An idea struck her like a bolt of lightning. Grabbing her phone, she dialed Selene's number.
"Hey, Selene," Lisa greeted, her voice laced with a hint of desperation. "Quick question, travel expert extraordinaire. Need your advice on something."
"Advice, huh?" Selene's voice boomed through the receiver. "Spill it! Did you finally snag yourself a boyfriend? Trying to figure out how to impress him with your non-existent cooking skills?"
Lisa winced at Selene's teasing but couldn't help but crack a smile. "Well, something like that," she admitted sheepishly.
"Something like that? This is a bombshell! The Lisa who runs a mile from anything remotely resembling romance is suddenly seeking relationship advice? Tell me everything!"
Lisa, in a rare moment of vulnerability, poured out her heart. She described the storm, Luka's unexpected arrival, their stolen moments in the park, the undeniable connection she felt with him. By the end of her story, she was breathless, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Wowza, Lisa," Selene finally said, a hint of awe in her voice. "Sounds like Prince Charming finally showed up, huh? Alright, alright, enough mush. You mentioned a trip? Spill the details. Where are we thinking, and more importantly, where can we avoid the selfie stick brigade?"
Relief washed over Lisa. Selene, ever the reliable friend, was on board. "I haven't figured out the destination yet," Lisa confessed. "That's where the 'advice' part comes in. Any hidden gems come to mind? Somewhere beautiful, secluded, and preferably with minimal crowds?"
"Consider it done, girlfriend," Selene declared with a flourish. "I'll scour the web and message you with some options in a jiffy. Now, go get yourself a coffee and dream about holding hands with your mysterious traveler under a starry sky."
Lisa laughed, a genuine sound filled with anticipation. Maybe, just maybe, this trip with Luka wouldn't just be an escape from the ordinary; it might be the start of something extraordinary.
The dial tone buzzed in Lisa's ear as she hung up with Selene. Impatience gnawed at her, and she found herself pacing the room, checking her phone every few seconds. Finally, a notification chimed, and Lisa practically leaped to grab it.
It was Selene. A message and a location ping. Relief washed over her as she opened the message.
"Found the perfect spot, Lisa!" Selene's text read. "Just a scenic 50km drive from your place, nestled near a majestic mountain. Check the location – it's a hidden gem! "
Lisa zoomed in on the map, a smile spreading across her face. It looked idyllic – secluded, surrounded by nature, and far, far away from any selfie stick-wielding tourists. Perfect.
"Thanks, Selene, you're a lifesaver!" Lisa texted back.
But Selene wasn't done yet. Moments later, another message arrived, filled with emojis.
"Oh, and guess what, Lisa? Legend has it that there's a temple near the mountain," Selene wrote. "If two soul mates pray there wholeheartedly, they're destined to be together for seven lifetimes! "
Lisa snorted. "Seriously, Selene? Seven lifetimes? Sounds a bit dramatic, don't you think?"
"Hey, don't knock it till you try it, girlfriend!" Selene replied. "Besides, even if it's just a silly legend, it could be a fun little ritual for you and your mystery man."
Lisa couldn't argue with that. A playful smile tugged at her lips. Maybe a little harmless flirting wouldn't hurt.
Suddenly, a new message popped up, this time with a hotel confirmation attached. "And speaking of your mystery man," Selene continued, "consider your accommodations booked! Plus, I threw in a travel-sized version of your meds – you know how forgetful you are, and I don't want you collapsing on a mountain peak. "
Lisa groaned. "Selene, you are unbelievable! But seriously, thank you. You've thought of everything."
Just then, another message arrived. "Hold on a sec," Selene wrote. "Just realized I don't actually know who this mystery mountain man is! Spill the details, girlfriend!"
Lisa, in a rare burst of openness, shared Luka's social media profiles with Selene.
"Whoa, Lisa," Selene replied a moment later. "This guy is the complete opposite of you! From the looks of his social media, he's an adventurer, a thrill-seeker, always jetting off to some exotic location. Opposites attract, right?"
Lisa had to admit, Selene had a point. Luka's life was a whirlwind of adventure, a stark contrast to her own routine. Yet, there was something undeniably magnetic about him.
"Maybe you're right," Lisa texted back. "Opposites attract. Anyway, thanks again for everything, Selene. You're the best!"
"Anytime, Lisa! Now go pack your bags and dream about conquering mountains and hearts with your mysterious traveler. My evil director is calling, so gotta go. But seriously, keep me posted! "
With a smile on her face and a newfound excitement bubbling in her chest, Lisa packed her bags, her heart filled with anticipation for the adventure that awaited her. Three days, a hidden paradise, and a chance to explore a connection with a man as enigmatic as the mountains themselves. This trip was shaping up to be more than just an escape from the ordinary; it was a chance to rewrite the narrative of her life, one adventure at a time.