Beyound the schedule

The week had gone by far too quickly—much to my displeasure.

One second, I was firmly against the idea of vacation, and the next, I was standing in my apartment, staring at an open suitcase while Elena and Chloe made themselves comfortable on my bed, offering the most unhelpful advice possible.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Why are you two even here?"

Elena stretched lazily, looking effortlessly elegant despite doing absolutely nothing productive. "Because you never take vacations, Lydia. This is a historic moment. We had to witness it."

Chloe, on the other hand, was already rummaging through my closet, holding up various outfits with a deeply judgmental expression. "We're here to help, obviously."

I did not feel helped.

I scowled as Chloe pulled out one of my neatly folded button-up blouses, shaking her head in disapproval. "Lydia, you're going on vacation. You do not need business casual."

"I don't even know where we're going," I muttered, folding a pair of pants with precision.

Chloe gasped. "Wait. You're telling me that you agreed to a two-week vacation with Freya without knowing where you're going?"

I tightened my jaw. "Yes."

Elena sat up, grinning like this was the most entertaining thing in the world. "You really trust her, huh?"

"I do not trust her," I corrected sharply. "I simply had no choice. She wouldn't tell me."

Chloe tossed the button-up aside like it was offensive, marching over and placing her hands on her hips.

"Okay, first of all, you are in danger. Second of all, you cannot—I repeat, cannot—go on vacation looking like you're about to conduct a corporate merger."

"I dress professionally," I said firmly.

Chloe grabbed my most structured blazer and waved it dramatically in my face. "This is a power move, not a vacation outfit."

I snatched it back. "It's both."

Elena laughed, clearly enjoying every second of this. "Come on, Lydia. It's two weeks. Let loose a little."

"I am loose."

Chloe gasped loudly. "That is the biggest lie you've ever told."

I rubbed my temples. "Fine. What exactly do you suggest?"

Chloe's eyes lit up with dangerous enthusiasm.

Before I could stop her, she was rifling through my suitcase, dramatically tossing out anything she deemed too boring, which, apparently, was everything.

"Gone. All of it." She threw a pair of modest slacks onto the floor like they had personally offended her. "Lydia, this is a vacation, not a board meeting."

I clenched my jaw. "I need clothes that are practical."

Chloe ignored me, digging into her bag and pulling out a tiny, black bikini that was definitely not mine.

"This," she said, holding it up proudly, "is what you should be packing."

I stared at her, expression blank. "That is not mine."

Chloe smirked. "It is now."

I folded my arms. "Absolutely not."

"Oh, come on, Lydia," Chloe whined, dangling the bikini in front of my face. "Live a little."

"I am alive," I deadpanned.

Elena snickered. "She has a point, though. You never show any skin. It wouldn't kill you."

I leveled them both with a sharp glare. "This conversation is over."

Chloe grinned. "You know who would appreciate this bikini?"

I stiffened immediately.

She gasped dramatically, eyes lighting up with pure evil. "Freya would love it."

Elena burst out laughing.

I slammed my suitcase shut.

"I hate you both."

Elena wiped at her eyes. "No, you don't."

Chloe wiggled her eyebrows. "Freya's gonna love seeing you in vacation mode."

"There is no vacation mode," I snapped. "I am the same all the time."

Chloe and Elena exchanged a look, clearly not believing me.

"Are you sure about that?" Chloe teased. "Because I think Freya's working her magic on you. Three weeks ago, you wouldn't have even considered a vacation."

"I did not have a choice," I said sharply.

Elena leaned in, smirking. "You did have a choice. And yet… here you are."

Chloe grinned. "You like her."

I exhaled sharply. "I tolerate her."

"Mm-hmm," Chloe hummed, clearly unconvinced. "Tolerate her so much that you're taking a mystery vacation with her?"

Elena snorted. "The fact that she didn't even tell you where you're going and you still said yes? That's trust, babe."

I glared. "Can you both shut up now?"

Elena burst into laughter, clearly having the time of her life at my expense.

"Don't worry," she said between amused chuckles, "I've got everything you might need."

I narrowed my eyes, already suspicious. "What do you mean by that?"

She didn't answer.

Instead, she just sat there, looking far too smug, while Chloe casually examined her nails like she knew something I didn't.

I crossed my arms, trying to ignore the growing sense of unease.

A few minutes later, just as I was finishing reorganizing my suitcase after Chloe's destruction, there was a knock on the door.

I frowned.

Elena immediately perked up. "Oh! That must be it."

"What must be—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Elena was already up, gracefully gliding toward the door.

She swung it open, revealing two delivery people standing outside, holding multiple garment bags, boxes, and shopping bags overflowing with clothes and accessories.

I blinked.

Then blinked again.

"What the hell is all this?" I asked, staring in disbelief as they began carrying everything inside.

Elena smiled sweetly, stepping aside as the delivery people set everything neatly on my couch. "Just a little something to make sure you're prepared."

I turned slowly, expression unreadable, as I took in the sheer volume of perfectly curated outfits—sundresses, sunglasses, comfortable yet stylish clothes, sandals, sneakers, and even a few more elegant pieces that I definitely wouldn't have picked for myself.

"Elena," I said carefully, "where did this all come from?"

She waved a perfectly manicured hand. "Oh, you know. Connections."

That was when it hit me.

Sometimes I forgot that Elena Steele—my friend, Carmen's wife, and an eternal source of mischief—was one of the most famous and influential models in the world.

This?

This was normal for her.

I sighed deeply, rubbing my temples. "You didn't have to do all this."

Elena smiled sweetly, patting my shoulder. "Oh, but I did. You don't even know where you're going, Lydia. What if you show up somewhere tropical in your usual boardroom chic?"

Chloe snickered from the bed. "Exactly. Disaster avoided."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself, as Elena grinned wider.

"Don't worry," she added smoothly, picking up a particularly elegant sundress and holding it up against me. "I knew your measurements. Everything will fit perfectly."

I froze.

Slowly turned to her.

"You what?"

Elena beamed innocently. "Oh, please, Lydia. You don't think I'd let you go on vacation looking like a tax auditor, do you? I planned ahead."

Chloe let out an actual cackle, collapsing onto the bed with unrestrained joy.

I stared at the mountain of clothes, at Elena's far-too-pleased expression, and at Chloe practically crying from laughter.

Then I sighed deeply, accepting my fate.