Treating Oneself with a House

The morning after Christmas, Matthew sat in the lounge of his penthouse, sipping black coffee as the Manila skyline stretched before him. The city was waking up slowly, the festive remnants of the previous night's celebrations still hanging in the air. The soft hum of traffic below was muted through the soundproofed glass windows, but it wasn't the noise that weighed on him—it was the feeling of disconnect.

For years, this penthouse had been his sanctuary, a space that represented everything he had worked for. The minimalist design, the floor-to-ceiling windows, the expensive artwork on the walls—it was a place designed for success. And yet, it felt empty.

After last night, it became clear.

The warmth of his family's home, the laughter around the dinner table, the simplicity of being around people who weren't business associates—it was something he hadn't realized he missed until now.

Maybe it was time for a change.

The penthouse wasn't home.