"You know, I''ve always envied you," L suddenly said.


    I was a little surprised. "Envy me? Envy the mess that is my life?"


    She shook her head. "No, I envy your courage. You''re so capable. That''s why it pissed me off when you gave so much to that idiot, Julian, and got nothing in return."


    She went on and on, ranting passionately. The more I listened, the more I couldn''t help butugh.


    "Let''s not bring up the past, okay?" I took a sip of red wine. "Right now, I just want to find a good job, make a lot of money, and then..."


    "And then marry a great husband and have an adorable kid?" L finished my sentence.


    That was the dream for most women. It had been my dream once too.


    "Not anymore," I said. "I''d rather rely on myself than depend on a man. Besides, I can''t just leave my mom behind."


    Her eyes lit up instantly. "Now that''s what I''m talking about! That''s the right mindset! Men are the most unreliable creatures on this."


    We talked about all sorts of things, and before we knew it, night had fallen. "Time flies." I sighed. "I should head back."


    "I''ll drive you home," L offered.


    "No need. I can just grab a cab."


    "No way. It''ste. It''s not safe," she said. "Besides, I want to keep chatting with you for a bit longer."


    I couldn''t argue with her, so I agreed. We walked side by side, and our shadows stretched long under the streetlights.


    The evening breeze was cool, but it felt refreshing.


    "By the way, where''s the apartment you''re renting?" L asked.


    "In aplex near Astern University," I replied.


    "No way! I live nearby too! You shoulde over sometime and check out my ce," she said excitedly. "Now, we can hang out all the time!"


    I chuckled. "That sounds good."


    "There are a lot of apartmentplexes near Astern University. Which one exactly?" She hooked her arm through mine, yfully nudging my shoulder.


    I told her the name, and she gasped dramatically. "You''re kidding! I live there too! This is fate!"


    She shook my arm enthusiastically, acting like an excited puppy. "Which block, which unit? What if we''re actually neighbors?"


    I told her my apartment number.


    She froze for a second, then leaned in conspiratorially and whispered in my ear, "I live right next door. I''m in unit $802! Are you surprised? Are shocked?"


    It wasn''t exactly a pleasant surprise-more like a mild jump scare.


    I forced a smile, thinking to myself that this world was way too small. It was unlikely that I could slouch around at home in a messy bun and oversized pajamas now. If I ran into L in the elevator looking like that, my image would bepletely ruined.


    We strolled to the entrance of ourplex whileughing and chatting.


    The greenery in the neighborhood was well-maintained, with tall camphor trees lining both sides of the path. Their dense foliage cast dappled shadows under the streetlights.


    "Come up to my ce for a bit?" L suggested.


    I hesitated. "Isn''t it toote? Maybe next time."


    "Oh,e on, just for a little while. Have a cup of tea. It won''t take long." Before I


    could protest, she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the block.