Selena was already halfway to her car, her expensive heels clicking angrily on the marble floor. She stabbed at Lucas's mother's number and didn't wait for a greeting.
"I'm not going to marry or date your son!" Selena's voice was sharp, cracking with a carefully controlled theatricality. "This is never going to happen! He is too rude. I can't be with this! I have my dignity, too, Madam Sefan!"
On the other end, Sefan's voice was deep, smooth, and dangerously calm—the kind of tone that demanded obedience. "Selena, first, you need to calm down. Getting angry with me is pointless. Just tell me what happened."
Selena switched tactics instantly. A few practiced sniffles turned into a heartbroken sob. "You know, Madam, when he arrived yesterday, he was so harsh, so unnecessarily rude, even when I tried to initiate a conversation! And... and you forced him to go shopping with me, but he hugged a man right there in front of everyone! In front of me!" She let out a dramatic, tearful gasp.
A sudden, sharp intensity entered Sefan's voice. "What?! How did he look? The one Lucas hugged, was he... was he with a baby?"
Selena stammered, confused by the sudden urgency. "Actually, I saw the hug from far away. By the time I got close, the man had already run off! I didn't see his face, and I don't know if he had a baby or not!"
"Ah, nonsense!" Sefan snapped, the calmness gone.
"W-what?" Selena choked out.
"I said, you're useless."
Sefan ended the call with a curt click.
Selena stared at the dead phone screen, her face twisting into a silent snarl. "How dare she! That..." She cut herself off, her mind spinning. "Wait. Why did that woman care so much about the other guy? Why did she ask if he had a baby? Something is seriously wrong here."
The Perfect Doctor
Dr. Ethan Stan stormed into his private cabinet, the anger from his encounter with Lucas still a raw burn beneath his skin. His two closest friends and colleagues were waiting for him.
"How was your... 'holiday'?" Dr. Cury-La, the assistant doctor, asked with a knowing smirk.
"Don't even start," Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. "He had fun, not me. Eli is just five. I'm exhausted from chasing him from the shop back to the house."
Dr. Satraus Ro, a handsome, gentle man who harbored a secret crush on Ethan, stood up immediately. "But today is the big meeting. You look tired. Cury and I can handle it. I'll go instead of you." His concern was genuine, a quiet warmth Ethan always appreciated.
"It's okay, Satraus," Ethan said, shaking his head. "I need to be there. I'm the one who sent the internal memo about the illegal drug supply scam. There's an underworld mafia business involved—I was shocked! Our work is for people, not corruption, right?"
"Of course, right, Idol Doctor," Cury teased, giving a mock salute.
Satraus smiled proudly. "Of course. He's an Obstetrician-Gynecologist who knows how to take care of his baby and his patients. He's the perfect doctor, and everyone loves him."
The Head of Clinical Medical Operations (CMO) burst into the room.
"Everyone! Stand up! Director is here!" The CMO's face was flushed with excitement. "Our main guest, the biggest partner of our hospital for years, their CEO, is here to take over shares! They agreed to join this meeting. We need to impress them. This is about the hospital fund, improvements, and other projects!"
"But Sir," Ethan tried to interject, his mind focused on the corruption memo.
The CMO cut him off sharply. "I know what you're going to say, Dr. Stan, but can we focus on the survival of the hospital first?"
"But Sir—"
"Enough! Get ready for the meeting!" The CMO snapped, then turned to Cury. "Are you ready, Dr. Cury?"
"Yes, Sir," Cury responded, snapping to attention.
Outside the hospital, a procession of luxurious black cars pulled up one by one. The air crackled with corporate power.
"Don't worry," Satraus whispered to Ethan, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
The entire hospital staff was lined up to greet the visitors. The Managing Director (MD) strode toward Ethan and shoved a large bouquet of premium roses into his arms.
"Ethan! Take this!" the MD ordered.
Ethan blinked. "M-me?"
The CMO glared at him with a silent command: Just take it!
Ethan reluctantly held the flowers. "Our main guest is here. You will give this bouquet to them, understood?" the MD instructed.
A swarm of bodyguards parted. A figure stepped forward, his manager by his side. He wore a perfectly tailored suit and dark, expensive sunglasses. The entire staff's collective breath hitched at the sight of him.
That was Lucas.
Ethan's eyes went wide, the bouquet suddenly feeling like a dead weight. What is this?!
Lucas stopped in front of him, slowly pulling down his sunglasses. The corner of his mouth lifted into a slow, predatory smirk. He leaned down, his voice dropping to a low, intimate baritone that cut through the silence.
"Hiiiiiiii."
The single word, spoken so romantically, made Ethan's blood run cold. He zoned out, the memory of Lucas's relationship with him flashing through his mind.
"Hey! Give the bouquet to them!" the MD hissed from behind Ethan.
"Ah... ahh... H-hii... H-hii, si... sirrr." Ethan forced a fake, trembling smile and presented the bouquet to Lucas.
Lucas didn't touch the flowers. Instead, he extended his hand for a handshake. Ethan hesitated for only a second before taking it. But as soon as their palms met, Lucas used the advantage, pulling Ethan forward, trying to turn the handshake into an embrace.
Ethan stiffened, forcing a quick, shallow, fake hug.
"C-can... you.. leave me, Sir?" Ethan whispered urgently, his voice strained.
Lucas pulled back just enough to hover his lips near Ethan's ear, the rich scent of his cologne enveloping him.
"Hey, darling. Nice to see your beautiful face again."
Ethan's eyes grew impossibly wide. Darling?!