The hallway outside Leila's forensic science lecture hall buzzes with low chatter. She's jotting notes into her phone when a classmate leans over her shoulder, eyes gleaming.
"There's a conference happening in Naples tomorrow. International speakers, top researchers… even a few European forensic labs will be presenting," the girl says breathlessly.
Leila blinks. "Seriously?"
"Yeah, and Dr. Magliano is sponsoring three of us to attend."
Later that day, her name is on the list.
"I have to leave tonight," Leila tells Sofia, a little breathless herself. "I got selected for the forensic science conference. It's in Naples."
Sofia's face lights up. "That's incredible, Leila! You have to go. Imagine the kind of exposure—networking, career stuff. This could be your turning point!"
"I don't even know what to pack. I'll be back by tomorrow night, hopefully," Leila says, eyes scanning her small suitcase like it's a puzzle.
"I've got you," Sofia grins. "One chic outfit, flats in case your boots betray you, and don't forget your notebook. Let's get you conference-ready!"
Within the hour, Leila is packed, ready, and waiting at the airport.
Meanwhile, across Milan, Elias stands beside his matte black sedan, eyes narrowed at Kai.
"One jet is under repair," Kai explains, unfazed. "And your parents are using the other one. Amalfi coast, I think. So, I've booked you the fastest commercial flight out."
Elias says nothing, only slides into the back seat. He leans his head against the cool leather, watching the city blur past as dusk deepens. His thoughts are already in Naples — cold warehouses, missing shipments, and messages that must be sent without words.
At the airport, everything is routine until it isn't.
The business class lounge is quieter than usual. Elias boards the plane early, takes his seat, and opens the file Kai handed him. Names. Numbers. Routes. Betrayals.
He doesn't look up when someone boards late.
Leila rushes up the narrow aisle of the economy section, slightly breathless.
The flight is full.
"I'm sorry, the economy section is completely booked," the air hostess tells her kindly. "But we've had a cancellation in business class. You can upgrade without charge since you're traveling on academic sponsorship."
Leila hesitates. "Really?"
The woman smiles. "Of course. Right this way."
Leila follows her, gripping her shoulder bag tightly, her mind racing with conference schedules. As she reaches her seat, she fumbles with her zipper, trying to pull out a book before stowing the bag away.
She doesn't see the figure beside her until her elbow grazes him.
"Oh—I'm so sorry!" she says, startled, pulling back quickly.
Elias looks up, expression unreadable. His mind clicks back into the present.
And for a moment… everything stills.
A scent—warm, gentle, utterly out of place in his world—lingers in the air between them.
Coconut.
Not the synthetic kind. Real. Soft and quiet, like something tucked into the folds of childhood or memory.
His gaze flickers to her, quick but sharp.
She lowers her head slightly in apology, clearly unaware of the collision she's just caused in his thoughts.
"It's alright," he says simply, voice even.
Leila slides into her seat, eyes focused on the window now, cheeks warm. She flips open her book, but she's too aware of his presence beside her.
Neither of them speaks again.
But something in the air feels… altered.
As though the axis of their separate worlds just tilted — quietly, invisibly — toward one another.