Anna smiled at him softly.
"Oh, what are you doing here?" she asked. "Where's Sir Daniel?"
Tom looked at her, slightly narrowing his eyes.
"Why did you do that?" he asked instead, referring to what happened with Kent.
"What did I do?" Anna asked, confused.
Before Tom could answer—
"Seriously?" Daniel suddenly interrupted them.
"You two keep asking each other questions!" he said as he stepped between them and entered the elevator. "How are you both supposed to answer anything like that?"
He pressed the floor button.
Tom and Anna both laughed lightly and followed him inside.
Anna pressed the close button and let out a soft breath.
For a second… she just stood still.
"Hey," Daniel noticed her. "What's wrong?"
"What?" Anna blinked.
Tom chuckled. "Seriously? So many unanswered questions today."
They all laughed.
Daniel leaned closer slightly.
"Anna… come with us tonight."
She immediately shook her head.
"No, I can't."
"Why not?"
"I promised my friend we'd meet after work."
Daniel tilted his head. "Are you sure you won't regret it?"
"Yes," she answered firmly.
"Date?" he asked teasingly.
"No!" Anna immediately denied. "I'm not allowed to have a boyfriend, so how can I date?"
Daniel frowned. "Why? You're at the right age. Wait… how young are you?"
"I haven't finished college yet," she explained. "My father is strict."
"Strict parents," Daniel commented.
Tom suddenly interrupted, raising his voice slightly.
"Wait—you're not allowed?"
Daniel turned to him. "Oh? You know something?"
Tom glanced at Anna. "Yes. She likes someone."
"Hey!" Anna protested immediately.
Daniel's eyes widened. "Oh really? How do you know that?"
"She told me," Tom said casually. "It starts with the letter K."
"Hey!" Anna raised her voice again.
"K?" Daniel repeated, amused. "Wow… you already shared your secret with him?"
Anna shrugged.
"Hmm… is it Kent?" Daniel teased.
"No, it isn't!" she quickly answered.
"See? I told you," Daniel smirked.
Anna clicked her tongue. "Liking someone doesn't mean dating someone."
Silence fell for a moment.
Daniel leaned back slightly. "So it's true… you're allowed to like someone, but not date?"
"Yes," Anna nodded. "And my parents know that."
The elevator went quiet for a moment.
Then Anna suddenly spoke.
"The angels passed by."
"…What?" Daniel blinked. "The angels? What?"
Tom sighed, checking his phone. "Don't believe her. She says random things."
"Hey! It's not nonsense!" Anna defended herself.
Daniel just smiled, observing them both.
The elevator doors opened.
And all three froze.
Chairman Yang was standing right outside—with his personal assistant.
"Lolo," they all greeted at once.
Chairman Yang looked at them calmly.
"I came to the clinic," he said, eyes landing on Anna. "I wanted to see you."
Daniel pressed the hold button, keeping the doors open.
Anna's expression shifted slightly, her playful energy disappearing.
She stepped out of the elevator.
"You already met Daniel," Chairman Yang observed.
Anna nodded and smiled politely.
The atmosphere instantly turned serious. Daniel and Tom stayed inside the elevator, unusually quiet.
"Did he bully you?" Chairman Yang asked Anna.
"No, Lolo. He's nice," she answered, glancing back briefly.
Daniel winked at Chairman Yang, earning a faint reaction.
"Don't worry," Daniel said suddenly. "From now on, you'll see me every day."
Anna blinked. "What?"
"I'm working here," Daniel said proudly.
"Wow… congratulations," Anna replied sincerely.
"That's why I invited you tonight," Daniel added. "We should celebrate. Right, Lolo?"
"Yes," Chairman Yang agreed. "You can join them."
Anna hesitated.
"I can't tonight, Lolo. I'm meeting a friend."
Chairman Yang's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Date?" Daniel immediately teased.
"No, no!" Anna quickly denied. "It's not a date, I promise!"
"You know what I mean, Anna," Chairman Yang said calmly—but firmly.
Anna swallowed.
"I promise… pinky swear, Lolo."
After a pause—
"Alright. I will believe you," he said.
"But remember… no dating unless permitted."
Anna nodded.
"Yes, Lolo."
She turned and walked away without looking back.
Inside the elevator, Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"She likes someone," he repeated playfully.
Tom didn't respond.
Daniel smirked. "Is it Kevin?"
Tom finally looked away.
Anna had already disappeared.
TOM & DANIEL – OFFICE SCENE
Later, Daniel followed Tom into his office.
Tom sat behind his desk, quiet and focused on paperwork. Daniel relaxed on the couch, watching him.
"You're still bothered," Daniel said.
"I'm fine," Tom replied.
"No, you're not."
Tom sighed.
"I don't know."
Daniel leaned forward. "He's our Lolo. He didn't even stop your engagement with Mildred. He cares in his own way."
"We're okay," Tom said quietly.
"No, you're not," Daniel repeated.
Silence.
Tom signed a document slowly.
Daniel changed tone.
"Do you like Anna?"
Tom paused.
"I don't know."
Daniel smiled. "I like her."
Tom smirked. "I thought you weren't interested."
"I'm not like that," Daniel replied. "But she's different. There's something about her."
Tom stayed quiet.
Daniel stood up.
"Why don't you ask her out?"
Tom looked at him. "Do you really think Lolo would allow that?"
"I think he might," Daniel said casually.
Tom shook his head.
"Anyway… let's go out tonight. I found a new place."
LATER THAT EVENING
5:30 PM.
Tom and Daniel walked toward the parking lot.
As they were about to leave—
They saw Anna standing outside the company gates.
A few moments later, a red car arrived.
Anna got in.
And the car drove away.
Tom watched silently.
Daniel noticed.
But said nothing.
They both got into the car… and drove off toward the club.
*********************ANNA'S POV
"What?" Anna's eyes widened in shock. "Are you serious?"
Her friends exchanged guilty looks.
"Sorry, Anna," Shania said softly. "We didn't tell you because we knew you wouldn't come if you found out we were going to a club."
"You guys tricked me," Anna complained.
"Sorry…" Shania added quickly. "But don't worry, this club is owned by Kevin," Frej said, trying to lighten the mood.
"What? Oh my—" Anna froze. "Seriously?"
Her friends nodded excitedly.
"Kevin actually called me," Frej explained. "He wanted to invite you, so… here we are."
Then Shania suddenly leaned in.
"Do you remember that night you got drunk?"
"No…" Frej answered immediately, "but it's not important."
Shania continued anyway.
"It was Kevin who sent us home that night… he carried you."
"WHAT?!" all of them shouted at once.
Frej covered her face in embarrassment.
"And do you know what you did after that?"
"What?" they chorused.
"You kissed him."
"Kissed?" they all repeated in shock.
"On the lips?" Nikki clarified quickly.
"No!" Shania immediately denied.
All of them sighed in relief.
"Lucky me… I didn't kiss him on the lips," Frej said proudly. "It doesn't count… I was drunk!"
Anna blinked.
"I thought we were going to eat…"
"Boring!" Nikki groaned.
"Yeah," Frej agreed.
"I told my father we were going to a restaurant, not a club," Anna said worriedly. "He hates places like this."
"Don't worry," Shania assured her. "It's our secret."
Anna sighed. "I have a curfew… until 8 PM."
"Copy that," they all agreed.
AT THE CLUB
They arrived shortly after.
Shania parked the car at the curb, and they all stepped out.
Anna followed her friends nervously as they walked toward the entrance.
And there—
Kevin was waiting for them.
They entered the club and sat on a couch near the bar corner. The place was modern and luxurious—newly renovated, with glowing lights, stylish chairs, and a sleek underbar.
"Wow," they all said in unison, looking around.
"This is luxury, Kevin," Frej said in awe. "Last time we came here…"
"We renovated everything," Kevin explained. "The lights, the chairs, the couches… even the bar setup. We wanted it more presentable."
"Amazing," Shania said.
"Thank you," Kevin smiled.
His gaze softened when it landed on Anna.
"Hope you enjoy tonight, Anna."
Anna felt her heart skip slightly.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
"Nice to see you again," Kevin added gently.
Anna nodded and smiled shyly.
"Choose whatever drinks you want," Kevin said. "It's on me."
"Wow!" they chorused excitedly.
Kevin walked to the bartender and whispered something while pointing toward their table.
Moments later, drinks arrived on a tray and were placed in front of them.
Everyone happily started drinking—except Anna.
"Anna, don't be a killjoy," Shania teased, offering her wine. "Try it."
"Sorry," Anna said quickly. "But you're driving later. Don't drink too much."
"Relax, Anna!" Frej laughed, drinking like water. "Just enjoy!"
"Yeah," Nikki added. "Don't be boring."
Anna just smiled awkwardly.
"Anna," Kevin called softly.
He sat beside her and gently placed a drink in front of her.
"I chose this for you," he said. "Piña colada."
"I don't drink," Anna refused immediately.
"It's just a cocktail," Kevin reassured her. "Very little alcohol."
Anna hesitated.
She looked at her friends—then at Kevin.
"Okay… I'll try. Just a little."
"That's my girl!" Shania cheered.
Anna took a small sip.
Her eyes widened slightly.
It tasted good.
A soft smile formed on her lips.
"Do you like it?" Frej asked eagerly.
Anna nodded.
"Omg!" they all reacted excitedly.
Kevin smiled warmly at her.
"Glad you liked it."
"Wait, I need to go to the restroom," Shania said.
Kevin immediately gave directions.
"Straight, then left."
"Thanks, Kevs," she said, standing up.
"I'll go too," Frej added.
"Me too," Nikki followed.
And just like that—
Anna was left alone with Kevin.
From a distance, Daniel and Tom were watching.
"They're here," Daniel said quietly as he returned.
"I know," Tom replied, eyes fixed on the table. "I can see them."
"And that guy?" Daniel asked, nodding toward Kevin.
"Kevin," Tom answered.
Daniel frowned. "So that's him…"
Tom exhaled. "I thought they weren't dating."
"Her friends look too excited," Daniel said. "Feels planned."
Tom's gaze hardened slightly.
"He likes her," he said.
Daniel nodded. "Mutual, I think."
"And he owns this place."
"Seriously?" Tom muttered.
Then he noticed Anna's drink.
"She's barely drinking," Tom observed. "And that piña colada is almost gone."
"Why do you notice that?" Daniel asked, studying him.
Tom quickly looked away.
"It's nothing."
Daniel smirked.
"Sure."
Tom suddenly stood up.
"Let's take her home."
Daniel grabbed his arm.
"Relax. That's her date."
"She doesn't belong here," Tom insisted.
"I'm her elder brother," he added firmly.
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Overprotective much?"
"What if Lolo finds out she's dating him?" Tom said lowly.
Daniel sighed.
"…Yeah. Let's go."
But before they could move—
Daniel stopped him again.
"Wait."
"We need a plan," he whispered. "We can't just walk in and say 'Anna, let's go home.'"
Tom frowned. "Then what?"
Daniel smirked.
"Just like old times, dude."
Tom understood instantly.
"Got it."
They walked toward the table.
Daniel suddenly smiled.
"Ohhh… Anna? Is that you?"
Anna looked up—and froze.
Tom and Daniel were standing right in front of her.
And everything suddenly felt like it was about to change.
*******************
Stay tuned next chapter "friend zone" : is coming...
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💪📖