THE COLD CEO SPOILED ME

The Hospital

5:30 A.M. — HANNA'S HOUSE

Nagising si Hanna sa mahinang pag-ubo ng kanyang lola.

"Lola?"

Agad siyang bumangon mula sa maliit na sofa.

"Lola, are you okay?"

Huminga nang malalim ang matanda ngunit nahirapan.

"Hanna... I'm okay."

"No, you're not."

Lumapit si Hanna at hinawakan ang noo nito.

Mainit.

"Lola, you have a fever."

"Huwag mo na akong dalhin sa hospital. Sayang ang pera."

Napailing si Hanna.

"Please don't say that. Mas mahalaga ka kaysa sa pera."

"Pero anak, paano ang gamot? Paano ang pambayad natin?"

"Hahanap ako ng paraan."

Kinuha ni Hanna ang bag niya.

"Let's go."

---

7:00 A.M. — HOSPITAL

Nasa emergency room si Hanna habang hinihintay ang doctor.

Paulit-ulit niyang tinitingnan ang orasan.

Nang lumabas ang doctor, agad siyang lumapit.

"Doctor, how is she?"

"Her condition is stable, but she needs to stay for observation. We also need to run some tests."

"How much will it cost?"

Ibinalik ng doctor ang tingin sa kanya.

"We'll know after the tests."

Napayuko si Hanna.

"Okay. I'll find the money."

"Don't worry about the payment right now. Focus on your grandmother."

Tumango si Hanna.

"Thank you."

---

9:30 A.M.

Naupo si Hanna sa hallway.

Hawak niya ang cellphone habang tinitingnan ang kanyang bank balance.

Hindi sapat.

Hindi man lang malapit sa halagang kailangan niya.

Napapikit siya.

"Please..."

Mabilis niyang pinunasan ang luha sa kanyang pisngi nang may biglang tumawag.

"Hello?"

"Hanna?"

Boses ng kanyang supplier.

"Yes?"

"Your payment is already overdue. When can you settle it?"

Napahawak siya sa noo.

"Can you give me a few more days?"

"Hanna, I already gave you extra time."

"I know. I'm sorry. My grandmother is in the hospital."

Tahimik sa kabilang linya.

"Okay. I'll give you until next week."

"Thank you. I promise I'll pay."

Pagkababa niya ng tawag, napayuko siya.

"How am I going to do this?"

---

SA IBANG PARTE NG OSPITAL

Hindi alam ni Hanna na nasa parehong ospital si Michael.

May business meeting siya sa isang executive sa hospital's private lounge.

Paglabas niya, nakita niya ang isang pamilyar na babae.

Nakahiga ang ulo ni Hanna sa kamay niya habang nakaupo sa hallway.

Michael stopped.

"Hanna?"

Napatingala siya.

Nanlaki ang mata niya.

"Michael?"

"What are you doing here?"

Hindi agad nakasagot si Hanna.

"My grandmother is sick."

Napatingin si Michael sa emergency room.

"Is she okay?"

"She's stable. The doctor wants to run some tests."

Michael noticed her eyes.

"Have you eaten?"

Hanna shook her head.

"I'm not hungry."

"You said that yesterday."

"I have other things to worry about."

Michael sighed.

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"To eat."

"I can't leave my grandmother."

"You won't. There's a cafeteria downstairs."

"I said I'm not hungry."

Michael looked at her.

"Hanna, you can either walk there yourself, or I can sit here and argue with you until you agree."

She stared at him.

"You're seriously annoying."

"I've heard that before."

She finally stood up.

"Fine. But I'm paying for myself."

"Whatever."

---

CAFETERIA

Umupo sila sa isang maliit na table.

Michael ordered food.

Hanna looked at the food in front of her.

"You ordered too much."

"Eat."

"I can't finish all of this."

"Then don't."

Hanna took a small bite.

Michael watched her.

"Why are you looking at me?"

"I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm checking if you're eating."

Hanna smiled faintly.

"Why?"

Michael paused.

"I don't know."

She became quiet.

For a few moments, they simply ate.

Then Hanna spoke softly.

"Thank you."

Michael looked at her.

"For what?"

"For staying."

"I didn't stay for you."

"I know."

She smiled.

"But thank you anyway."

Michael looked away.

---

LATER

Hanna returned to the hallway.

Michael was about to leave when his assistant approached.

"Sir, our meeting is ready."

Michael nodded.

Then he looked at Hanna.

"If you need anything, call me."

Hanna frowned.

"I don't have your number."

Michael took his phone.

"Give me yours."

"Why?"

"So you can call."

Hanna hesitated.

"Okay."

They exchanged numbers.

Michael saved her name.

Hanna Mendoza.

Before leaving, he looked at her.

"And don't try to handle everything alone."

Hanna smiled.

"I've been doing it for years."

"I know."

Michael paused.

"But you don't have to anymore."

Hanna stared at him.

For some reason, those words touched her.

"Goodbye, Michael."

"Goodbye."

He walked away.

Hanna watched him disappear down the hallway.

She didn't know what was happening between them.

But something had changed.

---

THAT NIGHT

Michael was back in his office.

He was reading a contract when his phone suddenly lit up.

Hanna Mendoza.

He immediately answered.

"Hello?"

There was silence.

"Hanna?"

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Then why did you call?"

Hanna hesitated.

"I just... wanted to say thank you again."

Michael leaned back in his chair.

"You already did."

"I know. I just wanted to."

There was a short silence.

Then Michael heard her say softly,

"Good night, Michael."

"Good night, Hanna."

The call ended.

Michael stared at his phone.

He didn't understand why hearing her voice had made his entire day feel a little less exhausting.

And for the first time...

he smiled at his phone.

TO BE CONTINUED...