Chapter 18: To Live Alone in a New Apartment
Besides, all the basic amenities were already there. At least she would not have to buy everything. All she needed to bring was her personal stuff and food.
After thinking about it repeatedly for several minutes, Loreen then replied and informed the landlady the estimated time she would arrive.
.
.
.
Several hours later, Loreen finally arrived at her granny's hometown.
'Huh? Did I get down at the wrong stop?' she looked around at the foreign scenario that greeted.
The hometown she once lived in was filled with trees and greenery. But the sight that greeted her were high rise buildings and busy streets.
'This is no different from the city center.'
It was bustling everywhere.
The only difference would probably be how tall the buildings were and the population.
Loreen checked the address online and the signs in the area. She was in the right place.
'I guess, I haven't visited in so long.'
It was painful for her to return to this place especially after her grandparents died so she never visited.
She took a cab to the apartment's address. It was a few minutes ride.
'Oh, it looks pretty. Their post must be legit,' Loreen sighed in relief as she eyed the several story building. It looked like it was built not too long ago.
An elderly lady peeked from one of the windows and in a few seconds, someone opened the gate.
"Are you Miss Loreen?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I was the one who inquired online about the available unit."
"I see. Please follow me."
The elderly showed her the unit.
'It is indeed neat and clean and everything I would need is already here.'
She would just have to buy groceries, fix her personal things, and pay her monthly bills.
Loreen was relieved that it was the same as in the post. She signed the necessary documents and transferred the deposit to the landlady's bank account.
With that, her six months of stay was solved.
"Thank goodness," Loreen sighed deeply and sat on the couch, stretching her exhausted body.
It had been a while since she took a long flight plus land travel consecutively. Her body was aching. She wanted to lay down in bed and rest.
'How much remained in my account after I paid the deposit?' she checked again.
Just a little over 200k. She truly needed to work as soon as possible before all her money ran out.
Yet, she still needed to buy food and some supplies. She would have to save at least some of her remaining money for emergency purposes.
Once again, she was reminded of how Edric had provided everything she would ever need.
'I guess I'm back to working hard every single day for survival.'
She realized that her marriage gave her a break from that lifestyle. But now that she was parting ways with Edric, she was going back to how she once was.
But could she? After living in luxury and plentifulness for three years?
Loreen was beginning to have her doubts, but she pushed it all aside.
She was not trying to have a baby anymore, so she wouldn't have to follow her strict diet. Maybe, she could be thrifty with her food to make her budget last a bit.
"O-ouch."
Her shoulders, waist, and back hurt from the hours of travel so she lay down on the couch and stretched out until she was comfortable.
Before she knew it, she fell asleep from exhaustion.
***
Knock. Knock.
'Huh, when did I fall asleep?!'
Loreen woke up when she heard someone knock on the unit next to her.
"I thought I would just lay down for a bit. How long did I sleep? Did I even lock the door?"
She glanced at the door and thankfully she did. She searched the couch for her phone to check the time.
"Eh?! I slept for three hours?!"
It would get dark in an hour or less. She needed to buy her supplies.
'I wouldn't have food tonight and tomorrow morning if I don't buy supplies now,' Loreen grabbed her wallet and headed out.
So much changed that she got lost repeatedly before she reached the market. She walked since as far as she recalled, it was nearby.
But the new buildings and establishments confused her.
She could have just gone to the grocery she passed by, but she knew the market would sell much cheaper fresh vegetables and other ingredients.
And she was right.
'Wow, everything is so much cheaper compared to the capital,' she had checked the prices there before going here.
But after three years, she was no longer used to the noisy and busy market. Their maids did all the shopping of supplies for them when she was with Edric.
The smell of the fish section nearby turned her off too and made her stomach churn. She was allergic to almost all seafood. Something she inherited.
She quickly bought ingredients that would last for a few days and returned to her new apartment.
Loreen took a cab back to her new apartment, so she won't get lost again.
Exploring would be for the following day since it was already getting dark.
'I indeed have a higher chance of surviving here,' Loreen was relieved at the lower prices.
Good thing she recalled her grandma and was reminded of this place. She once hated the idea of ever returning here, because of Sera.
This was once a place she loved due to her grandparents.
But because of Sera's bullying when she started schooling, Loreen left this place and never came back after her grandparents died. They were the only reason she stayed here before.
It was alright now though since Sera and her family had left this town for good. They had even sold all their properties here.
Loreen prepared a meal for herself and paused when she was about to sit down to eat.
"Why did I prepare two pairs of tableware?" she blinked twice.
She had set up the table for two.
Even the food she prepared was more than enough for two people. She was too used to preparing and setting up things this way because of Edric.
'Right. I am living all alone from now on. I only need to worry about myself.'
She would be eating all her meals alone every single day. She would not have anyone to speak with about her day, someone to hold, or someone to kiss goodnight.
'It's alright. I never had those for years and I lived just fine.'
Loreen sighed deeply and stopped herself from getting depressed.
"I can eat this until tomorrow. I don't have to cook again in the morning," Loreen cheered herself up.
She did not want to cry again after she went through all the effort to prepare a nice meal for the first time in almost three weeks.