Sarah leaned back against the couch, her eyes closed, trying to stifle the discomfort she felt about the whole situation. Wrinkles. It wasn't something she liked to think about, much less discuss.
No woman liked feeling older than they should be, and yet, here she was, letting Martin of all people bring it up twice in one evening.
The truth was, Sarah hadn't had time for self-care in what felt like years. The grueling workload of law school had consumed her, leaving little room for rest or relaxation. Late nights spent poring over case law and regulations had taken their toll.
The fact that she had even made time for this gathering was a miracle in itself. But she had been curious—curious about Martin's sudden change, about the friend who had once drifted away and was now back, different in some inexplicable way.
As she reclined, her mind wandered, still only half-believing Martin's so-called facial treatment. To her, this was nothing more than a relaxation session. She didn't expect any miracles.
She had to admit, though, the feel of Martin's fingers as they danced lightly across her face was soothing. His touch was gentle, like dragonflies skimming over water, and as much as she didn't believe in his "technique," she found herself sinking deeper into the cushion, her body unwinding under his care.
Minutes passed. A strange, comfortable itch began to spread across her face, the sensation distinct enough that she noticed it immediately. Something was different, but she couldn't quite place what it was.
The feeling was there, subtle but persistent, as though her skin was shifting in some way beneath the surface.
Five minutes later, the sensation faded, leaving behind a heavy drowsiness. She hadn't expected it, but an overwhelming urge to sleep swept over her, and before she could resist, her body gave in.
Sarah drifted off, her breathing soft and even as she slipped into a deep sleep.
---
When Sarah woke up, sunlight was streaming through the windows, painting the room in a warm, golden glow. She jolted up, blinking in confusion as she realized she had fallen asleep on the couch.
A thin blanket covered her, tucked in place by someone's careful hands. She rubbed her eyes, then reached up instinctively to touch her face. The dry, crusty remnants of the face mask still clung to her skin.
The massage must have been incredible if it knocked me out, she thought, chuckling softly to herself. She looked around the apartment, finding it peaceful and quiet. Martin was nowhere to be seen, probably out grabbing breakfast or something.
Getting to her feet, Sarah folded the blanket neatly and made her way to the bathroom. As she stood before the mirror, her hand hovered over the faucet. Will it work? Was Martin actually telling the truth?
For a moment, she debated whether to look, but the tension in her chest grew unbearable. With a quick shake of her head, she splashed her face with water, washing off the remnants of the mask.
The slimy texture scraped off, and she scrubbed vigorously, rinsing her face over and over until her skin was clean.
Taking a deep breath, Sarah slowly raised her eyes to the mirror.
Three seconds of stunned silence passed before her jaw dropped.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, stumbling backward in shock.
Her reflection showed smooth, glowing skin—youthful, refreshed, almost as if she had stepped back in time.
Her disbelief erupted into a scream of surprise, loud enough to wake the dead.
---
Martin had just returned, grocery bags in hand, when he heard the scream. Dropping everything by the door, he sprinted toward the source of the noise, heart racing.
"What happened?!" he called out, his voice thick with concern.
Before he could get an answer, Sarah bolted out of the bathroom and crashed into him, wrapping her arms around his waist in a tight, breathless hug.
She buried her face in his chest, her emotions overflowing as she squeezed him tighter. Her head, without the heels she usually wore, rested right against his chest, and Martin froze, his arms awkwardly hovering above her.
He could feel her joy, her disbelief, but also her need for release. Gently, he lowered his hands, choosing not to reciprocate the hug but allowing her the comfort she sought. A few minutes later, Sarah's tight grip loosened, her face flushed red to the base of her neck.
She quickly stepped back, avoiding his gaze as she darted back into the bathroom, the door slamming shut behind her.
Martin chuckled to himself, brushing off the moment. "Congratulations," he called after her, laughing softly as he returned to the kitchen. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
---
Back in the kitchen, Martin smiled to himself, humming a light tune as he pulled out his phone. With Sarah needing some time alone, he decided to try something new for breakfast.
Scrolling through a recipe app, he landed on an appealing idea: a high-end, homemade breakfast—something he'd never done before. Why not, after all? The morning had already been filled with surprises.
Following the recipe step-by-step, Martin chopped vegetables for an avocado toast base, grilled some asparagus on the side, and whisked eggs for a light omelette.
He added a touch of finesse by drizzling balsamic glaze over everything, following the recipe's instructions carefully.
As the savory smells filled the apartment, he plated everything neatly, the bright colors of the ingredients making the meal look almost professional.
By the time Sarah reappeared from the bathroom, her face glowing and refreshed, the food was nearly done. She looked better than ever, though the awkwardness from earlier still lingered between them.
Neither of them mentioned the hug or the scream, as though by tacit agreement. Instead, they fell into easy conversation, teasing one another while finishing the breakfast preparations.
When Martin playfully smudged some sauce onto Sarah's face, she retaliated by wiping her hand on his shirt, leading to a round of laughter. The lighthearted moment was a welcome relief after the intensity of the night before.
After enjoying the wholesome breakfast together, Sarah leaned back in her chair, smiling.
"That was amazing," she said. "How about I repay the favor? Dinner at my place sometime soon?"
Martin grinned, agreeing without hesitation. They shared a platonic hug, Sarah placing a light kiss on his cheek before she left.
Martin watched her go, feeling more confident than ever. As soon as she was out the door, he slipped into his workout clothes, ready to take on the day with renewed energy and purpose.