Anna stood up and went outside, She was surprised when she saw Kevin was standing in front of their House
"Kevs" she called him
Kevin looked at her apologetically "How are you ?" he was worried
Anna was wondered
"Shania told me you were sick " he explained
Anna felt Kilig for him, she was happy when she saw him standing in front of him
"she told me where you live, so I came in here, just want to check you, if you're doing fine or not" he explained
"I am feeling better right now Kevs," she says "I am fine" she continued
"Good" he replied and smiled at him
"would you like to come in ?" she asked
"Can I ?" he asked
Anna Agreed
"alright " Kevin answered
Anna went inside, and she saw that her family was excited to meet who would be. Kevin followed her
Anna was smiling when she entered inside
"Come!" she said "By the way that is my siblings" She introduced them one by one, and her parents came from the kitchen
"Oh, That is my mama and Papa" she continued introducing them
Kevin walked straight to them and took their Hands and her parents extended their hands to Kevin, Kevin did a mano, He bowed while holding his hand and pressed his head to the back of Anna's father's palm. he did the same thing to Anna's mother
Mano is a Filipino culture performed as a sign of respect to elders and as a way of requesting a blessing from the elder, It is similar to hand-kissing.
"uhh!, Are you asking to court my daughter ?" her father asked him
"No, Pa he is a friend, "Anna says to him
"Yes,.."Kevin said "Anna and I are friends?" he explained to them "I heard she is sick, So I came to stop by "he added
Her father raised his eyebrows "Are you sure?" asked him
Kevin smiled at him "Yes, I know Anna, She doesn't allow me to have a boyfriend right now, and I can wait " he added
Anna was blushed when she heard him.
"What?" her father says
Her siblings giggled When they heard him
"Are you ready papa?" Karen said "Looks like someone asking her out" continued
"I just want to be clear, if you like my daughter that is good but you know I didn't allow them to have a boyfriend when they are still studying, I want them to focus on their studies, for now, I wanted to focus them on their studies." he explained "I will give her hands to you if she's already finished her study "He added "come and sit "he invited him to sit on the couch, and they both sat on the couch
"Yes sir, I know that" he answered and smiled at him
" Alright!, are you both classmates?" he interrogated him
"No, sir, I already graduated from the nursing course" he proudly said
"That is good?" he nodded "What about your licensure exam?" he continued asking him
"I am still reviewing now, and planning to take this June" he confidently said
"OHH !, that is good then, you should prepare yourself and pass the exam," he says
"yes, sir "he replied and gave him a smile
"And what about your parents, are they still alive?" he questioned him again
"Pa..." Anna interrupted him
"Yes, they are in State," he said "Working there, my mom is a nurse also, while my dad owned a clinic, he's a surgeon, "he says
"Oh!, maybe after you take the exam you will be going to the USA"
"Might be, but I wanted to stay in here" he says
"Ohh, come and join us 'he inviting him to a dinner
Kevin joined them, He sat next to Anna, After an hour, Kevin got a call, he went outside and answered the call.
A few minutes later, Kevin came back and called Anna
"Yes?" she asked with sparkling in her eyes
"I am going home, something happened in the club, so I need to go" he excused
"Yeah, sure," she says "Ma, Pa, he needs to go," she said
"Yeah, sure, take care Kevin!" her father replied
"Thanks for the dinner," he said and waved to them " Goodbye and have a goodnight "
Anna went outside with Kevin, she sent him to the outside of the house, Kevin got inside the car and drove off she turned around and walked straight to their house,
"Wow!" someone said from behind. "Is he welcomed now in your family?" he asked as he walked toward her.
Anna turned around. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
Tom was sitting on the edge in front of his car, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Daniel told me you were really sick and gave this antipyretic med," he said, lifting the plastic bag full of medicine. "But it looks like you're okay now."
Anna nodded.
Tom reached out to place his hand on her forehead, but Anna quickly avoided him.
"I am fine!" she said firmly.
Tom noticed it. He paused… then nodded slowly.
"You've got colds… because of me," he said quietly. "So I'm worried."
"Tsk." Anna clicked her tongue. "That's not true."
Tom smiled faintly. "What is he doing here?" he asked, referring to Kevin.
"He knew I was sick, so he stopped by," she replied.
"You don't hate him?"
"No. Why should I?"
"He broke your heart."
Anna looked at him silently.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
"No. No, no. You are not allowed," she said immediately.
"But why?" he asked. "I am a family member."
Anna frowned at him.
Tom bent slightly, leaning closer—just enough for his face to be under the dim night light.
"Still mad at me?" he asked softly.
Anna froze.
She held her breath… her heart skipped.
Without warning, she placed both hands on his face and pushed him away. Tom straightened up, still smiling at her.
"Don't do that… please," she said. "You always do that."
"What did I do?" he asked innocently. "Oh! You don't like this?" he teased, messing her hair and flicking her forehead.
"Duh!" she raised her voice.
"Why?" he smirked. "Alright… I'm sorry I shouted at you this morning," he said, softening his tone.
Anna grinned. "Go. Go home now… I need to go. Shoo!"
"What?" he said, amused. "You don't want me to be introduced to your family?"
"Why should I do that?" she asked, pointing to herself. "As if you are my boyfriend," she murmured.
"I am your elder brother, and you are my younger sister," he said, again messing her hair.
"No!" she snapped. "They knew Kevin since my first year in college. How would I even introduce you?"
Tom gave her a suspicious look.
Anna stuck her tongue out. "Bleh."
"I thought you were not allowed to have a boyfriend?" he asked.
"Yes… and he's willing to wait," she explained.
"Willing to wait while dating someone?" he scoffed. "Are you out of your mind?"
Anna hissed.
"Hey, wake up! He's dating," he reminded her.
"If you really want a boyfriend, Daniel is single," he added casually. "And he's willing to wait… maybe."
"What?!" Anna frowned. "No, he is a friend!"
"Daniel has a good heart," Tom continued. "He's sweet. And yes, he's older—but age doesn't matter. Maybe ten years older, but he's perfect for you."
"Haist." Anna groaned. "Please stop… don't poison my brain."
"Compared to Kevin, he's better for you, Anna. Are you really ready for that kind of relationship? You're young."
"And so what if I'm young?" Anna sighed. "I'm not even planning to have a boyfriend. I like him… and I'm willing to wait."
"What? Are you out of your mind? He's a jerk!" Tom snapped.
"Bleeeh!" Anna kicked his leg and ran inside.
"Haist!" Tom hissed, massaging his leg. "Anna!! You always do that!"
He exhaled sharply, then got into his car and drove away—to their house, where his mother wanted to see him.
Daniel was standing by the pool, talking with Chairman Yang when Tom arrived.
"How is she?" Daniel asked immediately.
"She's fine," Tom answered as he walked closer.
"What is it?" Chairman Yang asked, interested.
"Anna is sick, Lolo," Daniel explained.
"She's sick?" Chairman Yang frowned. "What happened? I thought she had fun with her friends last night."
"Yes, she did," Tom replied flatly as he walked away, pouring red wine into a glass.
"What happened?" Chairman Yang pressed. "How did you know?"
"She was with us," Daniel said. "We accidentally met her at the club last night… and Kevin was there—the one who broke her heart."
"Kevin broke her heart?" Chairman Yang turned sharply. "How?"
"Tom knows everything. You can ask him," Daniel said quickly.
"He knows?" Chairman Yang looked at Tom.
Daniel nodded. "They're close enough to share secrets."
"Oh… I didn't know that," Chairman Yang said with a faint smile. "Tell me… are they really close?"
Daniel just winked.
"Tom!" his grandfather called again.
Tom, sitting by the pool bench, barely looked up.
"What?" he replied, sipping his wine.
Chairman Yang shot him a sharp glare. Tom sighed, stood up, and walked over.
"What happened to Anna and Kevin?"
"They're fine," Tom answered.
"Fine? I thought he broke her heart," Chairman Yang said sharply.
"Yes… but this afternoon he went to their house. And it looks like her family likes him."
"And how do you know that?" Chairman Yang narrowed his eyes.
"I went there," Tom admitted. "Daniel told me she was sick, so I brought medicine. I saw Kevin there… and Anna coming out of the house. Her father even accepted him to court her."
"What?!" Daniel and Chairman Yang both reacted.
"Relax," Tom said flatly. "It's her life."
"No. Does her father know he's dating someone else?" Daniel asked.
"He's dating?" Chairman Yang's expression darkened. "She lied to me."
"See, Lolo? That's bad," Daniel muttered.
"Tsk tsk tsk…" Chairman Yang clicked his tongue. "What happened to Anna?"
"Does her parents know he's a… player?" Daniel asked carefully.
"Maybe not," Tom said irritably. "She likes Kevin. What's wrong with that? The guy is willing to wait for her to finish her studies."
"Hmmm," Chairman Yang muttered. "We need to stop this. He's not the right guy."
"Lolo," Daniel interrupted quickly. "Maybe we shouldn't interfere. She's young. She wants to enjoy life… maybe she's just curious about relationships."
"She is not allowed to have a boyfriend," Chairman Yang said firmly.
"She is not your granddaughter," Tom suddenly snapped. "Don't you dare ruin her life."
Chairman Yang's eyes darkened. "Are you threatening me, Thomas Yang?"
"No," Tom answered coldly. "But I won't let you control her life… like you did to me."
"Guys, please!" Daniel stepped in. "Tom, calm down."
"I can do whatever I want, Tom. Remember that," Chairman Yang said firmly.
"You can do whatever you want to us," Tom shot back, voice rising. "But not her. She has her own life. She is not yours to control."
"Are you sure your best friend would be happy about this?" he added bitterly.
Chairman Yang smirked. "She isn't yours either."
Tom let out a sharp breath, jaw tightening.
"Whoa—okay! Chill!" Daniel raised his hands. "You both are acting like this is more than just concern. Overprotective much?"
Silence.
Both men stared at him.
"Easy," Daniel added awkwardly. "I'm worried too… but you two look the same right now."
Tom scoffed.
Chairman Yang stayed silent, his expression tense, conflicted… angry… but shaken.
Tom looked away.
"…This isn't the right time yet," he muttered under his breath.
********
Stay tuned for the next chapter: the nightmare is coming up 🥰🥰