"The vendor confirmation is still pending," the project lead said. "We'll follow up tomorrow."
People were already gathering their things. Chairs slid back. Screens dimmed. Attention drifted toward the door.
"Which vendor?" Franz asked. He remained seated, waiting for Arianne.
"Logistic partner," the man replied. "They're saying the contract needs another review on their end."
"That happens," someone commented. "We'll just have to wait."
No one lingered on the comment.
But Arianne did.
She remained seated, her fingers resting lightly on the table, eyes on the notes in front of her. The words from two days ago replayed in her mind. The same delay. The same language.
A pulse beat at her temple. She didn't move to touch it. She let the awareness settle, then pushed it aside.
When the discussion moved to another topic, she didn't interrupt. Her attention had already turned inward, tuning out the noise around her.
"How long has it been pending?" she asked.
The room paused.
