"Just as the tense moment seemed about to break into action, a gentle knock at the door interrupted them.
"Enter," Caesar said briefly.
A servant glided in with a tray of refreshments, orange juice, water bottles, and a plate of energy bars and fresh fruit.
"Leave it on the table," Caesar instructed softly.
His eyes returned to Ivanna's determined face.
"We'll take a brief break before starting."
Ivanna nodded slightly, her eyes never leaving Caesar's face as she walked towards the table with him.
She poured herself a glass of orange juice while Caesar grabbed a water bottle, his fingers brushing against hers briefly - a gentle touch that sent a slight shiver down her spine.
Caesar's gaze locked onto hers, intense and piercing, as if searching for something deeper within her eyes.
The air was thick with silence between them, only the soft clink of glass on table breaking the stillness.
Ivanna felt her heart rate quicken under his unblinking stare.
