Playing chess in the street

Dropping Elena off at her modeling school always gave me a sense of pride, but today, as I watched her disappear into the building, I felt a pang of boredom settle over me. What was I supposed to do for the next few hours? I decided to take a walk, hoping the bustling streets of New York City would provide some distraction.

The city was alive with activity. People hurried past, each absorbed in their own world, barely noticing the tall, stern-looking woman walking among them. I chuckled to myself; my naturally cold demeanor seemed to part crowds like the Red Sea. People were practically diving out of my way, their eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and fear. It was almost too easy.