The taxi slowed to a stop at the curb outside their building.
Luca leaned forward to pass the driver a few folded bills while Noel gathered the smaller bags from the seat.
When they stepped out, the night air met them—cool.
"Third floor," Luca muttered, squinting up at the dark brick façade as if it had personally wronged him.
"You say that like we're scaling Everest," Noel said, shouldering his bag with a faint smirk.
"Three floors after a long drive?" Luca stretched his arms wide, groaning as if on stage. "It's a tragedy."
"Good thing civilized people invented elevators," Noel shot back, brushing past him toward the gleaming glass doors.
Inside, the lobby was silent, glowing under the sterile hum of fluorescent lights.
The elevator dinged open, and Luca dragged his suitcase inside, slumping dramatically against the mirrored back wall.
"Home sweet home," he said with an exaggerated sigh, then tilted his head toward Noel. "You sure you're ready for my brand of chaos?"
