By the time lunch rolls around, Marilena takes her break in a quieter corner of the office. She pulls out her phone and dials Carla, who picks up after the second ring.
"You finally have time for me?" Carla teases.
"I always have time for you," Marilena replies, smiling. "How's your day?"
"Long. I was in surgery all morning," Carla sighs. "What about you?"
Marilena glances at her laptop screen. "Busy, as usual. Finalizing a new vision board, dealing with supplier delays."
Carla hums. "Sounds like a typical Monday. Anyway, tell me—how was coffee with Christian?"
Marilena hesitates before answering. "It was… fine. We talked."
Carla isn't buying it. "Talked about what?"
Marilena sighs. "Andrea."
There's a beat of silence before Carla responds. "Oh."
"Yeah," Marilena mutters.
Carla hesitates. "And? How did he seem?"
Marilena thinks back to their conversation about how Christian had spoken about his past. "I think it still affects him. Even if he won't admit it."
