The city buzzed with lights and the hum of countless cars, all racing in different directions.
Phuu, smoking is bad for you, my man," Nico said, taking a drag from his cigarette.
Since when did you become a saint? Ronan laughed, shaking his head.
I'm just telling you, I mean, advising you as a friend," Nico replied, flicking the ash off his cigarette.
Come on, man, Nico slapped Ronan's shoulder playfully. "Tonight's the night."
Ronan sighed, looking out at the flashing lights of the city. "I like this life, don't get me wrong. But sometimes it gets kind of tiresome—ladies, shopping, drinking, hooking up, and all. It's like the same cycle over and over again."
"Don't say you're tired, Mr. Nico. You're the shining star of this city's nightlife," Ronan teased.
Nico chuckled. "Dude, sometimes—just sometimes—I feel kind of empty, to be honest."
"Oh, so that means you want to settle down, huh?" Ronan smirked, raising an eyebrow.
"The hell I will!" Nico quickly responded, shaking his head. "There are no women for me."
"You mean, none made for you, Mr. Nico?" Ronan teased, nudging Nico's shoulder with a grin.
"Yeah, kind of." Nico blew out a puff of smoke, staring off into the distance.
"What the heck? You're still young, my man. Can't imagine myself calling someone my wife or anything like that."
"Ohhh, damn, Nico," Ronan laughed, clearly amused.
"You have Kira, my man," he continued with a mischievous grin. "She's just a friend, Ronan, nothing more," Nico quickly defended.
"Yet you always help her out. Seems like it's more than friendship, Mr. Nico."
"We just hook up, nothing more. It's not that serious."
Ronan raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, the heck you do. Maybe something will happen, though. You never know."
"Hah! I hook up with different girls almost every week," Nico laughed confidently. "You think something will happen between me and Kira?"
Ronan chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll take a million from you the day I see you crying and begging over a girl."
The heck you will, Ronan, Nico shot back, giving him a playful shove. Maybe in your dreams.
Let's go inside, man," Ronan said, grinning. The girls are waiting.
The sounds of bustling music filled the air as they made their way inside, the night slowly fading away around them.
You should go back, girl. You'll be reading until midnight again, hardly sleeping, huh?" Miss Leclair's voice was laced with concern as she watched Odalis stack the last of the library books.
Odalis looked up from her work with a soft, tired smile. I'll go soon, Miss Leclair," she said, her eyes glimmering with gratitude.
You always say that every day Miss Leclair chuckled, shaking her head affectionately. "You're such a hardworking young lady, but you need to rest too. You're always reading, always doing your work way above expectations. You're wearing yourself thin, Odalis."
Odalis smiled at the older woman, her heart warmed by the concern. Thank you, Miss Leclair," she said quietly, her voice carrying a note of sincerity. I just want to make sure everything is perfect, you know? The work means a lot to me."
Miss Leclair's eyes softened, but she wasn't about to let Odalis off the hook so easily. "Do you want to have dinner at my place tonight?" she offered, her tone genuine. I'll prepare something great for you. It'll be a nice change of pace, I promise."
No, no, thank you so much, Miss Leclair, Odalis replied quickly, her hands brushing over the last of the books with a slight nervousness. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I really am fine on my own.
Nonsense, Miss Leclair insisted, her voice warm and firm. My son's out with work, and he won't be home until tomorrow, so I'll only be cooking for you and John. You've been working so hard, Odalis. The least I can do is make sure you have a decent meal. Come on, girl, let's go.
Odalis hesitated, her hands lingering on the library door. She felt a small tug at her heart—she had been working so tirelessly and had grown fond of Miss Leclair over the months. It would be nice to let herself be taken care of for once. Are you sure, Miss Leclair? she asked, still uncertain.
Girl, don't be so uptight, Miss Leclair said with a teasing smile. You've been working here for almost two years now. I'm not some stranger. Just call me Madeleine or Maddie for short.
Odalis felt her cheeks warm at the invitation, but a sense of comfort settled over her. "Thank you, Miss Maddie," she said softly, feeling a bit shy but grateful. I really don't want to impose, though.
Impose? Don't be silly. You've been part of this place long enough to call me that, Maddie said with a wink, before turning toward the door. "Come on, let's go. I need to grab my things, so you go grab yours. Then we'll head out. I've already decided; you're coming to dinner."
Odalis smiled faintly, feeling the soft pull of Maddie's insistence. She knew it would be nice to have a change from her solitary routine. With a final glance around the library, she turned off the lights, her heart lightening. The soft creak of the door closing echoed in the quiet room, the books around her almost whispering their goodnight. She smiled and locked the door, stepping away from the familiar scent of old paper and warmth that the library always provided.
As she followed Maddie out into the cool evening air, Odalis couldn't help but feel a sense of peace. Maybe it was time to allow herself a little rest, after all.
You should really go home early right after working hour is over Odalis it's dangerous around night. Lately been quiet but still worries me such a beautiful young woman walking alone in the street. Who knows what happens? Thank you Miss maddie but there are security patrolics you know patrol robots. Miss Leclair shrugged and I don't believe that things. Odalis gently smiled at her don't worry miss Maddie I will be fine. You better be girl she seriously said it to her. This kinda warms Odalis's heart she always go back an empty apartment make dinner and eat alone in siren of cars and people. Thank you Miss Maddie a lot. She smiled at her then went to her home walking down the night of city street.
Once she arrived at Maddie's home, everything looked cozy and inviting. It felt like home, and sometimes it's nice to experience that warm, comforting feeling. But not all the time, she thought. People get used to warmth, and it takes a long time to adapt to coldness, so she had to control her emotions.
Do you know the lottery is coming soon? Maddie asked with a sigh. Everybody is scared. The time is almost here.
"John, John, are you home?" she shouted. He wasn't home yet.
This is absurd, Maddie said angrily. Forcing people to marry each other based on their behavioral score is just uncivilized."
Odalis simply agreed silently. It's been almost 100 years since the lottery was created to supposedly balance society, as they say. But Odalis guessed that no one really knew the true reason, herself included. "Come on, girl, don't just stand there. Let's go eat! I'll make you dinner, and after one bite, you'll feel right at home," Maddie said warmly.
Odalis smiled at her and replied, Thank you, Maddie.
See? You can just call me Maddie, she said, returning Odalis's smile.
Miss Maddie was a good person she had a bit of a nagging side, but she seemed like a caring mother and wife, and she was always kind to Odalis. After two years of working together in the library, Odalis had already grown accustomed to this older woman's ways. Being near her warmed Odalis's heart.
Maddie lived with her husband and had two children, as she often mentioned. She frequently talked about her son, who had a bit of a daredevil side. Working in a nightclub sounded a bit shady to Odalis, but it wasn't her business to judge. Let's make some caponata and tiramisu cake! Maddie said enthusiastically, preparing the ingredients.
I will help, Odalis said, ready to assist.
No, no, you just sit there and rest until dinner. Make yourself at home, Maddie insisted with a warm smile.
No, but I..." Odalis started to protest.
I said no. Don't make me repeat myself. Just sit, dear. I will make it myself. Do not worry; you are the guest tonight, Maddie firmly replied.
Odalis sighed and gave in. Okay, then. Just call me when you need help?
Just sit in the living room and make yourself comfortable. Thank you, Maddie said, flashing a reassuring smile.
Odalis nodded and made her way to the living room, feeling a sense of warmth and care from Maddie. She settled into a chair, grateful for the invitation and the chance to relax. Odalis nodded and made her way to the living room, feeling a sense of warmth and care from Maddie. She settled into a chair, grateful for the invitation and the chance to relax. Maggie's house was beautiful very cozy and warm, the kind of place where you could sit in front of the fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate, wrapped in a blanket, while reading your favorite book. "This is nice," she thought, as she sank into the soft couch. It embraced her with its comfort, and she closed her eyes, feeling completely relaxed and warm.Lately, Odalis had barely been able to sleep, thanks to her habit of staying up late reading books and overthinking everything from the smallest details at work to fleeting moments she'd encountered on the street, and even things she'd overheard in passing conversations. She often referred to it as a bad habit, one that kept her mind racing long after she should have been resting. This constant mental whirlwind left her feeling exhausted, both physically and emotionally, as she struggled to find the peace she so desperately needed. Tonight, however, she found herself drifting off on the soft, inviting couch. The gentle warmth of the room, combined with the soothing crackle of the fireplace, seemed to pull her into a deep, much-needed slumber. Her body relaxed into the plush cushions, and before she knew it, the tension she'd been carrying melted away. Her eyelids grew heavy, and the steady rhythm of her breathing grew slower. She hadn't even realized how tired she was until she finally gave in to the comfort, sinking deeper into the softness of the couch. The warmth of the blanket wrapped around her like a protective embrace, and soon, she was fast asleep, her mind momentarily quiet for the first time in weeks.