Chapter 64

• Haven sat at a little café close to his inn in downtown Chicago, tasting a solid cup of coffee as he surveyed his notes for the up and coming presentation. It was an early autumn morning, and the fresh air carried an indication of fervour that continuously appeared to go with his trips to the city. This conference was a huge deal for him, a chance to grandstand his most recent extension and possibly secure a few major subsidies. His mind was totally ingested in last-minute plans, and he scarcely took note of the individuals bustling around him.
• In the meantime, Alexis was on a plane from the airplane terminal, her heart dashing with expectation. She had been arranging this surprise visit for weeks, carefully planning her plan to coincide with Haven's conference. She knew how critical this conference was to him, and in spite of the fact that her own work kept her busy, she couldn't stand up to the thought of being there to bolster him. The plan was straightforward: arrive in Chicago, check into the lodging, and shock Haven just before his huge minute. She grinned to herself as she envisioned the see on his face.
• Back in Chicago, Haven’s phone buzzed with an update about the morning’s keynote speaker. He rapidly grabbed his things, dropped a couple of dollars on the table for the coffee, and made his way to the conference center. He was energised but moreover nervous—there was so much riding on this introduction, and he felt the weight of it squeezing down on him. The conference center was buzzing with vitality. Experts from all over the nation had assembled, trading trade cards and shaking hands.