Chapter 27 – Return to Normalcy
The following Monday, Naosa returned to work as if nothing had happened.
After spending the morning with Maggie and the other children in the playroom, she appeared at the office doorway with her characteristic brightness.
“Hello, everyone!” she called out cheerfully.
The entire staff visibly relaxed at the sight of her familiar smile.
“Are you feeling better?” they asked, gathering around her with genuine concern.
“I’m completely fine now,” she assured them, nodding apologetically. “I’m sorry for worrying you all.”
Alex pretended to be absorbed in his paperwork, eyes fixed on the desk—but inside, his heart was pounding.
When Naosa eventually made her way to him, she paused beside his chair.
“Hello,” she said softly. “I’m sorry for causing you concern. I’ve fully recovered now.”
Alex looked up and broke into a wide, boyish grin, waving his hands with unrestrained delight.
“Good. You look much better,” he said, warmth flooding his voice.
Naosa leaned closer and whispered, “Thank you for the flowers.”
Alex smiled shyly, his heart soaring behind his calm exterior.
He reminded himself to be patient. He wouldn’t rush her.
He would wait until she was ready to talk about Wexley.
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Later that week, during a casual chat in the office, Sally suddenly turned to Alex.
“Hey, how long are you planning to keep up this no-smoking thing?”
Without missing a beat, Alex replied, “Forever. I’ve quit for good.”
“Seriously? What brought that on?” Jill asked, raising a skeptical brow.
Alex said, with disarming honesty and a wide grin, “So I can kiss Nao.”
All eyes immediately swiveled toward Naosa.
Her face flushed crimson, the blush spreading all the way to her ears.
“I–I never said anything like that!” she stammered, clearly flustered.
Alex kept a straight face. “You mentioned once that you wouldn’t kiss a smoker. So I quit. Entirely for your benefit.”
Naosa looked like she wished she could melt into the floor.
“You’ve gotta take responsibility now,” Alex added, finally laughing.
Sally stared at him in disbelief. “I knew it’d be something like that.”
The office burst into laughter.
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Meanwhile, Ashley and Millie—once fierce competitors for Alex’s attention—had gradually shifted their focus.
They now spent their breaks chatting amicably with Naosa instead.
Miguel, spotting the change, couldn’t resist teasing them in the break room.
“Already moved on from Dr. O’Neill?”
Ashley shrugged. “He’s completely infatuated with Nao now. Honestly, he was more attractive when he kept his distance.”
Millie nodded. “I think I’m ready for someone new.”
Later, Miguel relayed the exchange to Sally and Jill.
“Women are impossible to read,” he sighed.
“Well, I kinda get it,” Sally admitted.
Miguel shook his head. “So being aloof is better than being nice? What a strange world.”
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A few days later, Amanda intercepted Alex in the hallway.
As usual, she was organizing an extravagant birthday party—this time aboard her family’s brand-new luxury cruiser.
She handed Alex an invitation, her smile bright with anticipation.
Alex barely glanced at it. “I’m not coming,” he said flatly.
Amanda’s smile faltered. “Please… I’m truly sorry for what happened. I regret it. I’d like you to come.”
Alex met her gaze, cold and unwavering. “Did you apologize to Nao?”
Amanda hesitated.
“What exactly are you sorry for?” he asked, already turning away.
As he walked off, she called after him sweetly, “You’re really not coming? You know… she’ll be on our team next term.”
Alex stopped in his tracks.
He turned slowly, eyes sharp.
“Don’t even think about interfering with her,” he said, voice low and dangerous.
Then he took the invitation from her hand—and walked away without another word.
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Meanwhile, in the break room, Ashley, Millie, Sally, Jill, and Naosa were enthusiastically planning their weekend.
They had decided on a beach day—perfect for relaxing and, according to Ashley and Millie, perfect for meeting new people.
“That beach doesn’t have good waves for surfing,” Sally pointed out.
Naosa’s eyes lit up. “I can skimboard! You don’t even need waves for that.”
“That sounds tough,” Sally said.
“I want to try it!” Jill added excitedly.
Since skimboarding was difficult for beginners, Naosa thoughtfully suggested wakeboarding as an alternative.
Everyone agreed enthusiastically.
Ashley offered her family’s small cruiser for the wakeboard, and Naosa clapped her hands in delight.
“I’ll prepare lots of food!” she promised.
And with that, the beach adventure was officially set.
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