By midday, the morning progresses, and Marilena is busy with work. The familiar hum of her office, the smell of coffee in the air, and the chatter of her colleagues all temporarily distract her from her swirling thoughts. But despite her best efforts, she can't shake the unease that's settled in her chest. She focuses on her design work, trying to immerse herself in it, but her mind keeps returning to Christian.
At the hospital, Carla is knee-deep in surgery reports and patient consultations. Her shift is demanding, but she's been looking forward to a quiet evening. She glances at her phone during a brief break and sees the texts from Marilena.
Marilena: Did you hear about the paparazzi? They've been swarming Christians.
Carla texts back quickly:
Carla: I figured they'd show up eventually. Just stay low for now. We'll talk later.
Just then, a colleague walks into the staff lounge, catching her attention. "I hear you've been busy. Got a second for lunch?"
