CHARLOTTE

"Did something happen? Do we need to reschedule?" I asked as the guard walked away.

Thiago shook his head, offering a nervous chuckle. "No, it's nothing that can't be handled later. Now, where were we?"

"You were about to tell me the main reason behind this dinner," I replied, picking up the fork in front of me. I dug into the pasta - not because I was particularly hungry but because I needed something to fidget with while he gathered his thoughts.

The atmosphere had shifted, suddenly dampened, as if something heavy weighed on his mind. I wanted to know what had transpired between him and the guard, but...