Finding My Past

Kiara's heart raced with anticipation as she set foot in the streets of San Francisco, a city she hoped would hold the key to untangling her mysterious past.

The vibrant streets buzzed with life, eliciting a whirlwind of emotions—a strange mix of nostalgia and unfamiliarity.

Pausing to take it all in, she murmured softly to herself, "This place feels like a piece of me, yet so distant."

Lost in her contemplation, a lively passerby, Emily, noticed her thoughtful expression. "You seem deep in thought, Care to have a coffee with me?" Emily gestured with an intrigued smile.

Kiara's lips curled into a grateful smile, accepting the gesture.

"That's cool, thank you."

As they sipped their coffee at the café, Emily strike up a conversation,

"I'm Emily, seems you're new here?"

"No I'm not, I have been here, it could be we just haven't seen each other."

"I'm hoping to find something... or perhaps remember something I've lost."

Emily listened intently, feeling a bit lost to what Kiara was passing across.

"What is it that she may have lost" Emily thought.

"How about we visit the old neighborhood and have fun together" Emily suggested bringing up a way to light the atmosphere some more"

"That's a good idea," Kiara nodded, feeling grateful for Emily's company.

As Kiara and Emily walked through the city's diverse neighborhoods, Kiara couldn't help but feel the cheer filled atmosphere amidst the vibrant tapestry of Chinatown's markets, and the mesmerizing playful sea lions at the waterfront.

Kiara sighed, feeling a rush of emotions. "This is breathtaking"

A passerby, caught her nostalgic gaze striking the opportunity to introduce his business, approaching the two of them who just couldn't stop but have fun.

"Places like this could be amazing," he said as he stretched forth the cotton candy in his hands.

"It's 2 bucks," he announced, extending the sugary treat.

Kiara reached out, selecting one for herself and another for Emily, exchanging money with him.

Kiara smiled gratefully after a long time feeling a surge of hope as she thought,

"Maybe within these streets, amidst these sights and sounds, I'll piece together the fragments of my identity."

As the city lights began their nightly spectacle against the darkening sky, Kiara felt a comforting sense of tranquility washing over her.

She didn't know that her time in San Francisco was just a small part of her story. It wasn't until she landed a job and moved to Los Angeles that more of her life really kicked off, the same place she found Darren.

****5 years ago*****

Kiara's heart brimmed with an indescribable joy as she was offered a job as the production manager at StarVison Studios Los Angeles. It didn't matter that it was an up-and-coming company; this opportunity was a dream fulfilled.

Envisioning the limitless possibilities, she felt an exhilarating rush of excitement at the prospect of diving into the filmmaking world.

The sheer thrill of entering the pulsating realm of the film industry in Los Angeles energized her, fueling an unwavering determination to contribute her best and embrace every moment of this thrilling new journey.

Bouncing with elation, she practically skipped to Ethan's room, anticipation radiating from her every step. Bursting through the door, she found him lounging on his bed, engrossed in his phone.

"Ethan!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.

He glanced up, a mischievous glint in his eye. "What's got you all hyped up?" he teased, knowing her excitement usually led to something interesting.

"I got it!" she exclaimed, waving her acceptance letter. "I landed a job at StarVision Studios in LA!"

Ethan's eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise. "No way! That's huge! What will you be doing?"

"I'll be a production assistant!" she exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, her aunt, busily preparing dinner in the kitchen, heard the lively chatter from the hallway and turned, curious about the commotion.

As Kiara hurried to the kitchen, she shared her news with Ethan trailing behind, a sly smirk on his face, relishing in her excitement and eager to tease her some more.

Bursting into the kitchen, she gleefully announced, "Auntie, guess what? I got a job at StarVision Studios in LA!"

Her aunt's eyes widened with delight. "That's fantastic, dear! StarVision would be a nice studio I believe. Congratulations!"

Ethan teased, "Looks like we've got a future Hollywood star in the family!"

Her aunt laughed, "Let's not forget who has to do the dishes tonight, Hollywood star or not."

Amidst the clinks of utensils and the aroma of cooking filling the air, Kiara basked in the joy of sharing her incredible news with her family, her heart filled with anticipation for the journey ahead at StarVision Studios.

_ _

The next morning, Kiara woke up with a sense of excitement tinged with a touch of nervousness. Yesterday's news of landing a new job in Los Angeles still felt surreal.

She stretched, blinking away sleep as she mulled over the day ahead. The day marked the beginning of her preparations for the big move.

With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, Kiara sat at her kitchen table, a map of LA spread out before her. She scanned the various neighborhoods, trying to envision which one would be the perfect fit for her new life.

Amidst the sea of possibilities, she focused on the area near her workplace, hoping to find a balance between convenience and comfort.

Her phone buzzed with notifications– emails from her soon-to-be colleagues, welcoming her to the team and offering assistance.

Kiara smiled, feeling a sense of warmth from their messages. She made a mental note to reply later, grateful for their support.

After a quick breakfast, Kiara grabbed her notebook and began jotting down a checklist.

Finding a place to live, sorting out her belongings, notifying her current landlord, and researching the best moving companies—all these tasks loomed ahead.

Each listing sparked a wave of excitement and uncertainty, making her heart race a bit faster.

"Today might have been just the beginning, but it is the first step towards my new adventure in the City of Angels," she muttered.