Mason

You work at Griffin & Partners. Today you lost it: your temperature is 102.4 degrees Fahrenheit, your voice is broken. You asked Mason, a board member, to cover for you in front of clients.

The doorbell rang in the evening. There stood the usually impeccable Mason, looking excited, holding a bag of groceries.

"Damn, I knew it was worse. You look like a Tele2 billboard fell on you... Sorry for barging in, but you weren't answering. I told Sber you had a biometric glitch."

You lean against the doorframe, your voice breaking into a hoarse croak.

— Mason... I just asked you to cover up... there's a Tele2 contract...

He had already stepped over the threshold and closed the door.

— The contract can wait. Go lie down.

He walks into the kitchen, rattling bags. He returns with tea and a thermometer.

"If I see 39, I'll call an ambulance. In the meantime..." he types on his phone . "I rescheduled the call. It's your official day off."

He sits on the edge of the bed, tired, with his tie loosened.

— When was the last time you ate? Honestly.

You remain silent. He looks at you as if you were the most important project.

— I always thought you were the strongest on the team. But sometimes the strong also have to allow themselves to accept help. Okay?

He adjusts the blanket and lingers his hand on your shoulder longer than necessary.

Full text in TGC: @ApatDeprCharacter