Mila walked down a deserted hallway at Omni’s headquarters. The lighting, subtle yet precise, cast her shadow against the glass walls. Apart from the rhythmic click of her heels, silence reigned.

Arriving at Theo’s office, she spotted him through the glass: hunched over his screen, focused. Before knocking, she pulled out a bottle of perfume and, with a precise motion, sprayed a touch on her wrists, then on her neck. She put the bottle away, knocked, and entered as soon as she heard Theo respond:
- Yes?

Immediately upon seeing Mila, Theo stood up to greet her with a smile:
- Mila, what a pleasant surprise, what can I do for you?
- Do you have a few minutes for me? Mila asked.
- Yes, of course, please take a seat. Would you like something to drink?
- No, I’m fine, thank you, Mila said, sitting down in the chair across from Theo, who also sat.
- How can I help you, Mila? Theo asked, both intrigued and pleased to see a board member in his office.
- I just wanted to see how you’re doing after the meeting with Nathan.
- Let’s just say I didn’t understand the sudden urgency.
- Yes, that’s Nathan and his way of doing things, but don’t take it personally.
- Yeah, I’m starting to get to know him too, Theo said, smiling.
- And he’s going through a difficult time personally.
- I heard something like that, yes.
- Doctors aren’t giving him long”, Mila said, her voice softening. “Six months, maybe less. That explains why he’s pushing everyone so hard lately.”

Theo felt a chill run through him.
- I didn’t know it was that… serious, he said.
- He prefers to keep it discreet. But it’s changed how he sees projects, priorities. Mila paused.
- Hence the tense context of recent weeks, added Theo.
- So now you know everything. My message is, don’t blame yourself. Be understanding toward Nathan. The Board still trusts you.
- Yes, thank you, so do you as well?
- Yes, absolutely. Me first, in fact. I told Nathan he was unfair and lacking in balance with you.

Theo was hardly surprised that Mila had come all the way to his office to deliver this message. After all, Mila had always shown kindness publicly, if that word could apply to board members, especially compared to Nathan.

Theo replied:
- That’s very kind of you, but you didn’t have to come in person.
- I thought a face-to-face exchange was more appropriate, just in case you had doubts or needed to talk.
- I’m fine, I assure you.
- Very well. What are you working on right now?
- I was reading the full report of my interview with Jin, Theo replied naïvely.

At that point, the air still seemed neutral. He hadn’t yet detected Mila’s perfume.
- Any highlights? Can I take a look? Mila asked.
- Yes, of course.

As Theo prepared to turn his screen, Mila stood and came around to his side, leaning on the desk.
- What am I looking at? Mila asked, standing directly beside Theo.
- It’s the sublevels of the clinic. But wait, I’ll get you a chair.
- No, it’s fine. I can stand. You scanned the ground?
- Yes, Theo replied, who began to feel the intoxicating effects of the perfume. He already thought Mila was a beautiful woman; now all his senses were on high alert.
- Smart move, thinking of that, whispered Mila, her eyes locked onto his.
- Thank you… murmured Theo, wavering between clarity and dizziness.
- That’s something worth digging into with Doctor Wu, now that he’s with us.
- Yes, Theo replied nervously.
- Especially this area here, Mila said, pointing with her hand in front of Theo’s face, increasing the perfume’s intensity around him.
- Yes, Mila.

Mila returned to sit on the other side of the desk.
- Say, you might find my question unprofessional, but would you be up for a drink?
- Uh… right now? Theo asked, stunned by the proposal, even though in this distant future, women making the first move wasn’t seen as bold or inappropriate.
- Yes, why not, unless you’re busy.
- No, no, Theo replied, completely captivated.
- Great. Just let me grab my coat, and I’m all yours, added Mila.

At those last words, Theo’s mind clouded. A delicious confusion swept away any attempt at rational thought.

A short while later, Theo exited his office and arrived at the elevator. At that moment, Mila joined him:
- Well, perfect, I was just about to message you that I was by the elevator.

Theo smiled. Mila continued:
- I think I could’ve shouted, no one’s left in the building.

The elevator arrived and they entered. Theo pressed the ground floor button. They stood side by side: not too close, not too far. Just within that hazy zone where the body hesitated. Jazz played softly from hidden speakers, but the silence between them was deafening. Theo finally gave in.
- Was this part of your plan? Theo asked, eyes on the floor to avoid Mila’s gaze.
- What plan? Mila asked, her voice soft and velvety.
- Getting me to follow you like this.
Mila turned slightly, head tilted:
- Maybe I’m just good company.

Theo looked at her and said:
- I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you.
Mila smiled, almost amused, and replied:
- You’ve met women who smiled at your wounds, I’m not one of them.

Theo’s eyes lingered a second too long on Mila’s lips. She noticed, of course, and said:
- You’re looking at me like I’m dangerous.
- You are, Theo replied.
- Yes. And so are you.

The elevator reached the ground floor. The doors opened. But neither of them moved. The doors eventually closed again.

Mila then stepped closer to Theo. Her hand lightly brushed his sleeve, gliding down to his wrist. Theo didn’t move, didn’t breathe.
- If I kiss you now, would you pretend it never happened?

Theo clenched his jaw. Then let go:
- No.
A brief silence followed, and Mila said:
- Then kiss me.

Theo kissed Mila, placing his hands on her hips. She cupped his head in her hands, prolonging the kiss with impatient tenderness. When they pulled apart, Mila whispered, her voice smiling:
- The evening’s off to a good start.

They then exited the elevator and headed to a nearby bar. At the bar, between drinks, they shared confidences about past wounds, loves that had fled or betrayed them.

Mila spoke of her disappointments with a vulnerability that felt genuine. Theo surprised himself by revealing details he’d never told anyone.

- I probably shouldn’t tell you this, Mila murmured, her hand grazing Theo’s on the table.
- We probably shouldn’t be doing anything we’re doing tonight, he replied.

When the bar began to close, neither wanted the night to end. It was Mila who timidly suggested:
- There’s a discreet hotel nearby.

Theo hesitated for a second, a second where reason made one last stand against desire, then nodded. What followed nearly escaped them. Their gestures grew bolder, their breathing more urgent. What they shared wasn’t premeditated. It was a passionate, burning interlude, an embrace that consumed as much as it freed. It wasn’t just desire, it was need.

Two hours later, they left the hotel, their bodies still tingling, their faces lit by this newfound connection. A tender silence wrapped around them.

And in the depths of himself, Theo felt something new ignite. A flame. Fragile, but alive. Maybe even dangerous, because it made his heart beat differently.

As Mila arrived home, her smile faded. As she got out of the car, she sent a message to Alfonso : “Sent a poly to check Dr Wu's clinic sub-levels., priority low”. She entered her house and walked to a lit room. A man sat behind a desk. She approached and hugged him. For a brief second, she closed her eyes, the image of Theo still floating in her mind. She kissed the man on the cheek with rediscovered tenderness and said:

- Sorry, love, a last-minute work thing.
- What kept you so late? Nathan asked.

Next: The group visiting Sinesol prepares to return to Community 5. What will the survivors of Community 3 decide? They have a terrifying news to share…
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