Chapter 112 Acquaintances
Michael's throat bobbed a bit, but he stayed quiet. His eyes darted around, avoiding her gaze as he tried to calm his pounding heart. Just seeing her brought back the memory of her soft body crashing into his chest.
Rachel noticed his silence, and her heart tightened. She glanced over his back and asked urgently, "Is it where the basketball hit you last time? Is it hurting again?"
Michael shook his head, his voice steadying. "No, it's all healed." He looked back at Rachel, noticing her brief tension. His eyes brightened a bit, and he responded gently.
He thought, 'Is she concerned about me? So she does have some feelings for me after all.' This realization brought a small spark of joy to Michael's heart.
After checking him over and seeing he was fine, Rachel sighed in relief. "That's good." After all, he had hit the wall to protect her. If he were hurt, she'd feel guilty.
Just then, a staff member in a yellow uniform ran over, looking very apologetic. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you. I didn't see anyone in front. Are you both okay?"
Rachel waved her hand. "It's fine, we're both fine. You can go."
The staff member looked surprised. "You don't blame me?"
Rachel smiled lightly. "You didn't do it on purpose, and besides, I was blocking the elevator. How could I blame you? Go ahead."
"Thank you both," the staff member said gratefully before pushing the cart away.
Rachel pouted. "I let him go, why is he thanking you?" Hearing her muttering, Michael's lips curved slightly, finding her even more adorable.
"By the way." Rachel suddenly remembered something and looked at him.
The smile on his lips instantly faded. "What is it?"
Rachel said, "Counting the time you blocked the ball at the gym, you've saved me twice."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "And then?"
"I forgive you for the past six years of coldness. From now on, let's just be acquaintances," Rachel said, looking up at him. "What do you think?"
Michael squinted. "Acquaintances?"
Rachel tilted her head. "Yes, not satisfied?"
Michael felt a heaviness in his heart. He didn't want it to be considered just an acquaintance, but he knew this distance was best for them.
After thinking for a moment, Michael lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Okay."
Rachel said, "Then, Mr. Smith, I'm going to the hospital to see Grandma Catherine." She smiled and left, feeling light and happy, like she had repaid a debt.
Watching Rachel's cheerful back, Michael pressed his lips tightly together, thinking, 'Is she really so happy to keep things ordinary between us?'
"Mr. Smith." David's arrival broke Michael's thoughts.
Michael's eyes flashed, and he turned, collecting his thoughts. "What's up?" he asked.
"I just got a call. There's a situation at the Evercrest branch that needs you to return for an emergency meeting," David replied.
Michael frowned. "Got it." It seemed he could only visit Catherine after the meeting.
Rachel drove to the hospital and headed straight to the VIP ward, soon arriving outside Catherine's room. She held flowers in her left hand and supplements in her right, gently knocking on the door.
The door creaked open, and Isabella was about to ask who it was when she saw Rachel. Her words caught in her throat, and a surprised smile spread across her face. "Mrs. Smith!"
"Isabella." Rachel smiled warmly, then gently corrected her. "I'm not Mrs. Smith anymore."
Isabella's eyes softened as she looked at her kindly. "In my heart, you always will be."
Rachel felt a warmth in her heart, her nose tingling slightly. She took a deep breath before speaking. "Thank you, Isabella, but I've divorced Mr. Smith. Calling me that is disrespectful to Miss Brown. Just call me Rachel."
Isabella sighed. "Alright, Rachel it is."
"Yes." Rachel nodded, handing over the flowers. "Isabella, is Grandma Catherine awake?"
"She's awake." As Isabella took the flowers, Catherine's voice came from inside the room. "Isabella, who is it?"
"Rachel is here," Isabella replied warmly.
"Let her in quickly," Catherine said eagerly.
"Okay!" Isabella responded, leading Rachel inside.
Rachel looked at Catherine on the bed, tears welling up in her eyes. "Grandma Catherine."
"Rachel." Catherine smiled warmly, feeling immense joy at her arrival.
Rachel put down the supplements, sat by the bed, and held Catherine's hand. She asked softly, "Grandma Catherine, are you feeling better?"
"Much better." Catherine nodded with a smile, then curiously asked, "How did you know I was in the hospital?"
"Mr. Smith called me personally, so I rushed over to see you," Rachel replied gently.
Catherine feigned anger and huffed, "I told him not to inform you."
"Grandma Catherine!" Rachel shook her hand, a hint of playfulness in her voice. "Why didn't you tell me? Do you not care about me anymore?"
"How could that be?" Catherine lovingly patted Rachel's head. She said gently, "I just didn't want you to worry."
"But if you don't tell me, I'll worry even more. If I found out you were hurt later, I'd feel guilty for not coming to see you sooner," Rachel said seriously and held Catherine's hand back. "You must tell me if anything happens in the future."
"That's right, I support Rachel's idea," Isabella chimed in, having finished arranging the flowers.
Catherine couldn't stop smiling. "Alright, alright, I'll tell you in advance next time."
Rachel beamed. "That's more like it."
"Mrs. Smith, let Rachel keep you company for a while. I'll go find the doctor and ask about your precautions," Isabella suggested after cleaning her hands.
"Go ahead." Catherine nodded in agreement. After Isabella left, Catherine held Rachel's hand and said kindly, "Rachel, tell me how you've been lately."
"Sure," Rachel agreed, starting to share some recent amusing stories. She only mentioned the good things, not saying a word about the Brown family's schemes, to avoid worrying Catherine.
As they were chatting happily, two bursts of laughter suddenly came from outside the door. Rachel immediately recognized the voices as Emily and Mandy. Catherine also recognized them, and her kind expression instantly turned cold.
The door opened slightly, and Emily and Mandy walked in, laughing and chatting. Rachel frowned slightly, feeling a surge of dissatisfaction. She thought, 'What's wrong with them? Catherine is sick, and yet they can still laugh so cheerfully.'
Mandy was the first to notice Rachel, her face full of surprise. "Rachel?"
Hearing this, Emily turned her head and saw Rachel sitting by the bed. Her face darkened, and she asked sharply, "What are you doing here? Who allowed you to come?"
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