I landed at Heathrow Airport and waited for Kyle to pick me up. A few key members of my team had already landed a week earlier, and they helped set up our office in Canary Wharf. I was given a list of people to meet and piles of paperwork to run through. 

Trying not to think of work, I looked around. London was the same gloomy and gray city I remembered—the rain, the wind, the cold—and I loved it so. 

Back when I was at Cambridge, I got on a train to London every other weekend. The city had its own magic with all the wonderful place I loved. Oh, how I missed the museums, parks, clubs, pubs, and malls. And the activities and parties I attended were memorable. Or arguably unmemorable since I lost half of the memories from drinking way too much. Typical college kid.

It didn’t take me long until I spotted Kyle walking toward me. Wearing a black turtleneck and a long gray coat, his wavy brown hair, poetic brown eyes, and confident strides caught the eye of a few ladies he walked past, unaware. He was the same as I remembered—a Greek God who barely cared of any mortal opinion.  

Kyle’s eyes sparkled when he saw me.

“Sienna!” He hugged me, lifted me up, spun me around, and whispered in my ear.

“I’ve missed you.” Kyle was always a loving friend and had a flare for a dramatic display of affection. He was the friend I spent time with the most during my time at university. 

“We have been texting most days throughout the years. Surely, you don’t miss me that much.”

“Nothing beats seeing you in person, Sienna. I only see you once a year after our graduation. You couldn’t believe how happy I am to know you will be based here.” He beamed. His perfect white teeth shone bright like one of those handsome toothpaste models. 

“And where’s Sophia? I thought she was coming with you.”

“She has to lead the teams there, and most of our investors demand regular meetings in person, but she will visit in a few months. Probably to see how I do.”

“Well, well, well…I believe I just heard apprehension in your voice.” He knew me too well. It was borderline annoying.

“It’s complicated. Being in a long-distance relationship with someone I love. And she is my business partner, not really, almost like my boss. She holds the majority of the shares in the business. And for good reasons. She did most of the work, and she put in almost all of the initial investment.”

“But you have always been there supporting her and helping her through many of the processes that enable the growth of the app. Give yourself some credits, Sienna. You did great.” Even with his compliment, I was not convinced. 

After a few pints of beer at a pub near my new apartment, I was still not convinced. 

“Who are you, and what have you done to my fearless princess?” Kyle jibed. He frowned and disapproved of her consistent rejection of his compliments.

“It’s me, alright. I just haven’t accomplished as much as you think I did. It has always been Sophia’s doing. ZazzPay is our baby, true, but she came up with the idea. She gave it attention and funding to grow the business. She is like its mother. I just help whenever I can, so I’m more of a part-time nanny….” I trailed off to drink more beer.

Kyle’s frown deepened. 

“What! That is such an unpleasant analogy. And most definitely inaccurate. No part-time nanny works 80 hours a week as you do. You help her grow that business. And establishing a new office in London’s fintech scene? C’mon, you are Sophia’s partner. I mean that in both a business sense and a romantic sense. You are her equal.”

Part of me knew he was right. And part of me vehemently and unreasonably rejected the notion. I loved Sophie. But beyond the love was the blind idolization. I put her on the pedestal and worshiped her brilliance. To think that I was her equal was unthinkable.

“I suppose…” I replied, my voice low. Kyle sighed. 

“You have changed, Sienna.”

“How so?” Surprised, I looked up to meet his eyes.

“The Sienna I remember from college was confident, cool, and unashamedly herself. And I believe that Sienna would proudly take credit for what she has accomplished.”

“I believe time changes me,” I said, almost to myself.

In the past few years, the driver's seat of fate was not exactly where I found myself to be. I had been an obedient lamp following the guidance of the woman I blindly loved.

“Let’s change that, shall we? Let’s get you back to Society again. Let me introduce you to some important people. You can talk about your business. There are many people I know in fintech. Perhaps they can help with your endeavor. In fact, there is a party at Cynthia’s penthouse this upcoming Friday night. I hope you will get over your jetlag by then. You can be my guest?” He invited me with enthusiasm.

Cynthia was Kyle’s girlfriend. After being friends for years, they finally got together. The relationship didn’t surprise me. I knew Cynthia had been secretly into him since college, but Kyle was all over the place. He was in the Polo Club and the Rowing Club, and girls were all over him. 

And Cynthia was popular. Everyone wanted to date her. She was athletic, academically gifted and emanated an aura of royalty. I remembered the time she sat up with her back straight as a ruler in class, always raised her hand to answer professors’ questions and all her contributions were superb.  

I thought about Kyle’s invitation for a few moments and shook my head. This Friday was only a few days away. I had to work at the office and attend in-person meetings all day during weekdays. And the workload was promised to be intense. I wanted more rest, and that meant Friday night should be reserved for quiet time alone. 

“I might have to bail on this. I need to settle in for the next week or two before going out to socialize and network again. You know that takes a lot of energy. I will most likely be too tired on Friday.”

Kyle’s eyes turned solemn. His brown eyes turned a darker shade.

“Oh, you must forget that I’ve known you for years. I’ve known you well. Work and exhaustion never stop you from a chance to know new people and partying. You are simply domesticated, my darling Sienna….” He glanced down into his glass before downing it. Then Kyle looked deep into my eyes. I sensed him eliciting reminiscence and abandoning his reserve. 

“You were so wild, so free, so glorious, like a majestic cheetah in the savannah. Now you are but a housecat.”