"How's it going in Bremlingen?"
Étienne lifted his eyes from the report on his laptop and looked at Adrian who sat across from him in his office.
It wasn't an unexpected question. Not from Adrian. He knew more about Étienne than most people ever would. Still, the implication behind the question spoke for itself. This wasn't about work.
Rather, the question wasn't meant to be brought up in the light of day.
"It's going well," Étienne replied, keeping his tone neutral. "Everyone's doing fine."
The man in his seventies watched him in silence. The pause stretched on while Étienne returned to his screen, typing notes into the report that had just come in that evening.
After a while, Adrian sighed and gave a slow nod. His eyes softened. "We've known each other for a long time," he said, voice calm but firm. "Long enough that I don't need to pretend with you. I've looked out for you like you're my own son."
