Chapter 71

Lilian POV

"Is she kidding me? I never said I was going to have a relationship with him, why would she tell me that?" I scoffed unbelievably after I stripped out of my clothes. I had a rough day at the hospital today, and since I'll be starting work tomorrow, I needed to go to bed early so I can go to the hospital early tomorrow before leaving for work.

After I shower, I went back into the room and did my usual routine. I felt like staying at the hotel would be money-draining, so I decided to rent an apartment for at least six months so I could save some money.

I was about to go to bed when my phone beeped and when I checked it, I found out that it was a text from Ren.

"What does he want now?" I mumbled and checked it.

'Hey! Did you have a stress-free day? Let's have dinner together if you have time tomorrow' I tossed my phone on the nightstand after I finished reading through the text.

'Can you at least let a dying woman have that?' I sat on the bed and ran my fingers through my head, and no matter how much I tried to gather the obvious pieces together that already made a lot of sense, I still couldn't come up with anything. I mean, she looked so healthy, so how the fuck is she a cancer patient?

"Don't think about it and go to bed," I said to myself and finally was able to push my thoughts away, going to sleep.

I had no idea how long I'd been asleep, but the sound of my blaring alarm soon pulled me out of my deep slumber, and I tossed on the bed as I forced my eyes open, realizing that it was dawn.

My body felt stiff, but I still managed to move from the bed, regardless. It took me about two hours to do my morning routine, and it was a few minutes to 7am by the time I finished with everything, so I left for the hospital.

I took a cab to the hospital, and just when I walked inside the compound, Ren was alighting from the car. He spotted me immediately and waited for me.

"Hey! Good morning," He smiled at me when I intended to ignore him and just walked past.

"Hmm," I nodded my head and left him immediately.

After checking up on my Dad and seeing the nurse that was supposed to take care of him for the rest of the day, I was set to leave before a knock sounded on the door and I sighed when I saw that the person knocking was Ren. What does he want now?

Picking up my handbag, I advanced toward the door and pulled it open, stepping out of the room.

"Uhm... I brought breakfast for you. Are you going somewhere?" He asked me after he scrutinized me with his eyes, and I nodded my head.

"Yes, I'm going out. Also, thanks for the breakfast, but I'm not hungry," I said to him bluntly and dismissively.

"Come on, you can't say that. It's still early and you couldn't have had breakfast by this time," He insisted, blocking my way when I tried to walk past him.

"Yeah, I've not had breakfast yet, and I'm extremely hungry, but I won't eat food from you. Now, if you will please excuse me. You are going to make me late," His face dropped sadly and disappointedly, but who cares about how he feels?

"Uhm... I'm sorry. Will you go out with me tonight? It's just to have..."

"I have plans with Nate, so I won't be going out with you," I cut him off before he could finish his statement. I didn't have any plans with anyone, anyway.

"Excuse me," And with that, I walked past him and advanced toward the exit door. In a few minutes, I was on my way to the company.

I felt thrilled at the thought of finally starting work, but I was even more excited knowing that I'll get to see Nate daily. Isn't that wonderful? That was like a double blessing for me.

"We are here," The cabby's voice jolted me out of a trance, and that was when I realized that he was parked in front of the company.

"Thanks," I said to him and alighted from the car. Standing in front of the company, I took a deep breath and checked myself out to be sure I looked good. I mean, I'll be having my crush around, so it's only right that I try to look good, yeah? I had no idea if the black flowery short gown and pair of black heels made me look good enough, but I just hoped it does. I especially picked them carefully for today.

"Be confident and believe in yourself, Lilian," I said to myself and took another deep breath before making my way into the building.

The lobby wasn't as full as the other day I was here, and there were only very few employees that were present. I guess I came earlier than others.

I took the elevator to the floor where Nate's office was located, and when I arrived at his office, I was glad that he was already in.

"Go ahead, Ms," His secretary said to me after she put a call across to him and he probably asked her to let me in.

His expensive and sweet cologne greeted me when I walked inside, but my heart skipped when my eyes fell on the most handsome man seated behind the desk. He was cladded in a white suit, and just like every other dress I'd seen him in, this suit him perfectly as though it was tailored especially for him alone.

"I wasn't expecting you to be here so early. Good morning, anyway, and welcome to our community," He stood up and smiled at me, making my heart flutter.

"Thank you," I managed to reply to him.

"Please sit while I call the manager to come take you to your office," He said to me before he took the telephone and dialed a number. I watched as he stared down at nothing, and as his long eyelashes moved slowly, I couldn't help the crazy thought that filled my mind. A part of me wanted to touch those long eyelashes and maybe do more than that, but a part of me was trying hard to keep us in check.

"He'll be here shortly," He said to me after he dropped the telephone, and I nodded my head.

"Have you had breakfast yet?" He asked me, and I quickly shook my head.

"Not yet," I replied to him, and he scoffed.

"Why didn't you eat before you left home? Were you planning to hurt yourself?" The way he said it looked so caring and gave me a sense of being protected and worried about.

"Uhm... I was..."

"Ugh! What should I do with you? You are always clumsy," He shook his head and rolled his eyes while reaching for his phone.

"Uhm... I'm sorry. I will eat before I come to work henceforth," I felt my heart beating rapidly against my chest, I could feel butterflies dancing and flying in my stomach. I felt like I was on top of the world.

"I already ordered food. It'll be delivered in thirty minutes, so I'm going to be brought to your office after it's delivered. Make sure you eat to your satisfaction, ok?" He leaned forward and stroked my hair, making my heart flutter.

"Hmm," I managed to nod my head, and he smiled, revealing his perfect dentition.

The said manager finally came and we left his office together. I wished I could be his secretary so I would have the chance to see him every time, but I guess that was a dream that'll never come true for me.

Arriving at the large office that had about eight other workers, the manager introduced me to them as the new member of the marketing department team.

"You're welcome to join us," They welcomed me warmly, and for the first time, I felt safe being around many people because I didn't have any reason to feel rejected although it hurts a bit that I already changed my look. Who knows, maybe I would've gotten the same treatment if I had not lost a few pounds. Who knows? I'm just saying, anyway.

I was offered my seat and a desktop was already placed on it. The team leader was assigned to put me through how things work here.

"Hi! My name is Ashley. I'm one of the team members. It's nice to meet you," A lady in her late twenties smiled at me, and I slowly nodded my head not knowing how to relate with her. It was literally the first time someone was going to talk to me first, I grew up with people running away from me and calling me fat, so it felt weird that someone was actually talking to me now.

"Hmm. It's nice to meet you too," I managed to reply to her, scared that she would end up saying shit about me like every other person has done in the past, forgetting that I've lost a few pounds and looking more beautiful now.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll be here to put you through," She said to me, and I nodded my head.

My breakfast was soon delivered to me, and since everyone was minding their business and working, I had to eat alone. I wish Nate was here to eat with me, anyway...