RIDE BACK HOME

As the office began to empty out, I remained at my desk, gathering my things slowly, my mind still reeling from the day’s events. I shut down my computer, the screen flickering off and leaving me with my own reflection. I looked tired, my eyes heavy with fatigue and a trace of the earlier embarrassment. I packed my bag methodically, slipping my notebook and pen into the side pocket, and placing a newly purchased magazine on top.

The overhead lights cast a sterile glow over the room, making everything feel a bit more surreal. I glanced around, noticing the empty desks and the few remaining colleagues who were finishing up their tasks. The murmur of distant conversations and the occasional sound of a printer or keyboard clicking were the only noises breaking the silence.

I stood up, adjusting my bag on my shoulder and smoothing down my skirt. Just as I was about to leave, I saw a colleague walking towards me. It was Janet, one of the senior analysts. She had a sympathetic look on her face, her eyes soft and concerned.

Janet’s auburn hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she wore a simple, elegant blouse paired with tailored trousers. Her professional attire contrasted with the empathy in her eyes. She glanced down at the file still on my desk, her eyebrows knitting together slightly before looking back at me.

"Hey, Sophia," she said, her voice gentle. "Do you have a minute?"

I nodded, giving her a small smile. "Of course, Janet. What’s up?"

She glanced around the nearly empty office before speaking again. "I just wanted to check on you after what happened with Mrs. Thatcher. That was rough. I'm really sorry you had to go through that."

I appreciated her concern, even though the memory of the reprimand still stung. "Thanks, Janet. It was pretty intense, but I'll be okay. Just need to make sure I don’t let it happen again."

Janet nodded, her expression thoughtful. "You're a great worker, Sophia. We all have off days. But, um... I actually have another reason I came over."

She hesitated, looking a bit embarrassed. "My car broke down this morning, and I managed to get a ride in, but everyone else has already left. I called roadside assistance, but they won't be able to send a tow truck for a few hours. I was hoping... could you give me a lift home?"

I could see the genuine worry in her eyes and knew she wouldn't ask unless she really needed help. "Of course, Janet," I said, offering her a reassuring smile. "I'd be happy to give you a ride."

She visibly relaxed, her shoulders dropping as a look of relief washed over her face. "Thank you so much, Sophia. I was really worried about how I’d get home. It's been such a long day."

"Don't mention it," I said, gathering the last of my things. "Let's get out of here."

We walked out of the office together, the tension from earlier slowly dissipating. As we reached the elevator, Janet pressed the button, and we waited in a comfortable silence. The ride down was quick, and when the doors opened, we were greeted by the cooler air of the lobby.

As we walked towards the parking lot, Janet continued to express her gratitude. "I really appreciate this, Sophia. Today has just been one thing after another."

I nodded, understanding completely. "I know the feeling. But we're almost home free."

We reached my car, and I unlocked it, motioning for her to get in. Once we were both seated, I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. The city's noise was a welcome distraction, the sounds of traffic and distant chatter grounding me after the tumultuous day.

I felt the need to start up a conversation, so I asked Sophia how her car had stalled.

Janet took a deep breath, clearly needing to unload her frustration. "Well, I was driving along, everything seemed fine, and then suddenly, the engine started sputtering. I was on Maple Street, you know how busy it gets around that time. The car just gave up and stalled right in the middle of the road."

I could picture the scene vividly, Maple Street choked with cars, drivers growing impatient. "That sounds like a nightmare," I said sympathetically. "What did you do?"

Janet grimaced. "At first, I tried to restart it, but it wouldn't budge. I was blocking traffic, and people started honking. It was so embarrassing. Eventually, a kind passerby helped me push it to the side of the road."

I nodded, imagining the stress she must have felt. "Did you call for help?"

"Yes," Janet replied, her tone softening a bit. "I called a tow truck, but they said it would take at least thirty minutes to get to me. Meanwhile, I called the office to let them know I'd be late. As I waited, I couldn't help but worry about what was wrong with the car. It's not that old, and I've kept up with maintenance."

I could hear the concern in her voice. Janet was meticulous about her car, always ensuring it was in top shape. "Did the tow truck eventually show up?" I asked.

"Yes, thankfully," she said with a sigh of relief. "While I waited, I called the mechanic to let them know I was coming in. The tow truck driver was really nice, though. He even tried to cheer me up a bit, saying these things happen to everyone."

"They took a quick look and said it might be a problem with the fuel pump," Janet explained. "But they need to run a full diagnostic to be sure. I had to leave the car there, and now I'm carless until they figure it out and fix it. It's just so frustrating, you know?"

I could feel her frustration and nodded in understanding. "I can imagine. It's such a hassle when your car breaks down, especially when you rely on it so much."

Janet sighed again, a bit of the tension easing from her shoulders. "Like, do you get?I just needed to vent. This morning has been one thing after another. And I am super greatful for this lift."

"Anytime," I said warmly. "And don't worry about getting to work. I can drive you until your car is fixed. We’ll figure it out together."

She smiled, finally looking a bit more relaxed. "Thanks, Sophia. That means a lot." Janet said before looking down at her phone. I let my lip curve into a small smile, as I navigated the busy roads.

As we drove, Janet let out a small, wistful sigh. "Oh, look at this," she said, turning her phone so I could see the screen. "It's a boat cruise I've been dying to go on. They're advertising it again on I*******m."

I glanced at her, a smile tugging at my lips. I knew exactly what she was talking about. The Royal Odyssey’s Summer Splendor Cruise had been on my the net for weeks, and thanks to Robert I would be attending it , unbeknownst to Janet. But I didn’t want to interrupt her excitement, so I played along.

"Really? Tell me more," I said, trying to keep my voice neutral even as my heart raced with anticipation.

“It’s a seven-day journey through the Mediterranean, stopping at some of the most beautiful and historic ports along the way,” Janet began, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “The journey start in Barcelona. Picture this: People board the ship, and after a seamless check-in, they're greeted with a champagne reception. The ship itself is a floating palace—opulent suites, gourmet dining, spas, pools, and every amenity you can imagine.”

I nodded, pretending to be absorbed by her words. I had seen all the photos and read every detail about the ship. There were images of the grand atrium, with its sweeping staircase and crystal chandeliers, the infinity pool on the top deck offering breathtaking views of the ocean, and the various dining venues, each more luxurious than the last.

“After they set sail from Barcelona, the first stop is in Marseille. Imagine having the entire day to explore. Imagine walking through the old port, visiting the basilica, and maybe even taking a boat ride out to the Calanques.”

I could almost smell the salty sea air and hear the bustling sounds of the Marseille port. Janet’s vivid description transported me right into the heart of the adventure I would soon embark on.

“Then a sail to Monte Carlo,” Janet continued, her voice filled with excitement. “Sophia, Monte Carlo! A visit to the famous casino, stroll through the exotic gardens, and maybe even spot a few celebrities. The nightlife there is legendary. Imagine dressing up and enjoying a glamorous evening, just like in the movies.”

I smiled, picturing myself in a stunning evening gown, sipping cocktails and dancing the night away in Monte Carlo. It felt like a dream.

My heart raced with excitement as I imagined the sunsets over the caldera in Santorini and the lively atmosphere of Mykonos. I couldn’t wait to experience all of this firsthand.

Janet scrolled through more photos on her phone, showing me the iconic landmarks they would visit. “And after Italy, a sail to the Greek Isles. Santorini, Mykonos… explore whitewashed villages, relax on beautiful beaches, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.”

“And that’s just the beginning,” Janet said, her eyes gleaming. “Next is Florence, then Rome. There'll be sightseeing of the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, the Colosseum, the Vatican…so much history and beauty in every corner.”

“But the best part,” Janet said, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret, “is the onboard experience. They have themed parties every night, live performances, cooking classes, wine tastings, and even a masquerade ball.”

“A masquerade ball?” I repeated, my eyes lighting up despite myself, I probably had not seen that part.

“Yes! People wearing gorgeous masks and dancing under the stars. It’s going to be magical. And the food! They have world-class chefs preparing exquisite meals—everything from fresh seafood to decadent desserts.”

I could almost taste the gourmet cuisine as Janet described it. “It sounds perfect,” I said, my voice filled with longing.

Janet scrolled through more photos on her phone, showing me the iconic landmarks to be visited.

I smiled, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. I wanted to tell her right then that I was already going on this cruise, that Robert had surprised me with tickets. But I didn’t want to interrupt her excitement.

Janet continued, her voice carrying a hint of longing. "I'd love to go, but with work and the expense, it's just not possible right now. Plus, I don't think Mrs. Thatcher would approve of me taking time off for something like that."

I chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease as our conversation drifted to lighter topics. "Yeah, she doesn't seem like the 'fun in the sun' type."

Jane scoffed " Indeed, Did you hear about her so-called 'business trip' last month? Rumor has it, she spent more time at the spa than in any meetings!"

Sophia grinned, shaking her head. "Typical. No wonder our department's budget is always tight."

Janet laughed too, then added jokingly, "You know, I hear the boat cruise is the best place to find a sugar daddy. Maybe I should reconsider."

We both burst into laughter at the absurdity of the idea. The tension of the day seemed to melt away with each shared chuckle. As I was about to tell her that I had actually gotten a ticket for the boat cruise and how excited I was, Janet’s tone shifted, and she turned to something dreamy.

"And.... Oh, Charles Brown is coming back from overseas just to attend this boat cruise. He will be in town before the boat cruise event though

"Who is doing what...?" I said almost screaming"