Rival Hearts

can get my mind off that nonsense I heard there," she muttered, a touch of annoyance col

A hotel attendant, a woman with a warm smile, stood be

small table, and the attendant began to unpack the meal. The aroma of roasted chicken

mforting. She sat down and began to eat, the rich flavors filling her mouth and temporarily soothing her frayed nerv

at the screen. An incoming call from Gina lit up the display. "Oh..." Is

ugh, and Bella couldn't help but smile. "Girl,

he room?" Gina fired off questions on

ice. "I'll be heading home soon. Honestly, I c

tration, scratched her head in

e some couples so noisy? I went out to the balcony to relax, and I

"No, don't laugh...okay?" Bella said, trying to sound

"You mean they were making lo

e way that woman was screaming. Ugh

, unable to hold back at the

s like the man's doing a good job," Gin

get to bed. I have a lot of business to handle tomorrow morning,"

rom that business trip in Paris, and now you're i

ents, manage my brand, and take care of everything else," Bella

. but you've got to carve out some time because I'm coming to take you

ever, you should ge

, so be ready. Want me to come over to

d to?" Bella laughed, the sound light and almost teasing. On the

rl, I take breaks when needed, when I want t

u say. Talk to you tomorrow then. I'll let you

na replied, her voice

er shoulders. Picking up her fork again, she took a bite of her steak, savoring the rich flavors but already feeling the pull of

and deliberate. As she walked back to her bed, she couldn't help but think about Gina's words. "Take breaks when needed," she had said.

mfortable, but sleep didn't come easily. Her mind kept replaying the events of the day, the noise from the neighboring

casting a gentle light across the room. She reached for her phone again, almost out of habit, and checked the time

cused on her breathing, letting the steady rhythm calm her racing thoughts. Gradually, the tensio

, she let them fade away. Tomorrow would come soon enough, bringing with it a