"Suitcase, Sass & Strategy"
I sank into the worn couch at my place, phone pressed to my ear, and sighed heavily.
Sophie's cheerful voice came through instantly, like a burst of sunshine on a cloudy day.
"So, spill it, Ella! How's the mysterious business trip with Mr. Michael going?
You sound exhausted already."
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the unexpected week ahead of me.
"Exhausted doesn't even begin to cover it, Soph.
He just drops this 'we're going on a week-long trip' bomb on me with barely two days to pack.
No warning, no heads-up, nothing."
Sophie laughed, loud and unapologetic. "Classic Michael.
The man's got a PhD in last-minute surprises.
Two days to pack? Girl, you better start throwing random things into a suitcase and hope for the best."
I rolled my eyes, half-smiling despite myself.
"I barely even know what to bring.
Business casual? Casual casual? Magical moonlight outfits for spontaneous kisses? I'm so confused."
"Don't forget to seduce," Sophie teased, her voice dripping with mock seriousness.
"You're gonna be stuck alone with Mr. M for an entire week.
Make sure you have some killer moves ready."
I chuckled, but couldn't help the nervous flutter in my stomach.
"Whenever I get serious about this, that's when you laugh the most."
"Well, someone's gotta keep the mood light when you're drowning in romantic chaos," she replied.
"Speaking of chaos, when are you both leaving?"
"Two days from now," I said, rubbing my temples. "I have so much to do, packing, work stuff, and honestly, trying to prepare myself mentally for the… whatever this is."
Sophie gave an exaggerated gasp.
"Two days?! Girl, you need a personal assistant, a stylist, and maybe a miracle.
Should I come over with some snacks and pep talks?"
"Please," I muttered. "You're my only hope."
She giggled. "I'll bring wine. Lots of it. We'll strategize and survive this together."
I sighed again, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
"And if that wasn't enough drama, Joe showed up again at the office today.
Can you believe it?"
"Joe? Again?" Sophie's voice rose in mock horror.
"Is this a soap opera or real life? Two men circling like vultures."
"I know," I whispered. "I'm honestly so sad and confused.
I should have handled things better, but now I don't even know what to do.
Two men. Both are interested, it seems. And here I am, stuck in the middle."
"Exactly why we need a plan," Sophie said firmly.
"We're going to strategize, girl. Like a friendship war room. Operation: Find Out Who's Serious."
I laughed despite the turmoil.
"A war room, huh? Should I prepare a whiteboard and some charts?"
"Absolutely. Snacks, whiteboard, maybe some glitter for motivation," Sophie added.
"Step one: figure out who's actually willing to fight for you and who's just passing through."
I smiled, grateful for her steady presence.
"You always make me feel like I'm not losing it."
"That's what friends are for. Now, bring on the chaos, Ella. We've got a plan to make."
The apartment looked like a tornado had just passed through; clothes were scattered everywhere, shoes lined up like soldiers, and half-packed bags lay open on the bed.
Sophie stood in the middle of the chaos, hands on her hips, surveying the scene like a general about to lead a battle.
"Ella, are you sure you didn't just throw your entire closet on the floor?
Because this looks like a fashion explosion," she teased, her eyes wide as she dodged a rogue sandal.
I groaned, holding up a lime-green blouse that screamed too much.
"I have no idea what to bring.
Business meetings, casual dinners, and some mysterious 'seduction' session, according to you."
Sophie snatched the blouse from me and gave it an exaggerated once-over.
"This? No. You want subtle, not 'I'm auditioning for a neon circus.'"
I threw my hands up in mock surrender.
"Alright, fashion police, what do I pack then?"
She grinned, heading over to the closet with ninja-like precision.
"Step one: ditch the loud colors.
Step two: Pick versatile pieces" you can mix and match.
Step three: Don't forget your secret weapon, comfortable shoes. You'll thank me later."
I pulled out a pair of sleek black flats and held them up. "These?"
"Perfect. But leave the heels behind unless you want to look like you're trying to fight Mr. Michael while balancing on stilts."
I laughed, tossing the heels back into the pile.
"Noted. What about accessories? Should I bring the giant statement necklace?"
Sophie gasped, clutching her chest.
"Ella! That thing could double as a weapon.
No one wants you walking into a business meeting looking like a disco ball."
"Okay, fine. What then?"
She picked up a simple silver pendant and dangled it from her fingers. "This.
Classy, understated, and doesn't scream 'I'm compensating for something.'"
On the final day, I packed, whilst Sophie kept up a running commentary,
making jokes about my tendency to overpack and her theory that I secretly enjoyed creating chaos in my suitcase.
"Operation Suitcase Survival is in full swing," she declared dramatically.
"By the end of this, you'll have a wardrobe that says 'confident, mysterious, and ready to handle last-minute business trips'."
"Or maybe just 'confused, tired, and hoping for the best,'" I muttered with a grin.
Sophie winked. "Either way, we got this.
And remember, if all else fails, just bring snacks.
Snacks solve everything."
I nodded seriously. "Snacks, it is. You're a genius, Soph."
As we zipped up the suitcase, I felt a little lighter.
Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all, with Sophie by my side, even the most stressful moments came with a side of laughter.
As we stood by the now-bursting suitcase, Sophie folded her arms and gave me a playful pout.
"I still can't believe you're leaving me for a whole week. A whole week, Ella. How dare you?"
I chuckled, zipping up the suitcase while trying to tame the mess of clothes still on my bed.
"It's not like I'm going to another continent, Soph."
"You might as well be," she huffed dramatically.
"Who's going to rant about weird office gossip with me? Or help me stalk hot baristas from a safe distance?"
I smiled, warmth blooming in my chest.
"I'll miss you, too."
Sophie crossed the room in two quick steps and gave me a tight hug.
Then, pulling back, she jabbed a finger at me like a mother hen.
"Listen carefully, soldier: Call me before you leave.
Then, text me the moment you land. No ghosting, no silence.
If you even think about skipping a check-in, I will fly over there with snacks and slap sense into you."
I burst into laughter. "Noted. So, Operation Update Sophie is a go."
"And don't forget to gist me every single detail," she added, wagging her brows.
"Even the boring ones, like if Mr. Michael snores, or if his cologne smells like commitment."
"Oh my God, Sophie!" I laughed, swatting her playfully.
She winked. "What? I have to keep you alert.
And don't forget our plan, we're doing a proper strategy session when you get back."
I raised an eyebrow. "Strategy?"
"To figure out which of those two men wants you, of course!" she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Joe with his contract-messy-love-chaos, or Mr. Michael with his 'call me Michael, let me whisper to you while making business look sexy' vibes."
I shook my head, already knowing this week would come with endless overthinking.
"I don't even know what I want right now, Soph."
She softened. "That's okay. You don't have to know today.
Just go, be present, enjoy the trip… "and when you get back, we'll sort through the mess together.
Deal?"
I nodded, pulling her into one last hug. "Deal."
As I rolled my suitcase toward the door, Sophie followed behind dramatically like I was heading to war.
"May your wi-fi be strong and your lip gloss unbothered," she intoned like a farewell blessing.
I looked back at her, smiling. "Love you, Soph."
"Love you more. Now go knock 'em dead, and don't forget the snacks."