ADRIAN

I waited outside my office for what felt like forever, pacing back and forth. My nerves were on edge—I couldn’t bring myself to go inside until my mom gave the all-clear. Eventually, she finally emerged, her expression warm but slightly amused.

“Hey, son. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long?” she asked, though the glint in her eye told me she knew she’d had me standing here for nearly an hour.

“You did keep me waiting, Mom. And in my office. My own office,” I ...