She tossed her briefcase onto the sofa and stole ten minutes of morning leisure for herself first. The freshly toasted bread still carried the warmth of the baking tray, its wheat aroma mingling with the sweetness of butter and spreading through the air. She pinched a corner of the toast between her fingers; the moment she bit into it, the crisp yet chewy texture wrapped in warm wheat flavor spread across her tongue.

The latte art in the coffee cup hadn’t faded, the milk foam as dense as a cloud. She propped her feet up on a low stool, letting sunlight weave dappled patterns on the placemat. There was no need to think about spreadsheets or meetings—right now, only the toast’s fragrance and the coffee’s richness softened the morning’s rush. These ten minutes weren’t a waste; they were the gentlest opening for a busy day, a gift to herself.