"Card," Hermia said, fishing it from her bag.
The moment she swiped her card, the amount appeared on the screen—enough to make her stomach lurch.
Yet, she managed a small smile, knowing she could handle it now that she had a job lined up.
"You're all set," the cashier chirped, handing her back the card. "Welcome to your new home!"
The receptionist added, "We'll just need a quick picture for our records."
Hermia stepped in front of the desk camera, adjusting her hair as the cashier snapped the photo with the laptop's built-in camcorder.
"Perfect," the cashier said, clicking a few buttons. "Here's your keycard. It gives you access to the elevators and your apartment. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
"Thank you," Hermia said softly, clutching the stack of papers to her chest. The receptionist smiled politely, and the cashier waved her off with a cheerful, "Good luck, pretty lady!"