Celeste's POV

As soon as Mark stopped the car, I opened the door and rushed towards Joshua. I knelt down on my knees beside him and caressed his cheek gently, trying not to hurt him.

"Joshua?" I called him worriedly, trying to hold my tears back. Seeing him in this state made me feel bad.

Mark approached us in a hurry and checked Joshua's pulse.

"He is alive," Mark informed me and pulled the phone out of his pocket.

"Joshua, open your eyes," I pleaded with tearful eyes, caressing his hair while Mark was talking on the phone.

"Celeste..." Joshua mumbled and grimaced in pain without opening his eyes fully.

"I am here," I said, caressing his hair affectionately.

"Celeste..." he murmured faintly.

"Ambulance is coming," Mark informed anxiously. I nodded and held Joshua's hand.

After a while, we heard sirens. As the paramedics got out of the ambulance, Mark helped me to get up despite the fact I didn't want to release Joshua's hand.

When I wanted to go with Joshua, Mark stopped me and told me to get in his car. As I wanted to go towards the ambulance, he pulled me towards his car gently, telling me that it would be better if we follow the ambulance.

As I got in the car, I looked at my hands. It was covered with Joshua's blood. I couldn't hold myself and burst out crying.

"Don't worry. Mr. Sullivan is strong," Mark assured, giving me a sympathetic look, and gave me a wet wipe.

"Thank you," I mumbled, taking the wipe, and started wiping my hands, tears still running down my cheeks.

As soon as Mark parked the car in front of the hospital, we rushed out of the car. I approached Joshua quickly and grabbed his hand, reassuring him despite the fact he was unconscious.

I was pacing back and forth in the hallway while the doctor was examining Joshua in the hospital room. Meanwhile, Mark was talking on the phone at the corner.

A few minutes later, Mark finished his call and approached me. He informed me that the securities are about to come here to take care of Joshua's safety.

"Um... I informed his family too. They are on the way," Mark informed me firmly.

"Oh..." I mumbled, ruffling my hair, and glanced at the room where Joshua was.

"It will be better if you go home and rest. I will stay with Mr. Sullivan," Mark said, giving me a knowing look.

"No, I can't leave him," I protested, shaking my head. I wanted to be sure that Joshua was fine.

Mark cleared his throat and rubbed his neck uneasily. "We can't explain his family why you are here," he commented, giving me an uncomfortable look.

I bit my lower lip, lost in my thoughts. I couldn't leave Joshua when I didn't know if he was fine or not. On the other hand, if his family saw me here, I couldn't explain how I found where Joshua was when his own family had no idea about his whereabouts.

"Fine, go to the cafeteria and wait there. Tomorrow call Ms. Sullivan. So she tells you Joshua is in the hospital," Mark said, giving me a sympathetic look after seeing me hesitating.

I nodded in desperation. "But when the doctor leaves, call me, please," I pleaded, worried. Mark nodded.

I heaved a loud sigh and grabbed my bag. I glanced at the room and walked away sadly.

I was sipping my coffee at the cafeteria, lost in my thoughts when my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. I grabbed my phone instantly while my heart was pounding.

"Is Joshua fine?" I asked Mark as soon as I picked up the phone.

"The doctor said he doesn't have serious injuries. They will keep him here this night for caution."

I breathed deeply in relief. "Thank you, Mark."

"His parents will stay here till Joshua is out of the hospital. Mr. Sullivan sent Ms. Sullivan home. I will send you someone to drop you off your apartment too," he said gently.

"Don't worry. I will take a taxi."

"It will be safer if we drop you off, Ms. Marshall," Mark stated, determined.

"Fine. Thank you."

***

Once I arrived home, I took a relaxing shower and put on black shorts and a white crop top. Then I went to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee for myself.

I checked my phone again, waiting for a message from Mark, but there was no news. I heaved a sigh and sipped my coffee, lost in my thoughts.

As soon as my phone buzzed, I placed my cup on the centre table and grabbed my phone. It was a message from Mark.

Finally!

'He opened his eyes. He feels better now.'

I breathed deeply in relief and wrote a new message.

'Thank you.'

I took my phone with me and went to my bedroom. Despite the fact the Sun was slowly rising, I hoped to sleep for a few hours at least.

After an hour, I got up and got ready to visit Joshua. Then I called Hazel, pretending I didn't know Joshua was in the hospital. Fortunately, Hazel picked up my phone quickly and informed me about Joshua's state.

As soon as I hung up the phone, I went to the hospital. I needed to see Joshua with my own eyes to be sure that he was really better. Otherwise, I couldn't stop myself from worrying.

Once I reached the hospital and got out of my car, I saw Mark in front of the building. I approached him and greeted him politely, ignoring his worried expression on his face which appeared when he saw me. Despite the fact I tried to hide my tiredness with a light makeup, it didn't help so much.

"How is Joshua?" I asked, worried, ruffling my hair nervously.

"He is better. He wants to leave. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are talking to the doctor now," Mark informed me.

"Is Hazel there too?"

"She is with her brother in the room," Mark replied politely.

I thanked him with a nod. "I will go to see Joshua and Haze quickly. I have a meeting early this morning," I said softly, looking at my wristwatch. 

Mark frowned, concerned. "You look tired. You should cancel the meeting and go home to rest. It seems you didn't sleep a wink last night."

"I can't, especially now when Joshua is in the hospital. It is an important deal," I said, determined.

He nodded. "Fine. I won't keep you."

When I reached the floor where was Joshua's room, I bumped into Hazel. After greeting each other with a hug, she informed me about Joshua's state. As we wanted to go to his room, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my bag and looked at the screen. It was Robert.

"I am sorry I have to pick up. It is from the company." I gave Hazel an apologetic look and picked up the phone.

"Where are you, Hazel?" Robert asked in a hurry as soon as he greeted me.

"Um... I am at the hospital."

"Are you fine?"

"Yes, I am. Just... routine checkup," I lied and bit my lower lip nervously.

"They changed the time of the meeting. Be there in thirty minutes."

"Oh... Okay, I am coming," I said, disappointed.

"Is everything okay?" Hazel asked, worried as soon as I hung up the phone.

"Yes... no. The meeting time has changed. I have to leave right now. Otherwise, I will be late."

"Don't worry. Go. Joshua is fine. I will inform him that you were here," Hazel said, giving me a warm smile.

I nodded sadly. "See you later."

"Take care!" Hazel gave me a friendly hug.

***

Once I came to my apartment, I changed my clothes and made a sandwich for myself.

After having dinner, I poured some coffee into the cup for myself and went to the living room. I felt so tired.

As soon as I sat on the couch, the doorbell buzzed. I heaved a loud sigh in annoyance and stood up to go to open the door.

"Joshua?!" I mumbled in surprise as I saw Joshua in front of me.

What is he doing here? He left the hospital this morning.

He gave me his signature smirk and roamed me from head to toe. I wore white shorts and blue crop top.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, worried.

"Yes, don't worry. Haze said you came to the hospital this morning, but you had to left urgently before seeing me. So I decided to visit you," he replied nonchalantly, resting his hand in his pocket.

I raised my eyebrow in surprise. I cleared my throat and mumbled, ruffling my hair. "But you left the hospital this morning. You should rest."

"I am fine. I am bored of resting without doing anything all day," Joshua said firmly. "Well... Won't you let me in?" he asked, giving me a mischievous smirk.

Happy New Year, guys!

Wishing you the best new year, full of love, happiness, and romance.