Chapter 91
โAmber, itโs great here, right? I know all the best places to eat and which rides are the most fun. Do you want to hang out together? I can show you around," Claire carefully scooted closer to her and asked.
Amber, like a proud peacock, haughtily narrowed her eyes at Claire, disdain flashing in her pretty eyes. She scoffed coldly, โNo.โ
โAs if I donโt know what sheโs up to,' Amber thought. "That scheming girl is totally up to no good, just trying to get close to Sienna. No way!"
Claire put on a pitiful expression and looked at Sienna. โSienna, I just donโt have any friends to hang out with. Even though my grades are top-notch at school, Iโm still pretty much friendless.
โYouโre so kind and gentle. I thought your sister Amber would be just as nice as you, but it turns out she canโt stand me either.โ
โDonโt take it personally,โ Sienna explained gently. โShe doesnโt dislike you, Claire. Amber just isnโt used to being around new people yet.โ
Amber butted in defiantly, โYeah, I do dislike her.โ
After saying that, Amber quickly ducked her head, poking at the strawberries in her cup. She scooped one up and popped it into her mouth, her eyes curving into happy crescents.
Sienna ruffled Amberโs hair affectionately. โDonโt be rude. Claire is a lovely girl. I heard sheโs ranked fifth in her grade.โ
When Sienna mentioned her grades, Claire was on cloud nine. She felt like she was walking on clouds, soaring high above the world.
โSienna, Iโm just a tiny bit better than average, and thatโs all. No big deal,โ Claire said with a falsely modest smile.
Amber lowered her head, pausing mid-chew. โDoes she like people with good grades?' she wondered.
Amberโs voice was subdued as she looked up at Sienna. โYou like top students, right?โ
The last few words were so soft they were almost lost in the noisy crowd.
Sienna only caught the first part and nodded honestly. โYeah, I do.โ
The words struck deep in Amberโs heart, and her face fell.
Lana walked over, leaned down, and whispered something in Siennaโs ear. Sienna immediately stood up, her eyes flashing with urgency. โAre you sure? Sheโs really there?โ
โOn the street ahead, Miss Enna. Are you going now?โ said Lana.
Sienna nodded. โSheโs hard to track down. Iโll go myself. You stay here with Amber.โ
โUnderstood, Miss Enna.โ Lana nodded.
Sienna reached out and gently pinched Amberโs soft cheeks. โAmber, why donโt you stay and play with Claire and Lana for a while? I have something to take care of, but Iโll be back soon.โ
Amber nodded obediently. โGo ahead. I wonโt wander off.โ
โIโm not some clueless kid,' Amber thought. โSienna must have had a good reason to leave.'
Claire slung an arm around Amberโs shoulders and grinned. โHey Amber, you heard Sienna. She wants you to hang out with me. All done eating? Come on, Iโll take you on the roller coaster. Itโs super intense. Letโs go.โ
โNo way.โ Amber struggled against Claireโs grip, shooting her a furious glare.
Claire arched an eyebrow at her, flashed a playful grin, and grabbed her hand. โNo isnโt an option. Come on, Iโm taking you out. Consider this an honor. Most people would kill for this chance.โ
Amber turned her head away stubbornly. โThen go play with them. Like I care,โ she huffed.
Claire couldnโt resist. Amber was just too cute. She reached out and pinched Amberโs cheek, โWow, so soft and tender,' she wondered. 'No wonder Sienna loves pinching her cheeks so much.'
Amber froze in stunned silence for a moment before exploding with rage. Her face flushed crimson as she snapped at Claire, โWhat the hell, Claire? Who said you could pinch my face?
โDonโt you know how annoying you are? You scheming old hag, Iโm not playing with you. Get lost.โ
Claire wrapped her arms around Amberโs, batting her big eyes coquettishly. โAmber, donโt be mad,โ she cooed, โIโm sorry. Letโs hang out together, okay? Look how pitiful I am, all alone. If we team up, weโll make the perfect pair.โ
Amberโs face burned crimson at Claireโs sudden coquetry. Flustered, she shoved her away. โWho says Iโd pair up with you, Claire? Iโm not forgiving you,โ Amber huffed, turning away with a pout.
Amber glanced at Claire, a flicker of softness crossing her face before she hugged her arms tightly, putting on a cold, stern facade.
With an exaggerated huff, she said, โIโm only tolerating you out of pity. If you touch me again, Iโm done with you.โ
โGot it,โ Claire grabbed Amberโs hand and pulled her along at a run.
โSlow down. My waterโs going to fall,โ Amber protested.
Lana quietly picked up the water cup and followed behind them.
Following Lanaโs lead, Sienna stepped into Culturein Street, a trendy area lined with stall shops and graffiti-covered walls, clearly a hotspot for young trendsetters.
She combed through several spots but found no trace of the person she was looking for. Sienna asked the shop owner, but he shook his head with a frown and said he didnโt know the girl she was talking about.
The owner added, โThere are just a bunch of delinquent teens here, always causing trouble, real bad ones.โ
Sienna nodded and said nothing more. Suddenly, she spotted a girl dashing past. Instantly, she grabbed the girlโs shoulder. โWinifred?โ
The girl turned around. It wasnโt Winifred.
โWhat the hell? Let go of me,โ she snapped.
โSorry.โ Sienna apologized and checked the time. Several hours had passed. It was time for her to head back.
Adrian was taking out the trash when he spotted a familiar silhouette. He wondered, โCould it be her?'
He quickened his pace to follow. Sienna, sensing she was being tailed, deliberately slowed her steps and turned into an alley corner. Adrian lost sight of her and anxiously rushed forward.
Suddenly, Sienna was standing right beside him. โSo, itโs him,' she wondered.
โWhy are you following me?โ Siennaโs voice rang out suddenly, making Adrian jump. He spun around and found himself face-to-face with her.
She wore a black long-sleeved T-shirt that hugged her figure, paired with simple blue pants, an ordinary outfit, yet on her, it exuded an indescribable cool aloofness.
Even with a hat and mask on, Siennaโs imposing aura was impossible to hide. Adrian flinched at her ice-cold gaze, quickly stepping back to put distance between them before dropping his gaze in embarrassment.
Adrian stammered, his face flushing a little. โSorry, IโI didnโt mean to follow you. I just wanted to thank you for helping me last time. Really, thank you.โ
Sienna studied the boy in front of her, wondering, โI remember he is sixteen.'
His posture was straight as an arrow. He looked undeniably handsome, and his mature eyes hid a sharp glint. If Sienna had to put it into words, the young man carried a brooding ferocity about him.
Thinking of what Lana said, Sienna wondered, โSo, is he the Winslow familyโs illegitimate son?'
โNo need.โ With icy composure, Sienna brushed past him without a glance. Adrian held his breath, not daring to move until her retreating figure faded into the distance.
โWhatโs her name?' he wondered, yet he couldnโt bring himself to ask.
Amber and Claire had an absolute blast together. By the end of the afternoon, both were drenched in sweat and just like that, theyโd become inseparable best friends who could talk about anything.