The afternoon sun was already slipping lower in the sky by the time Shelly finished her chaotic interview with the political leader, Mr. Magnes. The man had talked for so long that she was convinced he could win elections purely by exhausting his opponents into silence.
When she finally wrapped up all her office work for the day, she stepped out with her phone pressed to her ear, laughing at something her best friend was saying. But as she strolled past the corner grocery store in her neighbourhood, her eyes landed on a familiar figure.
"Dad!" she called out, waving eagerly.
Mr. Herlen, her father, turned around from the vegetable section with a gentle smile.
"Hey, sweetheart," he greeted.
"Dad, what's for dinner today?" Shelly asked immediately, her tone the perfect mix of curiosity and greed.
"Duck soup," her father said with a touch of pride, "and chicken curry."
Shelly's eyes lit up. She stepped closer, rested her head on his shoulder, and sighed dramatically.
"Dad, I'm starving. Let's buy whatever you need and hurry home."
Chuckling, Mr. Herlen reached out and ruffled her hair. "Ah, my little sweetheart. Alright, we'll head home soon."
He picked up a few more items and added, "I'm buying some ingredients for the restaurant too. Tomorrow's your day off — what should I cook for you?"
Shelly smiled warmly. "Anything you make, Dad, I'll love eating."
The answer made Mr. Herlen's eyes soften. For him, Shelly wasn't just his daughter — she was the heart of his world.
A few minutes later, they walked home together.
Mr. Herlen owned a small but cozy restaurant in the neighbourhood, a place beloved for its hearty meals and warm atmosphere. He loved his daughter so much that he had named it after her — "Shelly's Place."
Shelly herself was a reporter by profession. Her chaotic charm meant she was liked by most of her colleagues… even if she drove her manager half-crazy.
She had two best friends — Lucy and Kiki. The three of them had been inseparable since their school days.
Kiki's father was a well-known businessman in the city and owned a sprawling farmhouse. Lucy's father, on the other hand, was a retired government employee with the calm patience of a man who had survived decades of paperwork.
Different backgrounds, different personalities — but Shelly, Lucy, and Kiki had a bond that time and distance couldn't touch.
Shelly didn't know it yet, but tomorrow's "day off" was about to throw her into a new whirlwind of mischief, friendship, and maybe… just maybe… a little romance.
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