STEFANO
I adjust in my seat, securing my seatbelt as the plane prepares for takeoff. My heart flutters with anticipation at the thought of soon being reunited with Andrea. I was on my way to surprise her. I had missed her so deeply these past weeks, and I couldn’t bear to spend another minute apart from her warm embrace.
The ache of missing her, of needing her, has become a physical thing - a hollow in my chest that only her presence can fill. I drum my fingers impatiently on the armrest, watching the flight attendant make her final rounds before takeoff.
But something's wrong. The plane isn't moving, the minutes stretching on without the telltale lurch of acceleration. My brow furrows as the attendant hurries toward me, her face pinched with concern.
"What's the problem?" I ask, irrit
