Chapter 3

Evadne quickly opened the door of their condo unit upon hearing the continuous doorbell ring one after another. She hurriedly walked, assuming it was her husband.

However, standing at the door was not her husband but a woman with a travel bag with a smiled.

Indeed, if her husband were outside, he wouldn’t bother ringing the doorbell.

“E-Evadne,” Camila Everleen greeted her, a college friend.

“Mila, it’s been a long time.”

“Can I stay over, Evadne?” She pleaded, smiling but avoiding eye contact, seemingly somewhat embarrassed.

Evadne nodded, opening the door wider for her friend. “Sure. Come in,” she invited her friend.

It had been a year since they last met. Camila had been living in Buffalo.

“Are you coming from Buffalo?”

Camila shook her head. “From Allegany,” she replied briefly. She took a seat on the living room sofa.

“Have you eaten yet?” Evadne asked again.

“Not yet.”

“Perfect timing, I’m about to eat. Join me,” she said, not holding out much hope for her husband, Orion, to come home early.

“Is it okay?”

“Of course. Don’t worry about your luggage for now.”

Evadne went ahead to the kitchen, with Camila following. She made her sit in her usual seat and took the head seat herself.

“Why are you here in New York?” she asked as they ate. Camila seemed to enjoy the meal, and Evadne breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t want her cooking to be a disappointment.

“I broke up with my boyfriend,” she said, looking down.

“Why?”

“Third party, Evadne.”

Evadne couldn’t comment immediately.

Camila forced a bitter smile. “Can we not talk about it for now? It ruins my appetite.”

“Sure,” Evadne agreed. “Just eat, Mila,” she said, turning her attention back to her own meal.

So, Camila had been living in Allegany with her boyfriend? Evadne didn’t want to press her friend to talk about what happened. She would wait until Camila was ready to share. She was prepared to listen if her friend needed someone to talk to. She respected that aspect of their friendship.

After they finished eating, they cleaned up and did the dishes. Then, they returned to the living room and sat down.

“Thank you for the meal, Evadne. Your cooking is delicious.”

“It’s nothing, Mila. I’m glad you know where my place is.” As far as she could remember, she hadn’t hosted anyone here before.

“Galilena told me about your place,” Camila referred to one of their classmates, whom she often saw since her workplace was close to Evadne’s coffee shop.

“Ah,” she nodded in recognition. “I did mention to her where I live. It’s good that you’ve spoken to her. Do you have any plans after this?”

Camila shook her head, looking down. “I don’t have anywhere else to go, Evadne. If... if it’s okay with you, could I stay at your place temporarily?” Camila looked directly at her. “I don’t have any other options here, and my whole family is in Buffalo. They don’t know I’m here, especially my ex. I’ll do the housework while you and your husband are at work. Please?”

How could she refuse when she saw tears welling up in Camila’s eyes? She felt sorry for her friend in that moment. Being a soft-hearted person, she nodded.

“It’s not a problem, Mila. I’ll talk to my husband about it. The guest room is available.”

Camila sat right next to her and tightly held her hand. “Thank you so much, Evadne. I promise I’ll help with the housework in exchange for staying here. I won’t be a burden.”

“Mila, you’re not a burden to me.”

“Still, thank you. I really need a place to stay right now, so I’m grateful you didn’t turn me away. I’ll also look for a job while I’m here in New Yoek,” she promised.

They were in the middle of chatting when Evadne’s husband arrived. Camila immediately caught his gaze, causing him to furrow his brow.

“Hon,” Evadne said as she stood up and approached her husband. “This is my college friend, Camila. Is it okay if she stays here for a while? She doesn’t have anywhere else to go, and she just came from Allegany.”

“Okay,” he replied, offering a restrained smile to Camila after greeting her. He then walked straight into their room.

“My husband is the serious type, so don’t mind him,” she said with a smile.

“You got yourself a good catch, huh?” Camila teased, smiling back.

While she smiled outwardly, the smile concealed a deep sadness within her.

“If only you knew,” she thought silently.