Luca knew he had to go to campus today. A couple of mandatory classes he needed to attend. It's disappointing that his career doesn't help with gaining a master's degree faster.

As Luca was buttoning up his cream slacks, his phone rang, and he instinctively answered without checking the caller ID.

"Hello?" he said, putting the phone on speaker as he fixed his belt.

Wei's soft voice came through the phone, and Luca momentarily faltered in his preparations. "Hey, are you busy?"

"I'm just getting ready for class," Luca replied, unbuttoning the first two buttons of his shirt, trying to find a balance between professional and comfortable attire.

Wei's offer caught him off guard. "Oh, are you going to be free to get dinner? It'll be my treat."

Luca paused, thinking about the invitation. Wei's invitation didn't make him uncomfortable, nor did it trigger the guilt he had once felt when they had interacted.

Things had changed over the series of months.

"I think I can manage that," Luca finally responded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It'll be nice to catch up outside of our usual hangouts."

"Should I pick you from class or should I meet you there?" Wei hesitantly asked.

"Meet me there. I'll be bringing my bike and my next class is scheduled for two weeks later. I don't have a reason to go back other than to get my bike," Luca said.

Wei's voice carried a sense of enthusiasm as he replied, "Great! There's this new restaurant that opened up. From what I've heard, their food is largely made with cardamom, ginger, saffron, and other stuff. If you don't want that, then lemme know."

"I'm up for trying something new," Luca said as he grabbed his bag and swung over the shoulder strap.

"Alright, bye," Wei cut off the call and Luca let out a sigh of relief. The conversation had gone smoother than he thought.

He grabbed his keys and closed the door behind him, making his way downstairs to his motorcycle.

He put on his helmet and started the engine, feeling the familiar thrum of the motor beneath him. As he rode to the university, he thought about the change in dynamic.

A couple months ago, he could stand the sight of Wei. It would bring an ache to his heart. But now, he's fine with Wei. He's fine with being around Wei. A resemblance of their life when they were best friends.

Luca parked his motorcycle in the designated area and headed towards his classroom. His first class was a seminar in media literacy.

The professor, a middle-aged woman with short brown hair and glasses, was already at the front of the room, writing something on the whiteboard. As Luca entered the classroom, she gave him a nod.

"Mr. Chantasri," she said. "Still here? I thought you got your diploma and left by now."

Luca glanced at the whiteboard, which listed the names of the students in the class. He smiled. "I'm graduating this semester," he said. "I'm pretty much done with all of this."

Luca walked to the back of the room and sat down in an empty seat. The classroom was filled with students, most of them recent graduates or undergraduates taking a graduate-level course as an extracurricular activity.

Luca scanned the room, looking for his friends, but they weren't there yet. He sighed and leaned back in his chair.

He was a bit early after all.

He went on the group chat his friends made for the classes they have together.

Kofi: I have some stuff to do so can't go to class

Lobh: What kind of stuff?

Kofi: Wouldn't you like to know

Ena: So who's actually in class?

Ena: I'm in the middle of a hurricane

Lobh: It's not hurricane season tho?

Ena: Not here it isn't

Luca: I'll send the notes

Luca: Ya'll owe me

Kofi: Aye aye

Luca chuckled at the banter between his friends, typing a quick message to reassure them.

Luca: Don't worry, I'll make sure you get all the important points. Stay safe, Ena.

He pocketed his phone and shifted his focus to his tablet, tapping the screen to wake it up. He connected the keyboard and opened a document, ready to take detailed notes.

Luca was straightening out his belongings when a shadow loomed over him. He looked up and saw someone sitting in Kofi's usual spot.

The person seemed vaguely familiar, but Luca couldn't place where he had seen them before. Then, the person turned around and smiled at Luca, a kind and reassuring smile, before going back to unpacking their stuff.

Luca couldn't help but stare at the person. They were tall and slender, with long, dark hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. They had delicate features and a kind, intelligent expression on their face. They were wearing a simple black shirt and jeans, but they had an aura of elegance and sophistication about them.

During the lecture, Luca found his attention drifting to the intriguing stranger seated beside him. He couldn't help but notice the subtle grace in the way the stranger leaned in to jot down notes, the intensity in his gaze as he followed the professor's words.

As the class concluded, Luca gathered his belongings, his mind still lingering on the stranger. To his surprise, he spotted the same person waiting just outside the classroom door.

"Hi," the stranger greeted, his voice gentle and unassuming. "I-I was wondering if I could get your nu-number or something? I registered late and was hoping you could help me catch up with the rest of the class. It's fa-fine if you don't want to. You la-look like you know what's going on," he added, a hint of shyness evident in his tone.

Luca felt his heart flutter at the earnest request. There was something endearing about the stranger's vulnerability, an unassuming charm that instantly drew Luca in. He couldn't help but notice the stranger's hesitant demeanor, the way his eyes briefly flickered with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

A soft smile graced Luca's lips as he replied, "Of course, I'd be happy to help. Let me give you my number." He swiftly exchanged contacts with the stranger, their fingers briefly brushing, sending a subtle wave of warmth through Luca's veins. "What should I put you as?"

"Theo," the stranger replied, a small smile gracing his features. "Tha-Thank you so much. Is this your la- last class, Ain?"

"No, I have a lecture to do next. How do you know I'm older?" Luca asked, a playful glint in his eyes.

Theo appeared momentarily flustered, his cheeks taking on a faint rosy hue. "Oh, I mean... I'm ca-currently a senior. I haven't really seen you before."

"No, you're right. I graduated a couple of years ago. I'm pursuing my masters now," Luca responded.

Theo's expression softened, a glimmer of interest in his eyes. "Oh, that's good. Ha-Have I seen you before?" Theo inquired, his tone laced with a subtle curiosity.

"I mean, you've probably seen more on the news before. I used to be an anchor," Luca suggested.

Theo nodded, his eyes widening with recognition. "You're Eirah Leila's former partner!"

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Eirah?"

Theo sheepishly smiled, rubbing his arm. "Sh-She told all of us to call her her that when we met her."

A chuckle escaped Luca as he shook his head. "That sounds like her. What's your next class, Dae?"

Theo had momentarily spaced out, but he quickly blinked, returning to the present. "Oh, uh, I have globalization next."

"Oh, I teach that class. I'm heading towards the lecture right now. You can join me if you want," Luca offered.

Theo nodded eagerly, a hint of excitement in his expression. "Yes! I ma-mean, yeah, that's fine."

As they walked together towards the next lecture hall, Luca found himself drawn to Theo's genuine enthusiasm. Theo was talking about something random, Luca was not paying attention as he watched Theo.

"Is there anything important you wanted to learn from globalization?" Luca asked as he set his bag down on the lecturer's desk.

Theo contemplated the question for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "I'm interested in how int-interconnected our world has become. But I also want to understand the challenges and complexities that come with it."

Luca acknowledged Theo's enthusiasm with a nod, quickly setting up his laptop to project the lecture materials onto the screen.

"I somewhat went over that the other day, but you can always text me or we can meet up if you want to learn more about it," Luca offered, his attention focused on the technical preparations.

Theo's eyes brightened with genuine gratitude, a warm appreciation evident in his gaze. "Thank you, Luca - or sh-should I call you professor?" he teased, a playful glint appearing in his eyes.

Lost in the task at hand, Luca didn't immediately catch the playful banter. "Whatever floats your boat. I really don't mind," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of lightheartedness. "Most of the students call me Ain Luca since we're about the same age."

Theo chuckled, charmed by Luca's easy going nature. "Ain Luca it is, th-then. I'll be sure to remember that."

As the room filled with the chatter of students settling into their seats, Luca's attention shifted to the lecture material, his focus unwavering as he clicked through the slide deck. His passion for the subject shone through his meticulous preparation, and it was clear that he was dedicated to providing an engaging and informative session for the eager students.

After bidding farewell to each student as they left, Luca sank back into his seat with a weary sigh, his shoulders slumping with exhaustion.

Teaching is as bad as having your own talk show. There's so much planning and preparation that goes on.

"Ain? Is everything okay?" Theo's concerned voice broke through Luca's thoughts, causing him to startle and sit up in his seat, meeting Theo's gaze.

"I thought you had left," Luca asked, his hand moving to rub his forehead, a sign of the lingering weariness.

Luca was tired and he told Wei that he would go to dinner with him. There was still so much to be done before he could unwind.

"Ain, do you need any anything? I don't mind helping," Theo offered and Luca shook his head as he got up and started packing everything.

Luca shook his head, a small but appreciative smile gracing his lips. "That's fine, Theo. I appreciate the offer, but I just need to head out."

Luca swiftly packed his materials and organized his notes, making sure everything was in order before he left. He couldn't shake the feeling of exhaustion that seemed to cling to him, weighing him down with every step.

"Take care, Ain," Theo said softly as Luca slung his bag over his shoulder, ready to face the rest of his evening's commitments.

Luca met Theo's gaze with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Theo. I'll see you around. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

With that, Luca made his way out of the lecture hall, his mind already shifting to the evening ahead.

He quickly grabbed an energy drink from the vending machine. He knew he was not going to sleep until later.

As Luca left the building and stepped into the cool evening air, he couldn't help but bask into the cold breeze the night brought on.

The energy drink brought a rush of adrenaline as Luca mounted his bike and drove off to the restaurant. Upon arrival, he swiftly tapped out a text to Wei, who had assured him of securing a table in advance.

Stepping inside, Luca was immediately enveloped by a tantalizing medley of aromas, an intricate blend of spices dancing in the air. The restaurant exuded a cozy ambiance, with warm hues adorning the walls and soft, ambient lighting casting a welcoming glow.

As he navigated through the bustling tables, the rich scent of simmering curries and fragrant rice wafted around him, evoking memories of far-off lands and tantalizing flavors.

Luca's eyes scanned the room until they settled on Wei, who was seated at a table in a corner, his face illuminated by a flickering candle. With a smile, Luca made his way over to join him.

Luca slid into the seat across from Wei, his eyes momentarily drawn to the menu filled with a diverse array of culinary delights. Each item on the menu beckoned with a promise of exotic flavors and spices that were bound to tantalize the palate.

Wei greeted him with a warm smile. "Hey, how's it been? I haven't seen you for a while."

Luca let out a soft chuckle, the sound resonating warmly in the cozy ambiance of the restaurant. "It's only been two weeks, Wei. You make it sound like it's been an eternity."

Wei playfully rolled his eyes, their camaraderie evident in the banter. "In those two weeks, you've managed to spend time with Kai multiple times and even had some Noah moments. Miles doesn't count because whenever Noah's around, there's always Miles lurking somewhere nearby."

"I don't see the problem," Luca shrugged, easing into the chair with a casual air. "Did you already place the order?" he asked, glancing toward Wei.

Wei nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Of course. I took the liberty of selecting a few of their signature dishes. Shouldn't be anything you don't like."

Luca nodded as he glanced at his phone.

Theo: Hope you get home safe!

Theo: I enjoyed the lecture btw

Theo: You're a good professor

Theo: Lemme know a time when you're free cuz I need some help catching up

Shaking his head, Luca shrugged lightly and glanced down at the menu once more.

Wei couldn't contain his curiosity. "Who was that you were talking about earlier?"

As the waiter arrived and skillfully set their dishes on the table, Luca leaned back in his chair, considering Wei's question.

"A new dae I found. He's shy but he is quick to open up," Luca explained, reminiscing about how Theo's initial shyness had dissipated during their walk to the lecture hall.

"Now, what did you order exactly?" Luca inquired, feeling the gnaw of hunger after a long day of minimal eating.

Observing Luca's reaction, Wei pointed out, "You didn't eat, did you?"

Luca offered a casual shrug in response. "I did eat, just not a lot."

"We'll see a clean plate before we leave," Wei playfully insisted, drawing Luca's attention to each dish. "I ordered butter chicken, rogan josh, dum aloo, khambir, and rice. I hope you're hungry."

As Luca's eyes widened at the sight of the array of dishes, he couldn't help but express his surprise. "That's a lot," he remarked in disbelief.

"We don't have to finish it all. I plan to take some home for Kai," Wei reassured him, demonstrating his thoughtfulness.

Luca took a bite of the butter chicken and his eyes lit up with delight. "This is delicious," he exclaimed, savoring the rich and flavorful sauce.

"I'm glad you like it," Wei replied, smiling at Luca's reaction. "You know something is wrong if you mess up butter chicken."

Luca nodded with agreement, "So far everything here is good. I might come here after classes are done."

"How has your day been?" Wei inquired, taking a moment to savor the flavors of the khambir and the dum aloo mixed with the curry from the butter chicken.

Luca's shoulders slumped as he recounted the demands of his day. "It's been alright. I had to film three more episodes for the show. Things have been chaotic. Since the ratings went up, it's been crazy," he confessed, weariness lacing his voice.

Wei's expression softened with concern. "Maybe we should have just stayed in tonight," he suggested, a hint of guilt evident in his tone.

Shaking his head, Luca offered a reassuring smile. "No, it's okay. I'll have some time off in a couple of weeks, I think. They're aiming for 180 episodes, but we've only completed 30, and the show's already on air."

Wei nodded, acknowledging the stress of being an important figure regardless of the industry. "Hopefully, it's not too much."

Luca couldn't help but roll his eyes playfully. "I'm not you, Wei. I do take breaks, believe it or not."

Wei feigned a dramatic sigh, leaning back in his chair. "Sure you do, sure. I've got designated times when I work. Dae would probably bonk me on the head if I didn't."

Luca nodded in understanding before his gaze drifted to his phone. He discreetly flipped it over and blinked with disbelief. Theo had sent over 20 messages.

This was a bit too much from someone new.

Theo must have been excited to meet Luca and possibly get some help catching up.

Checking that Wei wasn't watching, Luca began scrolling through the thread of messages, curious to see what had prompted such spamming.

Luca chuckled as he read through the thread of messages, amused by Theo's sudden switch from thanking him to discussing the main points of the lecture to asking about previous lectures to texting him memes and funny videos in a matter of minutes.

It was clear that Theo was trying to get to know him better, and Luca was enjoying getting to know Theo too.

Wei couldn't help but feel discouraged as he saw Luca smile as he scrolled through his phone. He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as he wasn't the one making Luca smile but someone else.

...

Luca had enjoyed the dinner with Wei last night. The food was great, and he made sure to take some home for later.

As his role changed from news anchor to talk show host, his day changed too. He now worked from 8 to 4, and his work took up most of his day. But it also meant that when the time came, he would have a nice, long vacation.

His show had passed the pilot, and he had completed the first week of episodes. Since the producers were fine with it, he would record 180 episodes and then have a one-to-two-month break.

"Dae!" Leila exclaimed, her voice ringing through the room as she bounced over to Luca.

Luca glanced up, a touch of concern in his expression as he settled his belongings on the desk. Just as he entered the office, he found himself enveloped in the exuberant embrace of his beloved elder.

"Ieon, is there something wrong?" Luca inquired, his voice filled with genuine care as he tried to gauge the reason behind Leila's excitement.

Omar, with a gentle smile, intervened, addressing Leila with a calming tone. "Meira, please let him go. He looks like he's feeling under the weather." Leila quickly released Luca, her enthusiasm barely contained as she stood beside Omar.

Luca shot a grateful look toward Omar, silently conveying his appreciation for his understanding and intervention. He took a moment to compose himself, feeling a surge of gratitude for the support and consideration of his colleagues.

Leila's excitement was palpable as she launched into a passionate description of the recent episodes of the show. "I love the show! Especially the recent episode about the trash cleanup. The way they edited it was incredible. It inspired me to consider picking up trash every day. The way they highlighted Omar, it was just amazing," she gushed, her admiration for the work evident in her every word.

Luca couldn't help but smile at Leila's infectious enthusiasm, her genuine appreciation for the efforts.

"Thank you, Ieon," Luca replied, his voice reflecting his gratitude.

Omar nodded in agreement, his eyes reflecting a shared sense of pride. "The team put in a lot of effort in editing. It helped with you cooperating so everything went smoothly."

"The way they featured you and Wei was incredible. You guys were practically in every frame," Leila exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she reached for her phone to show Luca a video compilation.

As the video began to play, Luca's expression slowly morphed into one of horror, his features contorting with a mix of disbelief and dismay at the extent of their on-screen presence.

"They actually did that?" Luca muttered, a touch of frustration seeping into his tone as he glanced over at Omar.

Omar offered a shrug in response, a hint of amusement twinkling in his eyes. "I don't know. I wasn't working that day."

A somewhat strained smile played on Luca's lips as he responded, "Well, as long as the ratings are up, that's great."

Omar, observing Luca's reaction, pursed his lips into a straight line, sensing the underlying unease behind his friend's words.

Lucas shook his head as he realized that Omar had noticed the shift in his demeanor. He appreciated Omar's ability to read him so well but was hesitant to address the topic further.

Just as the conversation was taking an awkward turn, Leila skillfully steered it in a different direction. "Dae, have you met the new interns yet?" she inquired, introducing a more lighthearted topic.

Luca shook his head, offering a simple reply. "I've crossed paths with the production and sound engineering interns, but not the others."

Leila's eyes lit up with excitement as she decided to take action. "Let me introduce you to them," she offered, reaching out to take Luca's hand and guide him. However, her enthusiasm was tempered by Omar, who placed his arm on Leila's wrist, causing her to falter.

"Oh, sorry about that," Leila quickly apologized. "Would you like to come with us?"

Luca was somewhat hesitant but didn't want to dampen Leila's enthusiasm, so he nodded in agreement.

Leila glanced at Omar, as if seeking his approval. "See, he doesn't mind."

Omar sighed, his expression a mix of patience and concern. "It's not about whether he minds or not, but we should be respectful of personal boundaries. You can't just grab people like that."

Leila's expression softened as she listened. "I'm sorry, Luca," she said, her voice conveying genuine regret.

Luca offered a reassuring smile, understanding Leila's genuine intent. "It's alright, Ieon. I appreciate the thought," he replied, his tone gentle and forgiving.

Omar nodded in approval, a small smile gracing his lips. "Let's go meet the interns then," he suggested, steering the conversation back to the original plan.

Together, the trio made their way through the bustling office, greeted by the hum of activity and the occasional sounds of laughter and conversation. Leila led the way, her steps filled with a renewed enthusiasm as she navigated the corridors with practiced ease.

The trio's approach didn't go unnoticed, as the interns, their faces alight with a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement, began to gather in the designated area.

As Luca, Leila, and Omar entered the space, the room buzzed with an air of expectancy, the interns eager to meet one of the big faces in the company.

"Hello everyone!" Leila cheerfully greeted, and in response, everyone affectionately called her Eirah.

As Luca observed, he couldn't help but roll his eyes at the familiarity.

"Even though you've just begun, you haven't had the pleasure of meeting one of the youngest anchors," she continued.

With a flourish, she presented Luca, her former partner in crime.

Luca couldn't help but chuckle as he stepped forward, introducing himself, "Good morning, I'm Luca Chantrisi. Some of you may know me as Ieon's former co-host, but now I'm heading the show 'Golden Hour with Luca.' Are you all familiar with it?" A couple of hands in the audience shot up in acknowledgment.

"While I can't promise I'll be around all the time, don't hesitate to approach me for a chat. In this industry, making the right connections is key, so reaching out and engaging with others is your best bet."

Leila smiled as Luca finished speaking, then turned to address the audience once more. "Remember, learning from industry professionals like Luca is invaluable. Don't be afraid to seek guidance and wisdom from those who have paved the way before you," she encouraged, her voice carrying a note of genuine warmth. "But also, don't forget to carve your own path and bring your unique voice to the table. Embrace your individuality, as it's what sets you apart in this competitive world."

Most interns nodded as they started to crowd around Leila, asking her about her day or informing them about theirs.

The interns reminded Luca that just a couple years ago, he was one of them. He was desperate to make a difference, pave his own path.

A couple interns also flocked to Luca, asking him various questions.

"Oh, Ain? You're here?" Called a familiar voice.

Luca turned to see Theo, his name tag attached to a lanyard and he seemed to be carrying a couple of files.

"I didn't know you got an internship here," Luca remarked.

"I didn't know you worked here. I know your show was with the company as in the channel but I thought you were placed in the other building." Theo stammered out a response.

"Yeah, I'm just here for a meeting today," Luca explained. "But it's nice to see you again."

"You too," Theo said. "Did you get home safe? You looked pretty tired last night."

"I did," Luca said. "How about you?"

Before Theo could give a response, Leila appeared between them.

"Dae, I didn't know you knew Luca," she remarked as she looked between the two.

"We're, we're in the same cla-class Eirah," Theo stuttered, looking a bit shy.

"Don't be nervous Dae. You've been here for two weeks already," she said as she wrapped an arm around Theo's shoulder.

Theo seemed to sink into the touch.

"I know," he said. "But it's still nerve-wracking."

"I understand," Leila said. "But you're doing great. I'm really proud of you."

Theo smiled. "Thanks, Eirah."

"Dae, you wouldn't believe the projects he's handled at the media firm. His attention to detail and creativity are unmatched." As she nudged Theo closer to Luca, the sweet scent of strawberries wafted through the air, intriguing Luca.

Theo seemed to blush harder. "You're saying too too much Eirah. It was just small things," he said.

Luca nodded as he glanced at his watch. "Ieon, I have to leave in a couple minutes. I have a meeting at 8:30. It's nice meeting you!" He called the interns as he bid them goodbye.

Luca turned and walked away, but he couldn't help but think about Theo.

Theo is incredibly cute. It's endearing how he stutters when he's nervous. Luca wondered how a perfectly spoken sentence would sound from Theo's lips.

Luca's heart skipped a beat as he imagined Theo's soft voice whispering sweet words in his ear.

Luca quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts. He couldn't afford to be distracted right now. He had a meeting to attend.

Luca entered the conference room and took a seat at the table. The meeting was already in progress, but he was able to catch up quickly.

The meeting lasted for about an hour, and then Luca was finally able to leave. He walked out of the conference room and headed back to the elevator.

As he was waiting for the elevator to arrive, he saw Theo walking towards him.

"Ai-Ain!," Theo called. "I-I was just wondering if you wanted to get coffee or a drink later?" He was fiddling the bottom hem of his cardigan as he asked.

Luca looked amazed, captivated by Theo's innocent like demeanor. "Sure, I'd love to, but not today," he said.

"The-That's fine," Theo said. "How about tomorrow mo-morning?"

"Sounds good," Luca said.

Luca got on the elevator and waved goodbye to Theo.

Luca had to go to another meeting. This time with the writers as they planned out the next couple of episodes.

The elevator chimed as it reached the designated floor, and Luca stepped out into the busy hallway, his mind already shifting to the upcoming meeting with the show's writers. As he entered the meeting room, he was greeted by a flurry of activity and spirited discussion.

"Alright, team," the producer began, addressing the group of writers gathered around the table. "Let's dive into the next couple of episodes. We've seen some great feedback from the recent segments, and I think we can build on that momentum."

One of the senior writers, Putri, leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement. "I was thinking we could explore a storyline about environmental activism within the local community. We can highlight the efforts of some of the volunteers we've worked with and showcase their impact on the neighborhood."

Another writer, Marcos, nodded in agreement, adding, "We could also incorporate a series of special features on sustainable living practices, giving our audience tangible steps they can take to make a positive impact in their daily lives."

The room buzzed with energy as ideas began to flow, each member of the team contributing their unique perspectives and insights. Luca found himself immersed in the creative process, his passion for storytelling and community engagement fueling the collaborative atmosphere.

The meeting lasted long, and Luca had to go through another two recordings for the show. With each recording spanning two hours at most, it drains a lot in Luca.

Following the exhausting recordings, Luca made his way back to his office, feeling the weight of the day settle heavily on his shoulders.

He sank into his chair, the quiet ambiance of the office offering a brief reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the production floor. There were not many people as it was lunch break.

Luca knew that since Wei had texted him about lunch.

Wei: DO NOT FORGET LUNCH

Wei: I MEAN IT

Wei: DO NOT FORGET LUNCH

Wei: Also Kai made lunch and it makes me want to hide

Wei: It's pretty red

Wei: *sent picture*

That did look pretty red to Luca when he saw the picture and secretly sent prayers to Wei. Kai is more than likely going to watch his Taya eat it and more than likely have a hidden camera to record the reaction.

He quickly texted Leila to let her know he was going to grab lunch, then packed his things and headed to the alcove.

He was hungry for something light but satisfying, so he ordered a blackened shrimp bowl. He didn't want anything too heavy, and he wasn't in the mood for raw fish or salad.

As he waited for his food, he scanned over his surroundings when he noticed a familiar head.

Leila.

She was sitting with Omar and the rest of the interns in the booths and it seemed to be that they combined the tables together so that a larger number of people could fit than usual. He also happened to spot a seat on Leila's left.

When his food arrived, he walked over to the table. Leila had instantly spotted him coming.

"Dae! Over here!" she called as she patted the empty seat.

Luca nodded as he walked over and set his food down.

The interns had all greeted him and he greeted them back.

"What's this?" Leila said as she peered at Luca's lunch.

"Blackened shrimp bowl," Luca responded as he went to eat.

"Is it raw shrimp?" an intern asked.

Luca shook his head as he cleared his mouth. "It's fried shrimp and cooked until some parts are purposely scorched because of the seasoning. I tried this when I was on vacation. People do it a bit differently in Country B."

"Wow," the intern said. "That sounds interesting."

Luca nodded. "It is. It's got a bit of a kick to it, but it's really good."

"I just ate, you're just making me more hungry, Ain," complained the intern, his tone lighthearted as he playfully teased Luca.

"Dae Ari, if you want, just get it," Leila offered, making a move to stand up and assist the intern with his hunger pangs. However, before she could fully rise, the intern halted her with a quick gesture of his hand.

"Ieon, you don't need to do that," he insisted, his tone respectful but firm.

"Aish, it's completely fine. I don't mind getting it," Leila maintained, her determination evident in her response.

Amidst the friendly banter, Luca's gaze shifted momentarily, catching Theo's eyes fixed on him. Luca offered a friendly wave, prompting a faint smile from Theo before he quickly averted his gaze, a soft blush tingeing his cheeks.

Luca couldn't help but be amused by the interns' playful interactions, a testament to the vibrant energy and camaraderie that permeated their workspace.

"You know," Luca remarked between bites, addressing the intern, "there's so much to explore when it comes to global cuisine. Each dish tells a story of its own, reflecting the culture and traditions of the people who create it. It also lets you know more about the person you're talking with and how they're raised."

The intern nodded, their interest visibly piqued. "Really? Food can tell you that much about a person?," they asked, a newfound curiosity lighting up their expression.

Leila, who had been listening intently, chimed in with a smile. "Absolutely. It's one of the most delightful ways to learn about different cultures and their values. Food has a way of bringing people together, no matter where they come from."

As the conversation flowed effortlessly, the alcove filled with the hum of animated discussion and laughter, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that resonated with the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect that defined their workplace.