a somewhat restless sleep, a peculiar soreness in my lower body brought me back to the reality of the night b

eeded – a souvenier of the ni

pace next to me was empty, and the rumpled sheets seemed to mock me with their silent testimony to the night's e

still foggy from sleep, registered the blurred shape of toned muscles and the echo of movements beyond the frosted gl

workout session last night. But I'm pretty su

st night's indulgence. It was a whirlwind of sensations and choices I hadn't consciou

id to disturb the fragile equilibrium of the room. My clothes, carelessly strewn about, were retrieved one by one and neatly folded. I glanc

tempting me with their aromatic allure. My gaze fixated on a glorious crea

motion, I snatched the sandwich from the tray, feeling a mix of victory

shoulder like a secret accomplice in my grand escape plan. The hallway stretched before me

ent cheerleader in this comedic caper. As I approached the ele

lance by the hotel's secret sandwich police. With a sly grin, I pressed the button for the groun

ran into anyone. "Oh, this sandwich? It's, uh, a... late-

pe artist. The hotel's ambiance of hushed conversations and ambient music served as my cover, and I saun

ns swirling within me. I gazed out of the tiny window, watching as the world below became

ached with a practiced smi

f the beverage seeming like a comforting

y mother blinked on the screen. "Debt almost paid. Come back, stop chas

mastered the art of masking emotions through a screen. "Mom, I'm

g that seemed to reach through the pixels. I felt a sting in my eyes, the wind

crackled over the intercom, welcoming everyone to the new destination with the kind of enthusiasm that would make even the most st

ersistent bee. My manager's name flashed on the screen – a call from the

r were you ready to audition for a disaster movie?" The voice on the ot

ditioned for an Oscar with my dramatic reactions to the in-fligh

absurd spectacles life had to offer. "You're a trooper, Melissa. Now, listen carefully. Jenny will pick

he business. "Oh, great. Leonard 'The Taskmaster' Johnson. Is he as terrifyin

teachers. Do not – I repeat, do not – get too comfortable, and for the love of al

ny bone doesn't exist. Should be a piece of cake," I quipped, already envisioning the

aces at the airport. A familiar figure caught my eye – Jenny, my part

f enthusiasm as she enveloped me in a hug that bordered on the ed