Friday afternoon at the hospital was tough. Just a few minutes ago, Kage had been overseeing some training sessions with the interns. He wouldn't admit it to their faces, but he was proud of their progress.Walking down the hall with an intern, Susan Sanders, he noticed that the hospital was unusually quiet. Almost eerily so. He sighed inwardly. At least he might actually get a chance to rest for once.Kage had barely taken a few more steps when Susan spoke, her voice laced with a hint of unease."Uhm, I feel like it's suspiciously quiet," she muttered, glancing around nervously.Kage chuckled softly. He had been about to say the same thing, but he just laughed instead, trying to dismiss the odd feeling that had settled over him.He looked ahead and noticed a young man standing near the entrance to the lobby. The face looked vaguely familiar. He could have sworn he had seen that smile somewhere before.Just as he was about to pass the boy, the boy stepped directly in front of him, his

Kage would have gone to pick her up himself or send someone, but Johanna had insisted on coming herself. She said "I love night drive" and he would respect her decision.The cool evening breeze kissed Kage's face as he stepped out of the car. This was a date, not some crazy meeting in a dangerous part of town, so he had insisted on going alone. John had disagreed, his brow furrowed with concern, but Kage reminded him, with a gentle smile, that he was, in fact, the boss.Looking at the small gift bag on the passenger seat, Kage wondered if Johanna already owned a similar scarf, or if it would be something that would truly delight her. She was a fashion icon, after all. She practically owned a fashion and cosmetics industry. It was a daunting task trying to figure out a gift for someone so in control.Dating now felt like a chore for him. But wait, was this really a date?!Mustering all the confidence he could, he repeated to himself that this was just a 'normal' date. Kage walked into

That evening, as he settled back into the familiar comfort of his home, a sense of weariness washed over him. Shedding the weight of his professional responsibilities, he gravitated towards the poolside, where the moonlight danced on the water's surface, creating a mesmerizing view. Heaven.The cool breeze whispered through the air, carrying with it a sense of peace that momentarily eased the tension in his shoulders.Standing for hours in surgery, Kage knew he was long due for a massage and good spa day.Just as he began to unwind, his phone buzzed, announcing an incoming call from Alfie. Kage glanced at the time – 10:00 PM – and a flicker of curiosity ignited within him. He wondered why his lawyer was calling so late. While Alfie remained his legal counsel, Kage couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their relationship than just business.He answered the call, his gaze sweeping over the sprawling grounds of his estate. His security team was already in position, their pre

Was it desperation? Maybe. Yes, it was. Matt was desperate.His credit scores were plummeting faster than a lead balloon, and he wouldn't be able to get a decent loan. He didn't even want to be in debt in the first place.Dressed in a suit that felt more like a costume than clothing, Matt walked to his car. First impressions mattered, or so he kept telling himself. But beneath the veneer of professional attire, anxiety gnawed at him.Was it just him, or was the world out to get him? He had applied for a ton of jobs—a freaking huge amount—and either the salary was insultingly low, they found some obscure fault with his previous employment, or they didn't even bother to get back to him.Damn it!What was it to them if he decided to quit his last job for "no reason?" Why did they always assume the worst? Was he wrong for being so paranoid?It was that very paranoia that had made him stop working at Allen Creed's Pharmaceutical. They hadn't gotten to him then, and they wouldn't have been

Still in the beautiful blooms of December.Friday morning arrived with a sense of normalcy. Kage meticulously buttoned his shirt, a familiar routine that grounded him. He adjusted his favorite watch, and studied his reflection in the mirror. A fleeting smile touched his lips – a mask of contentment he often wore for the world.He was doing good. Damn near perfect.He walked down the grand staircase of his mansion, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. But as he neared the bottom, he was met with an unusual scene: Gina, John, Roseanne, and even Jackson were huddled together, their voices hushed, their expressions grave.Well, that was suspicious. Very suspicious.John was the first to notice him, a shift in his posture as if sensing Kage's presence. Soon, the others followed suit, their eyes darting away from his gaze. A chorus of muttered greetings filled the air, but the forced politeness couldn't mask the palpable tension. Kage's suspicion was instantly aroused – somethin