Chapter 29

Josiah realized his mistake, his gaze flickering with unease. He was unaccustomed, however, to bowing his head before Sienna. Once spoken, words were like spilled water, irretrievable. He was stubborn with his words. “Do you want to eat or not?” he asked.

Is he getting impatient now? Sienna thought, feeling displeased. But she didn't want to cause trouble, so she nodded. “Yes, of course.”

Josiah curled his lips into a slight smile, his tone softening. “What flavor of muffin do you want?”

“Any; it’s all the same,” Sienna replied. Without the one she wanted, the rest were indistinguishable. They were all imposed upon her by Josiah.

“Alright,” Josiah raised an eyebrow. “I’ll go buy some. Wait here.”

Sienna nodded and found a seat.

After a while, Josiah returned with a tray—this time, not in a takeout bag, but laden with a dozen muffins. “Eat them while they’re still warm,” he said.

“Okay. What flavor are they?” Sienna asked.

“You said any, so I didn’t ask and just let them choose randomly,” Josiah said.

Sienna picked up a muffin and took a bite. Suddenly, she frowned.

Josiah noticed. “What’s wrong? Not tasty?”

Sienna tugged at the corners of her mouth. “It’s a bit hot. I burned my mouth.”

Without further inquiry, Josiah also picked up a muffin and took a bite. “Hmm… lemon flavor. It tastes pretty good.” He asked Sienna again, “Do you like it?”

Sienna struggled to swallow, saying, “Yeah, I like it.”

Did she like it? Naturally not. Not only did she dislike it, she hated it. She had known Josiah for almost ten years, and they had shared meals for five. Yet, he didn’t know she didn’t eat lemons. Josiah really didn’t pay attention to people he didn’t care for. It wasn’t his fault; he had no obligation to pay attention to her.

So, even though it was hard to swallow, Sienna endured the pain, ate a muffin, and then wiped her hands.

“Why aren’t you eating anymore?” Josiah looked at her in surprise. “Are you full?”

“Yes,” Sienna pulled out a tissue and wiped her mouth. “I’m full.”

“Are you kidding me?” Josiah’s eyes narrowed, speaking indifferently. “Is that all you can eat?”

“Yes,” Sienna nodded. “I’ve received your gift. Thank you. I like it very much.”

Like it? She didn’t like it at all, he thought.

“So, you don’t owe me anything now. I’m leaving,” Sienna said, picking up her bag and then remembering something. “When are you free? Miranda’s surgery is over. Let’s get the divorce certificate as soon as possible.”

“I’ve got no time.” Josiah was angered by her attitude, looking at the pile of uneaten muffins on the table. “Are you too busy to wait?”

“No,” Sienna shook her head, not understanding why he was upset. She stood up and said, “Then I’ll leave. Take your time.” Without waiting for Josiah to speak again, she left with her bag.

Josiah sat there, feeling upset. What does she mean? Is she dissatisfied? After a few years abroad, she hasn’t learned anything else, but her ability to annoy people has grown! he thought.

Chapter 29

Sienna needed to perform on stage that night, so she took a nap during the day and arrived at Maze in the evening to get ready. Tonight, she was going to perform a Latin dance.

Henry had prepared a gorgeous outfit for her, made of light gauze, soft and flowing. She changed into the costume and began to apply her makeup when Henry came in.

“Hi, Henry.” Sienna quickly stood up.

“Sit,” Henry waved his hand, smiling and signaling her to sit down. “You do your makeup; I’ll talk, you listen.”

“Okay,” Sienna said.

What Henry was about to say concerned his plan. “In a couple of days, I’m planning to start the ‘Toasting Project.’”

“Toasting Project?” Sienna asked.

“Yes,” Henry said.

The so-called Toasting Project was just a gimmick. Since it was a dance venue, there would naturally be dance competitions. This plan was the Dance Queen Competition at Maze. Customers could vote and bet on their favorite dancers. Among these, there would inevitably be those who bet on the same dancer. The reward was that the dancer who won the most votes and became the Dance Queen would have the privilege of personally pouring a drink for the guest who bet the most on her.

Sienna understood but wasn’t quite sure. “Is it feasible?”

“Don’t worry. The people who come here are spending money to buy happiness. They love this kind of fun.” Henry was a seasoned veteran.

He made it clear: “There’s no need to question it. You will definitely be the Dance Queen, and you will definitely have to toast the guest. I’m telling you in advance so you can be mentally prepared. Is there a problem?”

“No problem,” Sienna shook her head with a smile. Since she came to Maze, she was prepared for this.

“That’s good.” Henry was relieved. “Then you get ready. I’m leaving.”

“Bye,” Sienna said.

Outside, facing the stage, in the same booth as last time, even the people present were unchanged: Josiah, Thomas, Yosef, and his cousin Cedric.

Josiah was not in high spirits tonight. He sat there and didn’t say a word.

Thomas noticed his expression and asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t look happy.”

“You’re right,” Josiah nodded. He was indeed not happy, his mind full of Sienna and her blueberry muffin.

Yosef was surprised. “Who made you unhappy? Tell us about your story!”

Josiah chuckled and asked them, “What do girls generally like?”

This morning’s incident was indeed his fault. He had promised Sienna blueberry muffins but failed to deliver them. It was a small matter, but breaking trust was a big deal. When she left, she was clearly unhappy, and taking her to Seasonal Bakery again would be pointless. Thinking about it, he decided to make it up to her with another gift, but he didn’t know what she liked. He ransacked his mind all day and couldn’t remember any of her preferences. If he had to pick one, it was himself. But he couldn’t possibly give himself to her, so he turned to his buddies for help.

“Girly things,” Thomas and Yosef said in unison.

Thomas scoffed. “Are you asking us what Yvette likes?”

Yosef added, “You know perfectly well what she likes. You’ve given her plenty of gifts since childhood.”

Josiah was frustrated. “It’s not her.”

“Impossible,” they said in unison again.

“You guys are annoying,” Josiah glared at the two.

Seeing Josiah’s serious expression, Thomas leaned over. “Are you finally letting go of the past and starting a second relationship?”

“It’s not like that. I shouldn’t have asked you,” Josiah said with regret.

But Yosef answered the question seriously. “Girls like similar things. Give them clothes, jewelry, bags… You can’t go wrong.”

Is that it? So uncreative. I’ve thought of that too, Josiah thought.

“Alright,” Josiah nodded, not planning to waste any more effort on it.

“Look! It’s Silver Fox!” Suddenly, Cedric, who hadn’t spoken a word, pointed at the stage, his eyes shining.

“Silver Fox? Who’s Silver Fox?” The other men didn’t understand his meaning, looking confused.

“The masked girl!” Cedric said.