"I received the package. This is beautiful, Offroad! Thank you."
The notification glowed on Offroad's phone, Daou's name lighting up the screen in the early morning light. It was already 11 am, and after the long night, he hadn't managed much sleep. Still, habit pushed him to get up and prepare something to eat, even if he barely had an appetite.
He'd told his team to take the day off. After all, it had been an intense month for everyone involved in Chasing Echoes, and yesterday's event had been their final push, a culmination of nearly two years of work and dreams.
Setting the phone down on the kitchen counter, he paused, letting the silence settle around him. A sigh escaped his lips, his mind still buzzing with images from the event. Almost two years had gone into Chasing Echoes, and in a single day, that vision had finally come to life, surrounded by the familiar faces of friends, colleagues, and family. The pride he'd felt yesterday was grounding.
With a deep breath, he picked up his coffee mug and stepped out onto the small balcony, hoping the fresh air might ease the lingering ache in his chest. Outside, the city stretched out below, vibrant and alive, reminding him of the world beyond his ambitions.
He leaned against the railing, taking a sip of coffee and letting the warmth steady him. The richness of it soothed his senses, but his thoughts were a different story.
Maybe this was the price of realizing dreams.
He mused—quiet mornings filled with unexpected emotions, bittersweet reflections that felt grounding and unsettling all at once. There was no regret; he knew that much. But he couldn't help wondering if, in pursuing his ambitions, he'd left behind pieces of himself that now felt unreachable, like shadows of a different life.
A soft chuckle escaped him as he shook his head, amused at himself. It was only morning, and here he was, already lost in what-ifs. Taking a last sip, he set the coffee down, picked up his phone, and typed back a reply to Daou. "You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it."
He put the phone down, watching it rest silently on the small table, and decided he'd take a long, refreshing bath. Maybe afterward, he'd head out to a coffee shop, escape the quiet solitude of his apartment, and find a different rhythm to the day—one that didn't leave him feeling quite so alone.
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Offroad slipped into a casual outfit and made his way to his favorite coffee shop, a quiet spot nestled about twenty minutes from his condo. The drive was calming, the morning traffic light as he navigated familiar streets. When he arrived, he was pleased to see only two other customers scattered across the small, cozy space. He let out a sigh of relief, grateful for the peaceful atmosphere.
At the counter, he offered the barista a friendly smile. "The usual, sir?" she asked, recognizing him immediately.
"Yes, please. Thank you," he replied, his smile lingering as she began to prepare his favorite matcha-flavored frappe and a slice of cake. Small moments like these—quiet corners, favorite flavors—felt grounding, a comforting contrast to the whirlwind of yesterday's event.
