ROMAN
A heavy silence hung between us, thick with unspoken emotions. I watched Vanessa's face carefully as she processed my words. Her eyes, those captivating gray-blue depths, searched mine as if looking for deception. But there was none to find.
"You did all this... for me? Without telling anyone?" Vanessa's voice was barely above a whisper.
I shifted uncomfortably under her intense gaze. "It wasn't a big deal."
"Not a big deal?" Isaac had rejoined us, apparently having handed Fabian off to one of the staff members. "Roman, you single-handedly cut through months of red tape. You called in favors from half the city council."
I shot him an irritated look. "I was trying to help, not take credit."
Isaac crossed his arms, a knowing expression on his face. "You know, you two are remarkably alike in that way."
"What way?" Vanessa asked, looking confused.
