“So… are you ready for tonight?” Arga’s voice was soft on the other end of the phone.

Vania smiled faintly, though he couldn’t see it. “Depends. Ready for what?”

“For a dinner that… might make you forget all your problems for a while,” Arga replied, his tone half-joking.

Vania let out a short laugh. “We’ll see.”

---

The restaurant Arga chose sat quietly at a corner of the street, tucked between rows of old buildings with golden-hued hanging lamps casting a warm glow over the sidewalk. The scent of toasted bread and spices greeted them the moment they stepped inside.

Arga guided Vania to a table near the window, where...