As the days went by after Claire found out, there was tension, doubt, and a growing fear. Joshua kept trying, but it seemed like his attempts only made the gap between them bigger. There was tension between them, and Claire could feel it. The words they didn't say hung in the air like a thick fog.
One afternoon, while Claire was at home, she got an unexpected call from Adriana. Adriana was new to the company as Takahashi's assistant, but Claire knew her mostly as a smart and perceptive woman who was interested in how she and Joshua interacted with each other. They had spoken a few times, and Claire found herself both interested and wary of her.
Her voice came through the queue and said, "Claire, it's Adriana." It was cool and direct. "I was hoping you might have time to meet." "I believe you should know this."
