Lina
Daniel's apartment is strangely peaceful.
The city outside the tall windows moves at full speed cars sliding through traffic, people crossing the streets in impatient waves but inside the room everything feels slower.
Quieter.
Lina sits on the couch while Daniel gathers the file he needed from the counter.
The couch is soft, a deep gray fabric that sinks slightly under her weight. Across from her, a wide bookshelf lines the wall, filled with novels, travel guides, and a surprising number of photography books.
She studies one of the framed photos hanging above the shelf a black-and-white skyline at sunset.
"You travel a lot?" she asks.
Daniel glances up.
"Used to."
"Those photos?"
"Some of them."
Lina tilts her head.
"You took them?"
Daniel shrugs lightly.
"Photography was a hobby for a while."
"You're full of unexpected talents."
"That's generous."
He sets the folder on the glass table and leans against the edge of the counter, arms folded loosely.
The relaxed posture makes him look even more comfortable in his own space.
"Ready to head back?" he asks.
Lina nods and stands.
"Yeah. If we don't finish that campaign tonight, Chloe might disown us."
Daniel laughs.
"That's a very real threat."
They grab their things and leave the apartment together.
The office building looks different at night.
Most of the lights are off now, leaving only scattered windows glowing across the upper floors.
Inside, the hallways feel quieter, the usual daytime buzz replaced by soft echoes and distant voices from the few teams still working late.
Daniel pushes open the conference room door and gestures for Lina to enter first.
"After you."
"Such manners."
"I try."
The room smells faintly of fresh coffee and dry-erase markers.
Their laptops glow softly on the long table as they settle into work.
For a while the only sounds are typing and the occasional rustle of papers.
Lina focuses on editing the final lines of the campaign pitch.
Daniel works beside her, reviewing the presentation slides.
Every now and then he leans closer to point something out on her screen.
His shoulder brushes lightly against hers once.
Then again.
Each time the contact is brief.
But noticeable.
Lina clears her throat quietly.
"Daniel?"
"Yeah?"
"You're hovering."
He glances down.
"Oh."
He shifts his chair slightly away.
"Sorry."
"It's fine."
A few minutes later Daniel closes his laptop with a satisfied nod.
"Done."
"Already?"
"Slide design is easy."
"Show-off."
He grins.
"Accurate."
Daniel stands and stretches, his arms lifting briefly over his head. The motion pulls his shirt tight across his shoulders before he relaxes again.
Lina notices.
She immediately pretends she didn't.
"Hungry?" he asks suddenly.
"Always."
Daniel checks his watch.
"It's past eight."
"Don't remind me."
"Stay here."
Before Lina can ask why, he's already walking toward the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Trust me."
The door closes behind him.
Ten minutes later he returns carrying a small paper bag.
The smell hits the room instantly.
Warm bread.
Grilled chicken.
Something sweet.
Lina looks up, surprised.
"You disappeared for food?"
Daniel places the bag on the table.
"I've learned an important rule about late work."
"And that is?"
"Never work hungry."
He pulls out two wrapped sandwiches and sets one in front of her.
"Peace offering."
Lina smiles.
"You're very strategic."
"Only when necessary."
She unwraps the sandwich and takes a bite.
"Oh wow."
"See?"
"Where did you get this?"
"Corner deli downstairs."
"You've been hiding valuable information from the team."
Daniel laughs quietly.
They eat together while reviewing the last sections of the campaign.
The conversation drifts away from work again.
Music.
Movies.
Terrible office coffee.
At one point Lina realizes she's laughing again easily, without thinking.
Daniel notices.
"You do that a lot when you forget you're stressed."
"Do what?"
"Laugh."
She raises an eyebrow.
"You observe people too much."
"Occupational hazard."
Just then the conference room door swings open.
Chloe walks in.
She stops immediately.
Her eyes move from Lina.
To Daniel.
To the half-eaten sandwiches.
Then back again.
"Well," Chloe says slowly.
"This looks suspicious."
Lina groans.
"It's not what you think."
"Which part?" Chloe asks. "The late-night dinner or the suspiciously happy faces?"
Daniel lifts his hands slightly.
"I can explain."
"Please do."
"We were working."
Chloe crosses her arms.
"And the sandwiches?"
"Strategic motivation."
She studies them for a moment longer.
Then a slow grin spreads across her face.
"Oh this is interesting."
Lina points at the door.
"Leave."
"Not before I say one thing."
"What?"
Chloe looks directly at Lina.
"You deserve a little happiness."
Lina's smile fades slightly.
Because Chloe doesn't know how complicated that statement really is.
Daniel glances between them, sensing the shift.
But he doesn't ask.
Instead he simply gathers the papers on the table.
"Well," he says lightly.
"If the investigation is finished, we should probably wrap this up."
Chloe laughs.
"Fine. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
"We are not"
But the door closes before Lina finishes the sentence.
Silence fills the room again.
Daniel looks amused.
"Lovebirds?"
"Don't encourage her."
"Too late."
Lina shakes her head and returns to her laptop.
But inside her chest something feels strangely lighter.
For the first time in days…
She isn't thinking about Victor.
And that realization both comforts her
And unsettles her at the same time.