𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐱 | 𝟣𝟪+

|6| ℐ𝓃𝓉ℯ𝓇ℯ𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃 ℴ𝒻 ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓃𝓉𝓈

"Thank you, really," I tell the older
woman, she smiles and nods her head.

After taking me to the hospital
she offered to drive me wherever
I needed to go, and I accepted.

As I said it's risky but I don't have
my phone and I don't really care.

Now that I'm back at the bar I
have to explain why I didn't come
in for my shift today, or why

I didn't go back to her apartment,
basically my whole disappearance.
What do I say? I can't tell the truth.

I hear the bell ring as I walk into
the bar, Wade looks up and smiles

"Celine, you're back! Celeste
has been looking for you."
I smile and nod "Is she here?"

I look around the bar before
looking back at him,
He nods and looks horrified "Why-
what's on you? What happened?!"

He rushes around the bar
and I just watch in confusion.
Why is he freaking out?

I couldn't have been gone for
more than a day. He keeps
terrifyingly looking at my body,
not sexually, but more in worry.

"What do you mean?" I say awkwardly,
I look down and see the blood on my
ripped clothing. Shit, I forgot about that.

This isn't normal- well, not for normal
people. If I walked
into Marco's house like this- no one
would care, it's natural for the mafia.

"Oh- uh" great now I have to come
up with more excuses. "I just fell
and I've already been to the hospital"

"Are you sure? I can take you to the
hospital, Celine, It wouldn't be any
trouble." His words are very gently
and genuine,

he acts like a a father figure to everyone
here and at first it made me
uncomfortable because I wasn't used to
this type of care, and I'm not completely
comfortable but I feel something.

"It's fine Wade, I promise I'm okay."
He pats my back and says "If you say so,
she's behind the bar downstairs."
I thank him and go down the staircase.

The fight should've ended an hour
ago so hopefully, people left. I open
the door and see a crowd of people, dancing, yelling, and making out.

As long as they leave me alone
and let me get to the bar it's none
of my concern.

I see Celeste laughing as she
pours afew shots.
Drinking and serving them.

She notices me and her smile fades

"Well look who it is!" I smile
even though she's clearly angry,
even when she's mad
she looks perfect. "Hear me out-"