The wind blew so gently, and the moon shone so brightly above. The stars seemed to dance across the sky, while the waves whispered as they kissed the shore.
Anna wore a white nightdress as she ran. Her wavy hair clung to her shoulders, swaying wildly with every hurried step. She gasped for breath, running as fast as she could—but the hem of her nightdress was already soaked by the ocean, dragging heavily, slowing her escape.
She looked back… once… then again.
And in that moment—she fell.
A strong hand caught her waist.
She struggled, trying to break free, but the man behind her was too strong. He lifted her effortlessly, as if she weighed nothing at all.
"Anna… I love you!" Tom said, breathless and exhausted, as if he had been chasing her to the edge of the world.
Anna froze.
She saw his face.
She didn't move.
Her eyes locked onto his—wide with shock. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. Her body was cold from the seawater, trembling beneath the night air.
Tom's gaze never left her.
He stepped closer.
Anna's heartbeat thundered in her ears. She swallowed hard as he moved in… closer… closer… until there was barely any space left between them.
Tom cupped her face gently, lifting it so she could only look at him. His breath brushed against her skin.
"W-what are you… doing?" she whispered.
He didn't answer.
He only leaned in closer.
Anna's eyes slowly fluttered shut… as if, for a moment, she wanted to feel his warmth.
She could hear his breathing—so close… too close…
Everything stopped.
And then—
"AGHHH!"
A sharp pain pierced under her ribs.
Her scream tore through the silence.
And just like that—
Anna jolted awake.
The alarm clock blared loudly in her room, dragging her violently back into reality.
"Oh my… what a dream!" she said to herself. "Oh dear… that's not a good dream…" she continued, still shaken. "That's… excruciating," she added while holding her right side.
She sat on the bed and cupped her face.
"I'm sure he would do that to me if he finally found out… we…" she trailed off, then suddenly flopped back onto the bed and covered her face with the thin blanket.
"Ahhhhhh!" she sighed. "After this summer job, I will tell him I am not interested in the company."
Anna got up again and stood in front of the mirror. She stared at her reflection and gently massaged her right side.
"Omg… I felt that," she whispered. "That's really painful… thank God it's only a dream."
She walked downstairs and took a bath.
In the kitchen, her mother was already preparing breakfast. Anna sat down on the chair quietly, still lost in thought, her mind replaying fragments of her nightmare.
Her mother noticed her expression—distant, almost dazed, as if she were slipping into a syncope-like state.
"How are you feeling?" her mother asked.
No response.
"Anna?" her mother called again, sharper this time.
"Hm?" she finally answered.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I dreamed about the ocean again," she replied softly. "But this time… it was different."
"Hmm… running again? And someone chasing you? And you didn't see his face?" her mother asked. "Since high school, you've always had that dream. It's been a long time since I heard you mention it."
Anna nodded slowly.
But this time… she had seen him.
In every dream before, she was always running along the seashore, someone chasing her—faceless, unknown. But this time… she saw him clearly.
"It's only a dream," her mother said gently. "Don't think too much about it, okay?"
Anna smiled faintly.
"Here, have a bite first," her mother said, offering fried rice and scrambled egg. "Before you go to work… what do you want, coffee or hot chocolate?"
"Coffee," she answered.
"By the way, your father asked if you already enrolled this coming semester," her mother added. "Your tuition fee has already been deposited into your account."
"Not yet," she replied. "Maybe tomorrow I'll go to school and settle it." She paused. "Is Sarah already enrolled?"
"Not yet. She said she'll go with you tomorrow."
"Okay. Tomorrow, then."
She finished her coffee quickly and brushed her teeth.
"Are you planning to resign from your job?" her mother asked, concern lacing her voice. "We're worried about you…"
"Yep," she replied.
"But if you still want to continue working there, that's okay… we're just worried you might not be able to focus on your studies."
"Hmmm… don't worry, I'll resign," she said softly. "I need to go, Ma. Thanks for the breakfast."
She hugged her mother and kissed her cheek.
"I love you," she added before hurrying out.
She arrived earlier than usual.
After greeting the security guard, she walked into the building and stepped into the elevator.
Inside… she met Chairman Yang.
She froze for a brief moment, then bowed politely.
"Good morning, Lolo."
He nodded slightly.
"Come with me to my office," he said.
It wasn't a request.
It was an invitation… that sounded more like an order.
At the office
"They told me you were sick… how are you feeling now?" he asked as he sat down on the couch.
"I am feeling better right now," she replied, taking a seat opposite him.
"Good to hear that."
Soon after, Chairman Yang's secretary entered the room, bringing drinks and sandwiches.
"Have you had your breakfast?" he asked. "Here, have some," she offered gently.
"Yes, Lolo, I already ate," she replied with a soft smile. "Thank you."
"Tell me… what happened between you and Kevin?"
Anna froze at the question.
Her eyes widened slightly—caught off guard.
"I heard your father allowed you to have a boyfriend… hmm?" He studied her closely, waiting for an answer.
"Not right now, Lolo. He said I can only have one after I graduate college."
"Does he know you're already… engaged to my grandson?" His voice turned sharper. "Does he know that guy is already dating someone else?"
"No…" Anna shook her head. "They have no idea."
"Anna…" Chairman Yang sighed heavily. "Why? Why did you lie about Kevin?"
Anna took a deep breath. Her chest tightened—she didn't even fully understand why she did it herself.
Maybe… she had been blinded by her feelings.
"Is my grandson not enough for you?"
"I am sorry, Lolo," she said softly. "But I can't like him. He's engaged… and he loves her so much. I don't want to be the villain in their story. I can't do that."
"So what's the difference between Kevin and Tom?" his voice darkened. "They are the same, Anna. Both of them have someone in their lives."
Anna shook her head firmly.
"I am not interested in your grandson… nor your company," she said with quiet but steady confidence. "I am willing to sign anything that says I don't want a single penny from this."
She stood up.
"You don't know what you're saying, Anna. This is your future… your family's future," he insisted.
"My family will support me," she replied. "In fact, we don't even know how to handle a business like this. We're not interested."
Chairman Yang exhaled sharply, disappointed.
"Give me a real answer after the board meeting," he said. "I was hoping you would change your mind."
"I won't," she answered immediately.
Without another word, she walked out of the office.
The door closed behind her.
Anna leaned her back against it, exhaling shakily—trying to steady herself.
Then she walked toward the elevator.
She pressed the button.
The doors opened.
And she froze.
Tom was standing right in front of her.
"Anna…" he murmured.
"Tom," she replied.
Without warning, he flicked her forehead.
"Hey!" she flinched, clicking her tongue. "You're so annoying!"
"What did you call me?" he raised a brow. "I told you to call me Kuya."
"Grrr…" she rolled her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, stepping closer.
"He heard I was sick, so he got worried," she replied flatly. Then she smirked slightly. "And you? Wow… you came here just to say hi? Hello Lolo, how are you doing?"
"Ha! Ha!" he laughed sarcastically.
"I came to confirm the board meeting schedule. There are changes… especially with the date and time," he explained.
"Board meeting?" she repeated, surprised. She didn't even enter the elevator yet.
"Yes. It was supposed to be next week, but the stockholders want it moved sooner. Honestly, it's giving me pressure. I don't even have enough time to finish my reports."
"When?" she asked again.
"Whoa… seriously?" he teased, narrowing his eyes. "Since when did you care about board meetings? Everyone hates them."
"Me too," she murmured. "Just tell me when."
"They're planning it tomorrow," he said.
Anna's eyes widened.
"Oh my goodness… really?"
"What?" Tom smirked. "Something wrong?"
She quickly shook her head. "Nothing."
She turned toward the elevator again.
"No no… good luck. Do your best, Kuya," she said softly.
She stepped inside and pressed the button.
Tom held the door for a moment.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Anna nodded. "Yes, I am fine."
He looked at her carefully, then instinctively reached out—his palm brushing near her forehead to check her temperature.
Anna didn't move.
For a second… she felt the warmth of his touch.
Then—
Her expression changed.
The nightmare flashed in her mind.
She suddenly stepped back.
Tom noticed immediately.
He leaned in slightly. "Thank God… you're okay now."
"I told you," she said quickly. "I'm fine."
"Goodbye," she added softly.
The elevator doors closed.
Tom stood there for a moment before walking away.
He entered Chairman Yang's office.
The old man stood in front of the glass wall, staring outside in silence.
Tom knocked once.
"Come in," the voice said.
He stepped inside.
"What are you thinking about?" Tom asked.
Chairman Yang smiled faintly. "A lot of things… especially you."
"Tsk. I know that's not true," Tom replied. "I just came to confirm the board meeting."
Chairman Yang walked to his desk.
"Tell me."
"They want it tomorrow. Are you aware of this?"
"Tomorrow?" he frowned.
"Yes. This wasn't your idea?"
Chairman Yang's expression darkened. "Of course not."
"Are you sure?" Tom pressed.
A sharp glare.
"Okay, okay," Tom raised his hands. "If it's not you… then fine."
"If they want it tomorrow, so be it," Chairman Yang said coldly.
Tom sighed.
"Give them what they want. Be ready. I know you can handle it."
Later
Tom returned to his office.
Daniel was already waiting.
"Hey, I heard about the board meeting," Daniel said.
"Yeah. Tomorrow is another day…"
Soon after, Nancy entered.
"Sir, here is the compilation of this month's market sales," she said, handing him the folder.
"Thank you, Nancy."
She left.
Daniel leaned closer. "Maybe this is his idea."
"Maybe," Tom replied. "He will never stop messing around."
"Give him what he deserves."
Tom smirked slightly.
"By the way," Daniel added, "I saw Anna today. She said she's going to resign after this week."
"What?" Tom looked up sharply. "She didn't tell me that."
Daniel studied him. "Nothing. Maybe because first semester is coming. She needs to focus. She's a dean's lister, remember?"
"Oh…" Tom leaned back slightly. "I didn't know that."
"I stalked her Facebook," Daniel said casually. "Sent her a friend request too."
Tom scoffed. "Wow. Why don't you just start courting her?"
Daniel smirked faintly. "She's not the girl for me."
"How come? You said you liked her."
"I did," Daniel admitted. "But she feels like a younger sister to me."
Tom chuckled. "See? That's what I meant."
Silence fell.
"Do you still love her?" Tom suddenly asked.
Daniel didn't answer right away.
"She's already engaged to him," he finally said.
Tom nodded slowly.
"By the way… I dreamed about Anna last night," Daniel said.
"What?" Tom looked at him. "You dreamed about her?"
"Yeah," he frowned. "I wasn't even thinking about her."
"Hm… so you're starting to like her, cousin."
"No. No," Daniel shook his head. "She's like a little sister. That's all."
Tom smirked. "Exactly."
Silence again.
Then—
"I don't know if it means anything…" Daniel said quietly. "But I saw her running at the seashore… at night."
Tom's expression changed.
"She fell… someone caught her. I couldn't see his face. She was crying, struggling… drowning… and I couldn't reach her. I could only watch…"
His voice lowered.
"…and then I woke up."
Daniel frowned. "That's weird."
Tom exhaled. "Yeah…"
A pause.
"Do you think it means something?" Tom asked quietly.
Daniel shook his head. "Maybe you're just worried too much."
Tom didn't answer.
But his eyes stayed distant.
He opened the folder again.
Work continued.
But his mind… was somewhere else.
*************
Stay tuned next chapter, " Destiny is a choice " is coming! ❤️❤️