Elias sat slouched on the leather couch in his office, staring at the unread messages on his phone. His mind had been restless for days — a restless that meetings, late-night drives, or even whiskey couldn't quiet.
"You're sulking," Kai announced from the doorway, tossing himself into the chair opposite him.
"I'm working," Elias muttered, without lifting his gaze from the phone.
"You've read the same email three times in the last ten minutes," Kai shot back. "That's not work. That's denial with good lighting."
Elias finally looked up, his jaw tightening. "I'm not in the mood, Kai."
"Yeah, I know." Kai leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Which is why I'm going to fix it."
Elias narrowed his eyes. "I don't need fixing."
"Sure you do. And lucky for you, I've got a plan."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "A plan?"
"A picnic," Kai said casually, as if announcing a quarterly sales goal.
Elias blinked. "…A what?"
"You, me, Sofia, and Leila," Kai explained, counting off on his fingers. "I'll invite Sofia, I'll tell her to bring Leila, and before you get all broody about it — yes, I know she's been avoiding you. But this is neutral ground. Sun, grass, food. Less… office tension."
Elias gave a humorless laugh. "She's not going to say yes."
"That's where Sofia comes in. She's like… sunshine with persistence. Nobody says no to her for long."
Elias tilted his head. "And if she still refuses?"
Kai smirked. "Then I double down. And Sofia triple downs. Trust me, by the end of the week, Leila will be agreeing just to get us to shut up."
Elias didn't reply, but the thought of seeing Leila somewhere outside the company — somewhere without walls, desks, and deadlines — lodged itself in his mind like a spark he didn't want to admit to.
The following afternoon, Leila was reviewing lab reports when Sofia appeared beside her desk, holding a bright smile and a cup of coffee.
"Hi," Sofia said sweetly, sliding the cup toward her. "This is a bribe."
Leila frowned in amusement. "Bribe for what?"
"For you to say yes to something before I even tell you what it is."
"That sounds dangerous."
"It's a picnic," Sofia announced, her voice light. "This Sunday. Kai's idea. Just a small thing — fresh air, good food. You, me, Kai… and Elias."
At the last name, Leila's pen paused mid-note. She quickly looked back down. "No, thank you."
"Oh, come on. It'll be fun."
"I don't think so."
Sofia sighed dramatically. "You can't just hide in your apartment all weekend. Please? For me? I'll bring those chocolate pastries you liked last time."
Leila shook her head. "Sofia—"
"For friendship. For sanity. For sunlight," Sofia pressed, leaning closer. "And honestly, you need a break. You've been so… serious lately."
Leila exhaled slowly. "It's not about the break. It's—"
"It's about him," Sofia finished softly.
Leila's lips parted, but no words came.
Sofia's smile turned gentle. "Please come. Just for a few hours. No strings, no pressure. Just… company."
After a long pause, Leila gave a reluctant sigh. "…Fine. But only because you'll annoy me until I say yes."
Sofia grinned in triumph. "You know me so well."