Finally, the clock hits 3:00 PM, and Derek's phone buzzes on his desk. His heart skips a beat when he sees Quitéria's name on the screen. He takes a deep breath, answering quickly.
"Hey, Derek, it's Quitéria. Dandara's ready to talk."
Derek's stomach flips with a mix of excitement and nerves. "Thanks for making this happen, Quitéria. I'll make sure it's worth her time."
"You better," Quitéria teases, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "I'll let her know you're on the line."
Derek stands up, pacing a bit as he waits for the call to connect. His mind races with questions and ideas, but he reminds himself to stay calm. This is his chance to really connect with Dandara—get to the heart of her story.
After a moment, the line clicks, and a calm, but firm voice fills his ear.
"Hello, Dandara speaking."
