Loving DAD 1074

Usually, when Sharon was busy in her office handling documents, Thomas would rest in his own office nearby. 

She had arranged the space especially for him–complete with a computer, television, game console, bed, and even a private shower. When he wasn’t accompanying her, he could relax, play games, or take a nap if he wanted. 

That evening, Sharon received a call from the project department. There was an important contract to be signed, and the company’s director had to attend in person. 

After hanging up, she reached for her phone to call Thomas and tell him to get ready–but then paused. 

Lately, he hadn’t seemed quite himself. His mood was off, and he spoke less than usual. 

Come to think of it, she had been so swamped with work that she hadn’t really noticed how he’d been doing. 

With a faint frown, she decided to check on him in person and maybe ask if something was bothering him. 

As she passed the pantry, voices drifted out from within. 

Two women were talking. 

One said, “Jess, just give it up. Thomas clearly isn’t interested in women. Don’t make a fool of yourself. 

“Not long ago, a pretty little secretary from our department brought him homemade lunches for a week straight. He didn’t even look at them–just tossed them straight into the trash. 

“And remember what happened with Natasha? She tried that classic damsel–in–distress move–pretended to trip right in front of him. Guess what happened? 

“He pushed her away. She fell so badly she actually lost a tooth. 

“Oh, and his tongue’s just as sharp. There was a girl who confessed to him once he made her cry on the spot. You’re new here, so you don’t know yet. My advice? Stay far away from him. The guy’s got a temper and more quirks than I can count.” 

Another voice–quieter, trembling, almost tearful–answered, “I just went to see him. He said my perfume made him sick, called me an ugly freak, and threw me out. He’s so mean…” 

Sharon hadn’t thought much of their gossip at first. But the moment she heard Thomas’s name, her steps faltered. 

Were they really talking about her Thomas? 

The one she knew–calm, self–contained, occasionally sharp–tongued but never cruel? 

“Forget it,” the first woman said with a laugh. “Maybe he’s into men.” 

Into men? Impossible. 

Yet, unbidden, a memory surfaced–of that mysterious “first love” he had once mentioned. 1 

She wondered, briefly, how things stood between them now. 

Chapter 1074 

Pushing the thought aside, Sharon continued toward Thomas’s office. 

+25 BONUS 

He wasn’t at his desk, but the sound of running water drifted from the bathroom. He was showering. 

Sharon decided to wait. 

She had only been here once before–the day she arranged the office for him. Work had kept her too busy to visit since. 

Her eyes swept the room. The layout hadn’t changed, but the bookshelf was now filled with books she hadn’t seen before. 

Curious, she pulled out a few and flipped through them. They were written in various languages–some she recognized, some she didn’t. 

For someone fluent in multiple tongues, it surprised her that even she couldn’t decipher several of them. 

Was he studying foreign languages? 

Her gaze drifted to the desk, where his computer screen was still on. 

At a glance, it looked like he was in the middle of drafting an email. The message was half–written and unsent. 

The language wasn’t English, but something far more obscure. Sharon had studied a little of it and could only make out a few words. From what she could tell, it mentioned following through with a plan or task. 

Before she could examine it more closely, the bathroom door swung open. 

Thomas stepped out, towel in hand, drying his hair as he walked. 

When he saw Sharon standing in his office, he didn’t look the least bit surprised. 

His gaze flicked briefly to the glowing monitor, then back to her. 

“Heading out?” he asked casually.