Luca couldn't help but feel a rush of mixed emotions after finishing the “Meet the Neighbors” episode. He had stepped out of his comfort zone, and while he appreciated the opportunity, he knew he preferred his usual news casting routine.

As he made his way through the office, he was met with cheerful greetings and compliments from his colleagues. Luca accepted them graciously but couldn't shake the sense of vulnerability that had come with the interview.

Then, he heard Leila's enthusiastic voice, and a group of people had gathered around her. “Oh look, guys, it's D’Luca!”

Luca couldn't help but chuckle at Leila's excitement. She had always been his biggest cheerleader. He approached the group, exchanging smiles and pleasantries with his coworkers.

Leila put an arm around Luca's shoulder. “D’Luca, you were amazing! I've already received messages from viewers who loved the segment.”

Luca felt a mix of emotions – pride at the positive feedback and a weariness from being in front of the cameras for an extended period.

“Thank you, Leila,” Luca mumbled, leaning a bit closer to his friend. “But I'm not doing that again.”

Leila chuckled, giving his shoulder a reassuring rub. “It's a different world with all those cameras and lights, isn't it? Quite a departure from our usual setup with the large table and chairs.”

Luca nodded, feeling drained. “I'm used to doodling during broadcasts or just spinning around in my chair. This was like being on the edge, ready to be in the spotlight at any second.”

Leila smiled empathetically. “You did great, D'Wei. It was a nice change of pace, but I get it. Stick to your comfort zone.”

Luca let out a sigh of relief. “Definitely. Let's grab a bite to eat later, okay? I need some normalcy after all this.”

Leila grinned. “Sounds like a plan. You deserve it.”

“Thanks, I’Leila,” Luca said with a genuine smile.

She gave his shoulder another friendly squeeze. “Anytime, D’Luca. You've got talent, and sometimes it's good to step out of our comfort zones, even if it's just for a little while.”

After their conversation, Luca and Leila decided to grab a late lunch together. 

As they sat in a cozy café, sipping on coffee and sharing stories, Luca's phone buzzed with a new message. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was from Kai.

Kai: T'Luca, you were great on TV today! 😄

Luca couldn't help but smile at his brother's message. Kai always had a way of brightening his day with his enthusiastic support.

Luca: Thanks, Kai! How's everything on your end?

Kai: Great! The publicity brought me more clients.

Luca: That’s great, Kai. 

Luca: Remember to take breaks and not stress too much.

Kai: I know, I know. 😅

Leila, who had been observing the exchange, chuckled. “Whoever you’re texting got you perked up.”

Luca looked up and shook his head, “he’s really just a friend. A dae I grew up with.”

Leila grinned playfully. “A 'dae' you say? Well, this 'dae' seems to have a special place in your life.”

Luca chuckled. Kai was more than just a friend; he was family. 

“Yeah,” Luca replied with a fond smile, “he's a brother to me.”

Their conversation shifted to other topics, but in the back of Luca's mind, he carried the warmth of Kai's message.

As they were nearing the end of their lunch, Leila suddenly latched onto Luca.

“Luca look look,” She was hitting his arm as she was getting increasingly excited.

“Ouch, Leila! What's gotten into you?” Luca exclaimed, rubbing his arm where she had playfully hit him.

“Sorry, sorry, but it's just... look!” Leila pointed eagerly at a figure walking into the cafe.

Luca followed Leila's gaze and froze for a moment. 

It was Wei. 

He stood there, looking around, as if searching for someone. His gaze swept across the cafe, his gaze brushing over their table.

Luca's heart skipped a beat as a whirlwind of emotions rushed through him. He hadn't seen Wei in what felt like an eternity, and now, unexpectedly, their paths had crossed again.

“Luca, is everything alright?” Leila asked, her concern evident as she noticed the change in his expression.

“Uh, yeah,” Luca stammered, quickly regaining his composure. Wei was wearing a suit that hugged his curves like a second skin. The first three buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing his bare chest and a silver chain that hung between his pecs. Wei's eyes were sparkling with confidence, and his lips were curled into a knowing smile. “I didn't expect someone to look so slutty wearing a suit.”

Luca's attempt to cover his initial shock with humor earned a surprised laugh from Leila. “Oh, come on, Luca! That's a bit harsh,” she teased, still chuckling.

Luca tried to play it cool. “Honestly, Leila, I'm just not a fan of the whole suit look for him. I think he would look better with chinos and a casual button-up,” he said, attempting to downplay his inner turmoil. His heart raced as excitement, anxiety, and curiosity all mingled in his mind at the thought of reuniting with Wei after so long.

Leila gave Luca an incredulous look, her laughter still evident in her eyes. “Alright, fashion critic, whatever you say. Let’s see what’s gonna happen next.”

Before Luca could respond, Wei seemed to spot someone he recognized and started making his way over to their table. Luca's heart skipped a beat as Wei approached, and he couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions.

Wei seemed to have not noticed them but the person a couple tables down.

“Luca, you okay?” Leila whispered, sensing his nervousness.

“Yeah, yeah, I'm fine,” Luca whispered back, though his voice quivered slightly.

Luca discreetly observed Wei as he settled at a nearby table with the young woman. He couldn't help but wonder who she was and what their connection might be. 

A pang of jealousy stirred within him, though he tried his best to suppress it.

Leila leaned closer to Luca, her voice hushed. “Do you know who that is?”

Luca shook his head. “No idea. I've never seen her before.”

“Hello Ieon Imani. Thank you for taking the time to look over these files for me,” Wei greeted the woman  as he sat down at the table.

“It’s nothing Dae. We haven’t seen each other in a while,” she smiled back as she handed Wei the menu.

Wei and Imani engaged in a lively conversation, completely absorbed in their discussion. Their words flowed effortlessly, touching upon various topics related to their shared history and professional interests. 

Luca and Leila discreetly observed them, their curiosity growing as they pieced together fragments of the conversation.

Luca's heartache began to recede as he realized that this meeting wasn't a romantic one, but rather a friendly reunion between colleagues. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia as he watched Wei interact with someone from his past.

Leila leaned closer to Luca and whispered, “Looks like they're just catching up, huh?”

Luca nodded, relieved and grateful that his friend was there to provide support during this unexpected encounter. “Yeah, it seems like it.”

Leila let out an exaggerated sigh of disappointment. 

“Aowh, I was hoping for something spicy, like a secret lover showing up and catching them in the act,” she playfully grumbled.

“Secret lover, more like past lover,” Luca muttered under his breath as he quickly took a sip of his drink.

“What was that, Dae?” Leila asked, a hint of suspicion in her tone as she noticed Luca's not-so-innocent expression.

“I said nothing, Ieon,” Luca shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant.

However, his comment seemed to have caught the attention of both Imani and Wei, as they turned around in their seats, their eyes fixed on Leila and Luca's table.