Liam rushed towards Milo, setting his coffee cup aside. “Did you burn yourself?” Liam took the mug from Milo and gripped his wrist, using cold tap water on it. “Wow. I’m sorry if I startled you.” Liam inspected Milo’s finger, but it was just red at the moment and he couldn’t tell how badly he had burned it. He heard hiccupping, like a soft sob. Liam released Milo’s wrist and tugged paper towels off the roll. He handed them to Milo. When Milo’s eyes overflowed with tears, Liam looked out of the doorway of the lounge helplessly. “Sit down.” He pulled a chair out and steered Milo to it. Milo dropped down and covered his face, rocking in the chair. “Liam?” “He burned his hand.” Liam spotted Jasmin at the doorway. “Milo? Are you okay?” She crouched near him. Liam had no idea why Milo was having a major meltdown. He backed up and wondered if he had burned himself badly enough to call 911. “Let me see it.” Jasmin seemed to be calming him. Liam opened the freezer of their communal refrigerator, and took out a tray of ice. He dumped a few cubes onto paper towels and placed them on the table near Milo. Jasmin held an ice cube on Milo’s hand. “What should I do?” Liam asked quietly. “I think we need to file a report.” Jasmin used the paper towels to mop up the water. “No.” Milo tried to stand. “Is it blistering?” Liam asked. “Not yet.” “I’m fine.” Milo got off the chair. Jasmin and Liam both watched Milo. To Liam’s surprise, Milo left the lounge hurriedly. Jasmin shot a glare at Liam. “What really happened? Did you do something to him?” “Me?” Liam touched his own chest. “He’s very upset.” Confused, Liam pointed to the door, then his mug. “I was…” Jasmin gave him a look that could kill and left the room. What the fuck? Liam stood by himself in the room and tried to figure out when the hell he had become everyone’s enemy. ~ Standing inside the men’s room, Milo blew his nose on toilet paper. He wiped his eyes and checked his hand. It was just a small red spot. He had no idea why he had freaked out. He felt dizzy and bent over, inhaling deeply to calm down. Since he was spinning, he entered a stall and crouched down, struggling to function. It took a little while, but Milo managed to control his emotions. He looked at his hand again, rubbing his finger over it. It was sore but hadn’t blistered yet. Using the wall to stand, Milo got to his feet and exited the stall, splashing his face as he leaned over a sink. He met his green eyes in the mirror, and knew this fear, simply would not go away. ~ “Liam?” “Yes?” Liam looked up at Aron from their H&R department. “Was there an incident in the lounge?” “An incident?” Liam leaned his arms on his desk. “Involving a temp?” “He spilled hot water on himself.” Aron tilted his head. “You didn’t push him?” “Push him?” Liam sat up straight. “Did he say I did?” “No…another employee—” “Hang on.” Liam had no idea what was going on, but this wasn’t going to happen. He stood and moved beyond Aron. “Where are you going?” Aron asked. Liam approached Milo’s cubicle. “Milo?” The young man shrank in his chair. Jasmin asked, “What’s going on?” “Hold on.” Liam held up his finger for her to stop interrupting. “Milo? Did you tell someone I pushed you?” “I saw it.” Jasmin folded her arms. Liam turned towards her. “You saw me push Milo?” “Yes.” His temper rising, Liam asked Milo again, “Milo? Will you tell Aron what really happened?” Milo hid his face in his hands. “Enough.” Aron backed Liam off. “You’re harassing him.” “Leave him alone!” Jasmin yelled. “What the hell?” Liam was stunned. “Wait a minute. Why would I push Milo?” “Go.” Aron pointed for Liam to leave the area. “I’ll begin an investigation.” “What?” Liam blinked. “This is insane.” “Stay away from him,” Aron warned. “So, that’s it? Guilty by reason of? What?” “Don’t go there.” “Don’t go there?” Liam stood his ground. “Stay away.” Aron stormed off. Liam returned to his office. “I’m losing my mind.”
