You don't understand?,Emma said looking away.
Yes I do,I don't usually discuss about my personal life but I have a similar experience,he said with a pause.
My..um mom passed last year due to cancer and till she died I had no idea what was wrong with her..,Of course everyone else at home knew but I was kept in the dark,He said.
I am so sorry,Emma was empathetic.
It's fine..I mean I blame them but at the same time i don't, Hope you understand.
You shouldn't be mad at your sister for trying to be strong for you and your mom,He explained and you nodded teary eyed.
Thank you..,
That evening Emma and Abbie didn't go home but slept at the hospital,Emma got up early to go back home and prepare for work.
As she reached home Ana who was worried..relaxed,she had tried calling Emma but the call didn't go through,Emma explained everything to Ana.
Wow..,Hope you're not mad at Abbie?Ana asked and Emma shook her head.
How are you thou?,you don't seem fine..Maybe take a day off at work,Ana suggested.
It hasn't been up to a weak since I started working,I can't just take a day off neither do I want to seem unprofessional,Emma replied.
If you insist but please take care of yourself, I'm already late to work,Ana pecked her cheeks and left for work.
***
Emma walked into the office, her eyes heavy with fatigue. The night before, she had been at the hospital, watching over her mother who had a tumor. The hours had dragged on, punctuated by the beeping of monitors and the soft footsteps of nurses. Now, the early morning sunlight felt harsh and unwelcoming as she entered the familiar yet chaotic space of her office.
Her desk was as she had left it the previous day: scattered files, loose papers, and a half-empty coffee cup sitting precariously close to the edge. She sighed, a wave of frustration mingling with her exhaustion. She set her bag down and started to tidy up, methodically stacking documents and organizing her workspace. It was a small act of control in a world that seemed increasingly unpredictable.
Just as she was beginning to feel a semblance of order, the shrill ring of the office phone cut through the quiet. Emma flinched, her nerves already frayed. She reached for the receiver, her hand trembling slightly.
"Hello, this is Emma," she answered, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Emma, it's Ryan. Can you come to my office?" Ryan's voice was calm but insistent.
"Sure, I'll be right there," she replied, her heart sinking. She hung up the phone and took a deep breath, trying to gather herself. Ryan was the CEO of the company she worked for, and their interactions were often a source of anxiety.
She walked down the corridor to Ryan's office, her mind racing with worry. Was it about the project deadline they had missed last week? Or had he somehow found out about her mother and was about to reprimand her for being distracted?
She knocked on the door lightly before pushing it open. Ryan was seated behind his desk, looking over some documents. He glanced up as she entered.
He noticed immediately how exhausted she looked..,but it was still early,.
She stood in front of him and he stared at her before looking down at his files.
The reports of yesterday..why wasn't it brought to my office..?Ryan asked.
Huh..Oh no,She was in such a rush last night,she didn't bring him the reports.
You know how crucial it is,any small mistake and everybody's hard work will be in vain,He added.
everybody..,I should've just reported the stupid file before leaving,Emma thought as she felt dizzy and held the chair for support.
Ryan noticed and asked"Are you okay"?.
Am so sorry..,I had an emergency to attend to last night and..I,She said and held her head as she felt lightheaded and fell.
Ryan's eyes widened as he saw Emma loose consciousness. He sprang from behind his desk just in time to catch her as she collapsed. Gently, he lowered her onto the office sofa, his heart racing.
"Emma! Emma, can you hear me?" he called out, his voice tinged with panic.
She didn't respond, her face pale and her breathing shallow. Ryan quickly reached for his phone and dialed the company doctor. "Dr. Palmer, I need you in my office immediately. It's an emergency."
Within minutes, Dr. Palmer arrived, his medical bag in hand. He assessed Emma, checking her pulse and vital signs. Ryan watched anxiously, feeling a mixture of guilt and concern.
"She's going to be alright," Dr. Palmer said after a few moments. "It looks like she's severely stressed and exhausted. She needs rest, and she should stay away from stress for a few days."
Ryan let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Thank you, Doctor. I'll make sure she gets the rest she needs."
Dr. Palmer nodded, giving Emma one last check before leaving. Ryan sat beside the sofa, looking at Emma's unconscious form. He felt a deep sense of responsibility. He had been too hard on her, pushing her when she was clearly already at her limit.
After a while, Emma began to stir, her eyes fluttering open. She looked around, disoriented, and then her gaze settled on Ryan.
"Ryan?" she murmured weakly.
"Hey, take it easy," he said softly. "You fainted. The doctor said you need to rest and avoid stress for a few days."
Emma tried to sit up, but Ryan gently held her back. "No, just lie down for a bit. I'm sorry, Emma. I shouldn't have been so hard on you."
She shook her head slightly, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's not your fault. I've just been... overwhelmed."
You mind sharing?He asked as he waned to know what would make her so disoriented and stressed out and he never wanted to see her so fragile again.