CHARLOTTE

“No drivers or guards? That’s new,” I said as we entered the car. He chuckled, started the ignition, put the car in reverse, and began driving.

“Sometimes... well, most of the time, I like to drive myself around. It gives me the feeling of autonomy I barely have, and I thought you’d want to meet Thiago instead of Signor Mooze,” he said, and I smiled wistfully.

“So, Thiago drives himself around? Quite fitting for someone who’s barely recognized by anyone here,” I replied. He smiled, switched gears as the car turned to face the gate, and stepped on the accelerator.

“That’s what makes it fun,” he uttered as we...