Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Keira looked at the unfamiliar buildings and the people in various skin tones around her. She took in the friendly glances cast her way and felt a sense of novelty.
This place was nothing like the streets where she had grown up, but she didn’t feel afraid at all. On the contrary, she was full of anticipation for her new life that lay ahead.
Pushing her luggage aside, Keira checked the location the landlord had sent her. Her apartment wasn’t too far away. But with her luggage in tow, taking a ride would be more convenient.
So, Keira opened the ride-hailing app and ordered the nearest express ride. The price was a bit steep, but she was willing to pay to get to her new place quicker because she felt drained. All she wanted was to get some rest as soon as possible.
The driver arrived quickly. Less than five minutes later, he pulled up beside her. He had harsh features and a brightly colored sleeve tattoo all over his right arm. Without saying a single word, he got out of the
car and took her suitcase.
Sensing Keira’s unease, the driver turned back a little to make small talk. He asked if she was Gherian, to which Keira shook her head and answered that she was Comdrian.
The moment he heard that, his expression noticeably softened. “Oh, you’re Comdrian? We’re from the same country, then! Where are you from? I’m from the northeast region.”
Perhaps he had lived abroad for too long, but his accent had a strange lilt even when speaking in their
native language.
Still, Keira instantly felt at ease. It was like meeting a familiar face in a foreign land.
“I’m from Sandton,” she replied, smiling.
Once they got a conversation started, the two chatted freely.
Keira learned that the driver had come to Ozalia for his girlfriend. He used to own a tattoo shop back in Comdria. With high taxes and the steep cost of starting a business, he began driving for a ride-hailing service to save money, hoping to reopen his shop someday.
While waiting at a red light, he even opened a flap in his wallet to show Keira a photo of him with his girlfriend. It was a close-up shot of them smiling brightly, cheek to cheek.
The moment the driver talked about his girlfriend, his eyes lit up. Then, he asked, “What about you? Why did you come to Ozalia? People from Sandton usually do pretty well financially, no?”
When asked about the reason for her being here, Keira hesitated. She couldn’t exactly say that she was escaping her dysfunctional family. That wasn’t something one would easily admit to a stranger.
“I’m here for work. I landed a solid job offer,” Keira answered after thinking it over.
Chapter 10
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“Well, that makes sense. If the job here is better, it’s a good move,” the driver commented, affirming her
choice.
Keira nodded and didn’t say anything more.
Throughout the journey, the driver was very chatty. He began introducing her to local customs and some must-try restaurants. Keira took mental notes of them all.
After a while, they arrived at the apartment. In addition to the fare paid through the app, Keira took out some freshly exchanged bills to give to the driver as a tip.
However, he simply said, “Ah, there’s no need for that. Come on, we’re both Comdrian. I’m always glad to see a fellow countryman.”
After placing down her luggage, the driver drove off in a relaxed, carefree manner.
Keira felt warmed by his friendliness.
She followed the address to her apartment building. Her landlady, a middle-aged woman with blonde and curly hair, was already waiting in the lobby. After handing the keys to Keira and telling her the rules about her stay there, she left.
By the time Keira registered what had happened, the landlady was already gone.
As she walked through the corridor, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure at the corner. But before she could get a good look, the figure was gone.
Keira shook her head, thinking that she must be seeing things because she was tired.
Her apartment wasn’t large, but it was fully furnished. There was even a small balcony next to the
bedroom, where sunlight streamed in, casting a warm, pleasant glow.
Most importantly, there was a small wet kitchen. Keira was very satisfied with her new lodgings.
She wasn’t exactly fond of foreign cuisine, especially dishes that were heavy on the cheese, which she particularly disliked. So, having her own kitchen was ideal because she could cook.
Since Frank and Melinda had never paid much attention to her, she had learned to cook for herself most of the time. So having a kitchen to do so now made her genuinely happy.
