A CEO'S OBSESSION

9

'Just go home?' Hell, no. She wouldn't just go home. She'd show him. She'd show him how to treat someone nicely. She'd teach him how to be a kind person.

Anna walked out of the company with a box of her things in her hands, her face twisted in a snarl. She wasn't one to just go home without a fight or back down from a battle without getting a chance to defend herself.

Anna's eyes scanned the company environment, taking in the sleek, high-end cars parked in the lot. A bright smile spread across her face as a clever idea suddenly struck her. Slowly, she dropped the box in her hand and reached for a stone by the side. Without hesitation, she hurled the stone, and it shattered against the windshield of one of the luxury cars.

The car alarm went off and blared in the quiet environment. Before the guards and securities could process what just happened and catch her, she picked up her box and managed to escape their chases.

With a displeased frown, Ian stormed into Frank's office while he was still going through a file on his laptop. Frank raised a questioning eyebrow at him.

"Sir." Ian called to get his attention. "Reports getting to me just now is that one of your cars has been vandalised." He said in an urgent tone.

Frank looked at him seriously. "Vandalised?" He repeated, his tone carrying his surprise even if his expression didn't. His car, vandalised? How? That was rare.

Ian nodded seriously. "Yes, sir. The windshield is shattered." He relayed.

Frank's expression darkened at the information. He looked a bit surprised but was trying everything to hide it. "Who is responsible for the damage? Have the person fired immediately." He said, his voice dripped with malice. Who dared to touch his property?

Ian hesitated before answering. "Unfortunately, sir, the culprit has already been fired this morning. It was one of the cleaners, Anna Yates. She managed to escape before she was apprehended."

She? Why wasn't he surprised? Frank's eyes darkened further before he said. "Get all the details you can find on her and have them forwarded to my email."

Ian nodded with a serious expression. "Yes, sir." He said and turned around to leave, but Frank's voice stopped him halfway to the door.

"Book an appointment with Dr Sam." Frank's stern order came.

Ian turned around to look at him. "Dr Sam? Are you injured, sir?" He asked.

Frank didn't reply to his question. Instead, he continued with his work on his laptop. Ian bowed his head slightly and left the office.

**********

After settling in at home, Anna dropped off her belongings and then headed out to visit the hospital. As the sole child, she shouldered the financial burden of her father's hospital care, working tirelessly to cover the medical bills. Though she couldn't bear to spend nights at the hospital anymore, the emotional toll of watching her father suffer had become too much, leaving her drained and tearful. Her mother had left when she was still tender, leaving her to care for the sick man alone.

When she got to the hospital, she greeted the nurses as usual before heading to the doctor's office after being permitted. She met Dr Sam, resting his back on his chair with a stressed smile.

"Good evening, doc." Anna greeted with a wide smile.

"How are you doing, Anna?" He pointed at the chair in front of him. "Please sit."

Anna sat on one of the chairs facing his. "I'm fine, doc. How's he? My dad?" She asked, looking at him.

Dr Sam cleared his throat before sitting up to rest his hand on the table. "Well, we are trying all we can. He really needs this surgery."

Anna sighed, and her eyes dropped to the table. "I'm working hard to cover everything, doc." Was she? She just lost her job because of her carelessness. How would she raise the money for her father's surgery with no job?

Dr. Sam looked her for a while before saying. "I know it's tough -"

The landline on his table rang, making him pause mid-sentence. "Excuse me." He said before picking the call. "Yes... Who?... Now?... Okay." He answered, and the call dropped.

Anna raised an eyebrow at him when his expression changed from concern to panic.

Dr. Sam stood up before saying, politely. "Anna, I'm so sorry, but you'll have to excuse me. I have an important appointment."

Anna stared at him for a while before nodding in understanding. "Okay, doc."

Dr. Sam smiled apologetically before Anna stood up and left the office.

She went straight to the ward, and when she entered, her eyes immediately fell on her father. He lay pale and still, surrounded by the sterile hospital equipment. A drip line was attached to his hand, and an oxygen mask covered his nose and mouth. The steady beep of the BP machine and the soft hum of the fan filled the room, punctuated by an occasional creak. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and the faint tang of medication. Anna's heart ached as she gazed at her father's frail form, her eyes welling up with tears.

She just couldn't get used to this sight of watching him fight for his life.

Her feet dragged her slowly to his bedside, and she reached for his hand, caressing it slowly. It was hard to fight the tears that threatened to escape.

Slowly, she went on her knee and rested her head on the side of the bed. She stayed that way for a while before kissing the back of his hand and standing up.

"I'll do everything to raise the money, Papa." She said.

Anna looked at her father again one last time before turning to leave.

On her way out, she couldn't help but notice the unusual crowd in the hallway. The ladies in patient gowns and nurses seemed to be waiting for someone or something. Her curiosity sparked, and she slowed down her pace to stand by the side.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the elevator, and a group of suited men with dark shades clearly security personnel, stepped out and cleared a path. Anna stared at them until her eyes caught a tall, imposing figure dressed in a luxurious black suit emerging from the elevator. His features were accentuated by his neatly trimmed, low-fade haircut and his piercing blue eyes. He exuded an aura of confidence, intimidation, and authority.

Anna's heart dropped to her leg for some reason, she couldn't explain. He was no other person than Frank Williams, the CEO from her former workplace. What was he doing here?