Avah's pov
I spent the next day packing my clothes and shoes, using the opportunity to sort through everything. The ones I hadn't worn in ages or didn't feel attached to went into a donation box. It felt oddly satisfying, like clearing out old pieces of myself to make room for the unknown future.
For as long as I could remember, life had been a blur of constant motion. I’ve never been the type to just sit in my apartment and do nothing. Rest felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford.
Apart from working in the club, I used to waitress in a family restaurant on weekdays. Clubs weren’t exactly bustling on worknights, so the restaurant helped make ends meet. I needed both jobs to survive.
Funny enough, I met Jonah, the restaurant owner, at the market. He was about to get scammed by a street vendor, and I couldn’t just stand by and watch. After stepping in to help, he asked me how he could repay me. Without thinking twice, I asked for a job. And just like that, he hired me.
My life was chaotic, to say the least. It had always been about survival. Hustling through two jobs, making sure I had enough to keep a roof over my head, and dealing with the unpredictability of each day.
Now, as I stood amidst the clutter of my packed belongings, I couldn't help but feel the weight of how drastically things had changed. Was I ready to step into a new world where chaos wasn't my norm? Where stability wasn’t something I constantly fought for but something handed to me?
It was a strange and unnerving thought.
It felt oddly satisfying zipping up my suitcases, like sealing away a chapter of my life. I had been given three days to pack, and I had already burned through the first one. By the time I finally climbed into bed, exhaustion hit me like a freight train, every muscle in my body protesting the day’s labor.
I should’ve just taken Roman’s offer to send people to help with the packing. But no, I had to be stubborn and insist on doing it myself. Now here I was, sore, worn out, and second-guessing my choices.
I sighed, sinking deeper into my mattress. My arms felt like lead, my legs like jelly, and my mind wouldn’t stop replaying the whirlwind of the last few days. Everything had moved so fast, leaving me scrambling to keep up. It was exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.
As I drifted off, I couldn’t help but grumble to myself, Next time, I’ll swallow my pride and let the help come. If there even was a next time. My future was uncharted territory, and I wasn’t sure I would have the luxury of choosing how things unfolded anymore.
The next day was dedicated to moving furniture. I had already decided to give some pieces to my friends from the club and Camille, a girl I met while working in Jonah’s restaurant. Camille and I usually worked together most of the time, and when I wasn’t there, she handled things herself.
She was bubbly and extroverted, the kind of person who could strike up a conversation with anyone, while I tended to keep to myself. Yet somehow, we clicked. Camille’s warmth and energy made her easy to be around, and I could even go as far as to say she was my best friend.
By the time the furniture was out of the apartment, my one-bedroom place felt hauntingly empty. Every corner echoed with silence, the space stripped of the warmth it once held.
I stood in the middle of the room, the void around me serving as a stark reminder of how much my life was about to change. This tiny apartment had seen all the chaos of my life; long shifts, sleepless nights, and hurried meals. And now, it was nothing but bare walls and scattered memories.
The second night felt different. Without the furniture and the clutter of my old life, the apartment felt eerily quiet. It was just me, my packed suitcases, and my thoughts. I slid into bed, feeling lighter than I had the previous night. My body wasn't as sore, and for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to simply breathe.
Even though part of me was excited about this new chapter, the worry lingered in the back of my mind. What if it didn’t work out? What if this life Roman was offering wasn’t meant for me? Should I continue paying rent for this apartment incase things didn't work out?
I shook my head, trying to dismiss those intrusive thoughts. So far, Roman had shown me nothing but kindness. He was patient and seemed genuine, and I reminded myself there was no reason to panic.
I just needed to take it one step at a time. After all, nothing had gone catastrophically wrong yet. Maybe....just maybe....this would turn out to be the fresh start I so desperately needed.
With that thought, I closed my eyes and let myself drift off to sleep. Tomorrow, I will be stepping into a completely new life.