As time went on, Zoe couldn't help but notice how much Gray overworked himself. Day after day, he would push himself to the limit, rarely taking breaks or time off. His face had always been pale, with dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign of exhaustion. Zoe couldn't stand by and watch him destroy himself any longer.
One day, she walked into Gray's office to find him fast asleep at his desk. Concern flooded her, and she couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. "YOU CAN'T DO EVERYTHING ALONE!" she shouted, startling Gray awake. He winced and sighed, collapsing heavily into his chair. "But I can try," he responded weakly.
Gray's dedication to his work was admirable, but Zoe knew he needed to take care of himself too. She couldn't bear to see him suffer like this any longer. Determined, she decided to confront him about his unhealthy habits.
A few days later, during an important meeting, Gray suddenly fainted and collapsed for a brief moment. He had been standing at the front of the room, leaning heavily against the wall, his eyes clenched shut in pain. But just as quickly as it happened, he regained his composure and continued the meeting as if nothing had happened.
As Zoe left the meeting, she happened to pass by a corridor where Gray was standing alone, his back against the wall, and his head in his hands. She watched as he drank some water and quickly swallowed a pill. Then, he swore under his breath and left, unaware that Zoe had witnessed his moment of vulnerability.
Later that day, Zoe approached Gray and asked him about what she had seen. Gray realized that she had caught him in a moment of weakness, and he couldn't hide the truth any longer. "I have just been a bit under the weather, Zoe. These pills help me cope," he admitted, his voice filled with exhaustion and defeat.
Zoe's concern for Gray grew even stronger. She couldn't bear to see him suffer like this. The next day, she watched as Gray entered his office, followed by an elderly man. It turned out to be a doctor. "Mr. Jamesone, you have a case of stress-induced sickness. I implore you to rest!" the doctor urged.
But Gray, stubborn as ever, replied shortly, "I am fine. Thank you for your concern, doctor, but you said after the surgery I would be fine." The doctor shook his head, clearly worried. "Yes, if you rested for a week. You didn't," he said, disappointment evident in his voice.
Gray winced slightly, realizing the truth behind the doctor's words. "Alright, doctor, I'll rest," he finally conceded. The doctor smiled brightly, genuinely caring for Gray's well-being. Gray ushered the man out of his office and leaned against the door, taking a moment to collect himself.
Zoe couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and worry for Gray. She knew that he had finally acknowledged the need to take care of himself, but she also knew that breaking his workaholic habits wouldn't be easy for him. As she watched him re-enter his office, she silently hoped that this would be the turning point for Gray, the moment when he realized that his health was just as important as his work.
No Genre, No Style, English language.