At the international airport of Country Z, Ethan and Davis walked side by side toward the exit.
Ethan, as usual, handled their few pieces of luggage with quiet efficiency, while Davis, still unsettled from the long flight, switched off airplane mode on his phone the instant they stepped out.
His fingers, restless, dialed the one number that had haunted him throughout the journey. But the call didn't connect.
A frown tightened his jaw. He tried again, only for his phone to buzz with a notification instead.
For a fleeting moment his chest tightened then relaxed when he read the message.
Relief softened his expression, a quiet smile tugging at his lips even though the call had not gone through.
"Long time, Mr. Raven," a middle-aged man with a fair complexion and a sharply prominent nose greeted warmly, his smile bright as he approached.
Pulling the car door open, he stood aside respectfully.
"Long time," Davis returned the greeting with a firm handshake, his gaze steady.
