Once he finished the discussion with Mallow and their abrupt lunch, Luca returned to Trampos' base.
As on every free day, engineers were hard at work in the garages, while Trampos marshals lingered around the corners, exchanging casual banter. However, the core members of the team were nowhere to be seen—likely resting in the staff buildings.
Avoiding unnecessary conversations, Luca climbed the stairs to his accommodation. His stomach was full, thanks to the bacon meal he had sniffed out earlier. He didn't want to think about the price—it had been far from reasonable. Mallow, shameless as ever, insisted Luca foot the bill.
It was only 2 p.m., but the overcast sky and the heavy atmosphere made it feel like evening. Sighing, Luca stepped into his room, pausing in the doorway to survey it. Everything was just as he'd left it—tidy, orderly, but to his eyes, utterly uninspiring.