Page 127 of Through You
That didn’t end as I had hoped it would, but at least I didn’t stay quiet.
Kelly takes out her lunch bag and opens it when it’s time for our break. The smell of bacon hits my nose, and while I’ve never been overly sensitive to smells, I can’t help but grimace with disgust when she’s not looking at me. I discreetly cover my mouth and get up from my chair. I come around my desk and head to the washroom. I have the urge to vomit.
“Clau?” I hear her voice, calling me from behind.
“Washroom,” I murmur before I disappear down the hallway.
I hurry into one of the stalls and lean over a toilet to empty the light breakfast I ate this morning. How disgusting is this?
I turn around and rest my back against the stall. What’s wrong with me? This is the second or third time I’ve thrown up this week, and I’m getting scared.
My stomach gets upset when I’m about to get my period. But I’ve never vomited.
And I can’t be pregnant. I started taking the pill six months ago to help regulate my hormones. I would have never allowed Artemis to finish inside me if I wasn’t taking a contraceptive. I’m not an idiot.
So then what’s happening to me?
Could it be the stress of the new job? Maybe all the years of working full-time while studying part-time are finally taking a toll on my body.
I come out of the bathroom feeling a little dizzy. Unfortunately, I find myself face-to-face with Carl. He’s the last person I want to see at this moment.
“Oh my, Claudia. You look pale. Are you all right?”
“Don’t worry about me.” I walk past him, heading back to the desk I share with Kelly. But the nausea returns the moment I spot her still eating, so I walk by.
“I’m going out for some air,” I inform a disconcerted Kelly.
I instantly feel better when the fresh air hits my face.
Perhaps it was the tension of the work environment in the office. I find a bench and sit down. I stretch out my arms and lean back. I try to see all the way up to the top of the Hidalgo Enterprises building.
Artemis, you’re probably up there busy working, wearing yourfine suit, giving off that icy detached vibe that fools the rest of theworld into believing you’re not warm and don’t possess a giganticheart.
I’m still looking up when a shadow moves in, blocking my view. I lower my gaze to the person standing right in front of me.
It’s Artemis. Mr. CEO of this giant company. My heart starts to beat faster and my lips slowly curve up to form a smile. He has the gift of making me feel safe when I’m not feeling well.
Yet he’s not smiling; his expression looks serious, and I can read worry in his brown eyes.
“Are you okay?” His voice calms me.
“Yes, I just needed some air.”
“You look very pale.” He extends his hand to gently caress my cheek, and the gesture makes me briefly forget where we are.
“You’re freezing, do you want me to take you home?”
I take his hand in mine, and take it off my face.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Claudia.”
“Artemis,” I reply playfully. But he’s not playing along, and looks worried. “I’m fine, besides, I only have a few hours left before I finish for the day.”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to work like that, I’ll—”
“Artemis, I’m okay.”
