HARRO.
I stared at the papers in front of me as the morning sun poured through the blinds of our home office, casting slants of golden light across the room. But the warmth that usually greeted me felt distant and muted, much like the sinking feeling in my stomach. I'd awoken to the worst news: whispers of scandal had begun to spiral about Orion's company, a toxic whirlwind fueled by social media's unrelenting reach. I could almost hear the digital clamor ringing in my ears—the headlines, the snappy comments, each one a dagger aimed at the heart of everything Orion had worked for.
When I first heard the rumors, my hands trembled as I reached for my phone. Racing against time, I called the company that funded Orion's project, my voice steady but laced with urgency. I focused on each word, determined to convey the truth, to shield him from the storm that threatened to unravel everything he had built.
"Listen, I understand the concerns, but you know me," I pleaded, urgency sharpening my tone. "You and I have been friends for years, and trust me when I say Orion would never fabricate results. He would never harm a fly, let alone put people's lives at risk. You've seen his work but I know his integrity firsthand."
To my relief, the line hummed with understanding; they knew me well enough to trust my words. With the company's representatives calmed, a glimmer of hope flickered within me. Maybe I could help protect what mattered most to Orion—the drug he had fought so hard to create, the positivity it could bring to so many lives.
But as I hung up the phone, that faint hope was quickly overshadowed by worry for the man I loved. I paced around our home office, my mind racing. The thought of how this scandal could affect Orion gnawed at me. What would this do to his reputation? To his passion? It felt like a rope tightening around my chest as I recalled the grueling nights he'd spent with his research team, the insistence with which he pursued this dream.
I spent the remainder of the afternoon making strategic calls, leveraging favors from media industry associates to help shape the narrative in Orion's favor. They provided valuable assistance, but whoever was responsible for releasing these damaging articles about Stone Pharmaceuticals is relentless.
Just when I thought I could manage my anxiety, the door swung open. Orion stepped in, his face a mask of exhaustion, the weight of the world seemingly pressing down on his shoulders. The moment I saw him, my heart sank deeper. His usually bright eyes appeared dulled, the spark that typically lit his features extinguished.
"Hey," I greeted softly, drawing closer to him, unable to suppress the concern in my voice. "How was your day?"
He let out a long sigh, letting his bag drop to the floor. "It was…long," he admitted, his words heavy with unspoken feelings. "The company is in chaos. They're worried about the rumors. I can't say I blame them."
As he spoke, I reached out, wrapping my arms around him, grounding him in the midst of the storm brewing outside. I could feel the tension in his body, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap. "I've got your back, you know," I murmured into his shoulder. "You've worked too hard for this. We'll get through it."
"Do you really think so?" His voice trembled slightly, a vulnerability slipping through the cracks of his façade.
"Absolutely," I reassured him, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. "I called the funding company. They trust you. They trust us. We'll sort this out, piece by piece. Just take a deep breath. You're not alone in this."
I watched as his shoulders relaxed, a small flicker of relief passing over his face. "I don't want this to ruin everything," he confessed, the weight of his worry spilling forth. "This drug means so much. It could help so many people."
"I know," I replied gently, brushing a stray hair away from his forehead. "And it will. It's just a hurdle, love. You're not defined by this. Your company's work speaks for itself, and I believe in you. Your passion is undeniable. You've always been focused on making a difference, this is not going to change that."
A tear slid down his cheek, and I felt my heart twist painfully. Part of me ached to take away his fear, to make everything alright again. I wiped the tear away with my thumb, letting the warmth of my hand linger. "You've done amazing things, Orion. This scandal doesn't erase all of that."
He blinked, taking a shaky breath, his vulnerability surfacing more prominently now. "They keep releasing new articles, what if they actually succeed in destroying everything?" His voice was barely a whisper, laden with worry.
"I won't let them. We'll fight this together. I'm here—always."
In that moment, I sensed a glimmer of hope flicker back into his eyes. A warmth spread through me as he leaned in closer, burying his face in my neck. I could feel the tension draining from his body, replaced by a softness that reminded me of our very first days together.
"So, what's the plan?" he asked, pulling back slightly to meet my gaze, a hint of resolve dawning in his expression.
"First, we eat. You've had a grueling day, and you need fuel. Then we'll brainstorm how to tackle this mess. We'll figure this out together, step-by-step," I said, setting my jaw with determination.
He nodded, a little smile breaking through the weariness on his face. "You always know how to make things better, don't you?"
"I try," I said with a chuckle, feeling lighter knowing I could be there for him in this way. "Now, let's whip up something good for dinner. Maybe your favorite pasta? I'm your personal chef tonight, and I'm talking about happy endings and stuff." I said winking at him.
His laughter rang through the air, a sound I clung to like a lifeline. Together, amidst the chaos of the day and the uncertainty ahead, we could find strength in each other. As we moved toward the kitchen, side by side, I felt a renewed sense of hope. With love on our side, we could face anything that came our way.