TOM'S POV
Tom woke up early in the morning.
He took a bath, wore a suit, and skipped breakfast, knowing his mother would insist on preparing food for him anyway. Without wasting time, he headed to the parking lot and drove off to work.
At the entrance, the guard greeted him respectfully. The receptionist followed with a polite nod. Tom simply acknowledged them and walked straight toward the elevator.
When the elevator opened, he stepped inside and pressed the button for his office floor.
As the doors slowly began to close—
"Wait!"
Someone ran toward it.
Tom immediately reached out and held the elevator door open.
When it fully opened—
It was Anna.
She was slightly bent forward, catching her breath, hands resting on her knees as she tried to recover from running.
For a moment, she didn't notice him.
"Oh no…" she muttered softly.
But Tom heard her.
The moment she looked up, she saw him.
And froze.
Her expression changed instantly as she slowly stepped back.
Tom, however, stepped closer and gently pulled her inside the elevator, pressing the close button behind them.
"Did you go home early yesterday?" he asked.
Anna nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?" he asked, watching her carefully. "Something happened?"
"I didn't want to bother you," she answered quickly, moving to the corner of the elevator.
Tom studied her.
Anna met his gaze—but only for a second before looking away.
Then she forced a small smile.
"I'm just kidding…"
Tom didn't respond. Instead, he stepped closer and messily ruffled her hair.
"Hey!" Anna immediately grabbed his hand to stop him.
Their eyes locked.
She let go after a moment.
"I told you not to do that," she said firmly. "It's hard to fix my hair."
Tom leaned forward slightly, studying her face closely.
Anna's heart started racing.
"Don't look at me," she warned.
"Look at me," Tom teased, stepping even closer.
"I said no!" she insisted, turning her face away.
But he kept approaching.
Panicking, Anna placed her hands on his chest to push him back—but he didn't move.
Tom gently held her face and made her look up at him.
"Open your eyes," he said seriously. "Look at me, Anna. You always avoid me… are you avoiding me?"
Anna shook her head.
"I said look at me," he repeated firmly.
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Their gazes met.
The distance between them was dangerously close.
Anna swallowed hard. Her heart was pounding so loudly she thought he might hear it.
Her face flushed instantly.
Tom frowned slightly.
"You're blushing," he said. "Are you sick?"
Before she could respond, he reached out and checked her forehead.
Anna panicked.
And in a split second—
BAM.
She headbutted him.
"Ouch!" Tom immediately stepped back, holding his nose. "What was that?!"
"I'm sorry!" Anna panicked, rushing toward him.
But then she froze.
Blood.
Tom's nose was bleeding.
"Oh my… Kuya, your nose!" Anna gasped.
Tom looked at his hand and saw the blood.
"Oh no…" he muttered.
He quickly pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it to his nose.
"Look what you did," he said, tilting his head.
"Don't tilt your head!" Anna immediately ordered. "Lean forward and pinch your nose! We need ice—wait, I don't have keys for the clinic—"
Tom exhaled.
"Let's go to my office. I have an ice pack."
IN TOM'S OFFICE
Anna rushed to get an ice pack from his mini fridge beside the bookshelf.
"Here," she said, handing it to him. "I'm sorry…"
Tom sat on the couch, pressing the ice pack to his nose in silence.
Anna stood in front of him, guilt written all over her face.
"I know it's my fault… but you also shouldn't have gotten too close," she muttered.
"Because you were stubborn," Tom replied calmly. "I told you to look at me."
"Tsk," she looked away.
Tom leaned back slightly.
"You called me Kuya," he said suddenly.
Anna paused.
"And I like that," he added. "From now on, call me Kuya. I'll forgive you."
Anna frowned.
"As long as you stay one meter away from me."
"What?" Tom blinked.
She nodded firmly.
"And don't bully me anymore."
"I don't bully you," Tom said immediately.
Anna raised an eyebrow.
Tom sighed. "Fine."
Then he looked at her again.
"If calling me Kuya makes you happy, then okay."
Anna nodded slowly.
"And no more bullying," she repeated.
"I'm not bullying you," he insisted again.
Anna smirked.
"Are you sure I didn't break your bones?" she asked worriedly. "We might need an X-ray."
"If you broke my nose, be ready," Tom said, half-joking. "I'll do the same to you."
"What?! My nose isn't even pointed like yours!"
Tom stared at her.
Anna immediately covered her nose and ran out.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
"Anna?" Marvin's voice called out.
She stopped.
"Mr. Yang…"
She turned back—and saw Tom inside the office, still sitting with the ice pack.
Marvin followed her gaze, then frowned.
"What happened?"
"It's my fault," Anna said guiltily.
Marvin sighed and walked inside with her.
"Come," he said gently.
Tom waved him off slightly.
"She accidentally hit my face," Tom explained. "Don't worry, it's fine now."
Marvin smiled.
"I brought breakfast. Join us."
Anna hesitated.
"No… thank you. I already ate."
But—
GROWL.
Her stomach betrayed her.
Marvin chuckled.
Tom smirked.
"Sit," Marvin said kindly. "Don't be shy."
Soon, bento boxes filled the table.
Pancakes, egg rolls, hot chocolate with marshmallows, toasted cheese bread, bacon, apples, and kiwi.
Anna's eyes sparkled.
"Thank you, Lord," she whispered before eating.
Marvin and Tom exchanged amused looks.
After a while, Marvin left the room.
The atmosphere softened.
Tom added honey and butter to her pancakes and placed them on her plate.
"No, no!" Anna stopped him. "I don't like pancakes."
"Really?" he asked.
She nodded.
Tom shrugged and ate them instead.
"Everyone likes pancakes except you," he said. "Even Mildred loves them."
Anna smiled slightly.
"How is she?" she asked. "You must miss her a lot."
"Every second," Tom answered immediately. "Every minute."
Anna smiled politely.
"Congratulations," she said. "For your engagement."
Tom nodded. "Thank you. Everyone is happy… except Chairman Yang."
Anna suddenly coughed.
Tom quickly handed her a drink.
"Are you okay?"
She shook her head.
"Give me a number," she suddenly said.
"What?"
"Just 1 to 26."
Tom frowned. "Why?"
"Just give me one."
"11," he said.
Anna counted silently.
"K…"
Her eyes lit up.
"Someone misses me," she said softly.
Tom sighed.
"That's superstition," he said. "You're a nursing student."
Anna smiled.
"Science doesn't explain everything."
Tom watched her.
"Who's K?" he asked.
Anna smiled.
"Kevin."
"My crush."
Tom paused.
"Oh."
Then he started feeding her more food.
"You should eat more," he said. "No one will like you if you're too thin."
Anna smirked.
"Oh? Someone will like me."
Tom laughed. "Only messed-up boys."
"Hey!"
"Trust me," he teased. "No one will like you."
Anna put her spoon down.
"You're so mean."
"I'm joking," he said, flicking her forehead.
"Ouch!"
After breakfast, they cleaned up together.
"I'm going," Anna said, standing up.
"Okay," Tom replied.
She turned.
"See you at lunch, sister," he said, waving.
Anna nodded.
"Okay."
Then—
"Hey."
She turned back.
"What?"
"Be good," he said. "Don't hit anyone else."
Anna smirked.
"Yes, Kuya."
Tom smiled.
"Good."
She left the office while his coworkers watched her pass.
Anna sighed and continued walking back to the clinic.
But strangely…
her heart was still not calm.
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Next chapter 17: Meeting Daniel Yang part 2 is coming.... stay tuned
Thank you reader's 🥰😍