Bab 8: Blood and Secrets.

Alisha looked around the small but cozy apartment that was now her home. Her three roommates, Julia, Ashley, and Maria, had thrown her a small welcoming party, complete with colorful decorations and glasses of bubbly champagne. Despite feeling grateful for their kindness, Alisha couldn't help but feel nervous about starting her new life in such a big city.

Maria was flitting around the room, her curly brown hair bouncing as she chatted with everyone, her high-pitched laughter piercing the air. Alisha couldn't help but find her a little annoying, with her over-the-top enthusiasm and selfish tendencies.

Ashley, as usual, was sitting in the corner, nursing a drink and shooting dark glances around the room. Alisha had quickly learned that Ashley wasn't the most social of roommates, but she still felt a pang of disappointment that she wasn't more involved in the festivities.

Julia was sitting quietly on the couch, her long hair pulled back into a simple ponytail, a small smile on her lips. Alisha had always found Julia to be a bit cold and distant, but she appreciated the effort she had made to be there despite her difficult day.

As they settled into the cozy living room, Maria had already set out a small spread of appetizers and drinks. Alisha was already feeling welcomed by her new roommates, who had gone out of their way to make her feel at home.

"So, Alisha, tell us a bit more about yourself," Maria chimed in, pouring her a glass of sparkling water.

Alisha hesitated for a moment, not wanting to give Maria any more reason to talk about herself. "Well, I just moved here as you all know, and I'm excited to start a new chapter in my life," she replied, taking a sip of her drink.

Julia smiled at Alisha and added, "We're happy to have you here, Alisha. New York can be a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll get the hang of it in no time."

Ashley snorted, "Please, we all know that the city is a total nightmare. Good luck with that."

Maria rolled her eyes at Ashley's negativity and tried to steer the conversation back on track. "Alisha, do you have any favorite hobbies or interests?"

"I love to read, create new designs and explore new neighborhoods in the city," Alisha replied, smiling.

"Well, you'll definitely have plenty of options for that here," Julia said, looking at Alisha with a small smile.

As the conversation continued, Maria stood up to go to the kitchen, grabbing a small cake that she had hidden away in the fridge. The cake was small but beautifully decorated with white frosting and sprinkles.

"Surprise!" Maria announced as she walked back into the room, holding the cake.

Alisha's face lit up with a smile as the roommates gathered around the cake. "This is so sweet of you guys," she said.

Maria pulled out a knife from the drawer and handed it to Alisha. "You get to do the honors, Alisha. Welcome to the apartment."

As Alisha started to cut into the cake, she accidentally nicked her finger on the knife. A small drop of blood dripped onto the frosting, staining it red.

As Maria caught sight of the blood on Alisha's finger, Maria's annoyingly cheerful expression immediately turned to stone-cold. Her eyes widened in horror, and she seemed to freeze in place, as if she had seen a ghost.

The roommates watched in shock as Maria slowly stood up, without excusing herself from the group, and walked back to her room with an unsettling lack of expression on her face. Alisha and the others looked at each other, bewildered and uneasy about what had just happened.

Julia quickly grabbed a tissue and helped Alisha clean up the small wound. Ashley watched the entire scene play out, her expression as Stoic as ever, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes.

"What was that about?" Alisha asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Julia shrugged her shoulders, still holding onto the tissue. "I don't know, but it's not like her. Maria is usually so cheery and happy"

Ashley spoke up for the first time, her voice low and measured. "She's always been a bit odd, but I've never seen her react like that before."

Alisha felt a pang of unease in the pit of her stomach. She had been so grateful to have landed in such a warm and friendly environment, but now she couldn't help but feel a little unnerved by Maria's strange behavior.

The eerie silence in the apartment was suffocating. Alisha had hoped for a warm welcome party with her new roommates, but instead, she was met with an unsettling atmosphere. Maria's sudden reaction to the sight of blood had left a chill running down Alisha's spine. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about her cheery and always-happy roommate.

As Ashley rose to leave, Alisha felt a sense of relief wash over her. At least the awkward gathering was over.

"Yo, Alisha," Ashley said, turning back to face her. "Welcome." After a small pause, she continued, "If you need a ride to work again, just let me know. I don't mind tagging along."

Alisha was surprised by Ashley's offer. "Thank you," she replied, still a bit taken aback. "I appreciate it."

Ashley simply nodded and said, "Whatever," before walking away and disappearing into her room. Alisha couldn't help but notice the tone in Ashley's voice, it was cold and distant, unlike the friendly and warm demeanor she had displayed earlier.

Ashley gave a curt nod before disappearing into her room. Alisha's gaze lingered on the closed door for a moment before she turned to Julia, who was heading back to her own room.

"Well, that's not like Ashley either," Julia remarked in a surprisingly sarcastic tone. "It's getting late, and I have an important meeting tomorrow."

As Julia was about to leave for her room, She lingered for a moment. She turned to Alisha and said in her usual cold tone, "Be careful with that Fashionista Couture place. I heard they're going through a takeover with Stephen Textiles. It's all anyone's talking about these days. Stay away from them if you can."

She paused for a second and then continued, "The new head of that company is bad news, got a real bad reputation. People call him the devil of Fashion industry."

Alisha was taken aback by Julia's sudden warning, as she had no idea about the takeover.

"Devil?" Alisha asked curiously.

"Hmm. He is just dangerous." Julia replied with pauses in between as if she was choosing words correctly.

As Alisha was about to ask for more details when Julia continued, "If you're looking for work, why don't you apply at my company? I could get you any position there instead of going to that chaotic place."

Alisha was surprised by the offer, but also a little hesitant. "I don't know if I'm qualified for a job at your company," she said.

Julia raised an eyebrow. "Nonsense. You have a diploma in marketing too, and you're smart. I'm sure you'd be a great fit. Plus, it's a stable company with a good reputation. Think about it."

Alisha nodded slowly, still unsure of what to do. The night had taken a strange turn, with Ashley's unexpected kindness, Maria abnormal reaction and Julia's sudden warning. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. As Julia made her way to her room, Alisha remained in the living room, lost in thought. The room felt colder than before, and the silence was deafening. She wondered what other secrets her roommates were hiding, and how is she going to survive in this city.