Lina
The morning of the trip arrives faster than Lina expects.
The office feels different the moment she walks in.
There's energy everywhere people moving quickly between desks, voices layered with excitement, phones ringing, someone laughing too loudly near the printers.
Winning the contract changed things.
The entire department feels lighter, like everyone is breathing easier.
And now the company is sending their project team to the Chicago office for a small celebration and strategy weekend.
A reward.
A recognition.
A chance to meet the senior executives overseeing the project's expansion.
Lina tells herself she's calm about it.
But the truth sits quietly in the back of her mind.
Chicago.
Victor's city.
She pushes the thought away as she drops her bag beside her desk.
Chloe spins around immediately in her chair.
"Good morning, Miss Fancy Dinner."
Lina sighs.
"Please don't start."
"Oh I'm starting."
Chloe narrows her eyes suspiciously.
"So?"
"So what?"
Chloe leans forward dramatically.
"How was the date?"
Lina tries to keep her voice neutral.
"It was nice."
Chloe stares at her.
"Nice?"
"Yes."
"Just nice?"
"It was dinner, Chloe."
Chloe slams her hand lightly on the desk.
"That man took you to the nicest rooftop restaurant in the city."
"You googled it?"
"Of course I did."
Lina laughs despite herself.
"He was a gentleman."
"Oh my God."
"What?"
"You like him."
Lina opens her laptop.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't need to."
Before Lina can answer, Daniel appears beside their desks.
"Morning."
Chloe immediately sits up straighter.
"Good morning, Daniel."
Daniel looks relaxed today dark jeans, a navy button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
Casual.
Effortlessly attractive.
His eyes move briefly toward Lina.
"Morning."
"Morning."
There's a small pause between them.
Not awkward.
Just aware.
Daniel smiles slightly.
"Ready for Chicago?"
Lina nods.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Chloe swivels in her chair again.
"I'm ready for deep dish pizza."
Daniel laughs.
"That's your priority?"
"Absolutely."
The airport is busy but organized.
Their team travels together six people total from their department.
There's a relaxed excitement in the air as they move through security and toward their gate.
Lina walks beside Daniel while Chloe chats ahead of them with two other coworkers.
Daniel glances over.
"You're quiet today."
"Am I?"
"A little."
She shrugs.
"Just thinking."
"About Chicago?"
"Something like that."
Daniel studies her for a moment but doesn't push.
Instead he gestures toward the window where planes line the runway.
"You travel much?"
"Not really."
"Well, good news."
"What?"
"This project might change that."
Lina smiles faintly.
"I'm starting to realize that."
The flight itself is smooth.
Short.
Only a couple hours.
Daniel ends up in the seat beside her.
Chloe sits across the aisle, already half asleep before the plane even leaves the ground.
Lina looks out the window as the city shrinks beneath them.
Buildings becoming tiny shapes.
Roads turning into thin lines.
Something about leaving always creates a strange feeling in her chest.
Daniel notices.
"You okay?"
"Yes."
"You look like someone who's thinking too hard."
"I do that sometimes."
"Try not to."
She glances at him.
"Is that professional advice?"
"No."
He smiles.
"That's personal advice."
Chicago greets them with cool wind and wide streets.
The city feels different from New York.
Less compressed.
The skyline stretches proudly along the lake, tall buildings reflecting sunlight across the water.
Their hotel sits in the heart of downtown.
Glass doors.
Marble floors.
Soft lighting and polished surfaces everywhere.
Chloe spins slowly as they enter the lobby.
"Okay wow."
Lina laughs.
"It's nice."
"Nice?" Chloe repeats dramatically.
"This place smells expensive."
Daniel leans closer.
"She's not wrong."
They check in quickly and take the elevator upstairs.
Lina's room sits on the fourteenth floor.
When she opens the door, she pauses.
Large bed.
Soft gray furniture.
Wide window overlooking the city.
Chicago stretches endlessly below.
For a moment she just stands there.
Something about being here feels strange.
Familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
She shakes the thought away.
This trip is about work.
Nothing more.
The team gathers again in the afternoon for the company celebration picnic.
The Chicago office chose a park near the lake.
Green grass spreads wide beneath tall trees.
White tents stand nearby with long tables of food and drinks.
Employees from both offices mingle easily.
Music plays softly from speakers hidden among the trees.
It feels relaxed.
Friendly.
Lina walks beside Chloe across the grass.
"Okay this is cute," Chloe says.
"It is."
"Also look."
Lina follows her gaze.
Daniel stands near one of the picnic tables talking with a few coworkers.
He's changed clothes.
Dark fitted jeans.
A light gray shirt.
The sleeves rolled again.
The breeze moves his hair slightly.
Chloe nudges Lina.
"He cleaned up again."
Lina tries not to stare.
"I noticed."
Daniel spots them and waves.
They walk over.
"Enjoying Chicago?" he asks.
"So far," Lina replies.
Chloe grabs a drink from the table.
"I plan to eat everything."
Daniel laughs.
"That seems consistent with your brand."
For the next hour they talk, eat, and wander around the park.
Lina begins to relax more.
The tension she felt earlier fades slowly.
At one point Daniel gestures toward the lake.
"Walk?"
Lina hesitates for half a second.
Then nods.
"Sure."
They walk along the shoreline path.
The water stretches endlessly beside them, reflecting the afternoon sun.
Boats move slowly across the surface.
Chicago's skyline rises proudly behind them.
"It's beautiful here," Lina says.
"It is."
Daniel watches her for a moment.
"You seem lighter today."
"Maybe I am."
"Good."
They walk in comfortable silence for a while.
Finally Daniel speaks again.
"So… second date success?"
Lina smiles slightly.
"I think so."
"Good."
"And you?"
He shrugs.
"I enjoyed it."
"That's a very calm answer."
"I'm a calm guy."
She laughs softly.
"Sometimes."
Daniel glances toward her.
"You're still figuring me out."
"Maybe."
"And?"
"And you're still a mystery."
"That's intentional."
The breeze moves gently across the lake again.
For a moment Lina feels something unexpected.
Peace.
Simple.
Easy.
No pressure.
No expectations.
Just… possibility.
Behind them the picnic continues, laughter and music drifting softly through the air.
And for now
Victor Hale remains nothing more than a distant memory Lina is trying very hard not to think about.