Chapter 174
Seni came to in Cedric’s car, rubbing her forehead. “Ugh she mattered.
Cedric was right there, all worried. “Sienna?” he asked, his voice night.
Sienna was all confused. She remembered getting tossed around, but how did she end up in his car? “Cedric? You here?” she said, still a bit groggy.
“Yep, it’s me.” Cedric said.
Sienna tried to play it cool. “Crazy how we keep running into each other, huh?” she said.
Cedric just gave a half–smile. “Yeah, crazy, he said, but there was a hint of sadness in his voice. They kept crossing paths but never got a chance to be together.
“Um…” Sienna shifted in her seat. This was getting a bit too close for comfort.
Cedric caught on quick, his checks flushing red. “Sorry, didn’t mean to get all up in your space. You just passed out,” he said, helping her sit up straight.
“I know. Don’t sweat it,” Sienna said, giving him a small smile. Just drop me off up ahead, okay?”
No way,” Cedric said, shaking his head. “You got tossed around and passed out. We gotta get you checked out. Could be serious”
“I’m telling you. I’m good: Sienna said.
“We’re ar
at the hospital anyway, Cedric said, his tone firm. “I wouldn’t just blow this off if you were some random person.”
And you’re not just anyone to me,” he added in his mind, glancing at her. You’re someone I can’t get off my mind
Sienna looked at him, then away. She knew he had a point. She nodded slowly,
They pulled into the hospital. The driver took care of the registration, and Sienna got checked out and had some tests done. Everything looked good, but the doc said she should stick around overnight for observation since she’d mentioned blacking out for a couple of minutes.
Cedric took care of the paperwork and stuck with her in the observation room. It was a bit smaller than a regular hospital room and didn’t have an
extra bed
Sienna leaned back on the bed and said, kind of shy, “Cedric, I’m good now. You should head out.”
But Cedric just pulled the blanket up for her and said. Ti staying with you tonight”
“Cedric “Sienna tried to talk him out of it.
But Cedric insisted, “If I go home, I’m just gonna worry about you and not sleep well. I’d rather be here to keep an eye on you. Seeing she couldn’t change his mind, Sienna just let it go.
The nurse came by a couple of times to check on Sienna, telling them to let the staff know if she felt sous or anything Cedric nodded and said, “Got it, thanks”
The room got quiet, a little awkward. Sienna broke the silence, asking, “Cedric, how are you doing? Is your injury healing up?” “All good, Gedric smiled, not telling the truth.
But Sienna noticed his right foot had a slight limp. Neither of them brought it up. She just said, “Good to hear that”
“How about your Cedric asked her
Sienna smiled, “Nothing spe
Going to the dance troupe every day and busy with practicing and performing.
“That’s good” Cedric murmured, wanting to say more. But be held back questions about Sienna’s relationship with Josiah, not wanting to get into
that
He dimmed the bedside lamp:
up and told Stemma, “Get some rest”
“Okay” Sienna turned her face away and closed her eyes, her hands shaking a bit.
1/2
10:25PM | ₫ ·
Chapter 171
Cedric sat by the bed, quietly watching her in the dim light, wishing this peaceful moment could last a little longer.
The party wrapped up, and Josiah slipped away to a quiet spot. He massaged his cheeks, feeling the strain from all the fake smiles he’d been flashing all night.
He pulled out his phone, but there were no messages or missed calls from Sienna. She hadn’t reached out at all.
On a sudden impulse, he spun the phone in his hand and called her, his face set in a stern expression. But all he got was a recorded message saying the number was unavailable
He hung up, puzzled. Bad signal” he thought and tried again, but got the same result. Is her phone off? Dead battery, or is she ignoring me on purpose” he kept thinking, hoping Sienna would turn her phone on and answer. But no reply,
“Josiah.” Yvette called out from down the hall, pushing Howard in a wheelchair and waving him over. Let’s hit the road.”
“Be right there,” Josiah replied, shoving his phone into his pocket with a frustrated sigh, and followed them.
He decided not to worry about it. If Sienna wanted to ignore him, that was her choice. He wasn’t about to chase after her.
That night, sleep eluded Josiah. He kept checking his phone and trying Sienna’s number, but it was always the same.
His frustration gradually turned into concern. Could something have happened to her? Is she sick? It has snowed tonight; has she gone out in it? The more he thought about it, the less he could sleep. So when the first light of dawn appeared, Josiah got up and left the house.
Sienna was up early, not even waiting for the shift change. She was all over Cedric to get the paperwork done quickly. “I’m good to go. Once the new crew comes in, it’ll be crazy. Let’s get this done now,” she said, all business.
“Sure thing. Cedric said, playing it cool.
After the paperwork was wrapped up. Cedric dropped Sienna off at the intersection at Lyceum Street.
“This spot’s good.” Sienna said, stepping out into the snow.
“Sienna, Cedric called out, opening his car door. He hopped out, his right leg a bit stiff, and jogged over to her.
He had a scarf in hand and wrapped it around her neck, tucking it in snugly. “It’s snowing. This will keep you warm. Don’t wanna see you catch a cold,” he said, all concerned,
Sienna felt a lump in her throat, looking up at him. He didn’t need to say much; his eyes said it all. She got emotional, her eyes welling up, and her throat feeling tight.
She shook her head, tugging the scarf off and handing it back. “You keep it. I’m good, not cold at all” she said, her voice a bit choked up.
Cedric stood there, taken aback, a bitter smile playing on his lips. “You didn’t pick me, and now you won’t even take a scarf from me?” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.
“Cedric, Sienna said, her voice strained as she shook her head. “That’s not what I’m going for. I just…”
“Just take it. It’s no big deal, just a scarf. It’s all I got to give right now. I could’ve given you so much more… Cedric said, his voice trailing off, Suddenly, a deep, gruff voice cut in. “She said no. Take it back. You deaf or something? Didn’t you catch that?”
Sienn
fired
ut of his fancy r
(l—t— once–over. But –4–
