BLARING ALARM! "Wake up, sleepyhead! You're gonna be late for your big meeting!" boomed Lisa's mom from down the hall.

Lisa cracked open one eye, squinting at the traitorous numbers glowing on her phone screen. 8:00 AM! In a panic, she shrieked, "I'm gonna be toast!"

Scrambling out of bed, she threw on clothes in a whirlwind, muttering, "Meeting, meeting, gotta get to that meeting!"

Downstairs, her ever-prepared mom stood with a plate of steaming pancakes. "Breakfast, honey?" she offered.

"No time, Mom! Gotta fly!" Lisa grabbed her bag and bolted towards the door.

Her mom chuckled knowingly. "I figured this might happen," she said, holding up a brown paper bag. "Here's your lunch, all packed and ready to go. Don't forget to eat! I even snuck in some fruits and almonds for a healthy boost."

Lisa snatched the bag with a grateful, "Thanks, Mom! I'll email you the bus tickets later, okay?"

Ok Lisa. I will be waiting for your email.

With a quick peck on her cheek, Lisa sprinted out the door, leaving a trail of wind in her wake.

Lisa slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a rogue grocery cart. "Phew, close call," she muttered, glancing at her phone. She called Selene through her car

Ringing……Ringing…….Ringing…… Picks up

"Hey, Selene, what's up?"

"So, why did you call me, Lisa?" Selene's voice crackled through the line.

"Selen-eeee! I need a huge favor. Can you buy a ticket for my mom and email it to me ASAP? I'm in a mad rush," Lisa pleaded.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Consider it done, but you do remember that we are going somewhere this weekend.

Lisa winced. "Yeah, yeah," she mumbled, inching forward in the crawling traffic. "Look, I appreciate the thought, but..."

"But nothing!" Selene interrupted. "You're always glued to work! Home, studio, repeat. It's boring!"

Lisa gritted her teeth. Selene meant well, but her idea of fun often involved facing her fears while dangling precariously off a cliff (not Lisa's cup of tea).

"And remember that cute friend I introduced you to last month?" Selene continued, oblivious to Lisa's internal struggle. "The one you, uh, 'ditched' without even showing up?"

Lisa groaned. "Selene, it wasn't like that! I just... wasn't feeling up to meeting someone new."

"But you said you would!" Selene's voice laced with disappointment. "I thought you were trying to be more social!"

Lisa sighed, frustrated. "Look, I appreciate you looking out for me, but I'm happy being single and focused on my work. Okay?"

Before Selene could respond, Lisa spotted the building. "Uh oh, gotta go! Just reached the meeting place. Talk to you later!"

Hanging up abruptly, Lisa parked her car and rushed inside. Today's meeting involved story-boarding concepts for a brand new animation project. Lisa, a master of visualizing scenes and crafting visual narratives, was eager to dive in.

But before she could even greet her colleagues, a frantic voice called out from behind her. "Lisa! You made it!"

It was Sarah, the animation director, her usually calm demeanor replaced by a flustered expression. "Thank goodness! We were starting to think you wouldn't make it!"

Lisa, still breathless from her morning dash, offered a weak smile. "Sorry, I had a bit of a... situation."

Sarah chuckled. "No worries, we all have those mornings. Now, come on, let's get this story-boarding session started!"

After the meeting went well, Lisa calls Selene.

"Hey, it's Lisa."

"Ah, Lisa! I sent you the tickets. Did you get them?" Selene replies.

"Thanks, Selene. Got them. I appreciate it. How was your meeting?"

"It was good! We all got along well. We talked about the new game that's coming out soon."

"That's awesome, Lisa! How's everything else going? Any new updates?"

"Yeah, I just landed a new movie! It's a romantic drama, and I'm super excited. We start shooting in March."

"That's great! Good luck with it, Selene. You've really become a fantastic actress."

"Don't make me blush, Lisa. Looks like the director's calling me. Bye, Lisa, and say hi to your mom for me."

"Will do. Bye, Selene."

Arriving home, Lisa packed her mom's things while their conversation replayed in her mind.

"Mom Selene said hi to you," Lisa smiled, remembering her friend.

"Oh, Selene! Such a cute child," her mom reminisced. "Now she's a popular actress. I always watch her movies, she's incredible! But..." her voice trailed off, "...you, Lisa, with your career taking off, I worry. What will my daughter do?" A sigh escaped her lips.

"Mom, I don't want to marry yet," Lisa countered gently. "I need to focus on my career. Marriage will come when it's meant to be."

"Marriage? You make it sound so simple! Do you think I want you to search endlessly for someone? Next time, I'm bringing photos of boys from our hometown. You can choose from there."

Lisa sighed, a hint of exasperation creeping in. "Yes, Mom, alright. As you say."

The conversation continued as they reached the bus station. "Here," Lisa said, thrusting some money into her mom's hand. "This is for you and Dad. Call me when you get there, alright?"

Giving her mom a hug, Lisa said goodbye. "See you soon."

Left alone, Lisa watched the bus pull away. "Partner, huh?" she mused to herself, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features.