Unshackled

Unemployed

Ray woke up the next morning with a headache and dry mouth from the drinking she had done the night before. She was in April's guest suite in the new Cubby housing condo that April owned. The condo was huge, two levels, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. April hadn't gotten around to having it decorated to her taste yet, but it was luxurious nonetheless. Ray was impressed at the wealth her friend had accumulated; not through her sugar daddies, but through her businesses and her music. 

As she washed her face and looked into the mirror, Ray thought about what her day had in store for her. She wanted to go to Wu-Chang and see what the job she had been offered would entail, and she also wanted to catch up with Vinny and Chodie and see how she could help them out, if they even wanted her back in the businesses... Ray hated the feeling that she had let them down when she disappeared for so long. But some things couldn't be helped. 

Just like yesterday had been a big day for everyone to come and see her and celebrate her return, today would be starkly different; she'd be meeting with people singly or in small groups to reestablish her connections in the city. The city had changed so much while she was gone; she was practically a newbie again, albeit a newbie with history in the city and the backing of Chang Gang. Ray was fortunate to have many influential friends in the city, ones that could help her readjust if she needed it. 

She walked back into the bedroom and unzipped her huge suitcases that she had forced Ramee to bring in for her after chasing him around the cubby for a while. He had done it under threat of a bonk from her hammer, grumbling the whole time. April found it hilarious.

She hadn't hung anything up so most of her clothes were wrinkled at the moment, so she just decided on an oversized sweatshirt and shorts. Ray took a while to pull her clothes out and hang them up. April had told her she could stay indefinitely if she wanted, and it was better than the apartments on Alta, so she had accepted. At least until she could afford her own place. Ray was happy to be roomies with April, albeit a little nervous that April's outgoing nature would mean a lot of people around often. So she was honestly surprised when April had admitted she never had people over to her place. 

Ray's phone buzzed. She looked at it in surprise before picking it up.

It was a text from Tommy. There, I've texted you properly today. Am I forgiven?

Ray grinned. You're up early. 

Oh, you know me, he replied, early to bed, early to rise, that sort of nonsense.

You do tend to go to bed earlier that me, that's true, she texted back.

If anything, in fact, this is early for you!

I have a busy day ahead of me.

What's on the schedule?

Getting back on my grind, Tommy T.  I've got meetings, I've got interviews, I'm doing it all today.

Hmmm... you do like to grind, as I recall...

Ray shook her head. The things this man remembered. I do, in fact.

I don't suppose I could tempt you with a free lunch for a bit of your time today, could I?

She hesitated. Ray didn't want to lead him on if she meant it about focusing on her grind, but he was first of all her friend. She'd have to keep the flirty jokes to a bare minimum from here on out. 

That depends... where we going?

It's a surprise.

She bit her lip. Not a big fan of surprises, Tommy...