Chapter 2 Growing old

As she sat in her car, inching forward in the heavy traffic, Lexi's gaze drifted to the rearview mirror. Her eyes scanned her reflection, and she winced. The crawling wrinkles on her cheeks seemed more pronounced when she smiled, and the small bags under her eyes told the tale of sleepless nights. She looked a mess.

Her gaze lingered on her hair, where strands of gray peeked through the honey-brown locks. Should she dye it again? The thought crossed her mind, but it felt like a temporary solution to a deeper issue.

Lexi's thoughts began to unravel. She was growing old fast, it seemed. Her work life was perfect – successful, fulfilling, and secure – but her personal life was a different story altogether. The breakup with Adrian still stung, and the knowledge that he was already seeing someone younger only added salt to the wound.

As the traffic crawled, Lexi's mind wandered to the what-ifs. What if she had been more committed? What if she had taken more risks? The questions swirled, taunting her.

The sound of honking horns and revving engines snapped Lexi back to reality. She put the car in gear and inched forward, lost in thought. The city lights blurred around her, a reminder of the life she had built – successful, yet somehow incomplete.

The GPS announced her arrival at home, breaking the spell. Lexi pulled into her parking spot, collecting her belongings. The silence of her apartment enveloped her, a stark contrast to the chaos of her thought?

Lexi stepped out of her car and onto the quiet parking lot of her apartment complex. The soft glow of the evening lights cast a warm ambiance, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her. She grabbed her bag and began walking towards her apartment, the click of her heels echoing through the stillness.

As she entered her apartment, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, a reminder of her busy morning. The spacious living room doubled as her office when she was walking from home, with a sleek desk nestled in the corner. Awards and accolades from her publishing career adorned the walls, testifying to her success as Chief Editor at City Lights Publishing.

Lexi dropped her bag onto the couch and made her way to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of wine, the rich aroma filling the air as she took a sip. The silence of her apartment was a welcome respite from the chaos of her thoughts.

Her gaze wandered to the bookshelves lining the walls, filled with manuscripts, bestsellers, and classics. Lexi's passion for storytelling had driven her to build a renowned publishing house from scratch. Her professional life was a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Yet, as she stood there, sipping her wine, Lexi couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness. Her personal life, once full of promise, now seemed barren. The breakup with Adrian had exposed the cracks in her facade.

With a sigh, Lexi settled onto the couch, her eyes drifting to the city skyline outside her window. The twinkling lights seemed to mock her, reminding her again of the life she had yet to build.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lexi settled into her cubicle, surrounded by the gentle hum of office activity. She had considered working from home, but being around colleagues kept her grounded. The soft chatter and occasional laughter created a comforting background noise, helping her stay focused.

As she booted up her computer, Lexi's mind began to juggle work tasks and party preparations. Her to-do list was lengthy: finalize the manuscript for the upcoming bestseller, review marketing strategies, and tackle the never-ending email inbox.

But her personal agenda took priority. During lunch, she'd leave work to the salon to dye her hair and tackle those pesky bags under her eyes. A quick makeover would boost her confidence, essential for tonight's bachelorette bash.

Lexi dove into her work, efficiently tackling each task. Her colleagues occasionally popped by to discuss projects or share gossip. The office dynamics were familiar and comforting, a welcome distraction from her personal life.

As she worked, someone put a cup of Americano on her table, Lexi looked up and her eyes met Kyle's warm gaze, her smile faltering for a moment. "Thanks for the coffee, Kyle. You're a lifesaver."

Kyle's brow furrowed with concern. "You know you didn't have to come to work today, Lexi. You should've stayed home and rested."

Lexi's hands wrapped around the cup, feeling the warmth seep into her palms. "I need to work, Kyle. There's a lot to be done."

" Are you sure Lexi? You don't look alright."

Kyle's persistence was endearing, but Lexi's mind was made up. "I know you can't resist babying me, Kyle, but I'm fine."

Kyle chuckled, shaking his head. "You never listen, Lexi." As he walked back to his cubicle, he called out, "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Lexi watched Kyle go, his words lingering. She appreciated his kindness, but rest was a luxury she couldn't afford now.

As she took a sip of the rich, bold coffee, Lexi felt a surge of gratitude toward Kyle. His thoughtfulness was a balm to her frazzled nerves.

As lunchtime approached, Lexi's excitement grew. She grabbed her bag and slipped out, leaving the office chaos behind.

"Hey, Lexi! Where are you off to?" her coworker, Emily, called out.

"Salon appointment," Lexi replied with a smile. "Gotta look fabulous for Rachel's party!"

Emily chuckled. "You're going to rock that party!"

Lexi laughed, feeling a surge of anticipation. For the next few hours, she'd focus on self-care and transformation.