Chasing Shadows

At the bar of the restaurant in the Hilton, Alex's gaze fixed on the glass of whisky in front of him, his mind drifting to his encounter earlier in the day. 

He had asked his assistant, Edson, to book him lunch at a restaurant within the Johnson's firm building. He didn't know and didn't want to admit what he was expecting. His mind was restless, filled with a mix of hope and anxiety. As he sat at the table, his eyes kept drifting to the window, his thoughts wandering.

Suddenly, he saw a girl crossing the street. From the back, she bore a resemblance to the figure etched in his mind—a figure he hadn't seen for five years. His heart skipped a beat, and an inexplicable urgency gripped him. He bolted from his seat, leaving his meal untouched, and hurried out of the restaurant.