Reese leaned back in her armchair, eyes fixed on the clock as its hands dragged towards five. The rain outside tapped persistently against the windows, making each minute stretch into eternity. The relentless drizzle seemed to mirror her feelings—drawn out and heavy. The warm glow from her desk lamp was the only comfort in the dim, almost somber ambiance of her office. She sighed deeply, her gaze drifting across the familiar space.

This had been her sanctuary for years, a place where she'd built her career brick by brick. But as much as she loved it, Reese knew it was time to move on. She wasn't just chasing the Hollywood dream everyone fantasized about—she was pursuing freedom. The freedom that came with shedding the ever-growing shadow of student loans, the freedom to get a piece of the fairy tale she so effortlessly sold to her clients. At Redwood Realty Group, she had found her niche, her rhythm. But she had outgrown it.

She had paid her dues—more than her dues—and now, she owed it to herself to embrace new challenges at a top-tier brokerage. The kind of place that would expose her to the high-end clients she needed, not to get rich, but to liberate herself from the financial chains that had been weighing her down. Reese lifted her stoneware mug and took a sip of her now lukewarm green tea, savoring the earthy notes as they lingered on her tongue. Twenty-eight minutes to go.

Knock! Knock!

"Hey, do you have a sec?" Naomi's voice filtered into the room as she peeked through the door.

"Sure, what's up?" Reese replied, straightening in her chair, masking her earlier daydreaming.

Naomi entered, her expression a mix of excitement and hesitation. "I know it's your last week here, and you weren't looking to take on any more clients but—"

"But what?" Reese asked, sensing the 'but' was loaded with something she wasn't quite ready for.

Naomi's lips curled into a sly smile as she waved a large manila folder in the air. "I might have a lead on that house on Melrose."

Reese's eyes lit up with curiosity, but she tried to play it cool. "Which house on Melrose?" she asked, feigning casual interest as she reached for the folder.

"The one right on the edge of Melrose Ave, practically in Beverly Hills. Fifteen thousand two hundred square feet, seven bedrooms, thirteen baths—"

"And how exactly did you come across this?" Reese interrupted, her voice tinged with excitement and suspicion.

Naomi cleared her throat, leaning in slightly. "Well... Scott is representing the wife in the divorce, and—"

"He's back to work?" Reese interjected, a hint of surprise in her tone.

"Yeah," Naomi replied, raising an eyebrow. "He didn't tell you?"

"No," Reese said, her tone flattening as she closed the folder.

Naomi's voice softened. "I'm sorry. I thought you knew."

Reese sighed, scanning over the glossy photographs of the mansion. "So, divorce, huh?"

Naomi nodded, her expression serious. "Yeah. Scott said it's shaping up to be a pretty nasty one. The couple is looking to sell immediately. I was thinking maybe you—"

"I don't know," Reese replied, her voice hesitant as she closed the folder. "I've only got a week left here, and I'm still trying to close on another property."

Naomi's face fell, disappointment seeping into her voice. "I get it... I just thought we could have one last adventure together, you know? For old time's sake."

Reese couldn't help but smile at her friend's enthusiasm. "Ugh, fine," she relented, returning Naomi's warm smile. "I'll check it out tomorrow."

Naomi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "This is going to be great! It's a million-dollar commission. I'm so excited!"

"Yeah... exciting," Reese echoed, her voice trailing off.

Naomi's smile faded as she noticed Reese's lack of enthusiasm. "What's wrong?"

Reese shrugged, trying to find the words to explain the melancholy that had settled over her. "It's just... it's really sinking in that I'm leaving."

Naomi's expression softened as she walked over and perched on the edge of Reese's desk. "I know," she sighed. "You're leaving all of us little people behind."

Reese laughed, the sound bittersweet. "It's not like that."

"I know," Naomi said, grinning. "I'm just kidding. But are you having second thoughts?"

Reese looked down at her hands, tracing the rim of her mug with her finger. "I don't know. I know I need a change, but it's just... I know it's never going to be like this again. I'm starting all over."

Naomi nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Starting over is scary, but it's also what makes life interesting. You're going to be fine, Reese. And if it doesn't work out, you can always come back."

"Thanks," Reese said with a small smile, feeling a bit of the weight lift from her shoulders.

"Now, stop being a Tragi Tina," Naomi teased, standing up. "Why don't you come over for dinner tonight? Scott and I are having Thai."

Reese shook her head. "I wouldn't want to impose."

"No imposition," Naomi insisted. "I won't take no for an answer."

"Maybe another time," Reese said, rising from her chair and grabbing the folder. "This rain is really putting a damper on my mood. I just want to go home and curl up in front of my fireplace."

"Okay," Naomi conceded, though she looked disappointed. "But no late-night house calls with you-know-who."

Reese chuckled, shaking her head. "He's out of town, and we're not really speaking at the moment."

Naomi's eyes widened with concern. "Oh no, why?"

"It's a long story," Reese replied, glancing at the clock. "One I'll have to tell you another time. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Drive safe," Naomi called after her as Reese headed for the door.

The rain had intensified, pounding against the pavement as Reese bolted towards her car. Each step splashed water onto the back of her legs, the cold seeping through her stockings. The sky was a tapestry of black clouds, each one heavier and angrier than the last. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a warning growl that echoed through the city, while lightning sliced through the darkened sky, illuminating the streets for just a moment.

The storm had cast an eerie stillness over Los Angeles, as if the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. Reese reached her car and paused, taking a deep breath as she watched the rain cascade down her windshield. The storm was fierce, but there was something oddly calming about it, something that made her feel as though she wasn't the only one caught in a state of turmoil.

She slid into the driver's seat, the leather cool against her legs, and stared at the dashboard. It was 5:05 pm. The rain continued its relentless assault on her car, and she sat there, motionless, as the minutes ticked by.