When Strangers Wish

flecting the sea, it created a breathtaking combination of colors. Orange, red, go

businesses to attend to until after noon, he dec

ie asked as he took a breather after

d bench-press three times Luc's weight without breaking a sweat. Besides

alie thought about the impact of the exercise in the future, not just right now.

ed as he moved to t

go. "Don't forget the order," she said, referring to the proper exercise sequ

experienced a little stiffness as the machine built resistance agai

rected. She watched keenly, her sharp ey

. He felt his abdominal, oblique, and other muscles tightening up

nd a little rough from years of doing rigorous wor

he bike and checked it, ensuring it was adjusted correctly before he got on

ooked through the glass wall, noticing t

t it? It's always amazing." Then, feeling a bit energized

ook a long drink. Then he sat on a soft leather stool

on the bench press machine and cleaned it. The faint citrus flavor

anaging a smile. "I recently signed a few c

aring to leave the gym. But he could tell that Coralie could use more clients. "You know,

she smiled fully and

leave the gym, he noticed her grinning from ear to

=======

eshed and invigorated. He had spent more min

he scent of the sandalwood bath gel, which lingered in his nostrils. He felt the

oa salad containing cherry tomatoes and steamed asparagus. After putting th

mended by your dietitian," Elise said

a piece of asparagus and feeling its c

der fish. "I enjoyed my workout this morning. I might as well stay on track so the gains

nd the ginger, added only to brighten the taste, was what she found mildly i

ws anchor on the TV reported, "Heavy

e said, putting down his glass

tired," Elise chimed in as

======

and hard-to-find books. They spanned all genres-biography, business, self-help, lifestyle, and also fictio

odated a long mahogany desk for reading. As if the desk's reading lamp was not

meeting. He had taken a quick nap after his br

ingers on the desk impatiently. It felt like a long wait, even t

"We had a little technical issue connecting. I hope we are not late for the meet

luded physicians, nursing leadership, fina

late. "Not at all, Dr. Merci

Dr. Mercier brought everyone up to sp

ew ward's construction. "With the construction completed, we've started installing the modular incubat

his is great. Well don

board member recommended advanced high-flow nasal cannula systems to reduce

the funding costs. He then said, "I'd like to pledge

screen. "Thank you, Mr. Chevalier," was on everyone's lips. Dr. Mercier

ou are the ones doing the job. I'm merely contributing. You are the ones who tru

======

uc's tablet. The bold sketch of the pavilion fill

of section needs more support here," he said, pointing to the joint. "If yo

g steel rods, but I feared that they would project and spoil the pavilion's sleek look," h

it. He slanted it to the left and right to observe the structu

n build the lighting fixtures directly into the beams. It will kee

ce, the repurposed loft now boasted Remi's creativity. The open-plan design allow

ers. He looked casual but impeccably stylish. Remi wore a charcoal cr

d well together and trusted each other's expert

the design extensively, including the motive for the

s bag, Remi, who was already standing, looked through the win

ng about his upcoming meeting with his financial advis

who was at the front desk. "Rose, pleas

, he stepped out of the building, opened th

g diverted h

reet and saw someone. I