The man's face broke into a smile that was half-surprised, half-relieved. "I knew it was you," Luka said, taking a step closer. "They told me Victor was bringing someone in, but I didn't think…"
He started forward, hand lifting as if to clap Elias on the shoulder, but Ashwin shifted before he even finished the thought. One smooth step and the space between them closed, planting himself just off Elias's right side, angled enough that Luka would have to go through him to get closer. It wasn't a shove, but the message was clear.
"Hello," Ashwin said mildly, still holding the half-empty chip bag like a prop. "Can I help you?"
Luka hesitated, tablet still under his arm, eyes flicking from Ashwin's expression to Elias's suit, then to the coke can balanced on the chocolate bar. "I'm… Luka," he said finally. "I used to work with Elias. I just wanted to say hello."
Elias gave him a small, crooked smile over the rim of his can. "Ashwin, can you give us some space?"
