6
The day had been packed with back-to-back meetings, and Amanda could tell that Ericka's energy was starting to dip.
There was an intensity to her that Amanda had come to admire, but it wasn't lost on her how often Ericka worked herself to the bone.
Amanda had been watching closely, and something told her that the woman who ran Matthews Couture needed more than just a break.
She needed someone who could make the decision for her—someone who wouldn't let her bury herself in work until she burned out.
So, Amanda decided to take charge.
It was just after noon when Amanda stood in the doorway of Ericka's office, the final meetings for the day already in her rearview. Ericka was hunched over her desk, flipping through a set of contracts, the stress evident in the slight furrow of her brow.
"Ericka," Amanda called, knocking lightly on the doorframe. Her voice was firm but gentle, almost like a mother trying to coax her child into taking a nap. "We're going."
Ericka didn't look up immediately, but there was a slight shake of her head. "I'm sorry, Amanda, I've got a ton of work left to do today. I really can't—"
"No," Amanda interrupted, stepping into the room with confidence. "You don't have work. I cleared your schedule for the next two hours."
Ericka finally lifted her gaze, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "What do you mean you cleared my schedule? I have meetings this afternoon. I can't just—"
"I've already taken care of it," Amanda cut in, her voice calm but resolute. "Everything is handled, Ericka. I've rescheduled your appointments, and I cleared two hours specifically for this. It's not up for debate."
The authority in Amanda's tone caught Ericka off guard. She had never seen this side of Amanda before. The woman who had always been quiet, observant, and polite was suddenly standing in front of her, looking determined as ever.
Ericka opened her mouth to protest again, but Amanda stepped forward, blocking the words before they could escape.
"Come on, Ericka," Amanda said, her voice taking on a gentle but persuasive tone. "You need this. You've been running yourself ragged for weeks. I'm not giving you a choice here."
Ericka paused, her face softening just slightly as she looked into Amanda's eyes.
There was something in the way Amanda spoke—something that made it hard to argue.
She had a point. Ericka had been working non-stop, always putting the company first, always pushing herself further.
Maybe, just maybe, she did need this break.
"Fine," Ericka muttered after a long pause, though she couldn't hide the curiosity in her voice. "But where are we going? What exactly is this?"
Amanda smiled, already reaching for her coat. "You'll see. Trust me, it's something you won't regret."
Ten minutes later, Amanda had ushered Ericka into her car and was driving them out of the city, heading toward a quiet part of town that Ericka didn't recognize. As they neared the location, she glanced over at Amanda, still trying to piece together what was happening.
"This better not be some sort of weird surprise therapy session," Ericka quipped, half-joking but also not entirely sure what to expect.
"I swear, if you took me to one of those places where they make you meditate in a hot room while they play chanting music, I will turn around and walk back to the office. "
Amanda grinned, her eyes twinkling. "I promise, no weird chanting. But you're going to love it."
They pulled up to a discreet, unassuming building tucked between two storefronts.
The sign outside read "Serenity Massage Wellness.
" Amanda had done her research—this was a no-nonsense place, offering deep tissue massages, aromatherapy, and all the works.
The atmosphere was serene and calm, the perfect environment for someone who worked as hard as Ericka did.
Ericka raised an eyebrow as Amanda parked the car and turned to her with a sly smile.
"You're taking me to a massage parlor?" Ericka asked incredulously. "I mean, I like a good massage as much as the next person, but... what exactly are we doing here?"
Amanda simply unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door. "You'll find out soon enough. Now, let's go. You're not backing out now."
Ericka huffed but followed Amanda inside, the quiet bell above the door chiming as they entered.
The atmosphere immediately felt different—calming, tranquil.
The smell of essential oils and lavender filled the air, soft music played faintly in the background, and the low lighting created an aura of relaxation.
A receptionist smiled warmly at them. "Good afternoon, ladies. Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes," Amanda said smoothly, "Under 'Amanda' for both of us."
"Of course," the receptionist replied. "We've been expecting you. Please follow me."
Amanda led Ericka down a narrow hallway into a private room, where two massage tables were set up. Soft white linens and plush towels were neatly arranged on each bed. The space felt intimate and peaceful, the lighting dim and soothing.
Ericka stopped just inside the door, blinking at the space before her, clearly surprised. "What... what is this?"
Amanda turned to face her, her expression kind but firm. "A deep tissue massage, Ericka. You've been working yourself to exhaustion, and it's time you took a break. You're not leaving until I know you're fully relaxed."
Ericka hesitated, glancing at the massage tables. "I don't know about this, Amanda."
Amanda walked over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her toward one of the tables. "Trust me. I've already cleared your schedule for the rest of the day, so you don't have any more work to do. Just let go for a little while. You deserve it."
There was a moment of silence as Ericka looked at Amanda, the familiar walls she had built around herself seeming to soften just a bit. With a deep sigh, she relented and started to unbutton her blazer.
"Fine," Ericka muttered, her voice a little softer than usual. "But only because you won't stop pestering me."
Amanda smiled warmly, watching as Ericka settled onto the massage table. "I'm doing this for your own good."