That evening, Rita stepped out of her car and took a deep breath of the cool night air. The soft lights of the lounge glowed warmly in front of her, and inside, music drifted gently through the windows. She had chosen this spot intentionally—quiet, familiar, and far away from the chaos of the company drama. She needed a break, and there was only one person she could truly relax around: her longtime friend, Janet.
Janet was already waiting at a cozy corner booth, waving enthusiastically the moment she saw Rita. With her ever-vibrant energy and sassy charm, Janet was the kind of friend who made the weight of the world feel lighter—at least for a while.
"Girl! You finally made it!" Janet said, getting up to hug her. "I was beginning to think you chickened out on me."
Rita chuckled
