Chapter 11

• As Damien made his way down the bustling street toward the restaurant, his mind was filled with numbers and projections, the weight of the upcoming meeting heavy on his shoulders. He adjusted his tie absentmindedly, glancing at the storefronts that flew by him in a blur. The city was alive, but he felt somewhat detached, like he was watching life happen around him rather than fully engaging in it.
• Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small figure racing toward him. Before he could react, a boy barreled into him, knocking Damien slightly off balance. Damien instinctively placed a hand on the child’s shoulders to steady them both. “Whoa there, champ! You alright?”
• The boy looked up, his wide, bright eyes sparkling with what appeared to be a mixture of shock and excitement. “Yeah! I’m okay!” he said, bouncing back with infectious energy. Damien couldn’t help but smile at the child’s enthusiasm.