37

Sophia’s POV
The cab I’m in comes to a halt, and I gracefully emerge, my hands laden with a few shopping bags. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I cast an appreciative glance at the bustling city around me. The cacophony of honking horns and the aroma of street food fills the air, reminding me that I’ve finally arrived at my new apartment.
With a sense of anticipation, I make my way towards the entrance of the building. Pushing open the heavy glass door, a wave of excitement washes over me. The foyer is immaculate, with sleek marble floors and a modern reception desk.
As I step into the building, I notice Linda, the receptionist, emerging from inside and taking a seat at the desk. She’s a young woman, currently checking her makeup in a compact mirror. With a warm smile, I approach her and retrieve a small makeup bag from my belongings.
“Hey, Linda! It’s so good to see you,” I greet her, extending the makeup bag towards her.
Linda looks pleasantly surprised as she accepts the bag. “Oh, hi, Sophia! Thank you, that’s so kind of you,” she responds, her eyes widening with curiosity.
I explain, “I was packing earlier this morning and noticed this unopened makeup bag. It’s actually a gift from a friend, but I don’t use makeup that often. So I thought it might be better to give it to someone who will truly cherish it.”
Linda’s gratitude is evident as she holds the bag in her hands. “Wow, I didn’t expect this. Thank you so much, Sophia. You really didn’t have to do this.”
I assure her, “No worries at all, Linda. I’m glad it’ll find a deserving owner. It’s all yours now.”
She thanks me once again, appreciating the gesture. “I really appreciate it. I’ll make good use of it. You’re too kind.”
With a friendly smile, I reply, “You’re more than welcome, Linda. It has good colors for your skin base.”
Linda nods gratefully. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again, Sophia. And congratulations on your new place! If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thank you, Linda! I appreciate it. I’m excited to settle in. Take care, and have a great day!” I bid her farewell before heading towards the elevators. I intentionally bought it earlier at the supermarket. As a young woman just moving into a new environment alone, it wouldn’t hurt to make more friends and build a good relationship with the receptionist.
The elevators open and I enter, pressing the number of my floor. The apartment is located in the busy part of the city but it is of benefit to me as it is only a few blocks away from Grace Hospital where I applied to work at.
Having meticulously planned my move, I’ve already entrusted all my belongings to a reliable delivery agency. My furniture, personal mementos, and cherished possessions are safely tucked away within the walls of my new abode. The thought of unpacking everything and arranging my new space fills me with a sense of satisfaction.
One of the reasons I chose this particular day to move in was the knowledge that my roommates, Tyler and Jake, won’t be home. I know their absence will spare me from any potential awkwardness. With a sigh of relief, I ascend the stairs, eager to explore my new domain without any interruptions.
As I reach my designated floor, I can’t help but marvel at the spaciousness of the hallway. It’s adorned with tasteful artwork, and the soft carpeting under my feet adds a touch of luxury. I glance at the apartment numbers, searching for my new home.
Finally, I arrive at my apartment’s door and insert the key into the lock. The door swings open, revealing a large room with a lot of misplaced items all around and a whole lot of boxes lying around.
There was quite a lot to do.
I waste no time and decide to turn on some music to create a lively atmosphere as I begin organizing my new space. The upbeat tunes fill the air, energizing me as I tackle the task at hand. However, my progress is quickly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone.
I reach into my bag and retrieve the device, glancing at the caller ID. It’s Jake. A mixture of anxiety and curiosity washes over me as I answer the call, preparing myself for the conversation that awaits.
“Hey, Jake,” I say, trying to sound composed despite the chaos of the surroundings.
His voice immediately carries a tone of anger as he questions, “Where are you? Why aren’t you home? And what happened to your room? It’s empty!”
Taking a deep breath, I respond calmly, “I moved out today, Jake.”
His voice rises in frustration, “Moved out? Why didn’t you tell us? Are we that bad of roommates that you’re in such a hurry to leave?”
Before I can say anything more, I hear Tyler’s voice in the background, firm and determined. He takes the phone from Jake’s hands and addresses me directly. His tone is filled with concern and a hint of disappointment.
“Why did you leave without telling us, Sophia?” Tyler’s voice is tinged with a mix of confusion and hurt.
I quickly respond, my voice slightly trembling, “I’m sorry, Tyler. I knew you guys were going somewhere, and I didn’t want to bother you with helping me move out. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
Tyler’s tone softens a bit, but there’s still a hint of frustration. “It’s not about bothering us, Sophia. We’re your roommates, your friends. We care about you, and it’s important to communicate with each other. Were you really that afraid to let us know where you were staying?”
My panic starts to rise as I realize the gravity of the situation. I stammer, desperately trying to explain myself, “No, Tyler, it’s not like that. I didn’t mean to imply… I just didn’t want to impose on your plans. I didn’t think it would be a big deal.”
Tyler’s voice remains stern yet understanding, “Sophia, moving out without a word is a big deal. We care about you, and we should have been there to support you. But now that it’s done, I need to know where you’ve moved. Can you please give me the address of your new apartment?”
I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. I understand Tyler’s concern and know I need to provide him with the information. In a calmer tone, I respond, “I’m sorry, Tyler. I should have told you. The address is 123 Oak Street, Apartment 4B.”
Tyler’s voice softens further, filled with reassurance, “Thank you for telling me, Sophia. We will be there soon to help you unpack and settle in. Just give us some time.”
Before I can utter another word, Tyler disconnects the call. I look at the phone quietly before settling it back on the stand and continue to do what I was busy with.
Soon after the call with Tyler, I receive another call from him. He informs me that they have arrived at the reception desk downstairs but they won’t be allowed up unless the person they are visiting comes downstairs to pick them. It’s a security protocol of the building.
Understanding the situation, I assure Tyler that I will come downstairs to meet them. I grab my keys, make sure everything is in order, and head towards the elevator. As I reach the ground floor, my heart races with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
When I step into the lobby, I spot Tyler and Jake seated on a sofa, looking a bit out of place. Linda is at her workstation, and she notices me approaching. I walk up to her, offering a friendly smile.
“Hey, Linda. Sorry to bother you again, but my roommates are here to see me,” I explain, gesturing towards Tyler and Jake.
Linda nods, understanding the situation. “Of course, Sophia. I’ll let them go up. Sorry for the inconvenience earlier.”
I shake my head, reassuring her, “No worries, Linda. It’s just a security protocol. I understand.”
As Linda makes the necessary arrangements, I walk over to Tyler and Jake, who rise to greet me. Tyler’s earlier frustration seems to have dissipated, while Jake still seems gloomy.
“Guys, I completely forgot about the protocols. I’m sorry for making you wait downstairs,” I say, feeling a sense of embarrassment.
Tyler quickly shakes his head, dismissing my apology. “Don’t worry about it, Sophia. It’s really not a big deal.”
Linda, having completed the necessary arrangements, approaches us with an apologetic expression. “I’m really sorry for the trouble earlier, Sophia. They can go up now.”
I wave off her apology, appreciating her understanding. “No problem at all, Linda. Thank you for your help.”
Tyler, Jake, and I make our way towards the elevators. We soon get to to my door and I’m about to turn the key in and open the door when the door of the apartment directly opposite mine opens suddenly.
The next moment, there is a sudden childish exclamation, “Auntie!”