Chapter 163 - Chapter 163 - Her Scent

Monday morning arrived under another grey sky, bringing with it the long-anticipated day of Azaria's return to Aldrith Corp after four weeks of annual leave. Theon had arrived at the office before sunrise and his mind was already churning with the layout of the day's schedule after Nathan had given him the breakdown. He knew that she was due back at her desk that morning, and he was equally aware that the calendar held no cross-departmental briefings, presentations, or reviews that would place them in the same room. Under normal circumstances, such an arrangement would have provided a welcome layer of breathing room, ensuring she could ease back into her professional environment without the intimidation of an unexpected encounter with him. Yet, as the hours of the morning began to unfold, that very separation transformed the atmosphere into something almost unbearable for him to endure.