time , it was coursing through her veins. She had never been to New York City before, and the size of the city was overwhelming. But the was no time to explore. She had a mission to complete.
She pulled out her phone and entered the address of the Law Firm on her GPS tracker. The map directed to a towering glass house in the heart of the City, surrounded by the hustling and bustling of New York life.
Emma stared up at the skyscraper, her breath caught up in her throat. For her father to have a firm like this representing him, he must have been a billionaire truly.
"Who were you Robert Stones?" She murmured to herself, as her pulled out her phone to call Laura.