Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

It was the lunch break, and the entire lab was shrouded in an uncommon tranquility.

Owen pushed open the door of his small break room, his first stop being the washbasin where he washed his hands and splashed some water on his face before moving towards the inner room. That's where he kept his change of clothes.

As he began unbuttoning his shirt in front of the cabinet, little did he know, Roseanne had been awakened by the sound of the door opening.

Her foldable cot was tucked away behind the door, effectively hidden from immediate view but not completely out of sight.

So, when she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Owen, in the middle of taking off his shirt, with his toned muscles and broad shoulders completely on display. Roseanne froze.

She debated whether to let him know she was there, but before she could make up her mind, he was already shirtless.

Well, that ship has sailed, she thought. Speaking up now would only make things more awkward.

So, Roseanne chose to... She chose to close her eyes and pretend to be asleep.

Even so, the image of Owen's muscular back lingered in her mind, vivid and unbidden.

It felt oddly thrilling, like she was in on a secret she wasn't supposed to know.

After changing into a fresh shirt, Owen prepared to leave the room. However, as he turned around, he caught a glimpse of the foldable cot's edge.

His breath hitched, and for a moment, he was rooted to the spot.

the door and slowly pulled it

Indeed-

there, seemingly asleep on

her eyelashes casting long shadows

But then he noticed...

had slipped off to

picked it up and gently covered her with it, his gaze lingering on her serene face for a moment too long before he quickly averted his eyes and hurried out of the room. Thankfully, no one else knew of the turmoil

to be asleep

when Owen approached,

was

rustling sound of the blanket being placed back on her. Roseanne was stunned. Owen

Was he just standing there? Did she have something on her

felt like an eternity until finally,

of his footsteps fading

opened her eyes and let

classes and couldn't make it today," Stoddard" caught Owen

a beat: "Just had to

your face is

the outer

in the inner room, so we don't bother with the AC in the outer one.