Inner Circle

Maya Carter stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of her corner office, gazing out at the Atlanta skyline as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink over the bustling city. Her office was immaculate-pristine white walls, sleek modern furniture, and a wall of law books that she'd carefully arranged herself. To anyone else, it would look like the picture of success. But tonight, Maya felt anything but successful.

She exhaled slowly, loosening the silk scarf around her neck as she sank into the leather chair behind her desk. The case she'd been working on for months had finally ended, but the victory felt hollow. Somewhere between the long nights and endless paperwork, she'd lost sight of the thrill she once felt every time she stepped into a courtroom. Now, her victories felt like checkboxes on a to-do list, lacking the satisfaction they once brought.

Her phone buzzed on the desk, pulling her out of her thoughts. Maya glanced at the screen-another text from Jasmine, her best friend since college. Jasmine had been begging her to come out for drinks tonight, insisting that a night out was just what Maya needed. But the truth was, the last thing Maya wanted was to go out. She wasn't ready to face the world, not tonight. Not when every happy couple she saw would only remind her of how she was starting over.

She took a deep breath, silencing the nagging thoughts that circled in her mind. The break-up with Eric was still fresh in her mind, but Maya knew she had to keep moving forward. Everyone around her said she was strong, resilient, and unstoppable-but even the strongest people had their moments of doubt.

For the first time in years, Maya felt unsure of where she was headed. Her career was at its peak, her wardrobe filled with designer clothes, and her condo was located in one of the finest parts of the city, yet there was a hollowness in her chest that no accomplishment could fill. She remembered the last time she'd felt truly happy, and a pang of longing washed over her. Maybe it was love she was missing, or perhaps she'd simply lost herself along the way.

As she looked out over the city, Maya felt a glimmer of hope buried beneath her sadness. She knew that she would find her way through whatever lay ahead-she always did. But for now, she'd take it one day at a time, hoping that somewhere along the journey, she would find the piece of herself that was missing.

Her phone rang, shifting her thoughts back to reality. It was Jasmine.

"Hey, Jas," she said with a sigh.

"Well, hello to you too, heaux. Why the hell didn't you answer my text."

"I just got back to the office; I was trying to collect my thoughts."

"Well, the case is over, isn't it? It's time for the next one. Let's celebrate!"

"Not really in the mood," Maya said, yawning.

"Bish, really? So you just gone go home and climb in bed and read a romance novel or some shit like that."

That didn't sound like such a bad idea, Maya thought.

"Girl, I am not about to let you be a poop butt. We are meeting at Kado's new spot for drinks. He has a table for us already set up, and there's a jazz band playing tonight."

"Kado? That's a name I haven't heard in a while. When did he get back in town?"

"Well, supposedly, he moved from L.A. for good; he was on tour with some big-name stars and decided he wanted to settle here for good in the A."

"Is he still married to that girl he dated in college?"

"Who, Bethany? No. She left him high and dry for a Laker when they moved to L.A., and the dude wasn't even first string; he was some bench warmer...You always did have a thing for him."

"I thought he was cute, that's it," Maya said, placing her laptop in her bag.

"Oh, so cute that you backed it up on him at the homecoming dance back in '06?"

Maya rolled her eyes. "I really can't stand you," she said with a chuckle. Suddenly, she felt a little better.

"I know, that's why I'm here. To make you laugh. So grab your shit, head to the elevator, hop in the Porsche, and bring ya ass."

"Alright, whatever. Have you talked to Brooke?"

"Yes, she's at an event...for that fine ass soon-to-be senator, Andre Jackson."