Lessons Learned, Healing Hearts

Rest and Relaxation (Chapter 4)

Stuck once again in late afternoon rush hour, Marlow drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, her frustration mounting. Normally, she would have taken an alternate route, but abundant construction had turned every major highway into a crawling parking lot.

"What's wrong?" Ignazio asked, watching her grip tighten.

Marlow sighed, leaning back against the headrest.

"I don't think I'll have time to get you back to the hotel to freshen up before we have to leave again."

"We don't have to return to the hotel," Piero offered.

"Are you sure?" she asked, glancing in the rear-view mirror.

"Yes, I just need someplace where we can eat and relax," he answered.

Marlow thought for a moment. "Okay, if you're up for it, we could go to my office. There's a client lounge where you can freshen up and unwind. Plus, when it is time to go to the TV station, we will already be close to downtown."

After nods of agreement, Marlow jackrabbited across three lanes to take the next exit.

***

Pulling up to a residential house, the three men exchanged glances.

"This is the office?" Ignazio asked, brows furrowing. "It looks like someone's home."

"It used to be my boss's grandparents' home. He renovated it about five years ago when downtown office space became ridiculously expensive," Marlow explained, steering into the garage.

A short hallway led them from the garage to the walkout basement level. Sunlight streamed through a wall of windows, framing an unobstructed view of the ocean and the city beyond.

"Wow, this is nice," Piero said, entering the ample space.

Marlow gestured toward a doorway. "There's a game room over here, with a pool table and air hockey." She pushed the door open, letting them peek inside.

"Nice," Ignazio said, already intrigued.

Marlow continued, leading them through the space. "This is the main client area with plenty of seating for everyone to chat, read, or nap. There's fresh fruit and snacks; if you're thirsty, we have coffee, tea, water, juice, and soda in the fridge. Sorry, no alcohol. The washroom is right over there."

Marlow paused at a closed door and smirked.

"Now, this is my absolute favourite space." She pushed open the door and stepped aside as Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca walked in.

"Are those what I think they are?" Gianluca asked, his eyes widening as he sank into a heated massage chair.

Marlow flicked a switch, and a hidden TV screen rose from the wall. The three men shouted in excitement.

Laughing, she handed Piero the remote and left them to enjoy themselves.

***

Marlow tapped on the glass wall of Sawyer's upper floor office, poking her head inside.

"Hey."

Sawyer glanced up from his computer. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on the road?"

"We got caught in construction, so I brought them here to relax. We'll be heading out again in about 40 minutes." She paused, a weight settling in her chest. "Have you heard from Mark?"

Sawyer's expression faltered. He exhaled, his shoulders sinking as he nodded.

"He texted a few hours ago. Everyone is doing well, considering what they are going through."