The sound of rain tapping on the windows had become a kind of rhythm in the office—familiar, constant, a soft background to the low hum of conversation and keystrokes. Monday had arrived not with chaos, but with a focused urgency that settled heavily over the team.
Caroline stood near the whiteboard in the main meeting room, her sleeves slightly rolled up, eyes sharp as she sketched out the latest slide structure. A red marker twirled in her hand as she talked the team through messaging strategy.
"Keep it clean," she said. "Jakarta doesn't want gimmicks. They want proof. Consistency. We lead with impact, not fluff."
Her tone was calm, authoritative, but there was a new edge in it—like something deeper simmered beneath the surface.
Marco was seated to her left, his attention locked on the projection. He'd been contributing quietly, his comments direct, precise, and mostly aimed at making her job easier. They worked seamlessly. As if nothing had changed between them.
