A few nights later, I was working at the restaurant when, at the end of my shift, Alicia came up to me. She had an unreadable look on her face. As she got closer, she asked me if I had a few minutes. I said, "Of Course." She then had me follow her to her table. Sitting down for a meal was the guy that I had heard talking about the Peacock. He was eating with his friend. Alicia sat there and watched me quietly, considering what to do. She told me that her table had asked if I was working. She didn't say I was, because she wanted to make sure I was okay with talking to him again. I watched him eat with his companion. They were both in suits. Ones that fit them extremely well. I tried to remember his name, and then it finally came to me-Ji-hoon. He had short, dark black hair, a black suit that matched, and a grey tie. The way he ate was careful, so as not to get any food on himself or his clothes. He held his utensils at a perfect angle. I didn't know what it was about him, but his aura gave off someone with lots of money. 

I may be poor in Los Angeles, but when I was Anaphalia, I only associated with the wealthy. I could even tell how much money they had depending on their actions and words. I tried to remember some of the etiquette that I had spent countless hours practicing. I had thought that the skills were pointless, but staring at Ji-hoon, I had never had a stronger desire to act properly. I looked down at my outfit. I made sure that I had my shirt tucked in, my collar straight, and I thanked my lucky stars that I had decided to put on a little make-up before I came to work today.

 Once I had been convinced that I looked as appropriate as possible, I walked over to his table. I smiled at him. But just a slight smile. Because, according to my old etiquette tutor, only fools smile too big. I walked slowly but confidently out to the table. He was in the middle of a drink when I approached. He grabbed his napkin and wiped his face before he spoke. After a few seconds, I asked him, "I heard you wanted to talk to me?" I say there coyly. It had been so long since my last time as Anaphalia, but all of a sudden, habits returned to me. It was like a memory had been unlocked, and I was reminded of my past. I bowed slightly towards him, because in Los Angeles, he clearly has more money and power.

 He liked this gesture. A smile started on his face. He asked me how my night was going. I replied, "As good as it can, on a work night. And how has yours been? Is there anything I can get you?" Ji-Hoon looks around at his table, "No, it seems we have everything." I then ask another question, "Are you just leaving work? You must work very hard." He nods and replies, "We are actually just on a meal break. We are heading back to the office tonight to finish up some last-minute responsibilities. The duty of a manager is never over." He puffs up a little, feeling his own importance. I put a look of surprise on my face, "You're a manager? You're so young. How accomplished of you." Ji-hoon cannot help himself; he replies, "Well, it is my family's company. I have been training for this position my whole life." 

I feel the conversation starting to veer out of my reach. He isn't leaving me any chance of finding a reason to meet up again. I need him to do that if I want to figure out where the Peacock is. In my desperation, a thought comes to me. "I'm feeling inspired by you. Is there any chance you would be willing to meet up later and tell me more? Maybe you could give me some advice about how to progress at work? I would love the chance to get credible advice from someone so successful and talented." I have never tried to flirt in my life, but I try my best to give Ji-hoon the most seductive look that I can make. I don't know what it looks like on the face of Olivia, but I sit there for a few seconds waiting to see if it worked. After an excruciatingly long pause, I see Ji-hoon smile. I got him. He nods his head and tells me, "I have some time next Saturday at 4:00 pm." I smile and instantly reply, "Works for me! I will text you later. Have a great rest of your evening." I leave much more awkwardly than I arrived. I cannot believe that worked. I have plans to meet up with Ji-hoon next week. I wish I could just have him show me where the Peacock is, but it's apparent that trying to get Ji-hoon to do anything is going to be much more complicated. 

On my way home, I texted Harriet to meet me in my room. She is waiting for me when I get there. I smile as I tell her about how Ji-hoon came into work again and that I had made plans to meet up with him. After hearing of my attempt to be flirty, she asked me, "What do you think he is going to be able to tell you?" I think for a minute. I had almost forgotten entirely about my efforts to get back home, but hearing someone say the word peacock sent shockwaves through my body. I instantly returned to the person I had been the first week I got here. Desperate to find out more. And seeing as how I had tried for weeks to learn more information to no avail, this seemed like my only opportunity to find out how I ended up in Los Angeles, and about Olivia. I realize that Ji-hoon knowing about the Peacock is a small thing, but it's also abundantly clear that the Peacock itself could be another dead end. I could get there and once again know nothing. I tell Harriet this. She listens to me talk about it respectfully. I'm simply content that I can finally tell her about these types of things.

The conversation about Ji-hoon and the Peacock ends, and Harriet is still sitting in my room. I can tell that she wants to talk to me about something, too. "Remember how I said my roommate was moving out. Well, she is gone. I was looking at my place, and it doesn't seem that great without all her stuff. I think I'm going to move out." She has listened to me for a while, and I nod as I let her share what's on her mind. She continues, "I still don't have enough money saved up for a place on my own, so I'm going to need a new roommate too. Do you want to live with me? We could look for places close to our jobs. But maybe walking distance to some shopping, so you could walk and not have to wait for me to give you a ride all the time." She looks at me with this anxious face. I'm completely shocked. I know I have to move out of the shelter. It's been months, and I have finally saved up enough money for rent and a deposit. I was feeling so worried about moving out of the shelter. But if I got to move in with Harriet, that would be perfection! It's the best-case scenario for what I had to plan for. I instantly say yes. She smiles and grabs my arm, and we hug. I'm so excited to live with someone I trust! I have never had a friend like Harriet. Sometimes I think that the karma I earned for my crappy upbringing is what brought me to Harriet. She is the best thing to ever happen to me.