GALWAY DISTRICT,BAERZ AND CO ESTATE,BAE APARTMENT,GALWAY IN IRELAND...Spring Morning.
The sun was an unwelcome intruder, spilling gold through the cracks in the curtains, threatening to ruin the perfectly lazy morning Tyra had planned.
It was supposed to be a day free of obligations, of scripts, of lights, and cameras. Just… her, the soft sheets, and a cup of coffee...her ideal kind of therapy.
"Ugh, go away." Tyra groaned, rolling deeper into the mess of blankets, muttering like she had been wronged by the universe itself.
Bione, standing in the doorway with her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "You're still in bed?"
"Yes." Tyra's voice was muffled, buried beneath a pillow. "I'm achieving optimal laziness today. That's the plan."
"Lazy? You?!" Bione let out a low, amused chuckle. "This is too much,you have to get up. The world waits for no one."
"Tell the world to wait for me then." Tyra muttered.
Behind Bione, Elena appeared, her usually chaotic curls tamed in a loose bun, wearing a bright grin. "Hey, sleepyhead,we're going to have some fun today!"
Tyra peeked out from under her fortress of pillows, narrowing her eyes. "Fun?" she asked warily. "What kind of fun?"
Elena's grin only widened. "A girl's day. No work, no stress,just pure fun."
Tyra flopped back down. "Fun sounds suspiciously like work."
"We're going to cook." Elena chirped, her tone all innocence, though her eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Cook?" Tyra's head snapped up. "No, absolutely not."
Bione raised an eyebrow, grinning like a predator. "You heard her,we're going to teach you how to cook."
"I can't cook!" Tyra nearly shouted, horrified at the very thought. "I've survived this long on takeout and frozen pizza. I'm too delicate for the kitchen."
"Not for long." Elena teased, already bouncing toward the kitchen, grabbing a box of pancake mix like it was the holy grail. "It's pancake day, baby."
"No! I refuse!" Tyra dramatically threw herself back onto the bed, her arms flailing. "I'm not touching anything that has to do with flour or eggs,it's too chaotic. I'm a delicate flower, I will break."
Elena and Bione exchanged an exasperated look.
"Tyra, you're not getting out of this," Bione said, stepping forward and grabbing the end of the blanket, pulling it off her boss.
"NO!" Tyra screeched, but it was no use. The blankets were already gone, and she was left in the cruel reality of their expectations.
"Come on." Elena said, already grabbing Tyra's arm and tugging her toward the elevator. "It'll be fun! You'll learn and love it. I promise."
Tyra whimpered dramatically, but her protests fell on deaf ears.
---
KITCHEN...FIVE MINUTES LATER.
"I'm going to have a panic attack." Tyra muttered, staring at the bowl of pancake mix like it was a live grenade. "This is not fun,this is emotional terrorism."
"Stop being so dramatic." Bione chuckled, tying a flour dusted apron around Tyra's waist. "You're an actress! You can handle this. This is just acting, but with food."
Tyra glared at Bione. "I can't act my way out of a pancake disaster."
Elena laughed, already mixing the batter like she had done it a thousand times. "See? Pancakes. Easy."
Tyra stood in front of the bowl, clutching a spoon like it was a weapon. "I'm going to make this into a disaster and we're all going to be covered in flour."
"Do you want a pancake or not?" Bione asked, hands on her hips.
Tyra pouted. "No."
"Okay, fine." Elena said, suddenly taking the spoon out of her hands. "We're giving up, we'll go do something else. What do you want to do instead?"
Tyra grinned triumphantly, feeling like she had won some small victory. "I want a spa day."
Elena gasped in mock horror. "We were so close! And you betray us with this?"
"Spa day. Now." Tyra declared.
Bione sighed but grabbed her phone. "Fine."
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "I'll find us a place."
---
LATER...GALMONT HOTEL AND SPA, DOWNTOWN GALWAY.
The smell of lavender and eucalyptus hit Tyra as they walked into the spa, the atmosphere instantly soothing her. The chaotic energy that had followed her all morning began to melt away as they were escorted to a private area with heated pools and plush loungers.
"You guys have no idea how much I needed this." Tyra sighed, sinking into the warm water. "This is heaven...No cooking, no scripts, just relaxation."
"You deserve it." Elena said, sinking into the water next to her. "Now, no more drama. This is about pure bliss."
"I can get behind that." Tyra murmured, closing her eyes.
Bione, already lounging at the edge of the pool with her eyes half closed, chuckled. "I don't know about you, but I'm going to steal some of that fancy lotion they keep putting out for us. No one's stopping me."
"You're a criminal." Elena teased.
Tyra sank further into the water, the warmth wrapping around her like a cozy blanket. "I swear, you two have ruined my ability to relax. I'm so tense from all the cooking talk."
"No one's bringing up pancakes ever again." Bione promised, grinning as she tossed her towel aside.
The sound of a door opening interrupted their peaceful chatter, and Elena immediately froze.
It was Michael.
"Seriously?" she groaned.
Bione looked over at her. "What? You called him."
"I did not! I didn't even know he was in town," Elena protested, her eyes wide.
Bione smirked, and Tyra raised an eyebrow. "You could've mentioned the secret crush, you know."
"Do not start." Elena warned.
Michael, clearly aware of the tension, smirked as he slid into the water, wearing nothing but his confidence. "How's it going?"
"Michael, don't even pretend like you didn't just come to enjoy this," Elena huffed, though her voice was half-amused.
"Guilty." he said, flashing a grin. "You two know how to pick spots."
"Don't encourage her." Elena muttered, though her cheeks were slightly flushed. She wasn't sure if it was from the warmth of the water or Michael's presence.
---
LATER...BOUTIQUE SHOPPING + BEACH CHAOS.
After the spa, they were full of energy, practically bouncing out of the place. The streets of Galway were bustling with tourists, and they wasted no time in hitting a few boutique shops, trying on clothes, and giggling as they plucked items off the racks without thinking twice.
Tyra twirled in a new dress. "I look like a fashion god."
"No, you look like a fashion disaster." Bione shot back, laughing.
"I'll take it." Tyra shrugged, ignoring her sarcasm.
The afternoon was full of chaos.
Tyra and Bione ran down the beach like wild animals, laughing and chasing the waves, while Elena followed behind, slightly more graceful but just as carefree.
Michael was sitted quietly by the shore, observing Elena's every move.
Tyra's spirit, so often weighed down by the constant pressure of her career, felt lighter. There was something about being with these two...her assistants... their unpredictable, chaotic energy...that made the world seem a little softer.
---
EVENING...COYOTES LATE KARAOKE BAR, LOCAL PUB.
By evening, they were all ready for something different. Karaoke was always a hit, especially when it was one of those dive bars that didn't care about talent. It was all about fun and absolutely no judgment.
Tyra reluctantly agreed to get onstage. "If anyone makes me sing 'I Will Survive,' I will scream." she warned.
"You have to sing it. It's a rite of passage." Elena teased, already pushing her toward the stage.
Tyra glared. "I'm telling you now, I'm not doing it."
They were halfway into a round of shots when someone walked in...a familiar face, leaning against the doorframe like he was too cool for the world.
Ryan.
Tyra froze mid-laugh.
"Oh no…" Tyra whispered under her breath, her cheeks flushing.
"You look like you saw a ghost." Bione said, watching Tyra's reaction. "You nervous?"
"Shut up." Tyra muttered without thinking, feeling the heat in her face intensify.
Ryan casually walked up to the bar, ordered a drink, and spotted Tyra instantly. He raised a hand in greeting, that same teasing smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
Tyra, still clearly not comfortable with his presence, awkwardly waved back. "Great. This is fantastic." she muttered.
"Relax," Elena nudged her. "You're doing fine."
But Tyra wasn't so sure.
The rest of the night unfolded in a haze of bad singing, even worse dancing, and laughter that bordered on uncontrollable. There was something strange about the air between her and Ryan tonight...something electric, but it was lost in the laughter. For now.
When the karaoke ended and the crowd began to thin, Ryan lingered by their booth, watching Tyra with that unreadable expression.
"I'll just… leave you to it." Michael said, disappearing with a wink.
And now,it was her and Ryan.
Where's Elena and Bione anyways?
Gone.
Ryan stared at her closely,and stood from his chair, wanting to leave.
"Stay." Tyra said without thinking, turning back toward Ryan,her face all pink due to alcohol.
There it was again...her nerves, her shyness, all bundled up into one shaky breath.
Ryan smirked, leaning back suddenly. "I'm not going anywhere."