The rest of the week flies in a blur and Friday couldn't come earlier, the day I've been looking forward to since I confirmed our meeting on Monday morning. I know most people would think I'm excited because of the date I'm supposed to be preparing for but they are wrong. I wake up earlier than usual this morning to send a very descriptive yet vague reasons on why I won't be going out with him tonight.

'I'm feeling feverish and I would like to take some time to get better.'

Of course I don't feel feverish but that's the only excuse I can think of for bailing on a potential first date.

The real reason I'm happy today is because I called Pheobe on Monday to ask about the address in the velvet box and she told me it was surprised she'd show me on Friday.

After sipping my coffee and watching the sunrise, I rush into the bathroom to take a quick bath and change into the outfit of the day. I'm excited because the last time Nova's mom gave me a surprise, it was when she introduced me to this boutique I supply my clothes to, and I'm still working with them till date. I have a feeling this surprise will be bigger than the last one and I cannot wait to see what it is. I've guess what it could be all week but I came up with nothing. I even tried asking Nova for clues but she wouldn't give me anything which is ironic because she was the one that told me her mother had a surprise for me in the first place.

I finish tying the lace of my boot and turn my body to side to pack my wallet, phone, airpods and bubblegum into my handbag. Standing up straight, and head out after spraying some perfume and grabbing my favorite denim jacket from rack close to the door.  As soon open the door, Mrs. Fletcher from opposite apartment doors open too, revealing an unfamiliar woman with a bassoon.

Oh great, another bassoonist.

The landlord won't give them a strike for play loud instrument but would give me because Jazzy is always banging on the door.

"Good morning," she murmurs without meeting my eyes.

"Good morning," returning the gesture and step out of the door. I lock my door before wearing my jacket.

The bassoonist and I walk to the elevator. we both press the button on different cars because she's going up and I'm going down. My car opens first, I look at her and smile as I say, "have a nice day." I enter and press the L button after she gives me the same reply.

I watch the number go down and when it's time to get off, on my way out, I stop by my mail box to see if I have important. Nothing there needs my immediate attention.

I push the door and let myself out of the building and wait for my ride. I keep my gaze on the ground because I'm out in the open and the feeling of people watching me is starting to creep in to my mind, plaguing on my insecurities. I wrap my arms around myself in a way that's protective and defense, then I start counting from hundred to one. This exercise helps me focus and stay in the present instead of having my mind drift back to one of the most difficult moments of my life.

Hundred. Ninety nine. Ninety eight. Ninety seven. Ninety six. Ninety five. Ninety four. Ninety three. Ninety two. Ninety one. Ninety...

I count down to sixty seven when a familiar BMW pulls up in front of me. A relief sigh leave my body as I raise my head and smile.

The passenger door opens, I'm assuming Phoebe opened it herself. I enter the car and close the door. "Good morning," I greet her before turning to the front to meet Harold's gaze in the rear mirror. "Morning, Harold."

He gives me a small bow in acknowledgement before pulling out of the driveway and onto the road. I face Pheobe who gives explanation on why she was late. Apparently they woke up to find Jazzy missing. It was a good idea for them to have a tracker on her phone, they were able to locate her in Los Angeles.

"Can you believe that girl? She went to California with her friends without telling anyone."

Unfortunately I can believe it because that sounds like something Jazzy would do. Two years ago she brought up the idea of going to a haunted house on Halloween day, I agreed but Nova didn't because she is scared of ghosts. We persuaded her, and Jazzy said something about how we'd all be together but come Halloween day and thirty minutes into the Haunted house with no Jazzy. We spent the entire night looking for her, only to have her waltzed into our apartment the following morning to tell us she ditched us to go do escape room with the boy she liked.

That was the easiest in dealing with her disappearance act.

"No problem, I didn't wait that long. Is she okay?"

She sighs and I know what the sigh means. Jazzy is a good kid but she makes some decisions that affect some of us. I guess she's going through a prolonged teenage rebellious stage which most of us has gone through.

"She seems to be. I mean, she sounds fine like she's really having fun, I just wish she told me so we wouldn't be so worried about her." She chuckles as she says, "teenagers, am I right?"

Chuckling with her, I look out the window as we continue the ride in comforting silence. In a way, I think Pheobe and I are alike, I've spent so much time around her to know she also doesn't like being around much people which is ironic because she's always throwing parties even though she rarely attends. If she's in attendance, she'll find the quiet place to seat away from the crowd. She's the only person I can be around freely without worrying about anything.

The ride to the upper east side takes longer than expected but when Harold pulls up in the driveway of the building of what used to be one of the biggest boutique in the city, Macy's. Their clothes are used in modern films and TV series. I can't believe I'm standing in front of it and most of all, what am I doing here?

"You know Damme Macy is one of my closest friends and when she told me she was closing the New York branch of her chains, I told her not to because I know someone that can transform the place, so I bought it," she says when she comes to stand beside me, "I bought it for you and the boutique came with an apartment."

My mouth drops open as I try to analyse and digest what she just said. She bought this place for me and an apartment?

I turn to her. "W...what?"

"Nova talked me about how she promised you a boutique–"

I shake my head and cut her off. "No, no, no. She didn't promise me a boutique. It was a joke. I can't accept this. It's too much. A boutique and apartment, no, I can't–"

She places her hand on shoulder to stop me from talking further. "Yes you can. I got Nova a condo for her graduation present and got this for you, I was holding off because I know how you feel about present. Take this please, it's not an offer, it's a present."

A boutique and apartment is more than a present.

"Thank you, I... I don't know how to thank you enough, I–" she wraps her around me and pulls me into a hug. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now there's some work to do obviously, I'll give you the key and we can check the place out together to see if there's anything you would like to change."

I nod and my phone vibrates in my bag. "Excuse me." I pull away from her and open my bag to retrieve my phone. Unlocking it, I see a message from Nova. I click on it to read.

Novie: what was that I heard about you cancelling the date with Henry?

Novie: he has been looking forward to it all week.

Novie: I'll meet you at the apartment later so you can explain yourself to me.

Me: thank you.

I press the lock button on my phone and return it to the bag. Pheobe shows me what she has in her hand. It's a set of keys.

"Shall we?"

"We shall. Come on."