THE COLD CEO SPOILED ME

THE DINNER

7:00 P.M. — GREY INTERNATIONAL

Tahimik na naglalakad sina Hanna at Michael papunta sa elevator.

Pagpasok nila, silang dalawa lamang ang nasa loob.

Napatingin si Hanna sa floor number.

"Where are we going?"

"To dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Yes."

"Just the two of us?"

Michael looked at her.

"Is that a problem?"

"Hindi naman. I'm just surprised."

"Why?"

"Because you're my boss."

Michael pressed the button.

"So?"

"So... medyo unusual."

"You're hungry."

"Yes."

"Then eat."

Hanna smiled.

"You really make everything sound like an order."

"I'm used to giving orders."

"I noticed."

The elevator doors opened.

---

A SMALL RESTAURANT

Hindi dinala ni Michael si Hanna sa isang expensive restaurant.

Sa halip, pumunta sila sa isang simple at quiet na Korean restaurant sa isang side street.

Napatingin si Hanna sa paligid.

"I thought a CEO would eat somewhere fancy."

Michael sat down.

"I don't always eat fancy food."

"Really?"

"Really."

Hanna smiled.

"Okay. Maybe you're not as bad as I thought."

Michael raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe?"

"Don't get too excited."

A waiter came over.

"What would you like?"

Hanna looked at the menu.

"Maybe this."

She pointed at a simple rice dish.

Michael nodded.

"I'll have the same."

Hanna looked at him.

"You don't have to order what I'm having."

"I know."

"Then why?"

"I'm hungry."

Hanna laughed.

"You're impossible."

---

DURING DINNER

For several minutes, they ate quietly.

Then Michael noticed Hanna wasn't eating much.

"You don't like it?"

"I like it."

"Then why aren't you eating?"

"I'm saving some."

"For what?"

Hanna smiled.

"For tomorrow."

Michael frowned.

"You're joking."

"No."

"Hanna."

"What?"

"You don't have to save food from a restaurant."

"I know. But if I can bring something home for Lola, why not?"

Michael looked at her.

"Your grandmother?"

"Yes."

"You worry about her all the time."

Hanna smiled.

"She's the reason I work."

"Do you never think about yourself?"

Hanna became quiet.

"Sometimes."

"When?"

She thought about it.

"I don't know."

Michael stopped eating.

"What do you mean?"

Hanna looked down.

"I grew up with my grandmother. She gave me everything she had. She worked when she was younger just to make sure I had food, clothes, and a place to sleep. Now that she's sick, I don't think I can just walk away and think about myself."

Michael listened quietly.

"You know, people keep telling me that I'm wasting my life because I'm taking care of her."

"Do you believe them?"

"No."

"Good."

Hanna looked at him.

Michael continued.

"You should never be ashamed of taking care of someone you love."

Hanna smiled.

"Thank you."

Michael looked away.

"Eat."

She laughed.

"Okay."

---

9:00 P.M.

Paglabas nila ng restaurant, malamig ang hangin.

Napansin ni Michael na nakayakap si Hanna sa sarili niya.

"You're cold."

"I'm okay."

Michael took off his coat.

"Here."

Hanna immediately shook her head.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you'll be cold."

"I'll be fine."

"But—"

"Hanna."

She stopped.

Michael placed the coat over her shoulders.

"Just wear it."

Hanna looked at him.

"Thank you."

Michael nodded.

They walked toward the car.

After a few steps, Hanna suddenly said,

"Michael."

"Hmm?"

"I thought you were a cold person."

Michael looked at her.

"I am."

She smiled.

"Not always."

He didn't answer.

Because deep down, he knew she was right.

---

THE NEXT MORNING

Pagdating ni Hanna sa office, may malaking box sa kanyang desk.

"What's this?"

Daniel smiled.

"It's from Mr. Grey."

Hanna opened it.

Inside were several expensive winter clothes.

Nanlaki ang mata niya.

"Why?"

Daniel shrugged.

"He said you need them."

Hanna immediately stood up.

"Where is he?"

"Inside his office."

Pumasok si Hanna nang hindi kumakatok.

"Michael!"

Michael looked up.

"What?"

"What's this?"

She pointed at the box.

"Clothes."

"I know they're clothes. Why did you buy them?"

"Because you were cold last night."

"I can buy my own clothes."

"I know."

"Then why did you buy them?"

Michael looked at her.

"Because I wanted to."

Hanna stared at him.

"You can't just buy expensive things for me."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm your employee."

Michael leaned back.

"And you're freezing."

"I wasn't freezing."

"You were."

"I was fine."

"You were shaking."

Hanna became quiet.

Michael continued working.

"Keep them."

"Michael..."

"Hanna."

She sighed.

"Fine."

She picked up the box.

"But I'm paying you back."

"You don't have to."

"I will."

Michael looked at her.

"You really don't like receiving anything from me."

"I don't want people thinking I'm using you."

Michael's expression softened slightly.

"I don't think that."

Hanna looked at him.

"Then what do you think?"

Michael paused.

"I think you're too proud."

She smiled.

"And you're too generous."

Michael looked back at his computer.

"Get back to work."

"Yes, boss."

Hanna walked out.

Michael waited until the door closed.

Then he looked toward it.

He couldn't explain why...

but buying those clothes for her had felt completely natural.

He didn't think about the price.

He only thought about one thing:

He didn't want Hanna to be cold.

And that small realization frightened him more than he wanted to admit.

TO BE CONTINUED...