The hum of the engines had become a steady background noise by the time the flight attendant started distributing drinks. The man beside me ordered a whiskey, and I opted for a simple orange juice. « Cheers, » he said, lifting his glass slightly in my direction. I mimicked his gesture, trying to ignore the way his eyes seemed to study me. « Traveling for business or pleasure? » he asked, a standard question but with an undertone that made it feel more personal. « Just…a change of scenery, » I replied, hoping my voice didn’t betray the turmoil of the past few weeks. I had left everything behind in a rush, the remnants of a life that felt like it belonged to someone else. His phone buzzed on the tray table, a name flashing briefly before he silenced it. « Work never stops, » he muttered, almost to himself. The logo on the phone’s case caught my eye—a lion’s head, intricate and fierce. His fingers lingered on the phone before returning to the envelope, casually slipping it into his briefcase. « I hope you find what you’re looking for, » he said, his voice softening. It was a simple statement, yet it resonated with an understanding that unsettled me.
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