I hope Dr Gary doesn't think anything wrong about me…
Athena smoothed her hair and straightened her coat before stepping into the lab room. She forced herself to walk calmly, but her pulse drummed in her ears. Dr. Gary was at the counter, flipping through papers with deliberate focus, as if the rustle of pages could block out what he had seen moments ago.
"Dr. Gary," Athena said softly. "I'm back for the reports… Are they ready?"
He didn't look up right away. When he did, his gaze was polite, distant. Gone was the warmth he usually carried when speaking to her. "Almost," he replied curtly.
Athena bit her lip. Just what I thought… he's acting differently.
That sudden chill between them pierced sharper than any scolding could. She stepped closer, searching his face. "About what you saw earlier…"
Gary's hand stilled on the papers. His eyes flickered to hers, unreadable. Then he shook his head. "You don't need to explain, Athena. It's not my business. It's fine."
