Luca had taken his sweet time making sure that everything was set up for Noah to arrive. He wants everything to be nice and peaceful, especially since Noah was more than likely in surgery before he'll arrive.

With a gentle touch, he wiped away the accumulated dust from the railings, the once vibrant white now gleaming under his care. The potted plants, deprived of attention, received a much-needed bath, their leaves regaining their emerald luster.

Luca carefully removed the faded cushions, vacuuming every inch of the couch's frame, ridding it of the accumulated dust and debris. With a sigh of satisfaction, he replaced the cushions, their plumpness restored, inviting him to once again sink into their embrace.

He swept away the accumulated dust and debris, his movements brisk and purposeful. He replaced the dead light bulbs with new ones, their twinkling glow illuminating the space once again.

Satisfied with his progress, Luca decided to take a moment for himself. He filled the bathtub with steaming hot water, adding a generous amount of his favorite scented bath salts. As he sank into the luxurious depths of the tub, he felt his worries and stress melt away.

The soothing warmth of the water enveloped him, and he closed his eyes, letting the gentle fragrance of the bath salts fill his senses. He breathed deeply, allowing the tranquility of the moment to wash over him.

Going out racing didn't help as it usually did. It might be the fact that he didn't race for as long as he wanted and went ahead showing Theo around. After that, he and Theo sat in a restaurant just talking about random stuff.

The stress of the day, the pressure of racing, the anxiety of showing Theo around – it all seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of serenity that was both refreshing and rejuvenating.

He stayed in the bath for what seemed like hours, enjoying the warmth, the fragrance, and the tranquility that enveloped him. When he finally emerged, he felt like a new person, his body relaxed, his mind clear, and his spirit refreshed.

Stepping out of the bathroom, Luca wrapped himself in a fluffy white towel, the softness of the fabric against his skin adding to his sense of well-being.

He made sure to dry himself off before he put on the black robe he had lying around.

As he was waiting for Noah to arrive, he decided to put the RGB lights on a low blue. He usually likes keeping it red but the feels like it should be blue until Noah arrives.

He sat on the couch, his leg over the other as he flipped through pages of a book. The book was not that exciting as it was just a biography and a poorly written one at that.

Seconds turned to minutes to hours. By that time, Luca had finished reading through the book and popped open a bottle of champagne.

As he poured into a glass, there was the familiar whirring noise of his door unlocking.

Noah had walked into the living room, looking more tired than usual. He made a beeline towards Luca and sank into Luca's opening comfort of his arms.

"What took you so long, Taya?" Luca asked as he rubbed soothing circles on Noah's back.

"I just came out of a 12 hour surgery. Excuse you for coming here directly after spending hours with my arms shoved inside someone's organs. You're lucky I came at all," Noah grumbled as he sank into Luca's arms.

Luca slightly pushed Noah away, who grumbled a bit, "Taya. Let's get you relaxed. Let me start a bath for you," Luca said sofly as he took the elder towards the bathroom.

He quickly ran a bath for Noah, making sure the mood was set for Noah to relax. He caressed Noah's face as he said, "take a bath to relax. I'll help you out once you're done."

Noah had gone quiet but a nod from him made sure that Noah was fine and set to make the rest of the night perfect for the two.

Luca went to turn on the diffusers as well as setting up some chamomile tea since he knew Noah would rather sleep than drink until he relaxes. The diffusers were prefilled and ready to go before Noah arrived, it's so that Luca wouldn't have to refill it later in the night.

It didn't take long for Luca to get everything ready, but it was long enough for Noah to fully get relaxed and into a somewhat lucid state. He had gotten out of the shower with a towl wrapped around his waist when Luca was pouring the tea into the cups.

"Taya, you're getting water everywhere," Luca said as he gently pushed Noah to his bedroom and got a smaller towel to dry Noah's hair.

"I'm tired. I did a 32 hour shift and everything decided to go wrong all at once," Noah spoke after a while, breaking the silence.

"Really? What happened?" Luca hummed as he got up to get some lotion for Noah, he put some on Noah's hands and then put some on his.

"Five of them got into cardiac arrest. Around the same time. It took a while to get them to a stable state, and then they told me to the emergency and that was terrible because there were two surgeries from that. Then I had two other planned surgeries to do. I had planned a date night today, but because of this, we couldn't do it."

"That seems like it would be a lot. Why didn't you continue with the date night? I wouldn't have minded if you said no," Luca gently asked as he got up and handed Noah a robe.

"Miles said this would be better for me. He says that you're good for me and doesn't mind the relationship or anything as long as I'm happy," Noah gave a small smile as he thought about his lover.

Luca helped drape the robe over Noah as Noah talked about Miles and how happy he was to even have Miles.

"Well, Taya is right, you know. You look like you need to relax," Luca said, his eyes reflecting sincerity.

Noah sighed, the tension visibly leaving his shoulders as he sank into the comfort of the robe. "Thank you."

Luca nodded, guiding Noah to the cozy seating area in the living room. They carefully made their way to the decorated balcony, with it already bringing a sense of coziness from the diffusers and light.

Noah had dropped down onto the couch and opened his arms for Luca to fall into.

Luca gave a small smile as strong arms wrapped around him. A reverse of their position from the first time they started this.

"How was your week been, Dae?" Noah asked as he looked out at the twinkling city lights.

Luca let out a soft sigh as he thought back. He thought back about work, the dinners with Wei, and the hangouts with Theo.

"Look at that smile on your face," Noah playfully nudged as he peered into Luca's eyes, "what happened that got you looking like that?"

Luca looked confused. "looking like what? It was pretty much a normal week," he shrugged as he sank deeper into Noah's embrace.

Noah chuckled softly, his fingers tracing absent-minded patterns on Luca's back. "I've known you long enough to recognize your 'normal week' expression, and this one isn't it."

"It's nothing much. I just had work." Luca began recounting the events of the week. He spoke about the dinners with Wei, the planning for the music festival, the hangouts with Theo. He was a bit vague about Theo, only saying as much as needed.

Noah listened attentively, his fingers continuing their soothing motion on Luca's back. As Luca spoke about Theo, Noah couldn't help but sense a subtle shift in Luca's demeanor.

"Who's Theo?" Noah asked, curiosity evident in his tone, "I don't think you mentioned him two weeks ago."

Luca hesitated for a moment, then replied, "He's one of the interns. I met him a bit before our last session, but he's been moved to my section. He's enjoying that more. We also have a couple classes together and I teach one of the classes too."

Noah's eyebrows raised slightly, but he didn't press further. Instead, he brought the conversation back to Luca's well-being. "You seem genuinely happy, Dae. That's good to see."

"I'm always happy," Luca playfully punched Noah's shoulder.

Noah chuckled, his tired eyes reflecting a genuine warmth. "Well, as long as you're happy, that's all that matters." He tightened his embrace around Luca, offering silent comfort. "However, you never looked this antsy during our sessions. Why is that?"

"I...wasn't able to relax that much. Theo ended up meeting me at the track and I got sidelined from there," Luca explained as Noah patiently heard him out.

"So Theo went to visit you at the track? The one that Otieno owns, right?"

Luca nodded, "he came and brought lunch for everyone. After that, I showed him around."

"It looks like this dae likes you," Noah teased.

Luca chuckled at Noah's teasing, "He's just a friend, Taya. Nothing more."

Noah raised an eyebrow, "From what I heard from you, it's more than that. No one knows about Otieno's track and no one has ever brought their lover there. We don't count because we're Otieno's friends."

"I appreciate your concern, Taya. But there's really nothing to worry about. Theo's a good kid. We're just friends, and I'm helping him out," Luca reassured, turning his gaze back to the city lights.

Noah nodded, his fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on Luca's arm. "Alright, just making sure. You know I worry about you."

"I know, and I appreciate it," Luca said, genuinely touched by Noah's concern. "But enough about me. How are you feeling? Do you want to talk about your day or just relax?"

Noah sighed, the weariness in his eyes reflecting the long hours he had spent in surgery. "Let's just relax for now. Talking about work can wait."

"Let me get the tea." Luca fetched the chamomile tea he had prepared earlier. He carefully poured two cups and sank back down into the couch, handing Noah a cup.

The calming aroma filled the air as they sipped the warm liquid, each sip bringing a sense of relaxation.

They sat in companionable silence, the only sounds being the soft city hum outside and their quiet sips of tea. Luca stole glances at Noah, noting the fatigue etched on his face. He couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness, a desire to shield Noah from the stresses that weighed him down.

Noah, wrapped in the robe Luca had provided, looked more at ease. The events of the day seemed to fade away as the night unfolded.

The diffusers continued to release their soothing scents, creating an atmosphere of tranquility.

As the night wore on, Noah's eyes grew heavier, the fatigue from the long day finally catching up to him.

Luca made sure to pull up the covers and pulled up the panels, shielding them from the bugs that love to appear in the dark.

Noah shifted to find a comfortable position, and Luca wrapped his arms around him, providing a reassuring embrace.

"Sleep, Taya," Luca whispered, pressing a tender kiss to Noah's forehead. Noah mumbled a tired thank you before succumbing to the embrace of sleep.

As Noah's breathing deepened, Luca stayed awake for a while, his mind reflecting on the events of the evening.

Was he happier than usual? Was it different from how he's usually happy?

He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Theo, being there, had brought a new dynamic, a fresh energy that stirred something within him.

Yet Luca was sure that it was just a friendship, nothing more.

The soft glow of the city lights danced on Luca's contemplative eyes as he continued to hold Noah in his arms.

"The sponsor list isn't still finalized," Stefan, the project manager, announced, tapping his pen on the table, "We also do not have much time left either. We have a couple weeks left and our previous sponsors have pulled out."

The room hummed with a mix of excitement and anticipation as the team gathered to plan the upcoming music festival.

Luca leaned forward, his eyes focused on the budget spreadsheet displayed on the screen. Theo, sitting beside him, shuffled through a stack of papers containing potential sponsor agreements. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, adding a touch of energy to the room.

"I know we've been working hard on securing sponsors, but we need to nail this down," Stefan continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "The budget is tight, and we can't afford any last-minute surprises."

"We also do not have a confirmed lineup of artists to perform, Ain," pointed out Aliana, the assistant project manager, "the sponsors keep pulling out because we do not have that confirmed."

Iker, the lead coordinator for artist bookings, nodded in agreement with Aliana's observation. "I've been in touch with several artists, but it's been a challenge to get firm commitments without a guaranteed sponsorship. It's a bit of a catch-22 situation."

Stefan sighed, the weight of the looming challenges evident on his shoulders. "We can't let this festival fall apart. It's not just about the music; it's about the community, the spirit of celebration. We need to find a solution, and fast. Iker, who is confirmed to come?"

Iker looked down at his tablet and pressed it a couple times before starting, "the five artists from Dewdrop Collective will be coming. We also have the award winning artists like DanDan and Sora Shin on board. However, we're still waiting for confirmation from some key performers. Their schedules are tight, and without a solid sponsor, they're hesitant to commit."

Luca was given the privilege of looking at the unconfirmed list of artists so he can work with Iker to create a schedule on how the performances would be distributed.

"That group," Luca leaned in to whisper to Iker, "did they still not confirm their attendance."

Iker shook his head as they watched Stefan practically pull his hair out. "Their company is being a pain. They were the one that pulled out their side of sponsorships."

"If you need, I can ask to try to get them on board," Luca offered and Stefan's ears perked up.

"You'll do what? We don't accept no pillow work here, Dae," Stefan looked very stern as he was scolding Luca.

Everyone was now looking at Luca and Theo had this strange look on him. Luca knew everyone was jumping to conclusions at this point.

Luca rolled his eyes, "it's not like that. My friend is related to one of the board members of the company. We got a really good lineup, and the artists are counting on us to make this a success. We need those sponsorships to ensure everything runs smoothly. I am sure they wouldn't mind helping."

Stefan's stern expression softened as he considered Luca's offer. The room fell into a momentary hush, the weight of the festival's success hanging in the air.

Theo leaned in and whispered to Luca, "Your friend can help with sponsorships?"

Luca nodded subtly, shooting a reassuring glance at Theo. "Yeah, he's got connections. It's not about favors, it's about making sure the festival happens as planned. I want this to be a success for the team and the community."

Stefan sighed, realizing the urgency of the situation. "Alright, Luca. Do what you can. We're counting on you, but do not stress yourself."

Luca nodded, acknowledging the responsibility that came with his proposal. "I'll make sure it's done right, A'Stefan. We need those sponsors to secure the artists and ensure a smooth event."

Theo then chimed in, "I-I've been reaching out to a few l-local businesses, and some, uh, are showing interest, but we need, you know, commitments soon."

Stefan glanced at his laptop, scrolling through the spreadsheet. "We've got some potential sponsors who are considering it, but we can't rely on potential. We need solid agreements. The stage, sound equipment, lighting – it all adds up, and we can't compromise on the quality."

Samantha, responsible for marketing, spoke up, "We're pushing hard on social media, and I've been incorporating potential sponsors into our promotional materials. Once we get the official commitments, we can launch a full-scale campaign."

Luca ran his fingers through his hair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "We might need to consider tweaking the budget a bit. Are there areas where we can cut back without compromising the festival experience?"

Stefan nodded, "I'll look into it. Maybe we can find more cost-effective options for certain services without sacrificing quality. But we need those sponsors to cover the essentials."

Th-Theo stammered, "I-I've also been, um, thinking about offering some ex-exclusive perks to sponsors, like, uh, VIP access or, you know, pr-promotional opportunities. It might, um, sweeten the deal for them."

Stefan jotted down notes, "Good idea, Theo. Let's create a tiered sponsorship package with varying benefits. That way, we can appeal to different businesses based on their capacity to contribute."

The room shifted from tension to a renewed sense of determination as the team refocused on their tasks. Luca could feel the weight of expectations on his shoulders, but he was determined to make things right.

After the meeting, Luca and Theo walk towards the elevator as they discuss the plan. "I had no idea you had connections like that," Theo admitted, a mix of surprise and admiration in his eyes.

Luca chuckled. "Well, I don't usually bring it up. It's not something I rely on often, but in situations like this, it might be a game-changer. I just hope it works out."

Theo nodded, understanding the delicate balance of connections and professionalism. "I'm he-here to help in any way I-I can. Ja-Just let me know what you need."

"It's fine. I won't be getting on this elevator. I need to make a phone call," Luca claimed and Theo bid his goodbye, getting into the elevator.

Luca walked over to the large windows that overlooked the city. He had dialed Kofi and hoped that his friend would help him.

Kofi had answered on the third ring.

"Luca! How have you been! You don't usually call me!"

Luca couldn't help but smile at Kofi's enthusiastic greeting. "Hey, Kofi! I'm good, thanks. Listen, I've got a bit of a situation here. You know that music festival I'm working on?"

"The one that's hosted by your company every year? Who hasn't heard about it?"

Luca quickly briefed Kofi about the music festival, the sponsorship issues, and how critical it was to secure the support to make it a success. He explained the potential impact on the artists, the team, and the community.

Kofi listened attentively, and when Luca finished, there was a brief silence. Then, Kofi spoke, "You know, you don't usually ask for help unless it's important. I'm in. I'll talk to my contact on the board, and we'll see what we can do."

Relief washed over Luca. "Thanks, Kofi. I owe you one. This means a lot to everyone involved."

Kofi laughed, "Consider it done, my friend. Let's meet up at Erthka Park Thursday if you're free. We haven't raced together for a while."

Luca grinned, "Yeah, sure. Thanks again, Kofi. You're a lifesaver."

With the call ended, Luca felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He knew Kofi would do everything in his power to help. Now, all that was left was to wait for the confirmation.

Luca put his phone away and went down to his next meeting that was for his show.

As Luca entered the meeting room for his show, the atmosphere was noticeably different. The vibrant energy and enthusiasm from the previous meeting about the festival had dissipated, replaced by a more focused and intense aura.

The show's creative team was gathered around a table covered with sketches, storyboards, and notes. Mira, the lead designer, looked up as Luca entered, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Luca, we've been going through the designs, and we need your input on a few key elements," Mira explained, gesturing towards the sketches spread across the table.

"Sure thing," Luca said, taking a seat and glancing at the designs. Despite the pressure from the festival situation, he shifted his focus to the upcoming show.

Mira began discussing the visual concepts, detailing the stage setup, lighting effects, and overall theme.

After a thorough discussion, the team finalized some design decisions, and Luca provided his feedback on certain elements. As the meeting wrapped up, he thanked the team for their hard work and dedication.

Once again, Luca found himself in the hallway, this time accompanied by Mira, who seemed eager to discuss more details.

"Luca, I know you've got a lot on your plate with the festival, but I wanted to make sure we're on the same page for the show," Mira said, her eyes reflecting a genuine concern for the overall success of both events.

Luca nodded, appreciating her dedication. "I get it, Mira. The show is just as important, and I'm committed to making it unforgettable. I've got things in motion for the festival, and I believe it's going to work out."

Mira smiled, reassured by Luca's confidence. "That's good to hear. We've got some ambitious ideas for this show, and I think it has the potential to be a highlight. Let's make sure we give it the attention it deserves."

"Absolutely," Luca affirmed.

The day just got busier for Luca. He had to shuffle through a couple more meetings before he had to record for his show.

The moment Luca had finished up with the show, Leila hopped over to Luca's set.

"I've actually never been here before! This is so like you. It screams Dae," she said as she hopped on the sofa next to the guest.

"Hi! I'm Leila! I'm the news anchor for the morning news," Leila introduced herself to the guest.

"Gurl, I know who you are. Stop introducing yourself to me like you don't know me," Hala, the guest, rolled her eyes.

Leila turned to Luca, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Dae, what's the tea on E' Hala?"

"Why are you calling me Eirah!" Hala shrieked as she playfully smacked Leila's arm, "We're the same age!"

"You will always look ten years older than me," Leila stated before turning to Luca.

Leila leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "Give me the tea, dae. Is it true she's dating the lead guitarist of Echoes of Harmony? I saw them at the premiere last week, and they were practically inseparable."

Luca shook his head as he leaned closer. At this point, it looked comical as Leila and Luca leaned to reach each other and Hala had a bewildered look on her face.

"What do you mean dating!" Hala shrieked, "I'm engaged to Khader!"

She then shoved her ring forward in the middle of the two to show the proof. Luca and Leila both gave an exaggerated gasp.

Leila then turned and faced one of the cameras.

Leila put on her best serious news anchor face, "Breaking news, everyone! Hala, the ten- prism award winning actress, is not dating the lead guitarist of Echoes of Harmony but is, in fact, engaged to the supermodel Khader! We apologize for any confusion caused by our previous speculation."

Hala rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh. "You two are ridiculous. You're lucky I have some free time to stay a little extra here."

"I mean I'm off the clock," Leila shrugged as she leaned into the couch, "but meira is still on for a couple more hours. You want to go anywhere?"

Luca shook his head, "I have D'Theo taking me out for dinner."

Hala and Leila exchanged a sly glance, the mischievous spark in their eyes evident.

"What's this? Our dedicated and work-focused TV host Luca has an after-hours rendezvous with an intern? Scandalous," Hala exclaimed with mock astonishment.

Leila joined in, adding a theatrical touch, "And it's the dae himself who's treating him to dinner. How scandalously scandalous!"

Luca couldn't help but roll his eyes at their playful banter. "Are you two drama queens satisfied yet?"

Hala, with an air of theatricality, declared, "Hold on, Luca. Let's get one thing straight. I am an officially certified drama queen. Leila, on the other hand, is merely an apprentice in the fine art of drama."

Leila, with an exaggerated pout, protested, "Hey now, I'm working my way up the drama hierarchy. Don't undermine my dramatic potential, Hala."

"Alright then. We shouldn't keep Dae here for so long. You're done for the day, right?" Leila asked Hala who nodded.

"Shoo dae. Go on your date," Hala shooed Luca away.

Luca chuckled at their antics and stood up. "Alright, alright. I'm going. You two behave yourselves."

Upon reaching the lobby, Luca spotted Theo and greeted him with a warm smile. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."

Theo reassured him, "No, Taya, not at all."

Luca couldn't help but notice the absence of Theo's usual stutter. "You're not stuttering?"

Theo explained, "I haven't for a while, Taya. I stopped stuttering with you for a bit. I-it still pops up occasionally, though."

The two made their way to Theo's car which was brought up from the garage.

As they drove through the city, the atmosphere between Luca and Theo was easy and comfortable. The city lights illuminated the night, creating a picturesque backdrop for their evening.

As the sun dipped below the city skyline, Luca received a message from Kofi. The text read, "Spoke to the board. They're willing to reconsider the sponsorship. I'll keep you posted."

Luca couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Kofi. The weight on his shoulders lifted a bit as he shared the good news with Theo. "Looks like things might be turning around for the festival. Kofi's working on getting the board to reconsider the sponsorship."

Theo smiled, genuinely happy for Luca. "That's great news, Taya. I'm glad things are looking up for the festival."

"Yeah, me too," Luca replied, feeling a renewed sense of optimism. The car continued its journey through the city, and Luca couldn't help but appreciate the serenity of the moment.

Theo navigated through the city with ease, occasionally glancing at Luca with a smile. "So, where are we headed for dinner?"

Luca leaned back in his seat, enjoying the city lights passing by. "Surprise me. Take me to a place you like."

Theo nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Alright, then. I know just the place."

They soon arrived at a cozy little restaurant tucked away in a quieter part of the city. The ambiance was warm, with soft lighting and the gentle hum of background music.

As they settled into their seats, Luca couldn't help but appreciate Theo's choice. "This place is nice. How did you find it?"

Theo shrugged with a smile. "I stumbled upon it one day while exploring the city. Thought it had a nice vibe."

The evening unfolded with delightful surprises. Theo guided Luca through the menu, recommending his favorite dishes. They shared stories, laughter, and moments of genuine connection.

As the night progressed, Luca couldn't help but reflect on the events of the day. From the meticulous preparations at home to the unexpected challenges at work, the day had been a rollercoaster.

Yet, in the company of Theo, the stress seemed to fade away.

As the evening drew to a close, Luca felt a sense of contentment. The city lights shimmered outside, casting a gentle glow on the streets. Theo paid the bill, and they strolled out into the crisp night air.

Theo turned to Luca with a soft smile. "I hope you enjoyed the evening, Taya."

Luca returned the smile, a warmth in his eyes. "I did, Theo. Thank you for the wonderful dinner and for being such good company."

"You're welcome," Theo gave a soft smile.

The lake shimmered under the midday sun, its surface reflecting the vivid blue sky.

Luca found solace in the rhythmic lapping of the water against the edge, a temporary escape from the bustling world around him.

Thursday arrived so quickly that it almost caught Luca off guard. It seemed as if the days were hurrying to bring something significant, and anticipation hung in the air like a subtle breeze.

It was calming to stare at the lake and it felt like Luca could stand there forever and just get lost into the blues of the water.

"I knew you would be here," Kofi's voice broke Luca's reverie as he approached.

Luca gave Kofi a fist bump before turning to the water. "It's very calming."

"It is," Kofi said as he looked at the water, "this lake is just too perfect you know. Sometimes it feels like a dream."

"More like you can dream when you're here," Luca muttered.

The rippling water seemed to carry away the weight of responsibilities, leaving behind a sense of serenity that both men could appreciate.

Kofi nodded in agreement, his eyes mirroring the sentiment. "You can get so easily lost in here though. Keep dreaming and then suddenly disappear."

Luca nodded, "it's such a nice lake, but no one comes here because of the deaths."

"It's called the lake full of dreams for a reason. It has a really calming effect."

"I know," Luca agreed as he thought back on a news report he did several months back regarding a suicide done by drowning in this very lake.

He remembered sitting at the news room with horror evident on his face as he was reading through the script and report.

In a devastating turn of events, Erthka Park, known for its serene surroundings and the famous Lake of Dreams, has become the site of a heartbreaking incident. Authorities responded to reports of an unconscious person near the lake earlier today, only to discover the lifeless body of a 19-year-old [redacted].

Local law enforcement is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, with the initial findings pointing towards a case of apparent suicide. The park, a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, is now marred by this unfortunate incident.

In an exclusive interview with his sister, [redacted], they expressed profound grief and shock over the loss of their loved one. "Our family is devastated by this unexpected tragedy. We are struggling to come to terms with the loss of a bright and promising young soul," [redacted] shared.

Luca couldn't remember the fine details, but he didn't like it.

"This lake makes everything feel like a dream. Like we're living in a simulation," Kofi continued.

Luca nodded before shaking his head, breaking his reverie. "We're going to sound like old men if we continue. Let's go to the track."

Kofi chuckled, "Old men or not, the track awaits. Let's see if you can still keep up with my speed."

"Like you could ever beat me," Luca scoffed.

They made their way to the racing track, a place that held a different kind of serenity for Luca. The familiar scent of burning rubber and the sound of engines roaring to life brought a surge of excitement.