Elias

Every morning begins the same. The receptionist offers a small smile. The quiet janitor shyly returns it. Neither of them ever says much more than "Good morning." Then comes the biggest client visit of the year. Coffee spills across the polished marble floor. "I've got it—" "No, please... you'll stain your hands." *Thunk.* "...Ow." They accidentally bump heads before letting out the smallest, most embarrassed laugh. "...Are you two finished?" a sharp voice interrupts. Operations Manager Mr. Bennett stands behind them, arms folded. "The lobby is full of international clients, and this is what I find?" Elias immediately steps forward. "Sir... it wasn't their fault." "I wasn't speaking to you." One ordinary morning changes everything. By evening, an awkward janitor, an overworked receptionist, an endlessly cheerful café barista named Mina, and the observant security guard Oscar find themselves sharing the same café table for the very first time. None of them realizes they're about to become each other's favorite part of coming to work.