𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 | 𝓟𝓮𝓭𝓻𝓸 𝓟𝓪𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓵 |

Disconnect

Another day of having to put up with my pace of life. Every day I feel less and less like being here, I feel that nothing is worth it. A toxic relationship, a family that doesn't even talk to each other, and the only thing that cheers me up a little, my two friends.

People will call me a masochist for not putting an end to this stupid relationship, but unfortunately, he is the reason I have a job, and I live in his house, and I can't fuck it up. It's not exactly a good salary, but it's enough to be able to save for a few more years, and fulfill my dream. Thanks to this job I'm gaining experience in the fashion industry, it's just what I need.

A slam on the door lets me know, that he's finally gone.

''Has he left already?'' Sophia, my best friend, comes out of the bathroom. ''Finally'' she enters the room''.

''Are you staying for long? Not for nothing, I'd like to be alone'' I throw myself on the couch and turn on the TV. ''Movie, sofa, blanket, and then to bed''.

She gets in the way, blocking my vision. ''Alessia, tonight I'm not leaving you there'' I see a suitcase in his hand. ''Get up, we're leaving''.

''I'm not going anywhere, are you crazy? I can't leave and... ''.

''And lose your job, I know. You're not going to lose anything, you're just going to enjoy a weekend with your best friends'' she pulls me. ''Lucas is waiting downstairs, come on''.

She practically drags me out of the apartment. ''Sophie, I can't do this''.

''Your boyfriend Matteo is going to China for a week, he has meetings there, he won't find out''. We go out to the street and there I see Lucas leaning on a cab. ''Monday is a holiday in Italy, we'll be back the same Monday night, Tuesday you'll be in your office working as if nothing happened''.

I look at both of them from the back seat, Lucas is sitting in the passenger seat. ''Good morning beautiful''. He smiles at me. ''Button up, you're going to have the best days of your life''.

''You guys are the worst... At least tell me where we are going''. They look at each other. ''Mountain? Beach? North? South?''.

''Oh no''. Sofia puts on her sunglasses, it's January, and lately it's been amazing days. ''We are going north''

''Very north''. Lucas continues talking. ''Ale, we are going to London''. My friend covers my mouth. ''Don't shout, it's a two hours flight, tonight rest in your hotel, and tomorrow get ready, I've got tickets for a very exclusive club in London''.

''Saturday night party'' Sofia says proudly. ''Turn off that head for a few days, this trip will be good for you''.

I look at the phone. Maybe they're right, but it's not as easy said as done. I've been in this shitty life for seven years, but they say that what goes around comes around. The company where I am now, is the necessary requirement to enter a big brand to work, I only need a few more years and... It will be mine...

Sophia and Lucas have been my great support during these years, friends since we were three years old. At eighteen I decided to enter a university to study fashion design, which took me four years, plus another two years of master's degree. In between, external courses, internships, micro-jobs, etc. Until I met Matteo. A charming guy in his thirties, a successful entrepreneur.

A couple of years went by, and everything seemed to be going perfect, we had been in a stable relationship as a couple for a year, and that's when he offered me a job in his company. I couldn't refuse something like that. And it was at that very moment when everything started to fall apart.

We started seeing each others less often, he changed his role as a partner for his role as a boss, even at home. Since then I have had to live this life. Until now, in my forties.

Naples Airport, I read through the window. Looks like we've arrived.

''Are you all right?'' Sophia holds my hand. ''Trust us, Lau''.

I nod. We get out of the cab, grab our bags, and off we go, my first mini-vacation in years. 

''I think the last time I went on vacation I was fifteen''. I sigh.

''It's about time, isn't it? You're old, you have to make the most of the days''. Lucas jokes, and rectifies when he sees my face. ''We are getting old,''.