The familiar hum of the city outside my window usually brought me a sense of calm, a reminder of the life I built here in Carranza. Today, it barely registered. My mind was a swirling mess of thoughts, and I was struggling to keep it together.
Walking into the office, I was met with the surprise of my staff. "Welcome back, Mr. Knight!" they cheered, lifting a banner that read: "Welcome Back, CEO!"
I forced a smile, acknowledging their efforts with a nod. "Thank you, everyone," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic. But inside, my thoughts were a million miles away
"Welcome back, Mr. Knight!" my assistant, sarah said, handing me a bouquet of flowers. "We missed you."
"Thank you, sarah," I replied, forcing a smile. "It's good to be back."
Butch approached me with a broad grin. "Surprise! Thought you'd like a warm welcome."
I nodded, appreciating the gesture even though my heart wasn't in it. "Thanks, Butch. This is great."
