Don arrived at work the next day, a knot of unease settling in his stomach. He had something to share with Alan, something he didn't look forward to. In the confines of Alan's office, he relayed his hospital visit and the doctor's advice, trying to maintain his composure as he spoke.

Alan listened, his face a mask of stillness. A flash of disappointment crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a cold, calculating look. The silence in the room was suffocating until finally, Alan broke it with a heavy sigh.

"Well, Don," Alan said, his voice dipped low and dangerous. "It seems we will have to find... alternative methods."

Don's heart pounded in his chest. He didn't need to question what Alan meant. The implication was clear, and he found himself swallowed by a mix of fear and anticipation. The office, once a sanctuary of work and professionalism, had morphed into a battleground of desires, a playground for Alan's caprices.

As Don walked out of Alan's office that day, he felt a familiar tension crawling up his spine. He couldn't help but wonder what Alan's next move would be. He knew he had lost control of the situation, and now, he was merely playing by Alan's rules. The stakes were higher than ever, and the game was just beginning.