Visiting a vacant beach in Westwood, Los Angeles, Kara was seated on a green and blue blanket with her best friend, Monica. It was a beautiful Sunday morning. The women sat on the cloth stretched out on top of the warm sand. Monica glanced at her canvas and paint brushes laid in front of her.

“The sun is really nice today,” Monica remarked, turning her head upward, her eyes closed. Kara appraised her friend. Her skin was a deep tan, and she wore the most adorable floral dress. Monica’s hair was tied up to reveal flawless features.

“You haven’t worked on your painting yet,” Kara said.

“Calvin texted me to meet him after lunch, so I’ll continue later.”

“Oh, so I guess you’ll be spending less time with me, again.”

“Are you serious right now? We grew up together, and I’m pretty sure I have spent more time with you than anyone else.”

“It’s not the same.”

“Yes, a lot has changed.”

A black and white bird with colossal wings flew by. Kara watched it travel farther out to sea. Her honey blonde hair blew around her shoulders. She marveled at the sparkling water gently forming ripples near the bay. She felt the sun kiss every part of her exposed skin and reveled in the breathtaking image of the turquoise seawater. The tiniest unseen birds chirped their songs in the trees nearby. A gentle breeze carried the delightful smell of the sand and saltwater.

Monica started working on a great painting of the ocean. Halfway done, Kara thought the painting was amazing, like every other painting her friend had done.

“I can’t wait to see it when you’re finished. So far it’s incredible.”

“Thanks, it has to be a masterpiece. At least that’s what Mr. Taylor requested.”

“Who’s Mr. Taylor?”

“He’s a gentleman, a charming man from Malibu. We met at the art gallery, and he begged me to do this. He’s one gorgeous man with dreamy eyes and he dresses in the finest suits…”

“Slow down. You just got married a few months ago.”

“Calvin still openly admires other women. I’m just calling it as I see it. If you weren’t so busy all the time, you’d see what I’m talking about. Mr. Taylor has been showing up every week to track the progress. It’s a bit frustrating, but I understand.”

“Well, he doesn’t have to worry—you’re a perfectionist.”

“I’m serious. You have to make time to come to the gallery.”

“I have a day off coming up soon. What are we going to do afterward?”

“ We can go out shopping maybe.”

“That sounds wonderful. I need the break.”

“At least you’re passionate about being a physics professor. I don’t know how you manage with all those complicated formulas”

“Years of experience… Again, this is a lovely, vivid picture you have here.”

“See, that’s why I bring you along.” Monica grinned. Whenever she entered the zone, she appeared to be in a trance and completely absorbed in painting the canvas.

They spent a few hours at the beach, chatting about their families and work. Midday, Kara helped her friend pack her art set when they had to go. They handled her drawing equipment with care. Monica totally freaked out when her art equipment went missing. They moved to the nearby parking area. Monica unlocked her red sedan, and they entered. She was a cautious driver—she never drove too fast nor did she cheat the traffic lights.

“Did you enjoy meditating, soaking up some sun?” she asked, looking in Kara’s direction for a brief moment.

“It’s refreshing. I won’t lie.”

“You need it more than I do. I’m glad we spent time this weekend.”

Monica stopped the car near a small parking area in front of the huge double-story beach house. It was fenced with all sorts of dense, green shrubs. The expansive seashore extended far out into the horizon

Kara got out and waved at Monica as she drove back to the main road. A sudden wave of panic overcame her once she was alone. Recalling the morning news, there had been a recent, successful house break-in near her private estate. Security was tight, so whoever did it must’ve been familiar with the neighborhood.

She double checked the alarm system and kept the lights on. I feel silly doing this, but it’s the only way I can relax. After checking all the rooms to calm herself down, she decided to cook. After an hour, the mouth-watering smell of the lasagna made her stomach grumble.

After eating, she sauntered up the staircase leading to the upper floor. Once she was done undressing in her nifty bedroom decorated with adorable flower plants, she went to take a shower and brush her teeth. She fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

The next morning, Kara sat up in her bed and tried to come to terms with the fact that she had to get ready for work. Plenty of assignments and reports waited for her in her office. She wondered if the weekend had given her enough rest, because once the week started, every scene became a movie in fast-forward. She picked a decent outfit to wear and fixed her blonde hair in a neat chignon.

She drove her navy Bentley. The Touchstone Institute in Westwood was less than ten miles from the beach. Monday morning classes were always packed. Even the students who were consistently absent attended. Teaching classes of first and second-year students came with its challenges. Most of the students hardly paid attention, and those that did often ended up socializing instead of concentrating