★★★★★
Aria straightened a blouse on the rack, trying not to wrinkle it again. "Who actually buys this stuff?" she muttered.
Mia, her coworker, laughed from across the floor. "People with too much money and no sense, apparently."
Aria snorted. "Figures. And somehow we're supposed to act like every outfit is life-changing." She shook her head, patting the shoulders of a sequined jacket.
"Like, okay, it's shiny. Cool. But no one's walking down the street in this and turning heads."
Mia grinned. "You just hate fancy clothes, Aria."
"Maybe," Aria said, shrugging. "Or maybe I just have good taste." She caught the reflection of a customer giving her a look and waved awkwardly. "Hi. Don't mind me."
The store had quieted down. The luxury bags, sparkling jewelry, and designer shoes didn't make her job any easier, but at least the rush was over.
"Five more minutes," the manager called from the back. Aria glanced at the wall clock. 5 pm. Time had flown.
She tucked a scarf around a mannequin's neck and leaned back to survey the display. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, expecting a text from Ethan. Nothing.
Huh? Maybe he left for work early. Or maybe he forgot to charge his phone. That was typical.
Shrugging, she stuffed the phone back into her bag. Another day done.
Aria grabbed the last of the shopping bags from the counter and stacked them neatly behind the register. "That's it for today," she said, brushing imaginary dust off her hands.
Mia stretched and yawned. "Finally. My feet are killing me."
Aria laughed. "Mine too. I swear, these heels should be illegal."
The manager appeared from the back room, clipboard in hand. "Good job today, ladies. Don't forget to lock up before you leave."
"Got it," Aria said, tossing a smile in his direction. She waved to Mia, who was already heading toward the door.
"See you tomorrow," Mia called over her shoulder.
"Yeah, don't forget your life outside the store," Aria teased.
As she gathered her bag and coat, Aria's thoughts drifted to Ethan. He should be home soon, probably getting ready for his night shift at the warehouse. She hoped he hadn't skipped dinner again; he always said she made the worst pasta but he ate it like a glutton.
With a final glance around the gleaming store, Aria flipped off the lights and stepped out into the early evening air. The city hummed around her, but she felt the familiar comfort of her routine. Another day wrapped up, another day of normal.
She zipped up her jacket as she stepped onto the crowded sidewalk, the city buzzing with people rushing to beat the evening traffic. Streetlights flickered on, casting golden halos on the pavement, and car horns echoed in the distance.
A couple walked past, laughing at a shared joke and Aria smiled faintly. The city felt alive and for a moment, she let herself enjoy the rhythm of the streets, the warm glow from café windows, the faint scent of bakery bread, the hum of life around her.
Her steps slowed as she approached her apartment building, keys jingling in her hand.
She unlocked their apartment door and stepped inside, the familiar scent of clean laundry and faint vanilla candles greeting her. She tossed her bag onto the couch and kicked off her shoes, letting herself breathe a little easier now that she was home.
The apartment was quiet, except for the soft hum of the fridge and the distant chatter of neighbors through the thin walls. She moved to the kitchen, opening the fridge to grab some leftovers. As she reheated her dinner, her eyes flicked to her phone again. Still nothing from Ethan.
"Okay, he probably went to work early," she muttered, leaning against the counter.
"Forgot to charge his phone, like usual."
She tried to dismiss the small pang of worry. Ethan had always been reliable, even if a little forgetful.
Dinner done, she washed the dishes and set them to dry. The evening routine felt comforting…the rhythm of brushing teeth, tidying the living room, pulling her hair into a loose bun before changing into pajamas.
She moved methodically, grounding herself in the ordinary, the everyday.
By the time she slid under the blanket, the city lights filtered through her curtains, painting the room in a soft amber glow.
Aria propped herself against the headboard, phone beside her, scrolling absentmindedly.
"Probably just an early shift," she whispered to herself. With a final exhale, she let her eyes close. Sleep came quickly, soothing the faint unease at the back of her mind.