Zenith gasped quietly, trying to hold back the wince that felt at the tip of her tongue.
"What are you doing here?" she heard Ryan say, and lifted her head up to look his way, apologetic.
"I am sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to —"
"Did you hurt yourself?" Ryan frowned, his gaze dipping to look at her knees. It was covered with her skirt, but he could tell she had suffered pain from her face.
Zenith paused for a second, but then quickly shook her head. "No, I am fine." With that, she tried to get up, but the moment she did, she blenched.
Before she could refuse, Ryan’s arms reached to hold her stable on her feet. "You lied," he said, his voice tight.
She stared up at him, ready to deny, but when she saw his brows furrow in deep displeasure, she couldn’t.
Lowering her gaze, she admitted, "I didn’t intend to. I thought I was fine, but didn’t realize it would hurt so much." It was true. She thought it was just momentary pain and would subside, but who knew moving a little would hurt so much?
Ryan pursed his lips. Looking behind her, he said, "Sit."
"Huh?" She didn’t understand and looked at him, and he gestured for her to look behind. When she looked, she realized what he meant.
With him holding her, she stepped back a few steps and carefully sat down on the sofa.
Ryan then walked to get the first aid box. When he came back, he crouched down on the floor.
Zenith was taken aback. She tried to skirt away, but the close space didn’t allow her much. "Sir, what are you doing?"
"There were pins scattered on the floor," Ryan pointed at a few. "You might have gotten pricked by a few. If not cleaned and treated soon, you might get an infection."
"I can do it myself," she suggested, and Ryan stared at her, the crease of a frown still between his brows. "Really, I can do it. It’s not that painful anymore." She then let her gaze drift to the things around her. "And you seem to be searching for something important. Don’t deviate."
Ryan realized and then nodded. Then, handing her the first, he gently advised, "Be careful."
She nodded.
He walked back to look. Zenith watched his frantic search as she opened the box and took the cotton and disinfectant out to clear her wound.
Once she was done, she couldn’t hold herself back from asking. She has seen him move whole upside down, yet looked not satisfied. Could it be something he didn’t bring home and left back in the office?
"Sir, may I ask what you are looking for?" she asked. "Could it be possible that it’s not here, but in your office?"
Ryan shook his head. "I have brought it here."
"Then —" Before Zenith could speak more, a voice interrupted her from the door.
"It’s no longer here."
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