Since she had worn high heels all day to attend the event, Stella changed clothes and took a hot bath to relax after returning to the hotel. Just as she removed the face mask from her face, she received a phone call.
"Hey, I've arranged for you to meet the person tomorrow night at the restaurant we used to frequent," said a woman with an accented voice on the other end of the line.
Stella smiled and replied, "Caille, thank you. I'll—"
"Stop right there. You're always so polite. Over the past few years, how many meals have I had at your expense? Helping you with a small favor doesn't need any thanks."
Caille was half Chinese, with a Japanese father and a Chinese mother, but she had been living in the United States for many years. She was Stella's roommate and considered her best friend.
