Lucien stood up, walked over to the pantry, and brewed two cups of coffee. His movements were practiced, without the slightest hesitation. One cup of black coffee with no sugar was for Damian; the remaining cup, to which he added a splash of milk, was for himself.
The bitter aroma of coffee filled the small pantry, blending into the quiet atmosphere of the late-night office. He deliberately took his time, brewing the coffee slightly slower than usual, timing it perfectly for the end of Damian's meeting.
At around a quarter to nine, the door to meeting room number two opened. Damian stepped outside, carrying a thick stack of documents. He had taken off his tie, and the sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his firm arms. His face showed traces of exhaustion after the long meeting, but his deep eyes remained as sharp as ever.
Seeing Lucien standing in the hallway, holding two steaming cups of coffee, Damian paused for a second.
