Stressful

With Grayson rushing off to an urgent company meeting, the hospital room felt quieter. The bustling activity had temporarily paused, leaving me alone with Tristan. The hum of the machines and the soft rustle of the curtains were the only sounds in the room.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. After spending so much time in the hospital, I had learned to appreciate these brief moments of solitude. They allowed me to focus on what really mattered—providing comfort and care to those in need.

I walked over to the small table beside Tristan’s bed, carefully arranging a plate of fresh fruit I had brought from the hospital’s cafeteria. The fruits were vibrant and colorful—juicy slices of watermelon, strawberries, and apples. I hoped they would be a small but welcome comfort for him.

As I approached, Tristan turned his head to look at me, his expression softening. “What’s this?” he asked, his voice still a bit strained but more awake than before.

“Just a little something to brighten your day,” I said, placing the plate within his reach. “Fruits are supposed to help with recovery, and I thought you might like a snack.”

Tristan’s eyes crinkled into a smile as he reached for a strawberry. “You’re full of surprises, Elina. I didn’t expect to be spoiled with such a nice treat.”

I chuckled, feeling a bit of the tension from the past weeks ease. “I figured you deserved a little pampering. After everything you’ve been through, you could use something to lift your spirits.”

As he took a bite of the strawberry, he closed his eyes momentarily, savoring the taste. “This is really good. Thanks. I didn’t realize how much I missed simple things like fresh fruit.”

“I can imagine,” I said, taking a seat in the chair beside his bed. “Sometimes, it’s the small comforts that make the biggest difference.”

Tristan’s gaze met mine, and for a moment, he looked thoughtful. “You’ve been incredibly supportive throughout this whole ordeal. I know it’s been hard, and I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

I shrugged, trying to keep the conversation light. “It’s part of the job. And besides, seeing you recover and getting back to your old self is all the reward I need.”

He laughed softly, wincing slightly as he did. “You know, Grayson’s been a wreck these past few weeks. I think he’s more exhausted than I am. It’s good to see him so invested, though.”

I nodded, watching as Tristan carefully selected another piece of fruit. “He’s been amazing. I think he’s just relieved to see you awake and making progress.”

The room fell into a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the occasional sound from the hallway. I watched Tristan as he ate, his strength slowly returning. Despite the severity of his injuries, there was a resilience in him that was inspiring.

After a few moments, Tristan broke the silence. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened and what’s ahead. It’s going to be a long road, but having people like you and Grayson around makes it easier.”

I smiled, feeling a surge of warmth at his words. “We’re all in this together. You’re not alone in this recovery. We’ll be here for you every step of the way.”

Tristan nodded, his expression serious but hopeful. “Thanks, Eli. It means a lot to know I have friends who care.”

As the conversation drifted into quieter topics, the atmosphere in the room felt lighter. The road to recovery was still long and uncertain, but moments like these—simple, genuine conversations—made the journey seem a little less daunting.

The door to the room opened softly, and I glanced up to see a nurse entering with a routine check. I stood up to give her space, but as I looked back at Tristan, I saw a flicker of contentment in his eyes.

“Rest up,” I said as I prepared to leave. “I’ll check in on you later. And remember, if you need anything, just let me know.”

“Will do,” Tristan replied, his voice carrying a note of gratitude. “Thanks for everything.”

As I walked out of the room, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path to recovery was challenging, but with the support of friends and loved ones, Tristan’s journey seemed a bit more hopeful.

———

The hum of fluorescent lights and the low murmur of office chatter filled the air as I walked through the corridors of the office building. My day had started off well enough, but as the hours ticked by, the stress began to mount. I had just finished checking up on a few employees and was heading back to my office when I encountered Jenna from accounting.

“Hey, Elina, can I talk to you for a minute?” Jenna called out as I passed by her desk.

I turned to face her, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Sure, Jenna. What’s up?”

Jenna’s expression was tense, and she didn’t waste any time getting to the point. “I know you’re busy with your new role, but I’ve had a couple of employees complaining about long wait times for health evaluations. I understand you’re settling in, but we need to keep things running smoothly.”

I felt a flush of irritation but took a deep breath before responding. “I’m doing my best to manage the workload. It’s been a bit hectic, and I’m still getting accustomed to the flow of things. I’m working on streamlining the process as quickly as I can.”

Jenna’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I get that, but we’re in a fast-paced environment. If there are delays, it affects everyone. It’s not just about you being busy; it’s about keeping the entire office functioning efficiently.”

I struggled to keep my frustration in check. “I’m aware of the impact. I’ve been trying to prioritize urgent cases while still addressing routine evaluations. If you have specific concerns, I’d appreciate it if you could bring them directly to me so I can address them more effectively.”

Her response was curt. “I’ve already brought this up with you several times. I just thought it was worth mentioning again.”

I bit back a retort, choosing instead to nod. “Understood. I’ll see what I can do to improve the situation.”

Jenna turned back to her desk, her demeanor leaving little room for further discussion. I sighed, feeling the weight of the argument and the added pressure of balancing my new role. The office environment was challenging, and dealing with conflicts like these was part of the adjustment.

As I returned to my office, I took a moment to collect myself. The last thing I needed was to let this small confrontation derail my day. I focused on organizing the stack of files on my desk, mentally preparing myself for the next wave of responsibilities.

The hours dragged on, filled with meetings, check-ups, and the occasional interruption from colleagues with questions or concerns. The stress of the day seemed to pile up, and by the time the workday drew to a close, I was exhausted. I packed up my things, eager to escape the confines of the office and head home.

Grayson’s earlier call had mentioned an urgent meeting, and I knew he’d be tied up for a while longer. As I walked to my car, I thought about the day’s challenges and the small victory of managing to get through it.

I hoped that tomorrow would bring a bit more harmony and fewer confrontations. For now, I was looking forward to a quiet evening and some much-needed rest.