The afternoon carried on in a quiet hum of productivity.
The boardroom was alive with discussion, pens scratching across pads, voices measured but urgent.
Luca moved through it with calm authority, chair adjusted just so, posture sharp, eyes scanning the room with precision.
"Make sure the supplier contract revisions are ready for tomorrow," he said, voice steady, firm but not harsh. "And double-check the shipping timelines. No errors."
"Yes, sir," Jane replied, already tapping on her tablet.
Another call, another set of decisions.
Luca handled them all, methodical, deliberate.
And yet, through every brief pause—between signing a document, between nodding at a report—his thumb lingered over his phone, half-expecting, half-hoping for another message from Noel.
At three o'clock, a quiet ping drew his attention.
Don't work too hard. I'll be here waiting.
Luca smiled faintly, shaking his head. Always checking on me.
