I looked around the dark, empty boardroom.

The papers were scattered on the table, the monitors flickered, and the air was cold.

Yet, it felt entirely different now.

The weight that had hung over us for weeks was gone.

“We should start tomorrow,” I said, picking up my bag.

“Tomorrow,” Alexander agreed.

He walked with me toward the exit.

As I reached for the light switch, I looked back one last time.

The room was dark, but the heavy storm was finally passing.

A pale line of morning light was beginning to break through the clouds over the East River.

We stepped into the elevator together.

The doors closed, and we began our descent.