Chapter Eight
1183 Words
Stephanie’s POV
Stephanie woke up without her alarm.
That alone made her pause.
She blinked at the ceiling, then turned her head slowly, half-expecting to see a notification she had missed. Something urgent. Something she was late for. But there was nothing.
She reached for her phone and checked the time.
“Wait…”
A small laugh escaped her.
She sat up.
Right. No work.
The smile came easier this time.
She stayed on the bed for a few more seconds than she normally would, letting herself soak in the moment. Making sure nothing would suddenly interrupt.
Nothing did.
“Okayyy…” she said softly, pushing the covers off.
This was new.
Not bad.
Just… new.
She got out of bed and walked to the window, pulling the curtains open. The city was already alive, as usual.
But she wasn’t trying to catch up to it.
That alone felt strange.
Stephanie leaned slightly against the window frame, then shook her head with a small smile.
“So what do people do with free time?” she muttered.
She actually didn’t know.
And that was… kind of funny.
A small spark of excitement flickered somewhere in her chest.
She pushed herself away from the window.
“Let’s find out. It shouldn’t be that hard. It’s time I separate myself from my father’s company and create a life for myself. So today, I’ll live for me and do things I want—just how I want.”
Her wardrobe stood open in front of her.
She stared at it.
This should have been easy.
It wasn’t.
Out of habit, her hand went straight to a blazer.
She stopped.
Then laughed softly and pushed it back.
“No. Absolutely not.”
Her hair was still wrapped from the night before. She pulled the wrap off and let her hair fall freely.
The soft brown strands settled around her shoulders, fuller than she usually allowed.
Stephanie ran her fingers through it, tilting her head slightly.
“Hi,” she said to her reflection, amused.
This version of her didn’t show up to meetings.
She liked her appearance.
She reached for her jewelry next. Gold statement earrings. A delicate necklace.
She put them on slowly, watching the look come together.
Now—the dress.
Stephanie folded her arms loosely and stared at her wardrobe again.
A red dress caught her eye. She pulled it out halfway.
“Mmm… no.”
She laughed softly.
“A red dress might be too serious.”
Back it went.
Her fingers moved again.
Peach.
Maybe.
Powder blue.
She paused.
“That would actually look really good.”
Then—white.
She pulled it out fully this time.
“You can never go wrong with a white dress.”
That settled it.
She slipped into the dress, adjusted it slightly, then stepped back.
For a moment, she just looked at herself.
She looked different.
Not in a dramatic way.
Just… lighter.
Stephanie smiled.
Not fully, but enough.
You see, she was excited to spend the day differently, but she knew it would be better if she had a friend she could call.
Her phone buzzed behind her, snatching her out of the moment.
She turned, picked it up this time, and saw Mark’s name.
She stared at the screen for a second.
Then typed.
“Push all my meetings and emails today and tomorrow. I’ll attend to them on Monday.”
She read it once.
Then sent it.
She picked up her bag, then paused again.
“Okay… now what?” she said, almost to herself.
A small laugh followed.
This was actually happening.
Outside, the air felt warmer than usual.
Or maybe she was just noticing it.
The driver opened the door for her. She got in, settling comfortably.
“Where to, ma’am?”
Stephanie opened her mouth—then stopped.
She blinked once.
Then smiled.
That question should have been easy.
It wasn’t.
“I… don’t know yet,” she said, almost amused.
The driver hesitated.
She leaned back slightly, thinking. Then waved her hand lightly.
“Just drive. I’ll tell you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The car pulled into traffic.
Stephanie rested her arm against the door, watching the city pass by.
People laughing.
Someone rushing across the street.
A group taking pictures.
She smiled again.
“Hmm.”
Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.
Her phone buzzed again.
She glanced at it.
Then turned it face down.
“Later,” she murmured.
Today wasn’t for that.
Today—she was doing something different.
And for the first time in a long time, she was actually looking forward to it.
The car moved without urgency.
Stephanie watched the city pass by, her eyes moving from one scene to another.
A group of girls stood outside a café, laughing over something on a phone.
A man jogged past, headphones in.
Two women argued lightly over shopping bags.
Normal things.
Things she rarely had the time to notice.
She shifted slightly in her seat.
“Stop here.”
The driver slowed and pulled over near a row of small stores and cafés.
Stephanie stepped out, adjusting her dress slightly as she looked around.
It wasn’t anywhere special.
Not one of the high-end places she was used to.
And that was exactly why she liked it.
No pressure.
No expectations.
She started walking slowly, her steps unhurried.
A small boutique caught her attention. Soft colors in the display window. Flowing fabrics.
She stepped inside.
A bell chimed above the door.
“Hi! Welcome,” a voice greeted.
Stephanie nodded with a small smile.
The space smelled faintly floral.
She moved between the racks, her fingers brushing lightly against the fabrics.
No rush.
No specific goal.
She picked out a dress. Then another.
Held them up briefly.
“Trying something new?” the attendant asked.
Stephanie glanced at her and smiled.
“Something like that.”
She tried on a few pieces, turning slightly in front of the mirror.
Not analyzing.
Just… looking.
When she stepped out with two bags, she felt it again.
Lightness.
“This is actually nice,” she murmured.
Her phone buzzed again.
She glanced at it this time.
Mark.
Then another message came in.
Unknown number.
She frowned slightly but opened it.
This is Adrian Hale.
Stephanie paused.
Just for a second.
Then continued walking.
Another message came in.
We need to talk.
She stopped this time.
Looked at the screen.
Then locked her phone.
And kept walking.
Not yet.
A small café came into view.
She stepped inside.
The space was warm and quiet, with soft music playing.
She ordered something simple and took a seat by the window.
Set her bags beside her.
Her phone buzzed again.
She picked it up this time.
Looked at his message again.
Then typed.
Not today.
She read it once.
Then sent it.
She set her phone down and leaned back slightly in her seat.
Outside, the city kept moving.
Inside, everything felt slower.
And for the first time in a long time—
Stephanie allowed herself to enjoy it.
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