Chapter 136

OLIVIA Today was my last day at the company. I had promised my close colleagues that I would treat them to dinner, but Alice and Jessica had prior commitments. So tonight, it was just Sophia and me. We decided to eat at The Grove since it was only a short walk from our office. When we stepped inside, the restaurant was already half full—office workers unwinding after work, a few couples by the window, soft chatter blending with the clink of glasses. A waiter guided us to our table, took our orders, and left. “Oh, I envy you,” Sophia said as we waited for the food. “Sometimes I just want to go back to Bakersfield. I miss home… and my family. It’s been over a year since I’ve been back.” My eyes widened in surprise. “What a coincidence. My maternal grandmother is from Bakersfield too. That’s actually where I’ve decided to move.” The waiter returned with our food and set the plates down carefully before pouring red wine into our glasses. “Really?” Sophia lifted her glass, smiling. “Then we