ANNA'S POV
Anna walked toward the clinic, her mind running faster than her steps.
She was thinking.
What should I say to Ms. Kate? How do I ask permission properly?
She rehearsed under her breath.
"Ms. Kate, I'm sick… I feel nauseated… I think I should go home now…"
She paused.
Then frowned.
"No… that sounds fake."
She shook her head and tried again.
"Ms. Kate, I need undertime. No need to report to HR—I'm the heir of this company—"
She stopped.
Then suddenly laughed at herself.
"What am I even saying?"
She sighed.
"No, no, no… that's rude."
She paced slowly.
"Ms. Kate, whether you like it or not, I'm going home now."
She froze.
"…Haist. I'm crazy."
She scratched her head and entered the clinic.
Inside, Kate was sitting at the desk, talking to her boyfriend.
When Kate saw her, she smiled and waved.
Anna waved back softly and returned the smile.
Without wasting time, Anna went straight to the sink, washed her hands, and disinfected her tools. She wiped the table, wheelchair, and cabinet with focused precision.
"What are you doing?" Kate asked. "Stop that."
"It's okay," Anna replied calmly, continuing her work.
After ending her call, Kate approached her.
"Hmmm…" Kate hummed. "Sir Thomas was looking for you yesterday."
Anna continued wiping the rag and hanging it near the window.
"Hmm," she only responded.
Kate narrowed her eyes slightly. "Based on my observation… I think they already knew you, Anna."
Anna paused for a moment.
Then nodded.
"I'm sorry… I lied," she admitted. "I actually met them before working here. Chairman Yang offered me this job. I met them a few months ago."
Kate's eyes widened. "Wow! Really? How? Family friend?"
"Not exactly," Anna said softly. "Chairman Yang is my grandfather's best friend. That's all."
Kate studied her seriously.
"But don't think I'm from a wealthy family," Anna added quickly with a small laugh. "I wish. We don't own a single penny here."
Kate exhaled in relief. "Oh, I knew it. Nicey and I were talking about you last night—we thought you already knew them. Please don't tell them what we said."
Anna turned to her.
"Don't worry. Tomorrow they'll know anyway."
"What?" Kate followed her immediately.
Anna smirked and sat on the wheelchair.
"I'm kidding. Of course I won't. You can trust me."
"Promise?" Kate asked, still worried.
"Promise, Ms. Kate. Pinky swear."
Anna stood up and offered her pinky.
"Tsk… childish," Kate said—but she smiled.
And they both laughed.
A few minutes later, an elderly man arrived.
Kate greeted him immediately.
"What happened, sir?"
Anna stood nearby, observing.
"Can you check my blood pressure?" the man requested, sitting down.
Anna took out the BP apparatus and stethoscope.
Kate began assessing him. "Tell me, what are you feeling?"
"My nape hurts… I have a bad headache… and I feel dizzy," he explained.
Anna took his blood pressure.
Her expression changed slightly.
"150/90…" she whispered.
That was high.
"What is your usual BP?" Anna asked gently.
Kate introduced her. "This is Anna, Mr. Sanchez."
"I'm hypertensive," the man said. "My usual is around 140/100."
Kate checked the reading again.
"What is his latest BP, Anna?"
"It's 150/100," Anna replied.
Kate sighed. "That's high. Have you taken your medicine?"
The man looked away.
"No… I already finished my supply. I forgot to buy more yesterday. I was going to buy today, but I started feeling dizzy."
Kate stood up immediately and checked the medicine cart.
"Do we have Amlodipine 10mg?"
"Yes," the man answered.
"Good. Take it now," Kate instructed. "Then rest on the bed over there."
They assisted him to the bed. Anna handed him water so he could take his medication.
Later, Anna and Kate sat in the receiving area.
"He's our delivery man," Kate explained. "He usually comes here to check his BP."
"We'll monitor him after 30 minutes," Kate continued. "If it doesn't go down, we'll refer him to the hospital."
Anna nodded.
"Hypertension is scary," she said softly. "A silent killer."
Kate agreed and looked at the clock.
11:00 AM.
"You should eat," Kate said.
"I'm not hungry," Anna replied.
"Go," Kate insisted. "I'll stay here. We can't leave him alone."
Anna hesitated… then nodded and left.
On her way to the canteen—
Someone suddenly tapped her head.
"Hey."
Anna flinched.
She turned, already thinking it was Tom.
But it wasn't.
"Hmm… maybe this time you won't go home early?" the guy said, removing his hand.
"Oh…" Anna blinked.
"Hi," she greeted politely.
The man smiled.
"So… maybe now you'll believe I'm Daniel Yang," he said, stopping in front of her.
Anna frowned slightly and stepped aside.
"No. Stop pretending," she said firmly. "I can still be your friend even if you're not Daniel Yang."
Daniel followed her. "Why don't you believe me?"
"I am telling the truth," he insisted.
Anna stopped walking.
"Why do you want me to believe you so badly?" she asked.
"Because you're the only one who doesn't," he replied.
Then he suddenly stopped.
His eyes shifted.
Tom was sitting nearby, eating with his staff.
"Do you see that guy?" Daniel asked, pointing.
Anna nodded.
"That's my cousin," Daniel said proudly. "My best friend."
Anna laughed. "Sure."
"You still don't believe me," he sighed.
"I don't," she said simply.
Daniel crossed his arms.
"Fine. Then I don't believe you either."
Anna tilted her head.
"I'll prove it," she said suddenly. "That guy—" she pointed at Tom "—is my husband."
Silence.
Then—
Daniel burst out laughing loudly.
"SERIOUSLY?!"
People turned to look.
"Sorry! Sorry!" they both said awkwardly.
They moved to the counter, still laughing.
"That's a lie," Daniel whispered.
"I'm not lying," Anna replied calmly.
Daniel studied her.
"You're unbelievable," he said.
"You're just stubborn," Anna shot back.
Then she smirked.
"He's my crush," Daniel finally said. "That I believe."
They both sat and ate.
Later, Tom joined them.
"Bro!" Daniel greeted him.
"Bro," Tom replied, sitting beside him.
Anna froze slightly.
"Wait…" Daniel pointed. "You two know each other?"
Tom nodded.
"Yes."
Anna nodded too.
"Yes."
Daniel frowned. "What is happening here?"
Tom smirked. "She's the granddaughter of Lolo's best friend."
Daniel leaned back.
"…Oh."
Then he looked at Anna.
"Nice to meet you properly."
Anna sighed in relief.
"Finally."
They laughed together.
While they were talking, Kent suddenly appeared.
"Hey. You're new," he said sharply to Anna.
Anna nodded.
Kent frowned. "Next time, be respectful when you laugh. You're a lady."
"I'm sorry," she replied immediately. "Yes, sir."
Daniel's expression changed.
"Kent, what's wrong?" he asked.
Kent turned.
"Oh, Daniel. You're here too?" he chuckled coldly. "Is this your playground?"
Daniel frowned.
Anna quietly stepped back.
"I think I should go," she whispered.
Then—
She felt someone tap her head again.
She turned.
It was Tom.
Anna froze.
Tom stood there calmly, looking at her.
And for a moment…
everything around her disappeared again.
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Stay tuned!
Chapter 18: hang out with my friend is coming!