Monday, 8:30 A.M.
Steel Medical Center was busier than ever.
Today marked the hospital's annual Children's Hope Day, an event where donors, volunteers, and the media visited the pediatric ward.
Every department had been instructed to look their best.
Flowers decorated the reception hall.
Colorful balloons floated above the children's ward.
Reporters waited near the entrance.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
Celina adjusted the fresh flowers at the reception desk before stepping back to admire her work.
"Perfect," she whispered with a smile.
"Celina!"
Emily hurried toward her.
"The hospital director is looking for you."
"For me?"
"Yes."
"What did I do?"
Emily laughed.
"I don't know... but he looks serious."
Celina's stomach tightened.
She quickly made her way to the director's office.
Inside...
Hospital Director James Sullivan stood beside the window.
When Celina entered, she greeted politely.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
James smiled warmly.
"Relax."
She let out the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
"I've been watching you these past few years."
Celina looked surprised.
"Sir?"
"Your supervisors speak highly of you."
"You've never been late."
"You've never stolen."
"You treat every patient with kindness."
Celina lowered her eyes.
"I'm just doing my job."
James smiled.
"That's exactly why I called you."
Before he could continue...
There was a knock.
Aaron Steel entered the office.
The room instantly fell silent.
Celina quickly stepped aside.
She had no idea this meeting involved him.
Aaron barely glanced at her before turning to the director.
"Is everything ready?"
"Almost, Mr. Steel."
James looked toward Celina again.
"Actually..."
"I'd like your opinion."
Aaron frowned.
"My opinion?"
James nodded.
"For today's event, one of our volunteers canceled at the last minute."
"We need someone to guide the children through the activities."
He looked directly at Celina.
"I believe she's the best person for it."
Celina's eyes widened.
"Me?"
"I've never done anything like that."
"You don't need experience."
"You already have something more important."
She looked confused.
"What is that?"
"A good heart."
Aaron remained silent.
James continued.
"The children already trust you."
"I've seen it myself."
Celina hesitated.
"What about my cleaning duties?"
"We'll assign someone else today."
She looked uncertain.
"I..."
Aaron finally spoke.
"If she doesn't want to do it..."
"No one should pressure her."
His voice remained calm.
James nodded.
"Of course."
The room fell quiet.
After several seconds...
Celina slowly smiled.
"I'll do it."
James clapped happily.
"Excellent."
"You'll start in thirty minutes."
As she left the office...
She accidentally dropped the little drawing Lily had made for her.
Aaron noticed.
He bent down and picked it up.
The crayon drawing showed a smiling woman in a blue uniform holding the hand of a little girl.
Above them were the words:
"My Hero."
Aaron stared at it for a moment.
Then quietly handed it back.
"You dropped this."
"Thank you."
Their fingers brushed for the second time.
Neither said another word.
Celina hurried out.
Aaron watched the office door close.
Then looked at the drawing once more in his mind.
"Hero..."
It was a word no one had ever used to describe him.
Outside the office...
Celina leaned against the wall and smiled to herself.
She had no idea...
Today wasn't just another hospital event.
It was the day that would quietly begin changing both her future...
...and Aaron's.