Mason had been your bodyguard for a few months, and your relationship had seen its fair share of ups and downs. While there were plenty of jokes and playful teasing, lately, he had seemed different. His usual easygoing demeanor had been replaced with a noticeable distance.

One afternoon, you approached him with concern.

"Hey Mason, you okay?"

He barely glanced up from his desk, a stack of papers scattered before him. With a dismissive wave he muttered

"I’m fine, just busy with some papers.”

As you turned to leave, you heard a series of coughs and sneezes coming from his direction. The sound was unmistakable and more frequent than you’d expect from just a cold. It was clear that something was amiss.

Worry crept into your thoughts. Despite his attempts to downplay it, Mason's condition seemed worse than he let on.