As the car pulled up to the entrance of the hotel, Elly hurriedly grabbed the keys from the valet parking assistant, clearly eager to leave. Emilio opened the door for Jen, and as she climbed in, the weight of the day seemed to settle into the air between them.
Both of them buckling their seatbelts in silence, Jen tried to focus on the quiet hum of the engine. But before she could settle in, Elly suddenly broke the silence, tone sharper than Jen had expected.
"James... what a piece of shit!," Elly muttered with frustration, "Flirting like that in front of a client.. colleague—its beyond unprofessional. Honestly, I don't know how he gets away with it."
Jen blinked, taken aback by the sudden outburst. Elly's usual calm composure was now replaced with a hint of anger.
"I mean, seriously, that's the kind of behavior that makes everyone uncomfortable," Elly continued, not looking at Jen but focusing on the road ahead. "And all awhile acting like he's doing us some sort of favor by showing off his 'charm.' It's just... pathetic."
Jen looked over at Elly, "You don't have to worry about me, you know." She said it lightly, though she meant it seriously. "I'm fine. I can handle James. I've dealt with worse."
"I know you can but that doesn't mean I'm okay with it." Elly said quietly.
Jen wasn't sure what to say to that. She wanted to say something reassuring, to tell she doesn't need protection, but the sincerity in Elly's voice made her pause.
After a moment, Elly added, "I can drive you to your place."
Jen panicked for a second and quickly shook her head. "No, it's okay. I will just take a cab home"
Elly insisted, tone kind but firm. "It's really no trouble. Let me do this for you. You've had a long day."
Jen hesitated but then gave in, her voice softening. "Okay"
Jen opened the door and stepped out of the car, but before she closed it, she turned to Elly with a small smile. "Thanks for the ride, Elly. I really appreciate it."
Elly nodded, "Anytime. Take care, Jen."
Jen closed the door, watching the car pull away with a strange feeling swirling in her chest. She couldn't quite place it. Maybe it was the lingering tension from the meeting. Or maybe it was something else, something in the way Elly reacted
When she stepped into her apartment, the quiet comfort of home did little to ease her mind. She kicked off her shoes and headed straight for the kitchen, opening the fridge and staring at the contents, but she wasn't really hungry. The unease hadn't left her.
Jen sat back on the couch, her eyes glued to the TV, but her mind wandered when her phone buzzed in her hand.
Elly: Sorry about how I reacted earlier. I didn't mean to vent all my anger on how unprofessional James had acted during our meeting.
Jen stared at the message for a moment, thinking.
Jen: No, it's okay. I understand.
A few seconds later, another text from Elly popped up.
Elly: I know it's Saturday, but are you free tomorrow? I want to make it up to you.
Jen chewed her lip, her thumb hovering over the screen. It wasn't like her to make plans last minute, but something about Elly's words made her want to say yes. After a long pause, she typed back.
Jen: I don't have any plans, so okay. But where are we going?
A moment later, Elly replied, a hint of excitement—or maybe just something unspoken—flaring through the words.
Elly: I want to visit the waterfalls at Palmera. We can have a picnic there. Or whatever. You might want to bring clothes for a swim. Can I pick you up at 7am?
Jen smiled, an unexpected warmth spreading through her chest at the thought.
Jen: Okay.
The next morning, Jen was bustling around her kitchen, carefully packing her things for the trip. She made a couple of sandwiches, for herself and Elly—just a little something to make the journey more comfortable. As she wrapped them up, her phone buzzed with a message from Elly.
Elly: You ready? I'm outside now.
Jen quickly replied: Yah, coming. She rushed to finish locking up, her heart quickening with a mix of excitement and nerves.
She grabbed the sandwiches and hurried out the door, where Elly was already waiting, leaning casually against the car. When they saw each other, a warm smile spread across them.
"Good morning" Elly greeted, the sound of the voice settling a quiet calm in Jen's chest.
Jen returned the smile. "Good morning. I made some sandwiches we can eat on the way there."
Elly's eyes lit up with surprise. "Wow, so sweet of you," came the response, clearly touched by the gesture. Then, with a playful grin, added, "It'd be perfect if we had some coffee to go with it. We can hit the drive-thru on our way."
Jen grinned back, her excitement bubbling up. "Great! Let's go."
The ride was easy, comfortable. The car hummed softly on the road as they chatted, the air filled with laughter and playful banter. Jen fed Elly the sandwiches she'd made, watching as Elly took each bite with exaggerated enthusiasm, like it was the best thing they'd ever eaten, despite the simple nature of it.
The drive was quiet for a moment, but the comfortable kind of silence that comes with being around someone you don't need to fill every second with words. They both knew the day ahead would be full of fresh air and good scenery, and that was enough.
As they arrived at the entrance to the waterfalls, a local man waved them down.
Elly rolled down the window, offering a polite smile. "Good morning, is there a problem?"
The local glanced at them, then pointed toward a dirt path that veered off to the side. "Nothing major. Just wanted to let you know that you can't drive toward the falls today. It's too slippery up ahead. You'll need to park over there and walk."
Elly's face tightened slightly with worry, and they quickly glanced over at Jen. "Sorry, Jen. I didn't expect this. I should've checked before we came…"
Jen, sensing Elly's over-explaining, smiled and cut in with a light-hearted tone. "It's okay, Elly. Don't sweat it."
Elly chuckled, though a little sheepishly, but the concern lingered. "Yeah, but there's gonna be a long walk from here."
Jen shrugged casually, already gathering her things. "It's fine. We're here now. We'll make it an adventure."
They began the hike carefully, stepping cautiously over the wet rocks and slick trails. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth, and the sound of rushing water filled the space between them. Jen glanced over at Elly every now and then, noting how they helped each other navigate the more treacherous parts of the path. Each time one of them stumbled, the other was right there, steadying them.
Jen laughed lightly as they made their way forward. "I think we're both going to be pros at this by the time we leave."
Elly grinned, adjusting their footing. "As long as we make it without any embarrassing falls, I'll call it a win."
The closer they got, the louder the sound of the waterfall grew, filling the air with its rhythmic roar. Finally, as they rounded a bend, the waterfall came into full view—an impressive cascade of water tumbling down over jagged rocks, framed by lush greenery.
Jen stopped in her tracks, wide-eyed, taking it all in. "Wow... this is incredible."
Elly, equally mesmerized, nodded in agreement. "I wasn't expecting it to be this... breathtaking. It's like something out of a dream."
Jen pulled out her phone and began snapping pictures. "Yeah, I don't want to forget any of this. It's too perfect."
Elly watched her for a moment, then gestured to a patch of soft grass a little further up. "Hey, that spot looks perfect for the picnic mat. We can set up there. Plus, it's got a great view of the waterfall."
Jen looked over, her eyes narrowing slightly as she evaluated the spot. "Good eye. It's nice and open, and the view's amazing." She moved toward the spot and started spreading out the mat, "This place really feels like a hidden gem."
As Elly helped arrange their things, they looked out at the waterfall again. "It's crazy how places like this still exist, you know? You almost forget that there's still so much beauty to see out there."
Jen paused, looking at Elly, a slight smile forming. "Yeah. Makes you appreciate the little things more."
Then she was immediately struck by the delicious array of food Elly had set out—grilled chicken, hummus, a cheese plate, fresh bread, various spreads, and dips. It was nothing like what Jen had expected for a casual picnic.
Jen stared, wide-eyed. "Wait... You cooked all of these?"
Elly chuckled, clearly amused by Jen's surprise. "Yeah, I did."
Jen was taken aback and looked at the array of food again, "That's... kind of impressive."
Elly grinned, clearly proud of the food, but shrugged it off. "I mean, it's just cooking. But it's nice to make something that actually tastes good for once."
Jen laughed, sitting down. "Well, I'm glad you did, because this looks amazing."
After a few more minutes of chatting and enjoying the food, Elly leaned back on the picnic mat, glancing at the waterfall with a smile. "You know," Elly said, looking over at Jen, "this place looks too perfect not to take a dip. What do you think? You up for a swim?"
Jen raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A swim? Here?"
Elly nodded, their eyes bright with excitement. "Yeah! It's not every day you get to swim by a waterfall. It'll be fun. The water's cold, but it's worth it."
Jen hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "Alright, why not? But if I freeze, I'm blaming you."
Elly laughed. "Fair enough. But you'll thank me after. Come on, let's go!"
Elly stood up, stretching. And started pulling off the outer layers of clothing, revealing a toned, athletic body beneath. Jen's eyes widened for a second—caught off guard by how effortlessly confident Elly seemed—but quickly turned away, trying to hide a grin.
With a playful flick, Elly tossed the shirt at Jen. "Come on," came the easy, teasing voice.
Jen laughed, catching the shirt mid-air. She set it aside and, in the same playful spirit, tugged off her own clothes, revealing a figure that made Elly's eyes linger just a little longer than necessary. Jen caught the look, raising an eyebrow. "What? You didn't think I could keep up, did you?"
Elly grinned, though there was no hint of judgment in the smile. "I know exactly what you've got," came the casual reply, as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.
Jen just smirked, winking before heading toward the water. "You better keep up, then."
The moment they both hit the water, a shock of cold surged through their bodies, and they both froze for a second, gasping.
Jen sputtered, her teeth chattering. "Okay, definitely wasn't ready for that! Feels like a freezer in here!"
Elly laughed, splashing Jen lightly. "I told you it was cold! But hey, at least we're awake now, right?"
Jen flicked water back at Elly, grinning. "I don't know about awake, but I'm definitely regretting this now!"
They both started swimming further out, their laughter echoing against the sound of the waterfall. Jen dove under the water and popped up with a dramatic shake of her head, sending droplets flying. "This is insane!" she called out. "But… honestly, kinda fun."
Elly grinned, paddling with ease beside her. "Told you! It's the best part of the day. We'll be warmed up by the time we get out."
Jen rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but laugh. "If I don't turn into an ice cube first."
The two of them swam around, racing, splashing, and just enjoying the simplicity of the moment. There was no pressure, no expectations—just like two best friends having the time of their lives, completely in the moment.
After a while, Jen finally clambered out of the water, her body shivering from the cold. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to warm up, when Elly approached with a towel in hand, draping it over Jen's shoulders. The soft fabric offered immediate relief.
Jen looked up at Elly, her teeth still chattering. "Thanks," she said, managing a small smile.
Elly's playful grin tugged at the corners of the mouth."You're welcome. Next time, I'll recommend we swim in a heated pool instead."
Jen laughed, shaking her head. "Definitely a good idea."
Elly sat down on the picnic mat, the warmth of the sun finally starting to ease the chill. Jen couldn't help but glance over—sunlight caught in Elly's hair, casting a golden halo around them. It made everything about the moment feel… just a little bit more perfect, as if the world had quieted, leaving only Elly in focus.
Subtly, Jen pulled out her phone, snapping a quick photo of Elly. She couldn't resist—it was one of those candid, beautiful moments she wanted to remember.
Elly caught her, smirking. "Taking sneaky photos, huh? What's the deal?"
Jen quickly pocketed the phone, pretending to be innocent. "Nothing, just thought you looked… photogenic."
Elly laughed, "Alright, alright. Keep it for your scrapbook, I guess."
Jen's curiosity got the best of her as she noticed the tattoo on Elly's left side, near the ribs—an elegant whisk, subtly inked into the skin.
"A whisk" Jen murmured, leaning in slightly and gently touching the tattoo.
Elly glanced down at the tattoo with a soft smile. "Yeah, it's a whisk. I used to love baking before I got into cooking professionally. I thought it'd be a good reminder of something I enjoyed before everything shifted."
Jen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What shifted?"
Elly's expression turned a little more reflective as they adjusted on the mat. "Well, I didn't stick with the whole chef thing for long. My dad needed help with the family business, so I came back. Cooking's still a big part of who I am, but now it's more of a hobby than a career."
Jen nodded thoughtfully, understanding the shift. "That makes sense. I get the need to balance passion and practicality."
Elly shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corner of the mouth. "Yeah, sometimes you have to put those dreams on pause for the things that really matter. But the whisk is a little reminder of what I used to love."
Jen smiled back, admiring the tattoo's significance. "That's actually kind of beautiful. Even if things changed, you're still holding onto those parts of yourself."
Elly glanced over at Jen, their gaze softening. "I guess so. What about you? Any tattoos with hidden meanings?"
Jen pulled the strap of her swimsuit down to reveal the butterfly tattoo near her shoulder blade, its delicate wings barely visible in the sunlight. "This one's about freedom. It's my reminder to keep pushing boundaries and staying true to myself."
Elly's eyes lingered for a moment on the tattoo, appreciating its elegance. "It's perfect for you, simple, but meaningful."
Jen smiled, the compliment warm and genuine. "Thanks. I think we both ended up with tattoos that say something about who we are."
After spending some time by the waterfall, they packed up and made their way back to the car. The walk back felt longer than either of them had expected, each step back up the path reminding them that the descent earlier had been much easier.
Jen let out an exaggerated sigh, wiping her brow as they reached the car. "I thought coming down would be better than climbing up, but honestly, it felt about the same."
Elly laughed, "Told you, gravity's not playing fair today. You'd think we'd be able to coast back with the way we came down."
Jen rolled her eyes but grinned. "If only."
They climbed into the car, and as soon as the engine started, the ride back was filled with the sounds of laughter and easy chatter. It was the kind of conversation that flowed without effort—talking about everything and nothing all at once. From funny memories, random observations, to plans for future trips, the car seemed like a little bubble of comfort, full of warmth and familiarity.
Jen turned to Elly as they drove, the sunlight fading behind them. "You know, today was perfect. Not sure what I expected, but it turned out way better than I thought."
Elly shot her a grin, eyes focused on the road. "I told you it would be. Just needed to get you out of the house."
Jen chuckled. "Yeah, well, mission accomplished. Guess I owe you one now."
"Don't worry," Elly replied, "I'll find something else to drag you into eventually."
The rest of the drive home passed in a comfortable silence, the kind of quiet that only comes from being with someone you've known long enough to enjoy every second, whether you're talking or not.