Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 23
Holland
Zurich is an amazing place to work and live and I love it here.
I truly do.
It’s a city of captivating contrasts blending old-world charm and modern sophistication. I’ve been here for five years and never tire of the streets lined with charming cafés, high-end boutiques and art galleries. The tranquility of Lake Zurich and the imposing beauty of the Alps make it hard to imagine living anywhere else. And living abroad? Well, it fuels my sense of independence and anonymity that had been the mantra by which I’ve been living my life.
What it’s not is Shelbyville. I miss the close-knit community, sprawling green landscapes and sense of belonging that Zurich’s cosmopolitan environment lacks. The memories of my past, the warmth of the Blackburn family, and the deep roots I have in Shelbyville tug at my heartstrings, making me nostalgic for the simplicity and genuine connections I left behind.
But nothing makes me yearn quite like Trey Blackburn.
Luckily, in the six days I’ve been back, I’ve been immersed in work, which has kept my brain mostly occupied. The hardest part is the evenings when I get home and before I go to sleep, replaying every single interaction I had with Trey, right up until the time he broke my heart for the second time.
I’m bracing for another evening just like that as I finish up my work for the day. The bustling office in Zurich is a far cry from the quiet, sprawling fields of Shelbyville. Here, the air is filled with the hum of conversations in multiple languages, the click of keyboards, and the distant sound of traffic from the streets below. I’m sitting at my desk, surrounded by towering stacks of paperwork, my computer screen glowing with spreadsheets and emails that need my attention. My colleagues are wrapping up for the day, gathering their belongings and chatting in German and French about evening plans.
I finish up a report, hit Send, and lean back in my chair, stretching my arms above my head. My office is on the fifth floor of a modern office building in Zurich-West, a trendy, revitalized industrial area but as I glance around and don’t see any personal photographs or knickknacks to warm up the place, I know this will never be anything more than a job to me.
Gathering my leather satchel, I pull out my tennis shoes and swap my high heels, stuffing them in their place. I live in Old Town, which is about three and a half kilometers from my office. While I could jump on the S-Bahn for a quick train ride home, Zurich is such a bike-friendly city that I opt for that mode of transportation when the weather permits. August in Zurich is beautiful, and I think I’ll stop at a café near my apartment for a pastry and enjoy the outdoors before I go inside to sulk about how much I miss Shelbyville.
And Trey.
Nabbing my bicycle helmet, I head toward the elevator.
“Gute Nacht, Holland,” one of my colleagues, Franziska, calls out as I walk by her office.
“Gute Nacht,” I reply with a smile, hitching my satchel over my shoulder.
Outside, the air is crisp and fresh, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of the river. I unlock my bicycle from the rack and mount it, adjusting my helmet before setting off. The streets of Zurich-West bustle with activity, but the city’s efficient bike lanes make it easy to navigate through traffic. I pedal with ease, enjoying the smooth ride and the sense of freedom that comes with it.
As I move toward Old Town, the scenery gradually changes. The modern buildings of Zurich-West give way to the charming, historic architecture of the city center. The transition is almost seamless, yet distinctly noticeable. The streets narrow, and cobblestones replace the asphalt. I follow the Limmat River for a while, the water shimmering in the golden light of the setting sun. I pass under the iconic Prime Tower, Zurich’s tallest building, and then through busy Hardbrücke, where trams and trains converge in a symphony of urban motion.
Entering Old Town feels like stepping into another era. I slow down, taking in the sights and sounds of this historic quarter. The narrow alleyways are lined with medieval buildings, their facades painted in warm, inviting colors. Small squares open up unexpectedly, each with its own unique charm.
I ride past Grossmünster, the twin-towered church that stands as a symbol of Zurich’s rich history. The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries wafts from nearby bakeries, mingling with the aroma of coffee from the many cafés that dot the area.
My apartment is just half a block away, located in a charming old building with a red-tiled roof, but I stop at Café Lindenhof, my favorite place to hang out. After locking up my bike at a rack, I nab an outdoor table and wait patiently for a passing waiter to notice me.