The evening sky is beginning to fade into a dusky blue, the city streets bustling with life as people wind down after a long workday. Marilena stands outside the restaurant, glancing at her phone, her thumb hovering over Carla's name. She doesn't know why, but something about this meeting with Vanessa feels different. The last few weeks have been tense, and the idea that Vanessa wants to tell her something important adds to her anxiety. She's always valued their friendship, and the uncertainty swirling in her stomach only grows as she takes a deep breath, finally pressing the call button.
"Hey, Carla," she says once the phone picks up. There's a slight quiver in her voice, a hint of nerves she tries to mask. "Can you do me a favor?"
On the other end of the line, Carla's voice is warm and welcoming. "Of course! What do you need?" She asks, already sensing the slight tension in Marilena's tone.
