Chapter 1
Sunlight spilled through the large windows of the apartment, painting golden streaks across the hardwood floor and the collection of plants Natalie insisted on buying every month.
The apartment wasn't large, but it was beautiful in a way that mattered.
A soft cream-colored couch sat against one wall beneath a gallery of framed photographs and sketches. The small dining table by the kitchen was usually buried beneath fabric samples, fashion magazines, and unfinished business plans. String lights lined the balcony doors, giving the entire place a warm glow at night.
It wasn't luxury.
It was theirs.
Or at least it felt like it.
Natalie was standing in the kitchen making coffee when Katina emerged from her bedroom wearing black ripped jeans and an oversized band shirt.
"Tell me why there's a plant in the bathroom," Katina asked, opening the fridge.
Natalie didn't even look up.
"Because plants make a place look happy. They also look good on camera"
"How many did you capture today?"
"About 5 of you asleep and a few while you were talking in your sleep. Then my old camera died "
"Hmm i guess that means I'm free from unexpected pics"
"Until i buy a new camera"
Katina grabbed a bottle of orange juice and shook her head.
"You need help."
"And you need therapy."
"Whatever"
Natalie smirked into her coffee.
Katina dropped into one of the kitchen chairs and stretched her legs out in front of her.
Their apartment wasn't much by some people's standards, but every piece of furniture had been chosen together.
Every decoration and every curtain.
Well except for Natalie's ridiculous plants.
The place reflected them perfectly.
Natalie's side of the apartment was neat and organized with an old camera placed neatly on a magazine.
Katina's side looked like controlled chaos.
Just the way she liked it.
"Double shift tonight," Natalie reminded her.
Katina groaned dramatically.
"Do we have to?"
"Yes."
"What if I suddenly develop a mysterious illness?"
"You look healthy."
"What if I fake my death?"
Natalie pointed at her.
"Rent."
Katina sighed.
"You're always ruining my fun."
.
.
.
By seven o'clock the bar was packed.
Music echoed through the crowded room while laughter and conversation blended together beneath the glow of amber lights.
Katina moved through the crowd with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how much attention she attracted.
The owner often complained that she bent the rules.
Katina liked to remind him that customers tipped better when she did.
She balanced a tray of drinks on one hand before stopping beside a table occupied by three businessmen.
One of them had been staring at her for the past twenty minutes.
Katina noticed everything.
It came naturally.
She placed the drinks down and flashed him a smile.
"You've been trying to get my attention for the pst 20 minutes."
The man nearly choked on his drink.
His friends burst into laughter.
"I—"
"You were," Katina continued.
"I wasn't."
"You absolutely were."
The man grinned.
"Maybe a little."
Katina leaned slightly closer.
"Then next time try waving. It saves everyone time."
His face turned red.
His friends laughed even harder.
By the time she walked away, another generous tip was sitting on the table.
Natalie intercepted her near the bar.
"How much?"
Katina held up the money.
Natalie rolled her eyes.
"You flirt for financial gain."
"I provide excellent customer service."
"You are a menace."
"I'm a profitable menace."
Natalie couldn't even argue with that.
.
.
.
The shift ended shortly after midnight.
Both women were exhausted by the time they returned home.
Natalie immediately kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the couch.
Katina disappeared into her room before returning with an old sketchbook.
Natalie groaned.
"No."
Katina ignored her.
"Kat."
"No."
"You just got home."
"And?."
"And you're still getting on that thing."
"Sleep Natalie"
A small smile tugged at her lips.
Most people relaxed with movies.
Some preferred books.
Katina preferred code,design and paint.
An hour later she opened an old laptop...
Her fingers danced across the keyboard with practiced ease.
The old laptop had belonged to her mother.
She still remembered sitting beside her as a child while she explained things that sounded like another language.
Back then, it had been a game.
Years later, it had become something much more.
A connection to someone she missed every single day.
Natalie watched her for a moment before shaking her head.
"One day you're going to marry that laptop or a paintbrush."
"Good.Then i'd be the happiest woman on planet Earth."
Before Natalie could reply, Katina's phone buzzed.
She picked it up and looked at the screen, her smile disappeared.
Natalie noticed immediately.
"What's wrong?"
Katina stared at the screen.
An unknown number, three messages.
The first message made her frown.
The second made her jaw tighten.
The third made her stomach twist.
"Your father is very sick."
"He wants to see you."
"Come home before it's too late."
The room suddenly felt quieter.
Natalie sat upright.
"Kat?"
Katina locked her phone and tossed it onto the coffee table.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
"Interesting."
Natalie knew that tone.
It was the tone Katina used whenever old wounds were threatening to reopen.
Neither woman spoke.
Outside, rain tapped softly against the windows.
Inside, Katina stared at the dark screen of her laptop while memories she had spent years trying to bury slowly clawed their way back to the surface.
And for the first time in a very long while, home had found a way to reach her.
