CHAPTER 2
871 Words
Rainora’s stomach fluttered as the plane’s wheels touched down on the runway. The
powerful jolt pulled her from her thoughts. She peered out the small window, taking
in her first glimpses of New York. Towers of glass and steel rose in the distance, and
rows of planes sat lined up along the terminal. She exhaled shakily, a mix of nerves
and excitement swirling within her. This was it.
Gathering her small, worn suitcase from the overhead bin, she made her way
through the busy terminal, her eyes scanning the bustling crowd. Voices and
footsteps blended into a constant hum, and the bright lights felt almost
overwhelming. Suddenly, a high-pitched voice cut through the noise.
"Rainora!"
Rainora looked up, spotting a tall figure waving energetically, her broad smile instantly
recognizable. Eunice stood out among the crowd with her platinum blonde hair styled
in loose waves that framed her face like something out of a magazine. She wore
fitted jeans, a cropped jacket, and a crisp white top that accentuated her model-like
form. Her deep blue eyes sparkled as she waved with one hand, the other holding a
designer bag.
Rainora’s face broke into a smile, and she hurried forward. They embraced tightly,
and Eunice pulled back to study her cousin’s face with an affectionate grin. "Oh my
gosh, look at you! I’m so glad you’re here!"
“Hi, Eunice,” Rainora said, her voice quiet, but she couldn’t hide her relief. Her
cousin’s warmth was a welcome comfort in this strange place.
Eunice looped her arm through Rainora’s and led her outside to where a sleek silver
sedan awaited. They tossed Rainora’s bag into the trunk, and soon Eunice was
behind the wheel, merging into the fast-flowing traffic. As they drove through the city
streets, Rainora gazed out the window in awe. Skyscrapers soared above them,
neon signs flickered to life as dusk settled, and people bustled along the sidewalks,
all seeming to have somewhere important to be.
“So, how was the flight?” Eunice asked, glancing over with a curious smile. “And
how’s everyone back home? Mom was asking about them the other day, you know.”It was… good,” Rainora replied, her voice soft as she watched the city flash by.
“And they’re alright. Just worried. It’s been hard lately.”
Eunice nodded sympathetically but kept her questions light, occasionally peppering
in comments about the landmarks they passed. Rainora answered as best as she
could, though she found herself too captivated by the sights to say much.
After a while, Eunice pulled up in front of a large apartment complex. The building
was modern and well-kept, though not overly luxurious — the kind of place that felt
comfortable without being extravagant. Planters filled with colorful flowers lined the
entrance, and the lobby was spacious, with polished floors and a soft glow from
chandeliers above. They took the elevator up to Eunice’s floor, their reflection
captured in the mirrored walls.
Eunice led Rainora to her apartment, unlocking the door and ushering her inside.
The space was bright and tastefully decorated, with floor-to-ceiling windows that
overlooked the city, flooding the room with light. A plush gray sofa sat in the center of
the living room, accented with colorful throw pillows. Framed prints adorned the
walls, and a shelf held a collection of books, candles, and small trinkets. The kitchen,
tucked in one corner, had gleaming countertops and bar stools lined along the island.
“Make yourself at home,” Eunice said, heading to the fridge and pulling out two
chilled cans of sparkling water. She handed one to Rainora before settling down on
the sofa. “You must be exhausted. Let’s just sit for a bit.”
Rainora took a grateful sip, the cold drink soothing her dry throat. After a moment,
she glanced at Eunice, hesitating before speaking. “I’m thankful you’re letting
me stay here. Things… haven’t been easy for us.”
Eunice’s expression softened as she listened, concern creasing her brow. Rainora
explained everything — the growing pile of debts her family faced, Arin’s fragile
health, and her parents’ struggles to keep things together. By the end, her voice was
low, weighed down with the burdens she’d kept inside.
Eunice reached over, placing a hand over Rainora’s. “I’m so sorry, Rainora. That
sounds awful… I wish I’d known sooner. You don’t need to worry while you’re here,
okay? I’ll help however I can. I have some contacts I can reach out to, and we’ll find
you a job that fits. Just send me a copy of your CV, and I’ll get the ball rolling.”
Relief washed over Rainora. “Thank you, Eunice. Really. I’ll send it tonight.”
“Good,” Eunice replied with a reassuring smile. “Now, come on, let me show you
around.”She gave Rainora a quick tour of the apartment, showing her the cozy guest room
she’d prepared, with soft linens and a small desk in the corner. She pointed out the
bathroom stocked with essentials, and finally the closet filled with spare bedding and
towels.
Afterward, Eunice left her to unpack and freshen up, giving Rainora the space she
needed to settle into her new surroundings.
- Writer
