LOGIN"So, what are you planning to do next?"
Sofia looks right into his eyes."I want to go back tomorrow.""You want to go back?""Yes.""You enjoyed it that much?"Sofia nods firmly."There’s still so much I want to learn."She beams with excitement."I think if I spend more time there, I’ll truly understand how the lower tiers of the company operate."Edward looks at her for a long moment, his expression s"That isn’t a real smile at all, Ed.""It is a smile.""You look like you’re posing for a mandatory corporate board meeting brochure."Edward raises an eyebrow defensively."I honestly don’t know any other way to smile on command."Sofia lowers the phone completely and laughs."Try again, but actually relax.""I already tried.""Just one more proper try."He looks at her for a long moment, watching the genuine warmth in her eyes.The tension in his shoulders melts away, and he breaks into a natural smile.Sofia quickly raises her phone again."Stay right there. That’s it!"Click.She looks down at the photo she has just taken, and a soft, affectionate smile appears on her face."Much better. Perfect."Edward looks over curiously."Are you happy now?""Very happy."After a short while, they leave the sun-kissed shoreline behind, stepping onto a quiet, shaded path that winds its way back toward the village.Sofia walks closely beside Edward, her fingers gently curled around the two seas
Sofia stands up carefully in the dark and makes her way to the kitchen cabinet.Edward quickly reaches into his pocket, pulls out his smartphone, and turns on the flashlight."Here, use this light.""Thank you."She takes the phone and quickly locates the candles and matches.A few moments later, a small, flickering candle flame comes to life, casting a warm, golden glow across the wooden table.Edward watches the gentle flicker of the candlelight for a moment. Then, his expression slowly shifts into something more serious and solemn."Sofi.""Hmm?" she replies softly, turning to face him."Can I ask you something personal?"She stops what she is doing and looks at him directly."Of course you can.""What was your life actually like here before you left for the city?"Sofia slowly turns her gaze toward the rain-streaked window, her eyes reflecting the candlelight."My life here was very peaceful, simple, and happy."Edward remains completely quiet, giving her all the time she needs to
One of the farmers laughs heartily."You use your bare hands, sir!"Edward looks over at Sofia, bewildered. She simply smiles reassuringly."That’s another essential part of the authentic experience."He looks back at the food with a sigh."Did you orchestrate this detail too?""I honestly didn’t!" she says with a laugh.They wash their hands thoroughly with clean water from a nearby basin.Edward hesitates for a moment, looking down at his own hands. Then, letting go of his hesitation, he washes his hands and joins them at the table.Sofia expertly picks up a small mound of rice and viand with her right hand, demonstrating the technique."Just watch and follow what everyone else is doing."At first, his movements are awkward and clumsy, and Sofia notices his struggle."You’re making it much harder than it actually needs to be.""I’ve literally never eaten like this in my entire life.""Just relax your hand and enjoy it."Edward finally takes a small, neat portion of rice and viand wi
Edward looks out across the vast, dark ocean, feeling a strange sense of peace wash over him."Very."They sit down together on the soft sand, content simply to listen to the soothing sound of the waves.For several long minutes, neither of them speaks, allowing the tranquility of the night to envelop them.Edward takes a long, slow, grounding breath."I honestly can’t remember the last time I just sat somewhere quiet without thinking about work, emails, or deadlines."Sofia smiles softly in the moonlight."Maybe that’s why you desperately needed to come here."Edward turns his head toward her silhouette."Maybe you’re right."Sofia turns her gaze back toward the ocean horizon, her voice gentle."You don’t have to think about anything right now."The two remain there late into the night, watching the magnificent ocean beneath the quiet, protective canopy of the night sky.The next morning arrives much earlier and louder than Edward would have liked.A remarkably loud rooster crows agg
"Doing spontaneous things that aren't strictly planned makes them more memorable."Edward looks at her with amusement."So your entire vacation plan is to have no plan at all?""Exactly."He shakes his head with a quiet chuckle."You really managed to plan an entire vacation completely without a plan.""That’s the beauty of it."Edward looks back out the window at the morning sun."Okay. I have to admit... that may actually turn out to be more exciting than I expected."Sofia smiles warmly, leaning back in her seat."It definitely will be."As the peaceful morning gradually gives way to afternoon, the surrounding scenery becomes quieter and more serene.The bus finally reaches the provincial town in the warm afternoon heat, its dusty tires coming to a gentle halt by the side of the road.Sofia looks out the window, a soft and affectionate smile touching her lips as sh
Sofia pauses, blinking."What about me?""Who are you supposed to be, then?""I'm Sofia."Edward looks directly into her eyes."If I'm just Ed, you can't be Sofia."She blinks in confusion."Why not?""Because Sofia is known as Edward's wife."Sofia's cheeks warm slightly."Then what should I be?""Sofi.""Sofi?""Yes. That way, neither of us is Edward and Sofia."She laughs softly, finding the idea endearing."That's not really much different.""It doesn't have to be.""So, Ed and Sofi?""Do you not like it?"Sofia smiles genuinely."No, I like it."Edward picks up his travel bag."Then let's go, Sofi."She grins happily."Okay, Ed."They leave the penthouse together, stepping into a new beginning.The ride to the provincial bus terminal is quiet at first.Edward sits beside Sofia in the back seat of the cab, looking intently out the window as the city buildings blur past.Suddenly, his phone vibrates loudly in his pocket.He instinctively reaches for it.Sofia immediately looks over







