Joshua and I sat across from each other at a table on the top floor of Hotel Aurora, the ambiance warm and sophisticated. We were seated at the only table in the room—a space reserved for VIPs, designed to accommodate just one party at a time, ensuring complete privacy.

The rich aromas of fine cuisine filled the air, and despite my initial reluctance, I found myself beginning to relax.

Joshua took a sip of his wine, his gaze sweeping over the room. “When it comes to food, ...