Kayla lay in bed for a few more minutes, staring at the ceiling, her heart still doing little flips in her chest. It was silly, really. It was just a movie. Just another friendly outing with Matthew. So why was she feeling this way?
Shaking her head, she forced herself to get up and start her day. She had a few hours before 2 PM, so she decided to take her time freshening up. After a quick shower, she stood in front of her closet, staring at her clothes.
"What do you even wear to a second movie date?" she muttered to herself, tapping her chin.
A dress felt too formal. Jeans and a t-shirt? Too plain. Maybe something casual but still cute? She eventually settled on a soft, simple blue shirt and a denim skirt, something comfortable but still presentable. As for her jewellery, Kayla chose a simple silver watch.
As she applied light makeup, she caught herself smiling in the mirror. It had been a long time since she felt this giddy about something.
By the time 1:50 PM rolled around, her phone buzzed again.
[Matthew: Hey, I'm outside.]
Her heart skipped a beat as she grabbed her bag and took one last look at herself before heading out.
When she stepped outside, she saw Matthew leaning against his car, scrolling through his phone. The moment he spotted her, he smiled, waved and walked to her.
"You're right on time," he said as she approached.
Kayla laughed. "Of course."
Kayla paused for a moment. She observed the two of them, glancing up and down. Finally, she said with a touch of mirth,
"We both wore blue today… what a coincidence!"
Matthew's eyes widened in astonishment. He looked at her, then glanced at himself.
"Yeah, you're right."
As they walked over to the car, he glanced at her again and chuckled.
"We also coincidentally wore silver watches too…"
Kayla smiled. "That is something."
She then looked the other way as a blush crept up her face.
He opened the passenger door for her, and she slid inside, trying not to think too much about how effortlessly charming he was.
As he got in and started the engine, he turned to her. "So, any idea what kind of movie you're in the mood for?"
Kayla hummed, pretending to think. "Something fun? Maybe a romantic comedy?"
Matthew chuckled. "Good choice. I had a feeling you'd say that."
As they drove off toward the mall, Kayla felt herself relaxing. Maybe she was overthinking everything. Maybe she should just enjoy this moment for what it was, after all, Laura did say to just go with the flow of fate.
On the other hand, Laura confidently strode across the lounge of a luxurious penthouse in the heart of the city, her high heels clicking against the marble floor. She removed her sunglasses with a graceful flick of her hand, her gaze cool and composed as she made her way toward the VIP elevator. People turned their heads as she passed, their eyes filled with admiration or perhaps envy at the effortless elegance she carried herself with.
Reaching the elevator, she tapped the call button, and within moments, the doors slid open with a quiet chime. Stepping inside, she pulled out a sleek black access card and pressed it against the digital scanner. The panel beeped, and she keyed in the floor number.
The doors closed smoothly, and the elevator ascended swiftly. Laura exhaled, leaning against the polished steel walls. As much as she thrived in the fast-paced world of business, today, her thoughts were elsewhere.
With a soft ding, the doors opened, and she stepped out, her heels making barely a sound on the plush carpet of the exclusive hallway. The hotel staff she passed along the way bowed respectfully, a silent acknowledgement of her status. She nodded in return, keeping her expression poised.
Reaching the designated suite, she adjusted her blazer and knocked. A moment later, the door opened to reveal her friend which is also her business partner, Daniel Wright, a sharp-eyed entrepreneur in his mid-twenties.
"Laura, right on time as usual," he greeted with a smirk, stepping aside to let her in.
She offered a polite smile and entered, taking in the sleek interior of the penthouse. Several other people were already gathered around a long glass table, discussing their upcoming collaboration. As she took her seat, Daniel handed her a folder filled with documents regarding the project.
"We're finalizing the logistics today. This deal is crucial, so we need to iron out the details," he said, flipping through his own copy.
Laura nodded, scanning the documents with practiced ease. Normally, she would have been fully immersed in the discussion, but her mind kept wandering.
Kayla.
The image of her best friend, nervously fidgeting as she spoke about Matthew, flashed in her mind. Laura had seen Kayla get flustered before, but never like this. There was something different about this situation, and that made her a bit uneasy or rather a hint of jealousy.
She tapped her pen against the table absentmindedly, barely listening as one of the investors spoke. Was Kayla really ready for this? She wasn't worried about Matthew per se…he seemed decent enough, but Kayla was inexperienced in romance, and Laura knew how fragile first love could be.
"Laura?" Daniel's voice snapped her back to reality.
She blinked and looked up, realizing that everyone's eyes were on her as her friend called out to her several times.
"Sorry, what was that?" she asked, composing herself quickly.
"I was asking if you had any suggestions on the revised marketing strategy," Daniel said, raising an eyebrow.
Laura cleared her throat and quickly skimmed the section they were discussing. She gave a concise yet sharp answer, one that satisfied everyone in the room. The conversation resumed, but her focus remained fractured.
As the meeting continued, she discreetly pulled out her phone under the table and sent a quick text to Kayla.
[Laura: Hey, what are you doing right now? Reading novel again?]
Seconds passed with no reply. She frowned, shifting in her seat.
"Something on your mind?" Daniel asked, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
Laura hesitated before shaking her head. "It's fine."
Daniel didn't press further. He knew Laura well enough not to push her limits. She would share her concerns with a friend when she feels it. The both of them quickly get their attention back at the meeting.
After a few minutes of deliberation, the meeting was adjourned successfully. One by one, the investors left after a small talk. Until it was only Daniel and Laura was left at the huge penthouse.
In the living room, Laura absentmindedly stared at her phone, pouting, as if a child acting wilfully not getting what she wanted.
Seeing this, Daniel just shrugs and shakes his head. He went to the kitchen and grab two cans of beer. He then walks back to the living room and when he reached to Laura's side, he didn't say anything and just put the cold beer can to one of her cheeks.
"You're not yourself. Did you eat some poisonous mushrooms on the way here?" Daniel jokingly said when Laura glared at him and grabbed the beer.
Laura did not reply. She slowly opened up the can and drank a huge gulp. She looked at the big glass window overlooking the whole city T. She suddenly spoke.
"Is it normal when you feel a bit jealous and anxious about your best friend?"
"The point being?" Daniel asked in return.
"That one day, your best friend meets a man who could be her potential boyfriend and might leave you and not hang out with you anymore?" Laura sighed as she continued in a melancholic voice.
Perhaps it was his first time seeing the fierce and strong Laura get sad, Daniel was shocked speechless by Laura's expression. It took him a while to recover and respond.
"Kayla has a man?" Daniel clarified the situation. Although he never met Kayla in person, he knew of her existence. Laura was practically kept on bragging to him on how she was very blessed to have Kayla as a friend despite the big differences to their personality and attitude.
"Yes." Laura nodded.