Chapter 6

"Hello, Tiffany, are you feeling any better?" Kelly asked with concern as soon as the call connected. Tiffany replied, "Yes, much better." "Are you still running a fever? Did you have lunch? Are you hungry? Should I get you some takeout? Or if there's anything you'd like, I can bring it over." Tiffany was puzzled by Kelly's over-the-top behavior. After all, they weren't close. Still, she couldn't be ungrateful for someone's good intentions. "The fever's gone now. I already ate lunch, so I'm not hungry. If I get hungry later, I'll order something. Thanks for your concern, Kelly." "Oh..." Kelly paused briefly. "Is… Mr. Lewis still there with you?" "He left." "Oh, I see. Did he go there to see you?" "No." Tiffany didn't mention that Anna was in the hospital too. After all, Vincent was her boss, and she didn't want to say anything improper that could affect her job. Perplexed, Kelly asked, "Then, why did Mr. Lewis go to the hospital?" "It seems like… he came to see a friend," Tiffany replied vaguely. "Mr. Lewis has a friend in the hospital?" Kelly's questions seemed endless. Tiffany pursed her lips. "I'm not really sure of the details." "Oh." Kelly sounded disappointed, but then she added, "I'm free tonight. Is there anything you'd like? I can bring it over for you." "That's not necessary. I won't be at the hospital tonight." Tiffany found Kelly's overly helpful behavior strange, so she politely declined the offer. "Okay, then. You rest up. Don't worry about work; I'll handle things for you." "Thank you, Kelly." "You're welcome. We're colleagues, after all. Get some rest. I won't bother you anymore." "Okay." After hanging up, Kelly leaned back in her chair, frowning in thought. Ivy rolled her chair over. "Since when were you so chummy with that intern that you even offered to take food for her?" Kelly waved her hand dismissively. "I just feel bad for her." "What's there to feel bad for?" Ivy scoffed. "I've seen plenty of rookies like her, using their youth as an excuse to play the delicate victim at work, trying to garner sympathy to get help with their jobs. Even if all of you fall for it, I won't be fooled." Kelly smiled and didn't say more. She was wondering if she should stop by the hospital that evening. … It was past 5:00 pm when Tiffany finished her IV drip. She was supposed to return to the dormitory but when she saw that Anna was alone, she decided to keep the elderly woman company until Vincent got there. Soon after, the door opened, and Teresa entered carrying a food container. "Teri? What are you doing here?" Tiffany got up to greet her. Teresa placed her umbrella in the corner and smiled. "I brought you some dinner. Are you hungry?" She opened the container, revealing all of Tiffany's favorite dishes. "Teri, I can handle this myself." The hospital wasn't close to Teresa's apartment. Tiffany didn't want her running back and forth because of her. She was worried that Eric would scold Teresa and they would get into an argument again. Teresa understood what Tiffany was thinking. She patted Tiffany's hand reassuringly and said, "Eric has plans tonight. Besides, it's raining, so I can't set up my stall either. I'd just be idling at home, so I figured I might as well come keep you company." Tiffany nodded obediently. "Okay." She took some tissues and dabbed the raindrops off Teresa's shoulders. "This is so sweet." Anna's eyes misted over as she wiped tears away. "I had a sister too, but she passed away at a young age. Seeing you two reminds me of how we were back then. If my sister were still around, she'd come to visit me too." The sisters' hearts sank upon hearing that. Teresa said, "Even if our loved ones have passed on, they are still watching over us. Don't be too sad. If your sister knew you're still grieving, she'd feel terrible too." "That's true." Anna forced a smile awkwardly. "It seems I'm getting old. Don't mind me." "It's okay," Teresa said. "No matter our age, we all have people we love. Rather than missing those who have passed on, we should cherish the present." Anna nodded repeatedly. "You're right." Teresa took out a portion of the food. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? Would you like to try my cooking?" Anna's eyes lit up. "Sure. I just happened to be hungry too." The three of them sat around Anna's bed and began to eat. … At Lewis Tower, where Lewis Group's office was located, Kelly finished typing and saved the spreadsheet she was working on. Looking up, she saw Vincent leave his office, checking his watch urgently as he walked. Kelly quickly shut down her computer and hurried after him. It was raining heavily outside. As Kelly reached the building's entrance, she immediately spotted Vincent waiting for his car. She approached him and asked, "Mr. Lewis, you're getting off work too?" Vincent glanced at her, his expression indifferent. "Hmm." Kelly stared at the downpour, frowning. "Oh, no, I promised Tiffany I'd take dinner for her tonight, but I got caught up with work and forgot." Upon hearing this, Vincent turned to her again. "What did you say?" "I promised to visit Tiffany tonight and take dinner for her, but I got busy and forgot." Kelly clutched her phone. "It's pouring rain, so it'll be hard to get a cab." Vincent asked, "Are you going to the hospital?" "Yes." Just then, Vincent's driver pulled up in front of them. Vincent said, "Get in. I'm headed there too." Kelly didn't think twice and immediately got into the car. … Vincent pushed the door to the hospital room open, only to be met with silence. The lights cast a warm glow in the room. Anna was lying on the bed, while Tiffany lay slumped over the side of the bed. Both of them were fast asleep. The TV's low volume, coupled with the pattering rain outside, created a soft lullaby. "Tiffany—" Just as Kelly started to speak, Vincent raised his hand to stop her. He didn't enter the room; instead, he stepped back outside and gently closed the door. Kelly stood behind him, perplexed. "Mr. Lewis?" "She hasn't slept so peacefully in a long time. Let's not wake her." Vincent's voice remained soft and hushed, even though they were outside the room. He was afraid the slightest noise would wake the two sleeping inside the room. Kelly was surprised. It had only been a day, and Vincent had already become so considerate of Tiffany. Could he have discovered her secret? But then she dismissed that thought. If Vincent had found out the truth, he would also have realized that she had lied to him. Vincent despised deception. How could he have remained unfazed and even given her a ride to the hospital if he had known the truth? Kelly couldn't make sense of it. Vincent took the food container from her. "You can go home. I'll pass this on to Tiffany." Kelly could only nod. "Alright… Thank you for the trouble."