Chapter 1157:

Her eyes flicked down to the chocolate bar clenched tightly in his hand. Caught off guard, Anthony hurriedly hid it behind his back, his face flushed. A small, amused smile played on the nurse’s lips. “Is that chocolate bar for me?” she asked, her tone teasing but kind.

Anthony fumbled for words. “If you want it… I-I’ll…,” he stammered, extending the chocolate with a shaky hand. The nurse glanced at the bar for a moment before meeting Anthony’s gaze with a soft smile. “Thanks, but I don’t really like this flavor, so I’ll pass.”

As she turned to leave, Anthony, in a sudden burst of panic, stepped forward to block her path. His heart pounded in his chest as he blurted out, “W-wait! What flavor do you like? I’ll get it for you next time!”

She looked at him, surprised by his sudden boldness, and for a few seconds, her expression softened. Anthony could feel the tension rise within him. Tiny beads of sweat now dotted his forehead, and his nerves were frayed. The fear of rejection gnawed at him.

Raising an eyebrow, the nurse smiled again, this time more gently. “I’m not sure. I’ve bought this brand before. But how about this: we can go to the supermarket together after my shift and you can pick one out for me.”

“Huh?” Anthony’s brain seemed to short-circuit at her suggestion, leaving him frozen in place. The nurse chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I thought you wanted to get me a chocolate I’d actually like.”

“No, just…” Anthony turned even redder as he scrambled to find the words. “My mind went blank for a second.”

The nurse smiled warmly and said, “Come by the nurse’s station after my shift. I’ll give you my contact information.” With that, she turned and walked away. She passed through the doorway, noticing two people standing against the wall on either side. She didn’t give it much thought as she continued down the hall.

Anthony stood rooted in place, still in a daze, watching the nurse until she disappeared around the corner. Elyse, noticing his dreamy expression, strolled up to him with a teasing grin. “She’s already gone. Lost in thought?”

He blushed fiercely, snapping out of his trance. “I wasn’t! Don’t make stuff up! I was just… looking around.” Elyse chuckled, clearly enjoying his embarrassment. “Come on, you two basically just set up a date. That’s hardly casual.”

Anthony’s blush deepened, and he fidgeted with the chocolate bar in his hands. For someone nearly two meters tall, the bashfulness made him seem unexpectedly small.

Trying to change the subject, Elyse pulled out her phone. “Anyway, I’m transferring the payment for that violin. Don’t even think about rejecting it. I fought hard to buy it.”

Anthony shook his head quickly. “No need. My dad never intended to charge you for it.” . . .