In the office next door, Mark Reed was smoking heavily.
One cigarette after another, he never stopped.
He was looking at the report in his hand, but his mind was elsewhere entirely.
The numbers seemed like rows and rows of ants crawling under his eyelids, leaving no trace in his mind.
He extinguished the cigarette in his hand, leaned back, half-lying in the chair.
Such a state wasn't suited for work; he needed a break.
Maybe a rest would help him regain the work feeling.
Mark Reed got up and walked toward the lounge area; on the other side of the door was a reclining chair for him to rest on. He took off his shoes and lay down, his head throbbing.
With his hand covering his forehead, he closed his eyes, forcing the shadow in his mind away.
He wouldn't allow himself to think about her, nor did he want her to disturb his thoughts. He couldn't be swayed by a woman.
