As the day progressed, Alzena felt a sense of pride in her work. The bookstore was bustling with customers, and she was determined to provide exceptional service. However, the fatigue from the previous days began to weigh on her.
 
"Alzena, do you need a break?" Nina asked, noticing her friend's tired expression.
 
"I'll be fine. Just a few more customers, and then I’ll take a short break," Alzena replied, forcing a smile as she helped the next customer.
 
After serving a few more customers, Alzena finally found a moment to breathe. She stepped away from the counter and leaned against a bookshelf, closing her eyes for a moment. The familiar sounds of the store—pages turning, soft conversations, and the gentle hum of the air conditioning—brought her a sense of calm.
 
Just then, Safia approached her. "Alzena, you’ve been doing a great job today. I can see how much effort you’re putting in," she praised.
 
"Thank you, Bu. I really appreciate it," Alzena said, feeling encouraged by her boss’s words.
 
"Take that break now. You’ve earned it," Safia insisted with a smile.
 
Alzena nodded gratefully and headed to the break room. She poured herself a cup of tea and sat down at a small table, allowing herself a moment of relaxation.
 
As she sipped her tea, her thoughts drifted back to the events of the past few months—the search for her necklace, the revelations about Aria, and the support of her family and friends. Despite the challenges, she felt stronger and more determined than ever.
 
After a few minutes, Alzena returned to the shop, feeling rejuvenated. Just as she stepped back behind the counter, she noticed a familiar face entering the store—Susi.
 
"Hey, Alzena! Long time no see!" Susi exclaimed, walking over with a big smile.
 
"Hey, Susi! It’s great to see you! How have you been?" Alzena replied, genuinely happy to see her friend.
 
"I’ve been good! I came by to see if you had any new books. I’ve been meaning to catch up on my reading," Susi said, glancing around the store.
 
"We just got a shipment of new titles in. Let me show you!" Alzena said enthusiastically, leading Susi to the new arrivals section.
 
As they browsed through the shelves, Alzena couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Susi. It was nice to have someone to share her love for books with.
 
After a while, Susi picked out a few titles and headed to the checkout counter. "Thanks for the recommendations, Alzena! I always trust your taste in books," she said, grinning.
 
"No problem! I hope you enjoy them," Alzena replied, ringing up the purchases.
 
As Susi was about to leave, she hesitated. "You know, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something."
 
"Sure! What’s on your mind?" Alzena asked, curious.
 
"I heard some rumors about Aria and that old man from the village. Are you okay? I know you were friends," Susi said gently.
 
Alzena felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "I’m okay, just trying to figure things out. It’s complicated," she admitted.
 
"I understand. If you need someone to talk to or if you want to hang out and distract yourself, I'm here," Susi offered sincerely.
 
"Thanks, Susi. I appreciate it. I might take you up on that," Alzena replied, feeling grateful for her friend’s support.
 
After Susi left, Alzena returned to her work, but her thoughts remained occupied by Aria and the lingering doubts about her intentions. She knew she had to stay vigilant.
 
 
 
As the days went by, Alzena continued to juggle her responsibilities at the bookstore while keeping an eye on Aria. She felt more determined than ever to uncover the truth behind the necklace and the enigmatic events surrounding it.
 
One afternoon, while Alzena was reorganizing the shelves, she overheard a conversation between some customers discussing a local event.
 
"Did you hear about the festival happening this weekend? They say there will be a lot of interesting booths and activities," one customer said excitedly.
 
"Yeah, I heard there might even be a fortune teller there!" another added.
 
Alzena's ears perked up at the mention of the fortune teller. It reminded her of her previous encounters with Salmi and Lina, and the potential guidance they could provide.
 
"I should definitely check it out," Alzena thought to herself, feeling a sense of excitement at the prospect of gaining more insight.
 
After finishing her work for the day, Alzena decided to attend the festival. She texted Nina, inviting her to join.
 
["Hey! Are you free this weekend? There’s a festival, and I think we should check it out together!"]
 
Nina quickly replied, ["Sounds fun! I’m in!"]
 
With plans set, Alzena felt a renewed sense of purpose. Perhaps the festival would lead her to new answers about her necklace and bring her closer to resolving the mystery.
 
 
 
Next
 
What revelations await Alzena and Nina at the festival? Will they uncover more about Aria and the necklace, or will they encounter new challenges along the way?