Last Resorts

Alise hastily packed her suitcase, shoving items inside without much care as the weight of her decision pressed upon her. Doubts started to linger like a persistent murmur in the depths of her mind. She stopped, contemplating: Was this truly the right choice? Could she genuinely find contentment with this?

She pondered for a moment before brushing those thoughts off, continuing to throw items into her suitcase. Minutes passed, and her suitcase was full and heavier, burdened not only with her belongings. She finally zipped it shut, a mixture of apprehension and determination filling her heart. There was no turning back now.

She sat down as the prospect of returning home filled her with dread; it felt like a retreat after venturing so far down this one-way street with no exit.

She thought about the events that had led her to this point – the betrayal by the two people she trusted most and the uncertainty surrounding her career that had pushed her further toward this choice. She began to see this as an opportunity to regain control of her life as she moved forward, even if it meant stepping into the unknown.

Turning off the lights and settling into bed, sleep eluded her, but she clung to the hope that her current decisions would lead to something good. She drifted into a restless slumber, steeling herself to face whatever was ahead.

The next morning arrived with a harsh intrusion of light through the curtains, prompting her to groan in discomfort.

Squinting, she rose from a restless sleep, dragging herself out of bed, her body weighed down by fatigue. "I don't think I can manage a full morning routine today," she mumbled.

She settled for a quick wash of her face and a hasty toothbrushing session as she hastily dressed. Glancing around the room, all that remained was her suitcase.

She sat in the hotel room, anticipation growing with each passing minute as she awaited her father's text confirming the arrival of the car. The room felt smaller, suffocating now.

Finally, she heard the ding from her phone she'd been waiting for, though it felt like an eternity, it was only half an hour later.

She jumped up, adrenaline coursing through her, grabbed her suitcase, and locked the hotel room behind her. Stepping into the hallway, her footsteps echoed loudly. Anticipation continued to gnaw at her. As she entered the elevator, she was overthinking everything as she watched the final destination.

Finally reaching the first floor, a wave of relief washed over her. She released her grip on the rails and made her way out of the elevator and to the front desk to check out. After doing that, she walked out through the hotel's revolving doors.

Outside, she spotted a man holding a sign with her name on it. Approaching him, he carefully reviewed the information to confirm her identity. They spent about five minutes going over details before he guided her toward the car.

The car was a sleek, black sedan with tinted windows, symbolizing her family's status and security. The driver, a stoic yet courteous man, opened the door for her. As she settled into the plush leather seat, she couldn't help but reflect on the thorough identification process.

Her father was always cautious because their wealth brought unexpected possibilities and potential dangers, necessitating their family's vigilance.

She rested her head against the window as the car began to move. From the back seat, she observed pedestrians hurrying along the sidewalks, each lost in their world.

Street vendors sold their wares on bustling corners. And so, with every passing mile, she began to feel motion sickness creeping in, prompting her to close her eyes in the hope of finding relief.

The rhythmic hum of the car's engine provided a comforting backdrop. She concentrated on her breath, each inhale and exhale a deliberate effort to calm the unease that had been building in her stomach.

In the darkness behind her eyelids, she felt herself slowly fading into a peaceful slumber. The soothing sounds of the engine and the gentle rise and fall of her chest lulled her into a state of deep relaxation.

Someone repeatedly called her name as she woke up disoriented and discomfited in a haze. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up as the man was addressing her. "We're here," he said. She sat up slowly, stretching in the back seat as she gazed out the window, taking in the sight of her family mansion.

With a mixture of emotions, she stepped out of the car and walked towards the entrance of the mansion. The grand double doors opened before her, revealing the opulent foyer with its marble floors and towering chandeliers.

Her heart raced as she approached, and soon, she found herself back in the company of her family. An awkward smile crossed her face as she waved her hand in the air and said, 'Hey,' in this somewhat nostalgic and unexpected reunion.

In the eyes of her siblings, she saw a mix of hurt and anger, all directed at her. "They understood why I left," she thought to herself. "I didn't need to long for them to understand because they felt the same way too. It's just that I was the one who dared to leave and pursue what I wanted, while they remained behind."

"They could have made the same choice," she reflected, "but they lacked the resilience I had. She thought it was selfish of them to be angry and place their feelings on her." She sighed inwardly, pushing these thoughts away as her mother broke the silence and greeted her. "Welcome home, dear," she said with a warm smile.

Everyone else followed along as they exchanged greetings. Her siblings left the room after that, but she didn't mind. She knew that regardless of their current feelings, they would eventually let it go because, at the end of the day, they were still family. As everyone left, she was now alone with her parents.

Her father questioned her reasons, and her mother stood by, curious, awaiting her response. She told them her modeling career hadn't turned out as she planned, but that was not all; it was more than that…