Karina's eyes were wide with shock as she stared at the phone in her hand, Max's words still echoing in her mind. She couldn't believe what he was asking her to do. Set up Lily on a blind date with Kyle? It was too much to take in.
She began to pace back and forth in her room, trying to think of a way to break the news to Lily. How could she possibly tell her best friend that she was setting her up on a blind date with someone she barely knew? Karina's mind was racing with worst-case scenarios. What if Lily was furious? What if she refused to go?
Just as Karina was starting to feel overwhelmed, she heard the sound of sizzling bacon coming from the living room. She took a deep breath and made her way out of her room, wondering how she was going to approach this delicate situation.
As she entered the living room, she was greeted by the warm and inviting aroma of freshly cooked breakfast. Lily was standing at the stove, expertly flipping pancakes and scrambling eggs. The kitchen was filled with the sound of sizzling food and the warm glow of the morning sunlight streaming through the windows.
Lily looked up and caught Karina's eye, flashing her a bright and cheerful smile. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" she said, her voice bubbly and enthusiastic. "I made your favorite breakfast - pancakes and bacon!"
Karina forced a smile onto her face, trying to hide her inner turmoil. She had no idea how she was going to break the news to Lily, but she knew she had to do it soon.
Lily's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Karina, her mouth still full of food. She tried to swallow, but ended up choking instead. Karina quickly jumped up and handed her a glass of water, which Lily gratefully accepted.
As she took a sip of the water, Lily's eyes never left Karina's face. "What did you say?" she asked, her voice laced with surprise and a hint of annoyance.
Karina hesitated for a moment before responding, her voice firm but gentle. "You're going on a blind date," she said, trying to sound casual despite the bombshell she had just dropped.
Lily's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical. "What? No, I'm not," she said, shaking her head. "Who is it? And why did you agree to this without even asking me?"
Karina took a deep breath, preparing herself for the onslaught of questions that was sure to follow. She knew that Lily was not going to take this news lightly, and she was right.
Lily's eyes widened even more as Karina mentioned Kyle's name. She looked like she had been punched in the gut, her face pale and her mouth hanging open. "K... Kyle?" she stuttered. "I don't even know anything about him and yet you agreed to the date?"
Lily's voice rose to a yell, her anger and frustration evident. Karina held up her hands, trying to placate her. "I'm sorry, Lily. I didn't mean to spring this on you. And if after the date, you think he's not your type, you won't see him again," Karina promised.
Lily's expression turned skeptical. "What makes you think I'll go?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Karina smiled mischievously. "Come on, Lily. Besides, you were staring at him at the cafe, and you can use this opportunity to get to know him better."
Lily's face flushed bright red as she remembered staring at Kyle at the cafe. She had been caught off guard by his eyes and chiseled features. And now, Karina was throwing it back in her face.
Lily muttered under her breath, "Why did you have to bring this up?"
But Karina was relentless. She pleaded with Lily to just give it a chance, to meet Kyle and see if they had any chemistry. She promised to be there for her, to support her no matter what happened.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lily relented. "Fine," she said, throwing up her hands. "I'll go on the date. But if it's a disaster, I'm blaming you."
Karina let out a triumphant whoop, hugging Lily tightly. "I'll take full responsibility," she promised. "Now, let's go get you ready for your big date!"
Meanwhile, in Kyle's office, he was seated behind his large mahogany desk, surrounded by stacks of files and documents. His eyes were fixed intently on the papers in front of him, his brow furrowed in concentration. He was so engrossed in his work that he didn't even notice Max entering the room.
Max walked in quietly, his eyes scanning the room before coming to rest on Kyle's bent head. He cleared his throat to announce his presence, but Kyle didn't look up.
"Can't you knock before entering?" Kyle asked gruffly, still not glancing up from the documents.
Max raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. "That's not the problem now," he replied, his voice low and serious.
Kyle's head finally came up, his eyes narrowing as he met Max's gaze. "What's going on?" he asked, his tone sharp with curiosity.
"Your date is by 7 in the evening" Max said
"And?" Kyle asked
"You need to get ready" Max replied
"What's the time?" Kyle asked
"It's 10 o'_" Max wanted to say as he looked at the clock and noticed it's too early. "But still you shouldn't be doing any paperwork" he said
"What should I be doing then?" Kyle asked
Max hesitated as he looked around Kyle to find something to say. "Well... You need to exercise, your muscles are becoming loose"
Kyle looked at him with a raised eyebrow, his eyes narrowing in amusement, and a hint of annoyance. His gaze was piercing, as if daring Max to repeat what he had just said.
"What did you say?" Kyle asked, his voice low and even, but with a hint of amusement.
Max hesitated for a moment, before repeating his statement. "You heard me right, you need to exercise. Your muscles are becoming loose."
Kyle scoffed and said "I don't care"
"Don't say I didn't tell you. I need to go" Max said smirking before leaving.
As Max left, Kyle glanced at himself through a mirror by a corner. He gazed at his reflection, his eyes scanning his body from head to toe. For a moment, he just stood there, taking in his appearance. He was a tall and lean man, with broad shoulders and a chiseled jawline. But as he looked closer, he could see that his muscles were indeed becoming less defined, his body softer than it used to be.
Kyle's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he considered Max's words. "It seems my muscles are indeed becoming loose" He said to himself, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.
He left the office and the company as he zoomed out.
Max watched him go, a smirk still plastered on his face. "Just as I thought, he cares about his looks even more" Max said smirking.
Meanwhile, in the hospital, the sound of beeping machines and soft whispers filled the air. The hospital was a state-of-the-art facility, with pristine white walls and sparkling clean floors. The private ward where Susan lay was a cozy room with a large window that let in a flood of natural light.
Susan lay in the hospital bed, her face pale and her eyes closed. She was hooked up to various machines that monitored her vital signs, and a soft blanket covered her body. Despite the seriousness of her condition, she looked peaceful, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath.
The doctor, a kind-faced man with a warm smile, stood beside Mark, speaking in a soft voice. "Luckily, it wasn't serious. She's stable and just needs rest," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
Mark nodded, his face etched with worry, but also relief. "Thank you, doctor," he said, his voice sincere.
The doctor nodded and smiled again before turning to leave. As he exited the room, a knock was heard at the door. Mr. Kim entered the room, his face looking worried. His eyes were red-rimmed, and his skin was pale, as if he had been up all night.
Deep lines etched his forehead, and his eyebrows were furrowed in concern. He looked like a man who had been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Any news?" Mark asked, his voice soft with concern.
Mr. Kim's eyes scanned the room, taking in Susan's peaceful form, before coming to rest on Mark's face. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling, before speaking.
Mark's face darkened with anger as he clenched his fists and hit the wall with a loud thud. The sound echoed through the hospital room, making Mr. Kim take a step back.
"Who the hell is this person?" Mark yelled, his voice thundering through the room. His face was red with rage, and his eyes seemed to bore into Mr. Kim's very soul.
Mr. Kim took a step back, his eyes wide with concern. "Sir, please calm down," he said, his voice soft and soothing. "For now, all we need to do is wait for Miss Susan to wake up."
Mark's chest heaved with anger, but he slowly nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself down. He glanced at Susan, who lay motionless in her bed.
"Right," Mark said, his voice still tight with anger. "You said you've seen her. Where is she?"
Mr. Kim hesitated before speaking. "I've sent the details to you," he said, his eyes darting to the phone in Mark's hand.
Mark nodded, his eyes scanning the phone's screen. He sighed, his shoulders sagging with frustration.
"Let's go," Mark said, turning to leave.
But Mr. Kim stopped him, his hand on Mark's arm. "Sir..." he said, his voice hesitant.
Mark turned to him, his eyes questioning. "What is it?" he asked.
Mr. Kim's eyes darted to the door. "The press are outside," he said, his voice low and serious.
Mark's face darkened with anger. "Shit," he cursed, his eyes flashing with frustration.
Mark's eyes narrowed in frustration as he realized that the press had somehow found out about his visit to the hospital. He had been trying to keep a low profile, avoiding the paparazzi and the media frenzy that always seemed to follow him. But now, it seemed like his efforts had been for nothing.
"What about the back?" Mark asked Mr. Kim, his voice low and urgent.
Mr. Kim shook his head. "No, sir. They're all at the front entrance."
Mark's face twisted in a scowl. He knew that he had to get out of there without being seen. He turned to Mr. Kim and ordered, "Get me a doctor's coat."
Mr. Kim sighed and nodded, knowing fully well what Mark was planning to do. He left the room and returned a few minutes later with a white doctor's coat.
Mark hurriedly took the coat from Mr. Kim and put it on, covering his clothes and trying to blend in with the hospital staff. He glanced at Mr. Kim, who nodded in understanding.
Without another word, Mark turned and left the room, trying to look as non-descript as possible. He walked quickly down the hospital corridors, trying to avoid drawing attention to himself.
As he emerged from the hospital's back entrance, Mark breathed a sigh of relief. He had made it out without being seen. He quickly made his way to his car, which was parked in a nearby alleyway.
As he drove away from the hospital, Mark let out a sigh of relief. He had managed to avoid the press, at least for now. He glanced in the rearview mirror, making sure that no one was following him.
With a sense of satisfaction, Mark turned his attention to the road ahead.
Moana smiled weakly and hugged Chloe. "We'll be back soon, sweetie. Just take care of your brother and yourself, okay?" Moana said, trying to reassure her.
Chloe's eyes widened in alarm. "Why do you sound like you're dying?" Chloe asked, her voice trembling.
Jack chuckled and ruffled Chloe's hair. "Don't be dramatic, kiddo. We're just going on a trip, that's all."
Just then, Jack called out, "Mason, where are you?"
"I'm here, Dad," Mason responded as he descended the stairs, looking sleepy.
Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. "You're taking him too!" Chloe yelled, her voice rising in protest.
"Yes," Moana replied, and Chloe gave them a "done" look, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation.
"And make sure your brother gets a girlfriend before we come back," Jack said, his parting words leaving Chloe stunned.
"Love you, sis," Mason said, waving goodbye as they left the mansion for the airport.
Chloe stood frozen, her mouth agape, as she scoffed in disgust. "Did he just say girlfriend?" she wondered, her mind reeling from the absurdity of it all.
Just then, Max walked into the living room. "Hey Chloe, where's Kyle?" he asked.
"Gym," she replied, still distracted by her parents' parting words.
Max smirked. "He really took in what I said."
Chloe's curiosity was piqued. "What's wrong with him? It's been ages since he last went to the gym. Why now?" she asked.
Max leaned in, a conspiratorial whisper escaping his lips. "He's going on a blind date today."
Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she asked, her interest piqued.
Max nodded, a sly grin spreading across his face.
Chloe's face broke into a smile. "That's great! I'll finally have a sister-in-law!"
"Who's the girl?" Chloe asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Max just smirked, his lips curling up into a mischievous grin. "Someone," he replied, his eyes glinting with amusement.
A few hours later, Kyle descended from the stairs, looking like a completely different person. His hair was perfectly styled, his eyes sparkled with a hint of cologne, and his tailored suit accentuated his broad shoulders and chiseled physique. Chloe and Max gasped in unison as they took in the sight of the handsome guy standing before them.
Kyle's transformation was nothing short of stunning. His usual rumpled and laid-back demeanor had given way to a sleek and sophisticated confidence that left Chloe and Max speechless.
"Who is this?" Chloe asked playfully, her eyes wide with mock surprise, making Kyle glare at her good-naturedly.
Max chuckled, clearly amused by Kyle's transformation. "I can't tell either," he joked, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Who are you?" he playfully asked, making Kyle roll his eyes good-naturedly.
Kyle sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Is the car ready?" he asked, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of his transportation.
A guard entered the room, bowing slightly. "Yes, sir," he replied, his voice low and respectful.
"I've sent the location to you," Max called out as Kyle was walking out the door.
Kyle nodded, his eyes fixed on his phone as he made his way to the car.
He drove through the city, the luxurious streets giving way to an even more exclusive neighborhood. He pulled up to a luxurious restaurant, the valet rushing to open the door for him.
Kyle stepped out of the car, his eyes scanning the entrance of the restaurant. He took a deep breath, smoothing out his suit jacket before walking inside.
The interior of the restaurant was just as impressive as the exterior, with elegant chandeliers and crisp white tablecloths. Kyle's eyes scanned the room, his gaze locking onto a table where a woman sat alone.
As he approached the table, his gaze darkened in surprise. He remained calm, his expression neutral, but his eyes betrayed his shock.