Friday arrived.

The next morning, Eloise woke before the alarm even had the chance to ring. The sun still hadn't decided whether to rise or hide behind the clouds, and her room was wrapped in soft dimness. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she ran her hands over her face, trying to push away the traces of exhaustion.

In the kitchen, she prepared coffee in silence, her thoughts already drifting toward the office, the day's schedule… and the dinner.

That was all it was.

It was a work event.