City Cadence

By Natalie Hush

City Cadence: Where love, ambition, and justice collide.

 

Nyssa, the sharp PR maven, finds her match in Zillion, a financial wizard riding the crypto wave. Their passion grows among the tumult of a city on the verge of transformation as they unite to challenge the corrupt political scene threatening their city.

 

Kim battles a toxic workplace, finding solace in the arms of her younger boss, Mark, as they join forces to expose the city's corrupt underbelly. Meanwhile, James, a customer service rep at an insurance firm, stumbles upon a disturbing murder mystery, facing not only the criminal but also the unsettling rise of their new AI colleague, Phillipa.

 

As if juggling love and work weren't enough, Sam, a dedicated parent of two, finds herself on the front lines of a cultural war, opposing what she sees as increasingly "woke" school policies. Her fight for her children's education becomes a microcosm of the larger societal struggle playing out in their city.

On their weekly pool night, their paths cross and secrets unravel, revealing a complicated web of deceit reaching the highest levels of power. From the mayor's office to Kim's bullying boss, Hardy Strunz, and even James' own CEO, the corruption runs deep.

 

Can love bloom amidst the fight for justice? Will tradition and innovation find a way to coexist? Dive into City Cadence, a captivating tale of ambition, love, and the fight for a city's soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natalie Hush
• Release date: May 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224601271

Book preview

City Cadence

Pulse of the Current

Natalie Hush

Copyright © 2024 Natalie Hush

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

The use of AI for content editing and cover image creation does not diminish the creative and original output of the author and the publisher. The intention is to leverage technology for enhancing artistic expression and not to replace human creativity.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Content Editing: AI-assisted

Cover design by: AIArt

City Cadence: Pulse of the Current

Skyline, Rooftop - Views

Sachsenhäuser Berg, in the mid-90s, buzzed with life atop the grounds of Henninger Bräu. The air was electric with the pulse of a massive party, and the stage was ablaze with D-Flame, passionately rapping about another day. The crowd undulated as one entity, their hands rising in synchronized waves to the rhythm, swaying to the left, right, and converging back to the center. Amid this sea of motion, Nyssa stood, hands raised, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. D-Flame's remarks flowed toward the exuberant throng, showering compliments on their moves and expressing his fascination with their collective energy. Henninger Bräu, once a renowned brewery, had recently shuttered its doors, the site now claimed by an investor. That vibrant night was the last memory Nyssa carried from Germany before her overseas journey.

Nearly three decades on, Nyssa reclined on a sun lounger at the rooftop pool of the Finesse Club, the same spot where the unforgettable party had ignited. She gazed back across time, reminiscing about the spirited years that had elapsed. This had become her customary Sunday ritual, joining friends at the pool. Among them were James, whose anecdotes about insurance cases were both outrageous and fascinating; and his boyfriend. Sam, a friend who managed to make appearances whenever her children's schedules permitted, added to the camaraderie. Nyssa and Sam had both returned to Frankfurt, their city of origin, the same year, only to be welcomed by the onset of a pandemic.

On this occasion, Kim, one of Nyssa's close friends, soaked in the Jacuzzi alongside Zillion, whose presence exuded an air of effortless coolness. Dark sunglasses rested atop his head, accentuating his sharp features and stylish attire. With a confident demeanor and laid-back charm, he effortlessly captivated attention, adding to the magnetic allure of the rooftop scene.

Sam now resided in an upscale building on a small island along the Main River's southwest, while Nyssa occupied a cozy apartment in a suburban complex managed by an associate of her father. Though not entirely pleased with the arrangement, Nyssa had managed to iron out some issues. Despite those challenges, after Nyssa’s redecoration the apartment boasted an air of exclusivity.

Nyssa surveyed the transformations the city had undergone, both Frankfurt and its neighbor, Offenbach. Frankfurt, long known for its financial prowess, had seen considerable changes, while Offenbach, once aspiring to cultivate a creative atmosphere, had faced some setbacks.

Remember when the new Esprit shop opened at the corner? Nyssa reminisced. They had a great opening at the time. I remember their PR activities with their cosmetic line 'Earth.' Do you, Kim?

Yeah, this is now an outlet store, Kim replied with a hint of nostalgia. And where Astrid had her Atelier and boutique, you will find a 1 Euro shop and Tariq's Imbiss.

Nyssa chuckled and added, Yeah, and the hairdresser Emotion where I used to go is now a barber shop.

Zillion chimed in, The only place that remained is the Wilhelms Plaza with the weekly market and the cafés and bars, like the brasserie, Meets, and Tafelspitz. That atmosphere is still there.

Nyssa pondered how far removed the landscape had become from her youth. She recalled the city's dynamic at odds with her memories, both cities gradually losing their initial charm. Her contemplations carried her away to distant times, where a blend of rich history and evolving present cast a captivating spell.

And as it was, these two cities had an ongoing feud, with residents complaining about the once creatively vibrant city now reduced to a social pool. Meanwhile, the city that had once stood as a symbol of financial strength and birthed Germany's world-famous writer Goethe had transformed into a multifaceted urban landscape, criticized by many as lacking a soul. During Goethe's time, Offenbach had already gained recognition as one of the most liberal cities and had been referred to as Frankfurt's garden due to its lush gardens and opulent residences. Goethe himself once remarked, 'Stepping in front of the house in the morning here in Offenbach, you are breathing the most liberal air, and the city falls in line with Frankfurt in terms of its beautiful gardens and stunning architecture.'

Times had indeed changed. The once rich and beautiful cities, brimming with status, had now acquired reputations as social flashpoints. Offenbach was no exception, standing alongside Frankfurt as a city with videos occasionally circulating on social media, accompanied by comments like 'Is this Calcutta?' But in the present moment, high above Sachsenhäuser Berg, with feet dipped in the pool's refreshing waters, the group of friends could breathe freely. They looked out over the city's current burdens and allowed themselves to revel in the pleasures of the night.

◆◆◆

Zillion, who had rented an old fabrique building and had created loft-like offices for his latest business, found himself embroiled in a sudden chaos. Approximately 30 people were employed on contract with an additional 50 freelancers from all over the world working on some cryptocurrency project. Despite the recent negativity about crypto after a massive market failure, Zillion was determined to stick with it. He had an idea not only to further develop cryptocurrency but also to combine it with his interest in DNA and biometrics. His vision was to create a bullet-proof currency, considering the shaky state of financial markets and the looming threat of collapse.

The EU and the € were constantly in the news, with daily stories about significant failures and questionable decisions. Zillion kept his plans for his company secret, officially providing customer services for financial institutions. However, the city council seemed to view his company with suspicion, constantly throwing roadblocks in his path.

So was one of the demands on this Monday morning that