"Hey, Treit, we've been talking a lot about ourselves, but we haven't had the chance to get to know you better. What can you tell us? Where are you from? What brings you here?" Tom asked curiously, causing a brief moment of silence in the group.
Sheila stood still, thinking about what she should share in this situation.
Benjamin, believing Treit was uncomfortable, was about to intervene to change the subject, but before he could, Sheila took a deep breath and spoke.
"Well," Sheila began, feeling the warmth of the drink in her system that made her feel more open and relaxed than usual.
"I'm from here, from the city, although I've been away for a while. I came back recently for family reasons, and it's been... complicated, let's say."
Benjamin's friends nodded, showing interest without pressing for details.
"It's a bit of a long story," Sheila continued, toying with her glass.
"Do you want to hear it?"
