When the workday finally ended, Celina stood at the reception, staring at the address on Maps, her brow furrowed. Zoe appeared beside her.

“Today was a rough one,” she said with a sigh.

“Yeah…” Celina agreed, not taking her eyes off the phone. “I don’t know this area…”

“What area?”

“It’s an apartment I’m going to see. I’m thinking of renting it. But I’m not familiar with the neighborhood…”

Zoe leaned in to take a look.

“Girl! That’s near where I live! Let’s go together. I don’t have class today. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Celina hesitated but eventually agreed. Zoe suggested taking the subway to avoid traffic. Celina wrinkled her nose but knew she had to start adjusting to this new reality.

The subway was crowded, but their lively conversation made the ride fly by. After twenty-five minutes underground and fifteen minutes on a bus, they arrived at the building.

Celina checked in at the front desk, and they headed up to the third floor. The real estate agent was already wait