The neon lights of the Easternland skyline had become a familiar backdrop over the past week, but the migration team had seen more of their laptop screens than the local architecture. One afternoon, the group finally managed to slip away to a sleek coffee shop just a block from the client’s headquarters.

Grace let out a long, theatrical groan as she slumped into a chair. "I didn’t expect it to be this busy," she complained, eyeing her double-shot espresso like it was a life-saving elixir. "We’ve barely had time to eat, let alone breathe."

Isaac nodded somberly, though there was a glint of his usual humor in his eyes. "I had a list of twenty monuments and five famous street food stalls to visit," he said, sighing. "But so far, the only place I’ve visited more than once is the office bathroom."

Caleb laughed, patting Isaac’s shoulder. "Cheer up, man. This week is already better than last week. At least we’re sitting here with coffee instead of staring at a loading bar."

Phoebe, however, was not in a relaxing mood. She kept her eyes glued to her watch, her foot tapping a frantic rhythm. "Five minutes, guys," she announced sharply. "We have to be in that conference room for the presentation. Move it or lose it."

Samuel stood up with a heavy sigh, grabbing his half-finished latte. He looked over at Eva and Gabriel, who were staying behind to manage some higher-level logistics. "Don’t think you two are free," Samuel warned with a playful wag of his finger. "We’ll call you the second a stakeholder asks a question we can’t answer. Please be ready to rescue us in the second-floor conference room."

Gabriel laughed, waving them off. "Don’t worry, we’re on standby. But look on the bright side—starting tomorrow, our official schedules are free. We have three days left in this city, and we’re going to enjoy them."

Eva sighed, her mind drifting to her inbox. "I haven't even touched my routine work since we got here. I have a mountain of emails to clear starting tomorrow morning."

Once the team had scurried off toward their meeting, Gabriel and Eva found a quiet corner in the office garden near the entrance. The air was cool, scented with the fragrance of blooming jasmine that climbed the stone walls.

"Did Delilah ever send you the project updates?" Eva asked, leaning against a bench.

Gabriel rubbed his temples. "I’ve barely had time to check. My inbox is like a mountain. I’ve planned to dive into everything the second I’m back in my own office chair."

As they spoke, neither of them noticed a figure standing in the deep shadow of an ornamental archway just a few yards away. A man in a tailored dark suit watched them with an intensity that suggested he was looking for something more than just scenery.

"Did you notice something, Eva?" Gabriel said softly, his voice dropping an octave. "Our migration project will be over in less than six months. After that, you’ll likely have to travel to the West End again for your next assignment."

Eva’s face fell. The thought of being separated from him again after five years of silence was unbearable. "Maybe I’ll try to get a job in this location permanently," she suggested.

Gabriel shook his head gently. "I checked the internal forecasts. There won’t be any openings here for at least two years. I think... I think I’ll have to shift jobs to stay near you."

"Then we’ll both try," Eva said, her smile returning.

Gabriel reached out, his hand cupping her cheek. He leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. "I'm not letting you go again, Eva. Not for a job, not for a city, not for anything." He pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her temple, and Eva felt a warm rush of happiness that made the stress of the last week vanish.

The moment was interrupted by the sharp buzz of Gabriel’s phone. He pulled it out, and his expression shifted from romantic to annoyed as he saw the caller ID. He immediately disconnected the call.

"Who was that?" Eva asked.

"Just a promotional call," Gabriel muttered. But a second later, the phone buzzed again. He looked at the screen with visible irritation, but this time his face changed. "It’s Samuel. Seems like Sam got into something already."

He answered the call quickly. "Yes, Sam? I’m on my way."

Gabriel turned back to Eva, giving her a quick, apologetic kiss. "I have to go rescue them. See you in a bit?"

"Go," Eva laughed. "I have a meeting myself in ten minutes."

As Gabriel hurried back toward the building, Eva stood alone for a moment, checking her watch. Suddenly, the figure from the shadows stepped forward.

"Excuse me," a commanding, cultured voice called out.

Eva turned and found herself staring at a man whose face she recognized instantly. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. "Oh my god... Mr. St. James?"

Before the man could even introduce himself, she rushed on, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I am such a great fan! I have seen every interview you've ever given. You are a total tech genius!"

Sebastian St. James smiled, clearly amused by her enthusiasm. "Thank you. That’s very kind of you. Actually, I’m trying to find the A1 tower. Could you please guide me?"

Eva immediately pointed the way, explaining the shortcuts through the courtyard. Sebastian thanked her, then paused, looking at her thoughtfully. "Perhaps we could meet properly tomorrow, if you’re available?" He reached into his pocket and handed her an elegant, thick visiting card with the details of his hotel. "I’m staying in the executive suite."

"Can I bring my boyfriend?" Eva asked eagerly. "He is also a tech genius, just like you!"

Sebastian’s eyes twinkled with a strange, hidden emotion. "Oh? What is his name?"

"Gabriel," Eva said proudly.

"And do you think he would be okay to meet me?" Sebastian asked, his voice careful.

"Oh, he would love it!" Eva exclaimed. "It will be a huge surprise for him!"

Sebastian nodded slowly. "Okay then. Surprise him."

As he walked away, Eva stared at the card in her hand, her mind racing with the thrill of the encounter. She decided right then and there not to tell Gabriel a word. This was going to be the best surprise of his life.

The next morning, Eva led a very confused Gabriel to a sleek, rented sedan. As they pulled up to one of the most exclusive hotels in the city, Gabriel’s confusion turned to suspicion.

"Who are we meeting, Eva?" he asked for the tenth time. "I’ve been asking you since breakfast, and you haven't given me a single clue."

"You will meet him in less than five minutes," Eva said, her eyes dancing with excitement. "Don't worry!"

They walked through the opulent marble lobby. Eva handed the gold-embossed card to a hotel attendant, and Gabriel tried to peek at it, but she playfully blocked his view. The attendant bowed and led them straight to the elevators, then down a quiet hallway to the massive double doors of the executive suite.

A quiet assistant opened the door, ushering them into a spacious suite that had been converted into a temporary, high-tech office.

There, sitting behind a polished desk, was Sebastian St. James.

Gabriel froze. The air seemed to leave his lungs as his smile vanished instantly. He stood rooted to the spot, his face turning pale, then flushing with a complicated mixture of shock and long-buried resentment.

Eva, oblivious to the sudden drop in temperature, took Gabriel’s hand and led him forward. Sebastian stood up, his face an impenetrable mask of professional courtesy, and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you both."

Gabriel stared at his father’s hand as if it were a dangerous object. Slowly, mechanically, he reached out and shook it, his grip tight but his expression icy.

Sebastian gestured toward the plush chairs in front of the desk. "Please, sit down."

As they both took their seats, Sebastian looked directly at Eva, though his words were clearly aimed elsewhere. "It seems you’ve brought your boyfriend along with quite a surprise."

Gabriel didn't say a word. He simply stared at his father, his jaw set in a hard, uncompromising line that mirrored the man across from him.