Chapter 1: Dawn of New Beginnings

Liya woke to the gentle caress of sunlight on her face, the kind that felt warm and inviting. She never needed an alarm; her body naturally awakened with the dawn. Slipping out of bed, she padded over to the balcony of her room. The space was nothing special—neutral tones of grey and white dominated, giving it an impersonal feel. Sometimes, it reminded her of a hotel room, a transient space devoid of attachments.

Stepping outside, she inhaled the crisp morning air and gazed at the dull yet bright sun hanging in the still-pinkish-blue sky. It was 5:30 AM. She turned back to her closet and selected a black sports bra and leggings, her go-to workout attire.

As she made her way to the kitchen, she felt a familiar solitude wrap around her like a comforting blanket. Many might wonder why she lived alone, but for Liya, solitude was a choice. It didn’t mean she was entirely isolated; she had her best friend, Amila, and her chosen family—Sara and Jo. They weren’t her biological parents, but they meant more to her than anyone else in the world.

Her biological parents had run from their home when they were young, marrying at 19 and 21. Their tumultuous relationship fractured under the weight of infidelity and addiction. Her mother often took refuge with her maternal grandparents, who opposed their union. Eventually, the chaos culminated in divorce, and Liya’s mother was awarded custody. She had been a wonderful mom, but everything changed when, in seventh grade, she vanished without a trace. When the court asked her where she wanted to live, Liya could have chosen her father. But despite her love for him, she knew he was incapable of caring for her; he was still lost in the memory of her mother, who had disappeared.

Instead, she chose Sara and Jo, close friends of her mother’s who had studied fashion designing together with her mother in US. They had settled there after Liya's parents ran away, while her mother returned to India after the divorce. Sara and Jo had embraced her with open arms, and for the past 15 years, they had been her steadfast guardians.

"You might think it's tragic," she mused, recalling her past as she prepared her special juice. "But that’s reality, and reality can be harsh. It’s simply the truth of life."

Now 27, Liya had built her fashion empire, SL, from the ground up. The blender whirred to life, and she poured the vibrant juice into a bottle. After grabbing her workout bag, she locked the door behind her and stepped into the world outside.

Her Bugatti gleamed in the early morning light, a symbol of her hard work and determination. As she started the engine, she nodded to John, her gatekeeper, who had been a loyal presence since she purchased the property. He opened the gate, and with a wave, she drove away from her private estate, a sanctuary nestled among lush greenery. The villa, neither too big nor too small, felt like home, thanks to the guards and gardeners who helped maintain the sprawling grounds.

Arriving at AX Gym, she felt a surge of energy. Meeting her trainer, Kate, she preferred the grace and strength of aerial yoga, where she could find peace among the chaos of her life. After an hour of stretching and breathing, she left the gym, invigorated.

As she pulled up to her villa, she noticed the gate was already open. Ella, her housekeeper, must have arrived. In her forties, Ella had been with her parents for years; when Liya moved in with them, her mom sent Ella to ensure she was taken care of. A warm presence, Ella was the kind of woman who could make a house feel like a home, even if Liya often insisted on cooking for herself. Ella does not let her.

Entering the villa, Liya saw Ella tidying up.

"Good morning!" Liya greeted her, a smile brightening her face.

"Good morning, dear!" Ella replied, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

Liya headed to her room, feeling a mix of anticipation and determination. Today would be another step in her journey, a day to embrace the possibilities that lay ahead.

...(It's  Liya's outfit )...

Liya stood before the mirror, admiring her reflection. Satisfied with her appearance, she descended the stairs and headed to the kitchen. There, she made herself some toast and poured a glass of apple juice. After finishing her breakfast, she grabbed her keys and headed to her car, ready to drive to SL.

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