Chapter 4
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Yeah… I used to think the same way–that I’d cling to Jesse forever.
Back in my freshman year, my family was so broke we couldn’t even afford tuition, so I worked overnight shifts at KFC.
I was the only one willing to take the night shifts. No one else wanted to stay up all night for such a little paycheck. Besides, I only worked at night because I still had classes during the day.
During that time, I was severely sleep–deprived–my dark circles were worse than a panda’s, and my health kept getting worse.
A FO
One morning, right after class, my body finally gave out from the overwork, and I collapsed on a path at school.
When I woke up, I was already lying in a hospital bed.
The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was a good–looking guy.
Jesse’s eyes narrowed with a smile when he saw me awake.
His eyes were lovely, full of a bright, twinkling light.
“What’s your name?”
Even his voice sounded nice-clean and youthful.
“Sienna Scott.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jesse Livingston.”
He paid for my hospital bills, but at the time, I had no way to pay him.
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He could tell I was in a tough spot, so he suggested we exchange contact numbers and told me I could pay him back once I got my living allowance.
I didn’t have any allowance, but I was getting paid soon.
I thought that would be the end of our interaction.
To my surprise, he started messaging me every day.
He’d tell me about spotting a cute cat on the street, or a cloud that looked like something funny, sometimes he’d say he was heading to play basketball and ask if I wanted to watch.
But I never replied. To me, we were just debtor and creditor–each message felt like a subtle reminder not to forget my debt.
I didn’t expect to see Jesse again. He was standing right outside my dorm one day.
I had just finished my overnight shift and was heading back to the dorm to catch some sleep.
It was dawn, the first light of morning hadn’t yet broken through the thick clouds.
Exhausted, I dragged myself forward, barely lifting my eyelids to watch where I was going. And that was when I walked straight into a firm chest.
I fell backward, but he caught me around the waist and pulled me right into his arms.
A fresh ocean–scented cologne wrapped around me, snapping me wide
awake.
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Chapter 4
“Hey, why are you just getting back?
“Were you out having fun?
“Or maybe… a date?”
I looked up and realized it was Jesse. He fired off questions like a machine gun.
“Why didn’t you reply to any of my messages?”
I pulled away from his arms, took out my phone, and transferred 200 dollars to him.
That was when I noticed that Jesse had sent me dozens of messages overnight, all asking where I was.
“You… Have been waiting for me here all night?”
Jesse let out a laugh of frustration: He thought I’d been ignoring him on purpose. It turned out I hadn’t even read his messages. I’d muted him.
He gently turned my face to meet his gaze. “Sienna, tell me, are you seeing someone?”
I stared at him, baffled. Between school and my night shifts, I barely had time to breathe, let alone date.
I frowned. “I don’t have time to date.”
Jesse seemed satisfied with that answer. His eyes lit up, and he broke into
a grin. Just then, the first rays of morning sunlight broke through the
clouds and landed on his face.
He looked stunning.
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“Then I’m going to chase you.”
