f the wine she had enjoyed with Mia and Lily still lingering. The night had been fun. A much-needed break filled with laughter, gossip, and more dr

ving them where they fell, and headed straight to her bedroom. She quickly changed into her pajamas. the cool fabric embraced her body welcoming

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ndow. She groaned and stretched her body rolling over to check the time on her ph

o meet a client at 9:00 AM sharp. She started panicking. Panic surged through her as she scrambled to get re

dashed out the door. By the time she arrived at her office, it was almost 10:30 AM, and

owing her bag onto the desk. She collapsed into her chair, burying he

hts, and she looked up to see Grace, her personal as

lf an hour, but he had to leave for ano

in her chair. "I can imagine. I'll

'll understand if you expl

replied, rubbing her temples. "I can't afford to me

of the best in the business, Elena. One misse

feel so stupid. I let myself get carried a

es to regroup?" Grace suggested

chair, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She knew she needed to get her

office door. This time, it was softer, almost hesitant. When she looked up, she

d, her voice filled wi

he tried to place the face. And the

to a wide smile. "Yes

tten as she walked over to embrace her old friend. "Oh my g

rea and thought I'd drop by. I heard you were doing big thing

t down. "Come in, sit! I can't believe t

ied, settling into the chair opposite El

u. You look amazing! What have

deeper in her eyes. "I've been doing a bit of this and that, trying to figure things out. But

. Busy, but good. Today's actually been a bit of a mess,

tanding. "Hey, it happens to the best o

ne of those days, I guess. But enough about that. Tell me mo

, after high school, I moved around a bit. I did some traveling, lived i

r friend's adventurous spirit. "I've always admired th

ling. There were some rough patches along the way, bu

nuinely curious. "What b

My parents are getting older, and I realized I needed to be cl

eah, I do. No matter where you go, there's

ing to reconnect, to slip back into the easy friendship they had once shared. Despite the years and the different

orning began to fade, replaced by the warmth of old memories and the comfort of an old

ave Elena another warm hug. "It was so good to see you again, Elen

a agreed, smiling. "Le

h a grin as she headed for t

too,

ix of emotions. The morning hadn't gone as planned, but the surprise visit from Na

on, Elena turned back to her work,

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