it was so unlike michael to go somewhere just for the hell of it, but he'd begun experiencing a tiredness unlike any other in recent months since award season. it wasn't that he didn't love what he did for a living, feeling deep sense of gratitude every morning he woke up and got out of bed, but at times the pressure to succeed became too much, constantly forcing himself to push himself harder. insomnia had begun to hit him hard, so when a few days opened up in his schedule, he decided to take a few mental health days. what better remedy for burnout than to travel to a country where the culture had always appealed to him, where he'd enjoyed several trips to in the past? after spending the day wandering the streets of tokyo, visiting shops and neighborhoods he'd heard about but never had a chance to visit, michael was sitting at the hotel bar, a small smile lingering on his lips as he chatted animatedly with the bartender. these would be memories he'd have for life and he was getting recommendations for more places to visit in the city. however, as soon as the bartender turned to tend to other patrons, michael was hit with a feeling of guilt twisting around in his stomach. a feeling as though he had no right to days off to himself, when he was supposed to be working. supposed to be continuing to make his family proud. supposed to be living up to his reputation and building his legacy. he twisted his half-empty old fashioned on the coaster the bartender had placed it on, his previous smile now faded and he found himself clenching his jaw, deep in his own head. the familiar voice immediately cut through his spiral of thoughts that had turned sour and he whipped his head up, eyes wide in shock at seeing his ex-girlfriend... the woman he thought he'd marry. it took michael a few seconds to regain his wits, but once he did, he took her in from head to toe, as if making sure she was real. lori looked stunning as always, those familiar brown eyes that could cut through him and immediately send his heart into a tailspin, looking straight at him. he took another sip of his drink, knowing that if they were going to do this, sit together at the same bar, he would need some liquid courage. michael gestured towards the empty seat next to him as a response to lori's question, before he then took a deep breath to try and get his beating heart back under control. however the immediate regret hit him, when the scent of her familiar perfume settled around him and he cleared his throat, looking away as he tried to regain his control. fuck... it had been years, and yet he still had a visceral physical reaction when they were around each other. "how?" he asked the single-word question, still shocked and a thrown off, but his gaze finding hers again once he felt he'd composed himself a bit.
nothing about this was normal. except for the fact that it felt so familiar, stepping into his presence again. the way his eyes scanned her from head to toe didn't go unnoticed. but lori knew this wasn't the time or place to leave a sassy remark. not yet, anyway. their relationship had always been about supporting each other. hyping each other up. she couldn't remember a day where he didn't praise her before they went out for dinner or events. more so during the times when all the glam wasn't a thing and she could just be her natural self around him. she swallowed at the memories, sliding into the chair next to him at his gesture. no words, but still him inviting her to sit with him. in japan of all places. she shook her head over the absurdity, shooting the bartender a smile when he placed the martini in front of her, immediately grabbing it to take a sip. "how ?" his question hung between them, simple enough on the surface, but she knew what he meant. how was she here ? how were they here ? how had the universe managed to drop two people who had spent years avoiding one another into the exact same hotel bar on the other side of the world ? she put the glass down, shifting in the bar stool to face him. her brown eyes met his and for a moment the how seemed completely irrelevant. "coincidence, i suppose," she snapped out of it, slightly shrugging. "because you would hate me if i called it fate," she added with a low chuckle. "are you out here for filming ?"
