on'

ine, the pressure to stay ahead, to outsmart the competition, to make sure every decision I make doesn't just work, but works flawlessly

up. I don't need the recognition, but it serves as a testament to what happens when you stay disciplined, stay focused, and above al

the confines of my office. Phones ring. Conversations echo down the hall. But here, in my space, I'm untouchable. It's the

ther spreadsheet, the door to my office

silence. His grinning face fills the doorway, follow

e at the worst times. His usual carefree attitude is almost grating when I'm trying to focus, but

om a few of Rowan's parties, but we're not close. Max is the type who's always looking for the next thri

ke he owns the place. He takes a second to look around the office, as if try

all day, dealing with numbers and people who can't even make a decent coffee, while the

ve time for distractions, not the way he does. Living for the moment doesn't make sense to me. Eve

ady living, Rowan. I built this. You think I'm going to throw it all away for

actly, you built this. But you're like a robot. W

, "I don't get how you can live like this. No nights out, no

f he's serious. Max is always full of ideas, but

I changed the conversation from my life and asked about what

cret obviously drunk "You're too uptight. You need to go out. Just... somewhere yo

up.' But it doesn't feel right. My life is organized. It's contro

ng up. They both look at me, k

mon. I dare you. Go somewhere... different. Like a real, messy pub. No high-end coc

I've been running this company for years, and it's all been about control. About doing what

s a waste of time, and yet... there's something in me

. "I'll go. One night. But d

ets out a low whistle of appro

ea what they've