A Love Rekindled (Nancy and Bruce) novel Chapter 4

Bruce's sudden appearance came as a shock to everyone.

David Henderson, one of my colleagues, had just come out of the pantry with his hair in a mess and a toothbrush in his mouth.

Though such a sight was normal for programmers like us, it clearly wasn't for Bruce based on how his brows knitted together.

I could understand his reaction. A small office like ours couldn't compare with a large company like Roeval.

I figured Bruce might've started regretting letting Cindy work here.

Cindy herself didn't seem to mind. She pointed at a spot beside the window and said, "I'll be working there, Bruce."

Bruce didn't answer. I followed the direction of his gaze and found that he was looking at the cubicle across from Cindy's, which was where I usually did my coding work.

Besides the desktop on the desk, there was also an old black laptop. Bruce had won it in a competition in his second year of university. It was one of the very few gifts he'd ever given me.

The laptop's specs were pretty good, so I'd been using it all this time.

"Your laptop is the exact same model as Bruce's, Nancy." Cindy seemed to have noticed this as well. She gazed wide-eyed at me, asking, "Does it code well?"

I didn't know Bruce had the exact same model, but to prevent unnecessary conflict, I replied calmly, "It's a pretty old model. The latest ones are better."

Cindy then turned to Bruce. "What do you think, Bruce?"

Was she doing some kind of interview?

Instead of answering, Bruce asked, "Do you want to get a new laptop?"

Cindy rubbed her nose and said, "I didn't pay attention when I bought my last one and ended up being cheated by the seller."

"Oh, you… " Bruce said, his tone laced with tenderness even as his words were meant to be chastising. It was pretty different from his usually cold demeanor.

"Are you calling me dumb again?" Cindy pouted. She was about to say something else when she sneezed.

Bruce hurried over and asked worriedly, "Did you catch a cold?"

Cindy sniffled, looking worried. "Oh dear. I think it's because of my pollen allergies… "

She sneezed twice more before she could finish talking.

Before I could even say anything, Bruce had cut in, "Get rid of these unnecessary plants right away."

He was pointing at the succulents placed by the window. Those were Caroline's beloved plant babies.

I said, "Mr. Harold, those succulents have already stopped flowering. Look—"

"I'm not going to repeat myself," Bruce cut me off firmly. "Get an air purifier too."

I was at a loss for words.

Cindy tried to explain, "Bruce, Nancy didn't know I was allergic to pollen. She wouldn't have arranged this spot for me otherwise."

Cindy was pointing to the cubicle beside the window. I'd given her that spot because it had the best lighting and privacy, making it undoubtedly the best spot to work in the office.

I looked at how innocent Cindy appeared, then said after some thought, "This is an oversight on our part. How about you work in the office space to the right, Ms. Lane?"

David immediately piped up, "I don't think that's a good idea, Nancy. Ms. Whittaker reserved that office specifically for you."

David was implying Cindy wasn't qualified to have her own office space yet.

Cindy understood this as well and refused, "It's okay, Nancy. I'll just take some antihistamines for the allergy. I'm new here, after all; there's no way I could have an office of my own."

But rules were made by people, and they could very well be changed by people. I was sure Bruce would say something, him being our investor and all.

Sure enough, Bruce decided, "Cindy will work there then."

Cindy gazed worriedly at him. "This is too inappropriate, Bruce."

Bruce suddenly looked at me and asked calmly, "What do you think, Ms. Fisher?"