Mafia Lord's Mute Sweetheart

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 What am I thinking?

Daisy suddenly looked back up. She pointed at herself, then pointed toward the hallway, then toward another guest room, then another, then another. She kept pointing in different directions around the mansion, her movements becoming more frantic with each gesture.

Then I’ll sleep somewhere else.

Cedric immediately shook his head. "I might sleep there too."

Daisy froze. She pointed toward yet another room.

He shook his head again. "Maybe that one too."

She pointed upstairs.

Cedric shrugged. "Possible."

She pointed downstairs.

Cedric smiled. "Also possible."

Daisy’s eye twitched. Her whole face contorted with frustration.

She pointed at the ceiling. The floor. The left. The right. She pointed at every possible direction, her arms flailing like a windmill.

Cedric watched her with growing delight, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Are you okay?"

Daisy pointed at him with both hands.

You!

Then she pointed at the door.

Out!

Cedric leaned back comfortably against the headboard, trying very hard not to laugh.

Watching her silently argue with him was unexpectedly entertaining. Especially when she couldn’t even scold him out loud. The way her cheeks puffed, the way her eyes flashed with silent fury, the way she stomped her foot without making a sound.

Her cheeks puffed slightly in frustration. She folded both arms across her chest, then glared at him with all the dignity she could manage.

Cedric looked at her pouting face and couldn’t help smiling wider.

"...You’re making a very scary face."

Daisy’s glare only deepened.

Somehow, that made him want to tease her even more.

❀┈❀

Daisy was simply too tired to argue anymore.

She looked at Cedric. Then at the bed. Then back at him.

Her shoulders slowly slumped.

Forget it.

She wasn’t in the mood to continue his ridiculous game. Her body was heavy with exhaustion, her mind foggy from the long day. She didn’t have the energy to keep pointing and gesturing and hoping he would understand.

Without another word, she quietly picked up one of the pillows from the bed. Then she grabbed a blanket, her movements slow and deliberate.

Cedric watched her curiously, his head tilted slightly.

"...What are you doing?"

Daisy didn’t even bother answering with gestures this time. She simply walked over to the small couch by the window. It was a delicate piece of furniture, meant for sitting, not sleeping. The cushions were thin, the frame narrow and the whole thing looked far too small for a grown person to sleep on.

She spread the blanket neatly across it before curling herself into the narrow space. Her knees were drawn up to her chest, her body folding into the smallest possible shape.

The couch wasn’t particularly comfortable. It was much smaller than the bed. Still, at least she would have some peace. At least she wouldn’t have to share her space with someone who treated it like a game.

She pulled the blanket up to her shoulders, closed her eyes, and let out a tiny, exhausted sigh.

Within barely two minutes, she was asleep.

A faint, rhythmic sound filled the quiet room. Her breathing had become slow and even, accompanied by the softest little snores imaginable. They were so quiet they could barely be heard, like the gentle whisper of wind through leaves.

Cedric looked toward the couch.

He couldn’t help staring at her.

The irritation from teasing her had somehow disappeared. Instead, he found himself quietly watching her sleeping face.

The room was completely silent. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, painting soft silver patterns across the floor. The shadows stretched long and gentle, wrapping around the room like a delicate embrace.

Daisy had unconsciously curled into herself beneath the blanket. A few loose strands of hair rested against her cheek, catching the moonlight like threads of silk. Her lips were slightly parted, her breathing slow and even.

She looked peaceful. Far more expressive than she ever allowed herself to be while awake.

Cedric frowned slightly.

He didn’t understand himself.

Lately, his eyes kept following her. He found himself noticing little things without meaning to. The way she shyly puffed her cheeks when she became annoyed. The tiny expressions that replaced the silence her voice could never fill.

Especially when she stopped being timid. When she became flustered, stubborn, or quietly angry, she seemed strangely alive... and he couldn’t seem to look away.

About an hour passed...

Cedric remained awake. He lay on the bed, his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. But his mind wasn’t on the ceiling. It was on the small figure curled up on the couch.

Making sure she was sleeping soundly, he quietly climbed out of bed. His footsteps were almost silent as he walked toward the couch, his bare feet pressing softly against the carpet.

He lowered himself beside it.

For several long moments, he simply looked at her.

His usually cold blue eyes softened without him realizing it.

"...You’re really asleep."

His voice was barely above a whisper, meant only for himself.

Almost unconsciously, he lifted one hand. His fingertips gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. The movement was light enough that it didn’t wake her.

His fingers stayed for a brief moment against her cheek.

So soft...

The thought crossed his mind before he could stop it.

His gaze slowly drifted lower. Her lips were naturally pink, relaxed in sleep, rising and falling gently with each quiet breath.

Cedric’s throat tightened.

He quickly looked away.

"...What am I thinking?"

He shut his eyes for a moment, forcing himself to take a slow breath. His chest felt tight, his heart beating slightly faster than it should.

When he opened them again, she was still sleeping peacefully. Completely unaware that he was watching her.

After another long silence, Cedric sighed quietly.

"You’ll wake up with a sore back if you sleep here."

He carefully slid one arm beneath her shoulders and another beneath her knees.

She was surprisingly light, her body small and fragile against his.

Still asleep, Daisy instinctively leaned closer against the warmth supporting her. Her head rested lightly against his shoulder without waking, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

Cedric froze for the briefest moment.

Then, slowly, he carried her back to the bed.

He gently laid her down, making sure not to wake her. He adjusted the pillow beneath her head and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

She shifted slightly beneath the blanket before settling comfortably against the pillow. Her face relaxed, her breathing evening out once more.

Cedric stood there for a few seconds, looking at her sleeping face.

A faint smile appeared on his lips before he even realized it.

Shaking his head at himself, he turned off the bedside lamp and lay down next to her. The mattress dipped slightly under his weight, but she didn’t stir.

The room became quiet once again.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, knowing she was sleeping comfortably instead of on the cramped couch left an unexpected sense of contentment in his chest.

He stared at the dark ceiling for a while. Then, slowly, he closed his eyes.