"How was your Christmas?" she asks politely.

"Nice enough," I reply honestly. "You?"

"Christmas like..." Her answer is vague. "How are Landon and Aurora?"

"She's not awake yet," I tell her.

"Oh dear," she looks suddenly gloomy, "she missed Christmas... that's just too sad."

The journey in the lift is awkward. Even in my nervousness about the directors meeting I can still feel the tension between us.

It's electric.

Pure static.

I ...