Mia was still in shock, wondering if she was dreaming or not. She sat on the floor, face to face with Cid Dante, the most famous actor on the planet. It all felt so unreal. Her thoughts swirled until Cid's voice brought her back to reality.
"Miss? Miss, are you okay?" he asked, sounding concerned.
But no words came out of Mia's mouth. She simply stared at him, her wide eyes betraying her confusion. Cid frowned. She still seemed shaken. He crouched down to her level.
"Hey, are you alright? Can you walk?"
Still, no response. Sighing, he stood back up and made a quick decision.
"I think we're going to the hospital," he murmured, more to himself than to her.
With surprising gentleness, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his car. Mia didn't protest, still locked in her strange silence. She let him take over, as if her mind was elsewhere. Once in the car, the engine purred, and Cid started driving, casting worried glances at Mia from time to time as she sat beside him. Eventually, she fell asleep, her head resting against the window.
When they arrived at the hospital, Cid got out of the car and walked around to pick her up again. He carried her to the entrance, where nurses quickly took over.
"Take good care of her," he said, visibly relieved to leave her in professional hands.
Hours later, a doctor approached him.
"Sir, your girlfriend is fine. She just fainted due to the shock."
"Girlfriend?" Cid repeated, startled. "No, she's not… never mind. Can I see her?"
The doctor shrugged and pointed him toward the room. Cid entered quietly and found Mia awake, sitting on the bed. The doctor left, closing the door behind him.
"So… you're okay?" Cid asked, a mix of curiosity and frustration in his voice.
Mia just stared at him silently.
"You're mute, aren't you?" he finally asked, his patience wearing thin.
Still no response. Mia simply watched him, arms crossed.
"Great. I really got myself into a mess," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
He approached her and tried again to communicate.
"Do you even understand what I'm saying? Please, say something. Give me your name, an address, anything."
Just then, a nurse entered with a form in hand.
"Mr. Dante, you didn't complete the report. We still need the patient's name and age."
Cid's eyes widened, caught off guard.
"Uh… I thought I did…"
As he scrambled for an excuse, Mia finally spoke.
"Mia Derby. 22 years old."
The nurse jotted down the information and left, leaving a stunned Cid behind. He turned to Mia, his expression shifting between anger and exasperation.
"So, you were messing with me this whole time?"
Mia raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"I never said I was mute. You just assumed."
Cid crossed his arms, trying to stay calm.
"Fine. Now that you're okay, our paths end here. I brought you to the hospital, you were treated, and now you can go home."
But Mia didn't seem to agree.
"No."
"No? What do you mean, no? Are you planning to follow me everywhere now?"
Mia crossed her legs, clearly amused by the situation.
"Not exactly. I'm going to stay at your place for one hundred days. After that, I'll leave."
"A hundred days?" Cid repeated, incredulous. "Why a hundred days?"
"That's none of your business," she replied calmly.
Cid let out a bitter laugh.
"Not a chance. You're not coming to my place."
Mia shrugged, unfazed.
"No problem. But get ready for a scandal. Imagine what the media will say: 'The great Cid Dante hits an innocent woman and then abandons her at the hospital.'"
Cid gritted his teeth.
"Innocent, my foot…"
Mia, smiling, continued in the same calm tone.
"Your choice."
After a moment of consideration, Cid turned around, resigned.
"Fine. But one hundred days, not a day more."
She extended her hand, a mischievous smile on her lips.
"Deal."
He sighed, grabbed her hand, and shook it reluctantly.
"Deal."