Michaella, a gifted writer, finds herself haunted by the memories of a love that slipped through her fingers. As she pens down her heartache and cherished moments with Gabrielle, an architect whose charm and warmth once made her world brighter, she...
The first light of dawn crept through the thin curtains of Michaella's bedroom, casting soft golden rays across her face. She lay still for a moment, savouring the rare sensation of waking up naturally, without the insistence of an alarm clock. Today wasn't just any day—it was the start of a much-needed four-day summer getaway with her closest friends and family, an escape she had been yearning for.
Michaella pushed back the light sheet and slipped out of bed, feeling the coolness of the tile floor beneath her feet. Her mind was already beginning to churn with the tasks that lay ahead—emails to send, last-minute arrangements for her podcast, and finalizing her packing. Michaella enjoyed the quiet efficiency of early mornings, when the world outside was still and she could think clearly.
After a quick shower, she dressed in a white dress that fluttered lightly against her skin. The dress had delicate lace details along the hem, giving it a touch of elegance while remaining effortless and comfortable. She paired it with strappy sandals and a simple gold necklace that glinted softly in the morning light. With her hair loosely curled and minimal makeup accentuating her natural beauty, Michaella made her way to the kitchen.
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She brewed a cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling the air, and prepared a light breakfast—Greek yogurt with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey. As she ate, her thoughts drifted to the trip ahead, a smile tugging at her lips. She could almost feel the relaxation seeping into her bones, even before the journey had begun.
By 7:00 AM, she was at her desk, finalizing the last bits of work. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she sent off a few emails, each one bringing her closer to the moment when she could fully disconnect. The podcast trailer they had filmed yesterday was on her mind, and despite the unexpected tension with Alex during filming, she was proud of how it had turned out. She double-checked that her out-of-office email was set, then closed her laptop with a sense of accomplishment.
A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. Michaella glanced at the clock—8:00 AM, right on time. Marian was nothing if not punctual. With one last look around to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything, Michaella grabbed her straw sunhat, slipped on her oversized sunglasses, and headed to the door.
"Morning, gorgeous!" Marian greeted her with a bright smile, pulling her into a quick hug as soon as the door swung open. She looked effortlessly chic in a flowy floral maxi dress and espadrille wedges, her dark hair styled in loose waves.
"Morning!" Michaella replied, returning the hug. "I've been counting down the minutes until today. Everything's ready."
Marian gave her a knowing look as they made their way to the car. "I hope you're really ready to leave work behind. This trip is about relaxing, remember?"
"I know, I know," Michaella laughed, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "I've done everything I can to make sure I won't be thinking about work for the next four days."
