Chapter 22
Serena pulled a pen and some paper out of her bag, hoping to cheer Alyssa up.
Alyssa seemed to take an interest in drawing. She grabbed the colored markers Serena handed her and began doodling on the paper.
Just then, the door opened, and a tall figure stepped inside. Backlit by the hallway lights, his silhouette appeared long and slightly blurred, with a presence that felt both distant and intense.
When Serena got a clear look at him, she froze for a second. Something about him stirred a strange familiarity. She couldn’t help but look at him again.
As soon as Keith Brannon walked in, he saw Serena sitting with Alyssa, watching her draw. His thick brows furrowed deeply the moment he noticed an extra person in the room.
Alyssa saw him and instantly dropped the marker in her hand, running straight into his arms.
Keith picked her up. When he looked up at Serena, their eyes met. Both of them were momentarily stunned.
“It’s you?” Keith was the first to speak.
“You know me?” Serena blinked, frowning slightly, digging through her memory for his face.
Suddenly, her eyes widened. A wave of memory surged through her. “You were the one who saved me that night?” Serena asked.
Keith didn’t answer. His brooding eyes just stayed on her.
He didn’t deny it, and Serena went quiet for a beat. She hadn’t expected this coincidence. “Thank you for that night.”
“It’s nothing. Just did what anyone would do. What are you doing here?” Keith asked.
Serena answered, “I saw Alyssa crying alone in the garden. The hotel staff told me she was staying here, so I brought her back.”
That was when Keith finally noticed Alyssa’s puffy, tear–stained eyes. His brows drew together. “What happened? Why are you crying?”
Alyssa wrapped her arms around his neck, choking back sobs. Keith wasn’t sure what to do except gently pat her back with his large hand. “It’s okay. Daddy’s here,” he comforted her.
After calming Alyssa down, Keith turned back to Serena. “Thank you for looking after Alyssa. I haven’t introduced myself–I’m Keith Brannon.”
“I’m Serena Gray,” Serena replied with a smile.
“Sorry for the trouble.”
“Alyssa’s still so young. No matter what, you can’t just leave her here alone. Am I right?”
Keith looked slightly embarrassed. “I’ll be more careful next time.”
Serena felt reassured when she heard that. She stood up and gave Keith a smile. “Since Alyssa’s okay now, I’ll head out.”
But Alyssa clung tightly to the hem of her shirt, refusing to let go.
Keith was a little surprised. Alyssa was usually shy around strangers. Aside from him and a few people she was close to, she rarely showed this kind of affection toward strangers.
He crouched down and gently patted Alyssa’s head. “What’s wrong, Alyssa? You don’t want Ms. Gray to leave?” Keith asked softly.
Alyssa nodded, her tiny hands holding on even tighter.
112
Elgher77
My dow
hem dinner together? Lat me thank you property for
he’s eyes, the may yet
her was twenty sat between Serena and Keith,
diana futa na pse of steak, carefully trimming away the tandons before placing it on a fork and h and dowly began to w
“Do you ask, Ayat Sarana aded gently
Alyssa nodded, but didn’t toek. She just kape her head down and ata qetly,
“Alyssa dowon’t talk much Serans said “Is there a reason!”
“She has autism,” Keith replied, “She hardly speaks”
ing it out to Alyansa. Alyssa opened her mouth
Serena’s heart sank. She suddenly felt a deeper tenderness for Alyssa. She reached out and brushed Alyssa’s hair with her fingers, speaking softly, “She’s really sweet”
“Alyssa, what do you like to play with?” Serena tried to talk to her more.
But Alyssa just kept eating in silence, occasionally glancing up at Serena before quickly lowering her head again.
Keith explained from the side, “Alyssa has trouble expressing herself. She rarely speaks, but she loves to draw.”
“Alyssa, I really like your drawings. Can I have one? Serena took a brightly colored piece of candy from her bag and handed it to Alyssa. “This is a reward for your
Alyssa took the candy and hesitated for a moment. She then finally nodded and handed over a drawing. It showed a little girl in a pretty dress standing
next to a man in a suit.
“Alyssa, is this you and your dad?” Serena pointed to the two figures in the picture.
Alyssa nodded and placed the drawing in Serena’s hands.
“You’re really talented.” Serena praised her sincerely, then gave her a gentle hug. “I love it. Thank you.”
Alyssa leaned into Serena’s arms and rubbed against her gently. Keith watched them from the side, a mix of emotion and surprise in his heart.
Ever since Alyssa was diagnosed with autism, she had rarely gotten close to anyone, let alone smiled. Keith hadn’t expected her to grow this attached to
Serena.
Keith said, “There’s a well–known child psychologist here in Glonia. I brought Alyssa to see if it might help her.”
“I believe she’s going to get better,” Serena replied with firm conviction.
“Thank you, Ms. Gray,” Keith smiled.
“Just call me Seri. Alyssa’s going to be okay.”
After dinner, the three of them returned to the hotel. Alyssa, sleepy and rubbing her eyes, kept nodding off, so Keith scooped her up in his arms.
“Alyssa, say goodbye to Seri.” Keith gently patted her back.
Alyssa rubbed her eyes again and forced them open. She looked at Serena and gave a small wave.
Chapter 22
Serena’s heart nearly melted, “Goodbye, Alyssa. Be good and listen to your dad, okay?”
Alyssa gave a small nod and buried her head into Keith’s chest.
“Thank you so much for today, Seri,” Keith said.
“No need to thank me,” Serena chuckled. “I really hope Alyssa gets better soon.”
“Goodnight.” Keith turned and walked back toward the room with Alyssa in his arms.
“Goodnight,” Serena replied.
Back in the suite, Keith’s expression remained tense. Alyssa was still lost in her own world, indifferent to everything around her. She was holding a palm- sized plush bunny, gently stroking it over and over.
Keith let out a sigh and walked over to her. He crouched down and tried to speak in a soft tone, “Alyssa, it’s dangerous to run off like that in the garden, you know? I couldn’t find you. I was really worried.”
Alyssa didn’t respond. She just kept stroking the bunny in her hands.
“What if you ran into some bad guy? You can’t wander off alone again. You have to stay close to me, okay?” Keith reminded her.
Still, there was no reaction from Alyssa, as if she hadn’t heard a word.
Keith felt helpless. He rubbed his forehead, a trace of urgency in his voice. “Alyssa, I’m really worried about you.”
Alyssa finally looked up at him, her eyes vacant, devoid of any emotion. Then she lowered her head again and kept playing with the bunny.
Keith had no idea how to reach her, how to get her to speak, or how to help her grow up happily like other children.
7
Comment
