A woman in striking red heels walked in and stopped in front of her desk.
"Are you Malak?"
Malak lifted her head and replied calmly,
"Yes."
The woman smiled warmly.
"I'm Sara… I'll be on your team starting today."
⸻
At the café…
Malak stood at the counter, lost in thought, as the sound of steaming milk blended with the memory of Sara's smile, pulling her back to the present.
The barista handed her the cup.
"Double Americano with caramel."
She took it, then sat down, waiting in silence… her fingers absently tracing the ring on her hand, as if trying to hold onto something that was no longer steady.
⸻
At the office…
Dari lifted his gaze and asked coldly,
"Did she come in today?"
The secretary replied,
"She left early… but she's at the café across the street. She's been sitting there for an hour."