The Trip Begins

SheVanta Headquarters – Late Afternoon

Sunlight pours into the executive floor, golden and soft. The week has been unusually quiet—for the first time in over a month, Nadia isn't buried under meetings or boardrooms. She's seated in her office lounge, flipping through updates on her tablet, but her posture is lighter. Relaxed. Almost playful.

Alys enters with a cautious smile, holding two bowls of ice-cream.

Alys:

"Sissy… you're finally free. Should I start planning the trip?"

Nadia looks up slowly, a faint grin tugging at her lips.

Nadia:

"I did promise, didn't I?"

Alys hands her the ice-cream and flops onto the opposite couch like she's waited her whole life for this moment.

Alys:

"Somewhere warm? Private? Naturely?"

Nadia (teasing):

"Sounds like you've been dreaming about this."

Alys:

"I have, Sissy. I even have mood boards."

They both laugh. Nadia , taking a bite from the ice-cream eyes flickering thoughtfully.

Nadia:

"Let's do it. Plan whatever you want. Just… nothing with cell service."

Alys perks up instantly—half excited, half mischievous.

Alys:

"Can I invite the others? Elijah, Martin, Zara, Grace?"

Nadia pauses, thinking about it. Then shrugs lightly.

Nadia:

"Sure. Why not? They've earned it."

Alys (grinning wide):

"It'll be like our soft reboot. Beach edition."

Nadia:

"As long as I get to sleep in for once."

Alys (mock serious):

"I will build a fortress of silence around your room."

Nadia:

"And don't forget the visit. It's been too long since I met them."

Alys (quietly with a mocking salute):

"Yes Boss."

SheVanta Rooftop Lounge –

The group is gathered on the open rooftop, soft wind tousing their hair. The city below glows under the golden sky. Elijah, Martin, Zara, and Grace are talking about why they were called here suddenly . When Nadia and Alys step in, it is unusually relaxed.

Alys (dramatically, with a spoon in the air):

"Everyone—attention! I bring great news from the Supreme High Council of Overworked Individuals!"

The group chuckles.

Nadia (smiling):

"I'm finally free. No meetings. No boardrooms. No work."

Martin (pretending to faint):

"Impossible."

Zara:

"Do we throw a party now or what?"

Alys:

"Better. We're going on a trip."

The group freezes, exchanging looks.

Grace:

"Wait, we?"

Nadia:

"Yes. All of you. You've worked hard. You deserve this."

Elijah (blinking):

"You're serious?"

Alys:

"She let me plan everything. Beaches, ice cream, peace, and—"

Nadia (cutting in dryly):

"—no emails. That's non-negotiable."

Martin:

"What's the catch?"

Alys:

"No catch. Just don't be late. We leave Friday morning."

Zara:

"I'm already mentally packing."

Grace:

"I'm packing for all of you."

Elijah (quietly, to Nadia):

"You sure you won't sneak in a meeting or two?"

Nadia (grinning):

"Tempting. But I'll try without ruining the fun."

Alys (mocking pride):

"She promised me , she won't ruin it."

They raise their cups in an impromptu toast—ice cream spoons clinking.

Nadia:

"To breathe again."

All:

"To the trip!"

The rooftop echoes with laughter, soft wind, and the feeling that maybe, just maybe, they're more than a team—they're something closer to a chosen family.

Start of the Trip

The car hums down the road, laughter already echoing inside. Trees blur past the windows. The mood is light—after all, they're finally free.

Up front, Nadia is in the driver's seat, a calm smile on her face. She looks effortlessly cool, like the kind of person who doesn't care about the world and still drives her friends on a road trip.

Alys (leaning over from the passenger seat, eyes lighting up suddenly):

"Boss! Boss! Stop! Ice cream stand!"

Nadia (brakes gently, already grinning):

"Ice cream? Say less."

The car comes to a halt. Everyone groans playfully but starts gathering themselves to get out.

Alys (excited):

"Let's gooo! Ice cream is non-negotiable!"

Martin (stretching):

"She's more excited for ice cream than the actual trip."

Zara:

"She has her priorities straight."

Everyone except Nadia steps out. She stays in the driver's seat, window down, enjoying the breeze. She doesn't mind waiting—she's already content.

But then—

Elijah lingers at the window.

Elijah (quietly):

"Why didn't you come out?"

Nadia (shrugs, playful):

"I'm enjoying the breeze."

Elijah (grinning, softly):

"I'll get you something. What do you want?"

Nadia (tilting her head, mock-serious):

"Umm— you choose. Come on. Impress me, Mr. Marquez."

Elijah (surprised and stressed):

"Me?"

Nadia (nodding):

"Yeah you choose. For your help, remember juicy fruits but no nuts."

Elijah (nodding solemnly):

"Noted. Juicy fruits no nuts"

He jogs off. Nadia chuckles to herself, shaking her head.

Cut to: Alys, standing in line with Martin, Grace, and Zara—watching Elijah ask the vendor something with too much concentration.

Alys (under her breath):

"He's triple-checking the order."

Grace (laughs):

"He's nervous."

Zara:

"He should be. That's the boss' ice cream."

Martin:

"This feels like a mission."

They all giggle.

Back in the car, Nadia standing outside leaning on the car Elijah returns with ice-creams. He hands one to Nadia.

Elijah (softly):

"Mango swirl with juicy fruits. Victory secured."

Nadia takes it with a rare, blushing smile while sticking her tongue on her lower lip and looking at the ice-cream Elijah just bought.

Rabin tilting his head to see [Name]'s reaction his eyes full of excitement and curiosity.

Nadia :

"Elijah Marquez, I might say you served well."

They're there, just the two of them, eating ice cream at the front of the car while the others wander. There's a calm between them—until Nadia breaks it.

Nadia:

"So… you've never been on a trip like this with your boss before, have you?"

Elijah:

"Nope, it was always a family trip or work. And I've never been this stressed about an ice cream order, either."

Nadia (laughing):

"I love how you acted like it was a court hearing."

Elijah (teasing):

"You're scarier than that."

Nadia (curious):

"Why."

Elijah:

"Just joking."

They burst into laughter—loud, unrestrained. The kind that makes people turn their heads.

Cut to: Alys watching from afar. She smiles to herself, nudges Grace.

Alys (whispering):

"They laugh like maniacs."

Grace (watching them too):

"It's sweet though. She looks happy."

Back in the front seat:

Elijah (still smiling):

"I like this side of you."

Nadia (mock scandalised):

"There are sides?"

Elijah (with a hint of warmth):

"Power suits you. But this—this feels like you."

Nadia (softly, looking ahead):

"Yeah. This… doesn't happen often."

They exchange a look. The laughter fades but leaves something behind. Quiet understanding. A shared breath.

Then—

Alys (shouting as she walks back):

"Boss! He got your favourite, huh?! You're smiling like it's a diamond!"

Nadia (calling back):

"I'll take this over diamonds any day."

Everyone piles back in, and the car starts again, full of chatter and Elijah's singing. The trip has just begun—but something has already changed.