Chapter 37 Chapter 37
Chapter 37
The next morning, Celine walked into the office just as the clock hit eight.
Her laptop bag hung loosely on her shoulder, and her hair was still slightly damp from her hurried shower.
She had barely settled in when a strange smell hit her nose. It wasn’t perfume or cleaning spray it was something sweet, nutty, and strong.
Her head began to throb instantly.
At first, she tried to ignore it, thinking maybe it was the stress or her sinuses. But then her nose started running, her eyes watered, and her throat itched.
Within seconds, her breathing became shallow. She gripped the edge of her desk, trying not to panic as the dizziness crept in.
Across the room, Ethan was seated behind his desk, his usual calm expression fixed on the screen.
His breakfast tray was beside him a cup of coffee and a plate with slices of walnut cake. He lifted his mug, took a sip, and typed something before his eyes flicked briefly toward her.
He noticed the way she pressed her hand against her chest and bent slightly forward. She was struggling to breathe.
He frowned.
For a second, he looked away. It wasn’t his business. He didn’t want to care. But his mind wouldn’t rest. Something about seeing her like that it made him uncomfortable.
She tried to speak but only managed a weak sound. Her throat burned, and the air refused to pass properly through. She could feel her heart racing.
Ethan stood up abruptly. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked, his tone firm but not loud.
Celine tried to respond but could barely form words. Her face was turning red, and her lips trembled as she struggled to take a proper breath.
He moved a little closer but stopped when he realized how tense she looked. “What is it?” he asked again, watching her carefully.
“I ..I don’t know… It seems I’m allergic to something here,” she said between gasps.
Ethan glanced around the office, confused. “Allergic? To what?”
Celine shook her head weakly. “The smell… I think it’s something here.”
He narrowed his eyes. His gaze landed on the plate beside his laptop the half-eaten walnut cake.
“The smell of that?” he asked, his voice calm but sharp.
She nodded slowly, still trying to control her breathing.
He looked down at the plate again. “You mean this?”
“Yes,” she whispered, holding her stomach slightly as if that would ease her discomfort.
“You don’t know walnut?” he asked, almost disbelieving.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She was embarrassed how was she supposed to tell him that she didn’t remember most things? That ever since the accident, her memory was like a puzzle missing half its pieces?
She avoided his eyes, not wanting to explain anything.
Ethan’s jaw tightened. He picked up the plate, his movements brisk. He walked over to the bin and dumped both the cake and its wrapping without another word. Then he grabbed the small air freshener on the shelf and sprayed the space lightly.
The smell faded gradually.
He turned to her again. “Go in,” he said, his tone firm and cold as usual.
She didn’t argue. She quickly gathered her notepad and walked into the inner office, her head still pounding slightly but her breathing beginning to ease.
Once inside, she sank into her chair and placed both hands on her lap, feeling the cool surface of the desk under her palms. She hated how helpless she’d felt out there. It wasn’t the first time her allergy had made her look weak, but it was the first time it happened in front of him.
Outside, Ethan stood quietly, staring at the spot where she’d just been. He didn’t know why he’d acted so quickly. Normally, he wouldn’t bother. He wasn’t the kind of man to care about small things. But something about her struggling to breathe had stirred something uncomfortable inside him.
He sat back down and tried to focus on his screen, but his mind wasn’t cooperating. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, frozen. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a slow sigh.
He hated distractions.
Celine, on the other hand, was still trying to calm herself down in the next room. She opened her drawer and took out her small water bottle, sipping it slowly. The coolness helped. Her hands were still slightly shaky, but she managed to breathe better now.
She thought about the HR’s words from the previous day not to talk to him, not to ask questions, not to get involved. And now, here she was, causing another scene.
She bit her lip, embarrassed.
Maybe he thought she was just dramatic or careless. Maybe he was already regretting hiring her. The thought made her stomach twist.
Hours passed, and the rest of the day carried on quietly. Ethan didn’t say much. He gave her some files to type, corrected a few figures, and asked for two reports before lunch.
By afternoon, her headache had faded completely, though she still felt a little tired.
When she got up to grab a folder from the shelf, she heard his voice again.
“Make sure you don’t eat or smell anything that has walnut from now on, ” he said without looking up from his screen.
She froze for a second.
“Yes, sir,” she replied quietly.
He didn’t respond. He just continued typing.
But deep down, something about his words made her pause.
It wasn’t just what he said it was how he said it. There was a tone of control in his voice, but also something else. Something that sounded like he was trying not to show concern.
She returned to her desk and resumed her work, trying not to think too much.