## Chapter 1: "Lost in Translation"
##Epigraph
"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." - Victor Hugo
##
The city lights twinkled like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse of night sky. Emily stood at the edge of the rooftop, her toes curled over the ledge, as she gazed out at the breathtaking view. Jack's voice whispered in her ear, "You're trembling." She hadn't noticed.
"I think I might be scared of heights," Emily admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Jack's warm hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her back from the edge.
"You're safe with me," he said, his breath tickling her neck.
Emily felt a flutter in her chest. Was it the height or Jack's proximity? She couldn't tell.
##
*Emily's Life:*
Emily is a junior at New York University, majoring in Creative Writing. She's a bright and ambitious student, always eager to learn and explore new ideas. Outside of class, Emily loves to write poetry and short stories, often finding inspiration in the city's vibrant atmosphere. She's a bit of a introvert, but has a close-knit group of friends who share her passion for literature.
Emily's daily routine consists of attending classes, working on her writing projects, and interning at a local publishing house. She's determined to make a name for herself in the literary world, but struggles with self-doubt and uncertainty.
*Jack's Life:*
Jack is a successful businessman in his late 30s, working in finance in Manhattan. He's driven, charismatic, and confident, with a sharp mind for numbers and a keen sense of business strategy. Jack's days are filled with meetings, deals, and high-stakes negotiations.
Despite his professional success, Jack's personal life is lacking. He's been divorced for a few years and has trouble connecting with people outside of work. Jack's friends are mostly colleagues and acquaintances, and he often feels like he's missing out on meaningful relationships.
##
The rooftop bar was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. Emily stood at the edge, her eyes lost in the twinkling lights of the city. Jack bumped into her, spilling his drink.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry!" Jack exclaimed, as Emily turned to face him.
"It's okay, accidents happen," Emily said with a smile, her eyes sparkling in the dim light.
As Jack apologized again, Emily couldn't help but notice the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. "Let me get you another drink," Jack offered, signaling the bartender.
As they waited for their drinks, they chatted effortlessly. "I'm Jack," he said, extending his hand.
"Emily," she replied, her handshake firm.
Their drinks arrived, and Jack raised his glass. "To new friends?" he suggested.
"To new friends," Emily echoed, her glass touching his.
As they sipped their drinks, the conversation flowed like magic. They talked about everything and nothing, their words dancing in the night air.
"I feel like I've known you forever," Jack said, his voice low and sincere.
Emily smiled, feeling a connection she couldn't explain. "I know exactly what you mean."
The night wore on, and the stars began to twinkle above. Jack glanced at his watch, reluctant to leave. "I have to go," he said, "but would you like to grab coffee with me sometime?"
Emily's heart skipped a beat. "I'd love to," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As they exchanged numbers, Jack's fingers brushed against hers, sending a spark of electricity through her body. It was as if the universe had brought them together, and nothing else mattered.
With a smile, Jack leaned in and whispered, "I'll make sure to bring my A-game."
Emily's laughter echoed through the night, a sound that Jack would carry with him long after he left the rooftop.
##
The sun-drenched afternoon had drawn crowds to the Brooklyn Bridge Park, where Emily had decided to spend her Saturday. She walked along the pier, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling park. The smell of street food wafted through the air, enticing her senses. As she waited in line for a hot dog, her eyes scanned the crowd.
That's when she saw him – Jack, standing by the railing, staring out at the Manhattan skyline. Emily's heart skipped a beat. It had been weeks since their rooftop encounter, and he had promised to reach out. But nothing.
Emily's expression turned cool as she deliberately ignored Jack, focusing on her snack. Jack, however, seemed to sense her presence and turned around, his eyes locking onto hers.
"Emily!" Jack exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and relief on his face. "What are you doing here?"
Emily shrugged, her tone nonchalant. "Just grabbing a bite."
As Jack approached her, Emily noticed a guy eyeing her from across the food stand. He smiled, and Emily playfully returned the gesture. Jack's eyes narrowed slightly, noticing the exchange.
"Want to grab a drink with me?" Jack asked, trying to sound casual.
Emily hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm good. Besides, I think I have a better offer."
The guy from across the food stand approached Emily, and Jack's eyes followed the interaction. Emily laughed at something the guy said, and Jack's jaw clenched.
"Hey, I'm Alex," the guy said, extending his hand to Jack.
Jack's handshake was firm, his eyes never leaving Emily's face. "Jack."
As Alex and Emily chatted, Jack's attempts to rekindle their connection were met with Emily's polite but distant responses. Jack's frustration grew, realizing he might have blown his chance with Emily.
As Alex and Emily chatted, they discovered they were classmates at NYU. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, discussing everything from their favorite professors to their shared love of literature.
Jack watched, feeling increasingly uneasy as Emily laughed and smiled with Alex. He couldn't help but notice the ease with which they interacted, the way their eyes sparkled when they talked about shared interests.
"I'm Alex, by the way," he said, turning to Jack with a friendly smile. "We met in Professor Thompson's class, right?"
Jack's eyes flicked to Emily, who nodded slightly. "Yeah, that's right," Jack said, trying to sound casual.
The three of them stood there, the tension between Jack and Emily palpable. Alex, oblivious to the undercurrents, continued to chat with Emily, asking her about her favorite books and writers.
As they talked, Jack found himself feeling more and more like an outsider. He realized he might have underestimated Emily's interest in him, and now she seemed perfectly content with Alex's company.
"Want to study together for our next exam?" Alex asked Emily, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
Emily smiled, and Jack's heart sank. "That sounds great, Alex. I'd love to."
##
Emily flopped onto her bed, tossing her backpack onto the floor. Sarah, her roommate and best friend, looked up from her laptop.
"Hey, girl! How was your day?" Sarah asked, closing her laptop.
Emily sighed, running her hands through her hair. "It's been weird. I ran into that guy from the rooftop bar today."
Sarah's eyes widened. "The hot businessman? What's his name again?"
"Jack," Emily said, her voice laced with frustration. "He promised to reach out, but nothing. I haven't heard from him since that night."
Sarah's expression turned sympathetic. "That's so rude. What happened when you saw him today?"
Emily recounted the encounter at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, leaving out no details. Sarah listened intently, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"And then Alex asked me to study together," Emily said, a small smile playing on her lips. "He's really nice, and we have a lot in common."
Sarah grinned mischievously. "Sounds like Alex might be the perfect distraction from Jack's mixed signals."
Emily chuckled. "Maybe. But I have to admit, seeing Jack today got under my skin. I don't know why I even care."
Sarah's expression turned serious. "You care because you're interested, and that's okay. But don't let Jack dictate your emotions. You've got Alex, and you deserve someone who'll treat you right."
Emily nodded, feeling a sense of determination. "You're right. I'll focus on Alex and see where things go."
##
Emily's phone buzzed on the desk, breaking the concentration she and Alex had been immersed in for hours. They were studying for their upcoming exam, and the notes were piling up. As she reached for her phone, her eyes scanned the screen, and her heart skipped a beat. It was Jack.
"Hey, can we talk?" Jack's text read, simple yet loaded with unspoken emotions.
Emily's gaze drifted to Alex, who was watching her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. She felt a pang of guilt, unsure of how to respond to Jack's message. Alex, sensing her unease, leaned back in his chair and nodded encouragingly.
"You don't have to respond right away," Alex said softly. "Take your time."
Emily took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she weighed her options. She hadn't heard from Jack in weeks, and now he wanted to talk? What could he possibly want to say?
After a moment of contemplation, Emily typed out a response. "What's up?"
Her tone was neutral, giving away nothing. She hit send and waited, her eyes fixed on the screen.
Jack's response came quickly, his words tumbling onto the screen. "Can we meet up in person? I want to explain what happened."
Emily's brow furrowed as she read the message. Explain what happened? What did he mean? She felt a surge of frustration mixed with curiosity. Part of her wanted to know what Jack had to say, while another part of her was hesitant to reopen the door to their complicated history.
Alex's eyes met hers, filled with understanding. "What are you going to do?" he asked softly.
Emily hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She looked down at her phone, her fingers itching to type out a response. "I don't know," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "What did you have in mind?"
As she waited for Jack's response, Emily's mind began to wander. What could Jack possibly want to say to her? Was he going to apologize for ignoring her? Or was he going to make excuses for his behavior?
The minutes ticked by, and Emily's phone remained silent. She glanced at Alex, who was watching her with a gentle smile.
"Take your time," he said again. "You don't have to rush into anything."
Emily nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Alex. She appreciated his understanding and support.
Finally, Jack's response came. "How about we meet at the coffee shop on 5th Avenue? Tomorrow at 2 pm?"
Emily's eyes met Alex's, and she raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?" she asked, seeking his opinion.
Alex shrugged. "It's up to you. If you want to talk to him, I'll support you."
Emily took a deep breath, weighing her options. She could meet Jack and hear him out, or she could ignore him and move on with her life. The choice was hers.