Do Me a Favour - Alex Turner

57. Pretty Damn Good

A year later

A year had passed, and life had a steady rhythm that I had grown to love. Despite the distance, Alex and I were thriving. We visited each other as often as we could, and every reunion felt like no time had passed at all. Our connection remained strong, even with an ocean between us.

I was also flourishing at work. Returning to covering up-and-coming bands had reignited my passion for music journalism, and I quickly became one of the top writers at the magazine. My pieces were well-received, and I felt a deep sense of fulfillment with every article published.

One particularly busy Friday morning, I sat at my desk, scrolling through the latest submissions from new bands. The office was buzzing with activity, a constant hum of conversation and keyboard clicks. I looked around, feeling a sense of pride and belonging.

My phone buzzed on the desk, and I smiled when I saw Alex's name on the screen. We had a routine of checking in with each other throughout the day, keeping the lines of communication open.

"Hey, you," I answered, my voice bright.

"Hey, beautiful," Alex replied. "How's your day going?"

"Busy, but good. Just going through some new bands. How about you?"

"Same here. We're in the studio working on some new tracks. I can't wait for you to hear them."

I could hear the excitement in his voice, and it made me smile. "I can't wait either. You know I'm your biggest fan."

We chatted for a few more minutes before I had to get back to work. Hanging up, I felt a wave of warmth and gratitude wash over me. Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship, we had made it work.

*

During the busy workday, Mark called me to his office. He had an excited look on his face, which piqued my curiosity. I walked in, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves.

"What's up, Mark?" I asked, taking a seat across from him.

"Well, I have some fantastic news," he began, unable to contain his smile. "The magazine is going global, and we're opening a new office in Sheffield. And we want you to transfer there to cover the upcoming British bands."

For a moment, I was speechless. The news didn't quite register immediately. I stared at Mark, processing the information. Sheffield. Moving to Sheffield would mean living in the same city as Alex, no more long-distance, no more time apart.

"Are you serious?" I finally managed to ask, my voice a mix of shock and excitement.

"Absolutely," Mark confirmed. "You've done an incredible job here, and we believe you're the perfect person to help launch our international presence."

"Mark, that's...amazing. I don't even know what to say."

Mark smiled, clearly pleased with my reaction. "There's more. The move comes with a significant raise. You've earned it, Lana. We're really proud of your work."

I felt a rush of emotions—excitement, gratitude, and pure happiness. "Thank you. This is incredible news. I'm absolutely thrilled."

Mark nodded. "I thought you might be. We'll sort out the details over the next few weeks, but I wanted you to know as soon as possible. Congratulations, Lana."

I left Mark's office in a daze, my mind racing with the possibilities. Moving to Sheffield, living with Alex, and a new adventure in my career. It was a dream come true.

When I returned to my desk, I immediately grabbed my phone to call Alex. My hands were shaking with excitement as I dialed his number.

"Hey, you," he answered, his voice instantly calming me.