Twenty eight

The view from the large glass windows was mesmerizing, but it offered little comfort against the rising tide of insecurity brewing within me. Paris, the City of Light, where dreams sparkled against a canvas of architecture and culture—yet standing there, I felt only shadows creeping in, darkening the vibrant view.

With Gino in the spotlight, I knew he was likely unaware of my turmoil. The confident persona he projected was contagious, illuminating the room and capturing the attention of everyone in attendance. But there I stood, seemingly invisible, trapped in a whirlwind of self-doubt.

I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, watching people move below like fragments of a bustling movie scene. Couples strolled hand in hand, laughing and sharing, their carefree spirits contrasting starkly with my internal struggle. I felt like an outsider to my own life, stuck in a narrative where I had yet to define my role.

In the quiet behind the din of the meeting, my mind wandered b