A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair sits alone at a small, cozy cafe on the quieter side of town.
She is dressed in a comfortable hoodie and wears a face mask, adding an air of mystery to her presence.
Claudia acts like she's engrossed in a book, creating a sense of privacy and seclusion amidst the cafe's bustle.
She anxiously checked her watch as she waited for the man that an acquaintance had recommended to her.
"It's already six o'clock. Where could he be? He should have been here by now. What could be delaying him?" she muttered to herself, feeling a mix of impatience and concern.
She continued her acting by casually sipping her coffee and leafing through the book, skillfully creating the illusion of being an ordinary customer enjoying a moment of relaxation.
After what seemed like an eternity, the individual she had been anticipating walked through the door.
A mysterious figure clad in a striking black leather ensemble made his way towards Claudia and took a seat directly across from her, exuding an air of deliberate nonchalance.
"Do you have the money?" He asked sternly, his eyes rapidly scanning the surroundings to ensure that they hadn't been seen.
Claudia hesitated when she first met the individual. She was uncertain whether the person in front of her could be trusted. Before agreeing to any deal, she understood the importance of verifying this individual's trustworthiness.
"Is there a method for confirming your identity and ensuring that you are authorized to be here?"
The man's eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on her, his mind swirling with thoughts as he contemplated whether or not to proceed.
Ultimately, he felt the weight of needing to demonstrate that he was indeed the individual Claudia's acquaintance had referred.
Claudia, her heart pounding, carefully placed a well-worn, thick brown envelope silently onto the scarred, oak table across from the man.
"It's all there," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the low hum of conversation in the dimly lit room.
"Count it if you must, but I advise you to wait. There are too many eyes around here."
"I trust you! To ensure that we are on the same page here, once the job finishes, you will deposit the remaining $50,000 into my account. I trust you will not renege on this deal once it is set into motion?" The man is anxiously waiting for Claudia's reply.
"As soon as you finish the task, the funds will be transferred directly to your bank account. There is no need to worry; you'll receive the payment promptly." Claudia fixed a piercing gaze on the man, her eyes narrowing with intensity, before breaking into a sly smirk.
"Just so you know, if you ever rat me out, I'll ensure you won't see the light of day again. Got it?" She spoke with unwavering determination as she firmly uttered the words.
With a confident "Got it!" the man saluted Claudia, tucking the money into his pocket with a sly smile. He then strolled out of the restaurant, vanishing without leaving a single trace.
After the man departed, Claudia lingered for a little while longer. She was hesitant to leave right away because she didn't want others to speculate or draw any conclusions.
"Hahaha! So, you think I'm brainless? Let's see tomorrow if you still think the same," she said with a smirk. "Claudia Tan is the sole heiress of Tan Corporation, and no one is going to take that away from me," she declared with a quiet yet confident laugh.
After spending a while in the cafe, she began to feel that she had been there for a sufficient amount of time.
She glanced around discreetly, checking for any signs of recognition from the people around her, before deciding to rise and depart.
***
In Ann's cozy condo, the couple found themselves in their comfortable bedroom, enjoying an intimate and relaxed conversation.
"Darling, there's something important that I need to share with you. I want to make sure that we have a good opportunity to talk, so can you promise me that you'll hear me out before jumping to any conclusions?" Jeff whispered to his wife as she lay on his shoulder, her head nestled in the crook of his arm.
"Ummm, I want to be able to give you a meaningful commitment, so please tell me the specifics before I make any promises. Once I have all the information, I'll make a decision."
Ann affectionately remarked as she gently ran her hand over Jeff's abdominal muscles.
Jeff carefully considered how to broach the subject with her without causing any upset. "All right! That's fair enough," he thought to himself.
"You see, Grandfather had asked me to intervene with Tan Corporation. I assumed Grandmother Tan has something to do with it."
As Jeff continued speaking, he paused for a moment to gauge Ann's response, curious to see how she would react.
"I want to inform you that starting tomorrow until CEO Tan has fully recovered, I will be closely supporting the Interim CEO. I just wanted to give you a heads-up in advance. I hope you understand that my intention is to work collaboratively and avoid any misinterpretations or misunderstandings."
Ann suddenly sat up, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she turned to face Jeff. Then, she burst into hearty laughter that echoed through the room.
"I find it quite entertaining! It's truly amusing how much faith we have. At this moment, I was concerned about how I would ask for your assistance with my predicament. However, you managed to solve it with just a few words. Hahaha!"
Ann was overjoyed with the outcome, her heart brimming with excitement as she wrapped her arms around Jeff and kissed him passionately, savoring the moment as their connection deepened.
"..."
Jeff was utterly astonished by what he was hearing. He couldn't comprehend how it was possible for their faith to feel as though it was being observed by a divine being all this time.
The unease that had previously consumed him had completely dissipated.
"Wait! Let me understand this. You want my help because you are the person they will recommend for the position. That's great! Now we can team up and show the power of Mr. and Mrs. Go."
"Sweetheart, have I ever told you that you are the most intelligent, beautiful, sexy, and sweet wife in the world? I have never once regretted the moment when I accidentally married you! I LOVE YOU with all my heart."
He reaches out and gently takes his wife's face in his hands, leaning in to place a tender and affectionate kiss on her lips.
"Tonight, we will create little Jeff and little Ann, and tomorrow, together, we will conquer the Tan Corporation!"
As Jeff's eyes sparkled with happiness, he lovingly wrapped his arms around his wife, holding her close in a warm and tight embrace filled with joy.
Ann's heart swelled with pride as she thought about the strong and loving connection between herself and Jeff.
She felt a deep sense of belonging as she realized that Jeff was her chosen partner and that she was also his chosen partner.
As she lay there, nestled in the comforting embrace of her devoted husband, she couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her.
With a peaceful mind and a heart full of love, she drifted into a tranquil slumber, feeling assured that nothing could disrupt the serenity of that moment.
***
In the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU), CEO Albert Tan lay motionless, connected to a myriad of life-supporting machines and monitors, each playing a crucial role in sustaining his life.
The patient is still in a critical condition and is not yet out of the danger zone. Despite receiving a blood transfusion from Ann and a successful surgery, there is still uncertainty as to whether his body will accept the donated blood.
The medical team is closely monitoring his condition to ensure a positive outcome.
The medical team decided to keep him under close observation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a precautionary measure.
Claudia stood by the glass window, her eyes clouded with tears, looking down at her father.
She felt a rush of emotions as she gazed at the man who had lovingly raised her since the day she was born.
As she gazed at him with a blank expression, she grappled with the realization that she had never known about the existence of her biological father.
Unable to contain her thoughts, she found herself compelled to verbalize her inner turmoil.
"Why did you have to get into an accident? If that day had unfolded differently, I might have remained unaware of my true identity. I wouldn't be grappling with this overwhelming sense of insecurity that's consuming me now. Why did this have to happen, Daddy? *Huh huh huh,!*."
Claudia continued sobbing her heart out, completely unaware that someone had been watching her every move and silently capturing the emotional scene on camera...