Chapter 4 Fresh start

"Reservation for one week," Sofia said to the man she met at the hotel counter.

Sofia was shocked when she heard three hundred dollars for the week "That's a lot of money" she said to herself.

Without saying more words, she handed her credit card to the man to make the payment. After she filled out the visitor's form, he gave her the room key and the number to the room she wouldbe staying in. His warm farewell lingered in the air as she briskly navigated the hotel's labyrinthine hallways, eager to find her haven for the night.

Sofia located her room easily, and smoothly unlocked the door, entering with a sense of quiet satisfaction, luggage in tow. Upon entering, she swiftly secured the door from within, her gaze darting across the tidy room adorned with pristine white linens on the compact bed and a small TV suspended on the wall across from it. Exhaling, she moved away from the entrance, making her way to the second door with the optimistic anticipation that it concealed a bathroom. Her hope was fulfilled when she found a spotless interconnected bathroom and the toilet behind it.

"I'm gonna relax here for the week," she said while moving out of the bathroom to the bed where she fell flat on it, bouncing up and down the soft mattress.

Even though she had an abundant amount in the bank she went for the affordable hotel not to start overspending the money David transferred to her account that morning without knowing what the future holds for her. Immediately the plane landed in Oregon, she took a taxi to take her to an affordable hotel.

As she hesitantly checked her phone, the glaring credit alert confirmed that the harsh reality of their argument was not just a dream but an undeniable wake-up call. In the unfolding moments, the undeniable hits her as David, with determination etched on his face, directs her to swiftly gather her belongings and head to the airport, making the irreversible end of her stay in both his house and New York without saying goodbye.

During the car ride to the airport, she struggled not to tear up and couldn't persist, yet she reassured herself that everything would be okay, even though his abrupt decision had accelerated a future separation schedule for seven months later. As she repeatedly checked her account balance, a mix of joy and emptiness washed over her, realizing that while she had enough to cover bills during the job search, an irreplaceable void lingered within her.

Now back to her hotel room, Sofia, emotionally drained and grappling with jet lag from her three-hour flight, fiercely brushed away a few stray tears, determined to convince herself that the man wasn't worth the emotional turmoil, before finally succumbing to a dark bitter sleep with no idea of what her new life and future entails.

On the second day at the hotel, Sofia contemplated on her new task at hand which was rebuilding her life. Yes, she had resolved to pick up the broken pieces and move on but how exactly was she meant to do that? She was in a new town, with Zero friends, zero navigation or idea of what the city entails, and nursing a wounded heart in need of healing.

In the midst of her contemplation, Sofia realized that everyjourney began with a single step Recalling a distant acquaintance from her university days at Berkley, Amy Justice,a tall, willowy girl with vibrant auburn curls that bounced every which way when she walked. Amy always stood out on Berkeley's campus because of the quirky vintage clothes she styled in her offbeat way. Outfits that shouldn't have worked but somehow did on her lanky frame. Amy had always mentioned being a native of Oregon specifically in Portland, where Sofia now resided. Although they weren't particularly close, but hey, a familiar face was a familiar face. Sofia drummed her fingers impatiently as she pulled up Amy's number because in this city so very far from home with so much yet unknown, perhaps this university peer could offer new friendship and orientation on the opportunities Portland could offer a girl like her.

Yes, financial stability was within her grasp, Sofia understoodthat taking steps to get a job was crucial to avoid falling into the pit of poverty again in a year or less because once she startedpaying rent the rest would feed her for a while, but it was nowhere near forever. This was her new reality and she had to face it head-on, thankfully, she was the hard-working type so it was easier to generate the zeal to find something to do.

She finally located the number and dialed. Upon Amy picking up the call, a hint of surprise colored her voice, as she certainly didn't expect Sofia to check up on her for no apparent reason. Despite the unexpected call, Amy was amiable and provided detailed answers to Sofia's inquiries about Portland. However, there lingered a curiosity in Amy's mind about the underlying reason for Sofia's call.

Sofia eventually revealed her move to Portland, expressing the need for someone to show her around and alleviate the sense of loneliness in her new surroundings. Fortuitously, Amy shared that she had also returned home due to family/personal reasons. After a meaningful conversation, they decided to meet for coffee, and Amy graciously agreed to be Sofia's guide, discussing potential job opportunities and connections in the area over the said coffee.

Expressing profound gratitude, Sofia repeatedly thanked Amy as if she had rescued her from a dire situation, which, in Sofia's eyes, felt like an emergency.They exchanged goodbyes and ended the call.

Not content to leave it at that, Sofia took further initiative. She went online to specific job application platforms like LinkedIn and job recruiters. Inputting her new location, she began to explore potential job opportunities. Earlier, she had ordered a bottle of grape-flavored wine, and on her hotel bed, with her laptop on her lap and the glass of wine on the table next to her, Sofia delved into the internet in search of promising opportunities she could lay her eyes on.