Kyrah returned to her hotel room that evening with a smile she couldn't seem to get rid of.
She had gotten the job.
Not a temporary position.
Not a favour.
A real job at one of the biggest technology companies in Asia.
She dropped her handbag onto the bed and sat beside it, staring at her phone.
There was one person she hadn't properly spoken to since arriving in Hong Kong.
Linda.
Kyrah immediately picked up her phone and started a video call.
Linda answered on the second ring.
"FINALLY!"
Kyrah burst out laughing.
"Hello to you too."
"Don't hello me! Do you know how long I've been waiting for this call?"
"I've been busy."
"Busy?"
Linda raised an eyebrow.
"You've been in Hong Kong for days and you couldn't spare your best friend five minutes?"
"I've been researching my job!"
"Your job?"
Linda's face lit up.
"Wait. Don't tell me."
Kyrah grinned.
"I got it."
Linda screamed.
Kyrah pulled the phone away from her ear.
"OH MY GOD! YOU GOT IT!"
"I got it."
Linda began clapping.
"I knew you would!"
"You didn't even know what the interview would be like."
"I didn't need to. You're smart."
Kyrah smiled.
"You really think so?"
"I know so."
For a moment, neither said anything.
Then Linda's expression softened.
"I'm really proud of you."
Kyrah's smile became smaller.
"Thank you."
"So when are you starting?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!"
"Yes."
"Girl, you're wasting no time."
Kyrah laughed.
"I've already gone through most of the material they gave me. I just want to make sure I'm prepared."
"That's my Kyrah."
Linda suddenly pointed at the screen.
"Wait. Where are you staying?"
"The hotel."
"Still?"
"Just tonight."
Linda's eyes narrowed.
"Why?"
"I'm moving into the company apartment tomorrow after work."
"What?"
"They have company housing."
Linda stared at her.
"You're telling me this company gave you a job AND an apartment?"
"Apparently."
"Kyrah!"
"What?"
"Do you understand how blessed you are right now?"
Kyrah looked down at her stomach.
"I do."
Her hand instinctively rested over her belly.
"I'm going to make this work, Linda."
"You will."
"I have to."
"No," Linda corrected. "You want to."
Kyrah looked back at the screen.
"You're right."
Linda smiled.
"That's better."
They continued talking about everything that had happened since Kyrah left Korea.
Linda told her about the latest office gossip, including which employee had apparently started dating another employee.
Kyrah laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone.
"You really don't miss anything, do you?"
"Absolutely not. Gossip is an important part of workplace research."
"You're ridiculous."
"And you're jealous because I'm not there to give you the latest updates."
"I actually miss you."
Linda's expression softened.
"I miss you too."
Kyrah smiled.
"At least there's video calls."
"Exactly."
Linda suddenly pointed at her.
"Wait. Before we continue, have you been taking your prenatal vitamins?"
Kyrah froze.
"Yes."
"Every day?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Good."
Linda nodded approvingly.
"And have you found a hospital?"
"Not yet."
"Kyrah!"
"I've only been here a few days."
"I don't care. You're carrying a whole human being. Find a hospital."
"I will."
"When?"
Kyrah sighed.
"This week."
"Good."
Linda leaned closer to the camera.
"And don't get so carried away with your new job that you forget to take care of yourself."
"I won't."
"Eat properly."
"I will."
"Sleep."
"I'll try."
"Take your vitamins."
"I said yes."
"And—"
"Linda!"
They both burst into laughter.
Kyrah settled back against the pillows.
For the first time since arriving in Hong Kong, the hotel room didn't feel unfamiliar.
She had a job waiting for her.
A new home waiting for her.
Her baby growing inside her.
And somewhere across the city was a man who had opened a door she never thought would exist.
She didn't know exactly what the future held.
But for once, she wasn't afraid to find out.
"Linda?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
Linda smiled.
"For what?"
"For being my friend."
Linda rolled her eyes, although her smile gave away how much the words meant to her.
"Don't get emotional on me now."
Kyrah laughed.
"I mean it."
"I know."
They stayed on the call for another hour, talking about everything and nothing until the time difference finally caught up with them.
When the call ended, Kyrah placed her phone beside her.
Tomorrow would be her first official day.
She looked around the hotel room one last time.
"Tomorrow," she whispered.
Then she smiled.
"Let's see what Hong Kong has for me."