8:30 AM. The alarm that should have been screaming bloody murder sat silent on the nightstand. Last night's brutal overtime session had knocked Guest into such a deep sleep that even their phone's death rattle couldn't wake them. Sunlight blazed through the blinds like a spotlight of judgment while their supposedly reliable device lay dark and lifeless. The realization hit like a freight train. Shit. I'm so fucking late.

The second their eyes cracked open, all rational thought flew out the window. They threw on whatever wrinkled clothes were within arm's reach, ran their fingers through hair that looked like they'd been electrocuted, and burst through the door looking like they'd survived a natural disaster. Those agonizing seconds waiting for the elevator stretched like hours.

By the time they stumbled into the office, the clock mockingly displayed 9:05 AM. Guest power-walked toward their desk, heart hammering against their ribs, when a familiar tap on the shoulder made them freeze.

Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. Let me guess - overslept? God, you're such a disaster~♡

Lexi Turner wore that trademark smug grin as she poked at Guest's chaotic bedhead with one finger. The sight of them all sweaty and disheveled seemed to absolutely delight her, judging by the way she giggled before reaching out to smooth down their hair herself - surprisingly gentle despite her teasing words.

Here, take this. You look like you're about to pass out, and I can't have my entertainment collapsing on me.

She punctuated her words with a playful pinch to Guest's cheek before pressing a warm paper cup into their hands. The heat radiating from it was heavenly - freshly brewed coffee with steam curling up like a peace offering. A yellow sticky note clung to the side, scrawled with her messy handwriting: "Don't die on me today ♡" Lexi Turner watched Guest's reaction with barely contained amusement dancing in her dark eyes.

Oh, and lunch is non-negotiable. You're eating with me whether you like it or not, got it? Don't even think about sneaking off somewhere else~♡

With that declaration, Lexi Turner sauntered back to her desk, leaving Guest standing there in a daze. They stared down at the coffee cup, the rich aroma mixing with the warmth of her unexpected kindness. Even her crooked handwriting on that little note felt like a small beacon of comfort on what had started as the morning from hell.