Alex makes a show of dropping his phone on the table before sending a subtle wink my way that makes my heart flutter. I have to remind myself that he and I are just friends, and exploring anything more would be too complicated between us.

Ignoring my racing heartbeat, I return to my drawing, capturing his expressive dark eyes that hold such magnetic allure that I find myself getting lost in them on more occasions than I’d like to admit.

I’m in the middle of perfecting the lines around his firm yet supple lips and trying not to think about how amazing they had felt against mine that very night when a loud vibration sound fills the room.

Everyone’s heads, including the presenter’s, swivel around the room in search of the direction of the sound. At the head of the table, Alexander’s eyes dart around the room, landing on each of us briefly before settling on his phone, which happens to be the one vibrating relentlessly on the table.

His voice is strained as he answers the call, and I can sense the tension radiating from him.

I exchange concerned glances with my coworkers, and we fall into a hushed silence, allowing Alexander some privacy during this unexpected interruption. My heart skips a beat as I catch fragments of his conversation, words like "accident," "hospital," and "daughter" filter through the air. Panic creeps into my chest, and I can't help but imagine the worst-case scenarios that could be unfolding on the other end of that phone call.

Abruptly, Alexander ends the call, his hand trembling slightly. He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to regain composure. His eyes meet mine, and in that instant, I see a mixture of vulnerability and determination. Without a word, he rises from his seat, knocking over his chair in the process. The noise startles everyone, but he pays no attention to it.

I'm torn between staying behind and respecting his privacy or following him to offer support. Something within me tells me that he needs someone right now, someone to lean on in this time of crisis.

Without giving it a second thought, I push my chair back and stand up, causing a few curious glances from my coworkers.

"I'm sorry, everyone," I say, my voice steady but filled with empathy. "I'll catch up with you later. There's something urgent I need to attend to."

With that, I stride towards the door, my heart pounding in my chest. The hallway outside the conference room feels colder, the air thick with tension and uncertainty. I spot Alexander a few paces ahead of me, his long strides carrying him toward the elevator. I quicken my pace, closing the gap between us.

"Alexander," I call out, my voice strong yet gentle.

He turns around, and surprise etched on his face. His eyes, bloodshot and filled with worry, lock onto mine. "What are you doing here?" he asks, his voice trembling with emotion.

"I... I just wanted to make sure you're okay," I reply, my concern evident.

He sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping. "Thank you," he whispers, gratitude lacing his words. "It's my daughter... she's been in an accident. They say it's serious."

Without hesitation, I reach out and place a comforting hand on his arm. "I'm so sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to help?"

He shakes his head, tears glistening in his eyes. "I don't even know, but I appreciate your support."

We stand in the hallway for a moment, lost in our shared concern and empathy. "I'll be here for you, Alexander," I assure him, my voice filled with determination. "Whatever you need, whenever you need it."

He manages a weak smile, the weight of his worries still visible. "Thank you," he says again, his voice choked with emotion. "Let's go. We need to get to the hospital."

Together, we make our way to the elevator, the world outside the office fading into the background. At this moment, I don’t care that I’ll most likely be the talk of the company for another week. All I care about is Alex, and whether or not he’ll be okay.

I watch as Alexander hurries towards the elevator, his steps heavy with worry and anguish. My heart aches for him, knowing that his teenage daughter is in the hospital after a terrible accident. Without a second thought, I follow closely behind, determined to offer my support during this difficult time. I reach for his hand and squeeze, reassuring him that no matter what lies ahead, we will face it together.

The drive to the hospital is fast, but I don’t even have it in me to ask him to slow down a bit. We both rush out as soon as the car is parked, maneuvering our way through the crowd of people going in and out of the building.

Eventually, we make it in and head straight to the elevators after having a brief conversation with the nurses on the ground floor, who immediately recognize Alex and direct us to the right place.

As soon as we make our way in and the elevator doors slide shut, I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The ride feels agonizingly slow, each passing floor heightening my sense of urgency.

I find myself fidgeting with the hem of my blouse, the weight of the situation bearing down on me. I try to imagine what Alexander must be going through, the fear and helplessness he must feel as a parent. I can only hope that my presence can provide him with even a sliver of comfort.

Finally, the elevator doors open, and we step into the sterile white corridors of the hospital. The antiseptic smell fills my nostrils, a stark reminder of the seriousness of the situation. Alexander strides purposefully ahead, and his eyes focus on the signs directing us to the pediatric wing. I match his pace, my heart pounding in my chest.

As we approach the ward, we see a group of doctors and nurses gathered outside one of the rooms. My stomach churns with apprehension as Alexander's steps falter. I reach out and gently squeeze his arm, offering silent support. Together, we approach the group, the urgency in our movements drawing their attention.

"Excuse me," Alexander says, his voice tight with emotion. "I'm looking for my daughter. She was brought in earlier."

A doctor, clad in a white coat, steps forward with a sympathetic expression. "Mr. Graves?" he asks, his voice gentle.

"Yes, that's me," Alexander replies, his voice cracking.