Testing Fords Patience

The grief weighed heavily on him, pressing down on his chest, suffocating him.

For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to take solace in her touch. But just as quickly as the thought entered his mind, he crushed it. His jaw tightened. He couldn't afford to appear that all was well with them.

Without warning, he withdrew his hand, breaking the connection.

"Let's go," he muttered, his voice devoid of emotion.

Sia blinked, caught off guard. A flicker of hurt crossed her face, but she quickly masked it. Why had he rejected her touch? She wanted to ask, but the coldness in his tone stopped her.

"Let's go," he repeated, this time more forcefully, not even sparing her a glance.

As he stepped forward, a sudden wave of exhaustion crashed over him. His body felt unusually heavy, his limbs sluggish. Taking a deep breath, he tried to steady himself, but his knees faltered. His foot slipped, and for a brief, terrifying second, he nearly collapsed.

"Ford?" Sia's alarmed voice reached him as she rushed to his side. "Are you alright?"

Panting, he clenched his fists, trying to fight off the dizziness washing over him. His palms felt clammy, his breathing uneven.

"I'm alright," he answered hastily, the words spilling out before she could get any closer. He straightened, forcing himself to appear composed. He couldn't afford her concern—not now.

Sia hesitated, her eyes scanning him warily. He was lying. She could see it in the slight tremble of his fingers, the sheen of sweat on his brow. But before she could press further, he was already moving again.

His gaze landed on the car parked a short distance away. Relief flickered through him. Quickening his pace, he made his way toward it, pulling open the door and sinking into the seat without another word.

The driver, startled by his sudden return, turned in surprise. "Sir, you're back?"

"Yes, I am," Ford responded, his voice edged with impatience. "Drive to Miss Sia's residence."

The driver gave a slight nod. "Yes, sir."

Having worked for Ford since his early years at the university, the driver was more than familiar with Sia's residence. He had driven her home on countless occasions—especially on nights when she had drunk herself into oblivion.

They waited in silence until Sia finally joined them.

"Why won't you even let me check your temperature? Is that how much you despise me?" Sia questioned angrily, her voice laced with frustration as she entered the car.

Ford heard her, but he didn't acknowledge her words. He didn't even spare her a glance. His eyes remained fixed on his phone, his fingers scrolling absentmindedly. He could feel the tension radiating from her, the way her temper was slowly rising, but he didn't care. He just wanted her to back off.

Suddenly, his phone was snatched from his grasp.

His head snapped up, eyes narrowing as he turned to see Sia holding it behind her back.

"What is wrong with you?" he demanded, his voice sharp with irritation.

"Wow, look at that. You're actually looking me in the eye for once." Sia let out a mocking laugh, tilting her head slightly as she studied his face.

Ford's jaw tightened. Immediately, he averted his gaze, his annoyance deepening.

"Let's not do this," he said, exhaling sharply. He extended his hand toward her, his palm open. "Just give me back my phone."

But Sia made no move to return it.

"I will," she said with a smirk. "But only if you let me check your temperature."

Ford's patience thinned. "And why should I?" His voice was colder now, his frustration evident. "I already told you—I'm fine. Why can't you just accept that?"

His words were sharp, but Sia remained unfazed. His tone, his irritation, his attempt to push her away—none of it affected her. Instead, she simply smiled.

Then, without warning, she tucked the phone under her skirt and leaned back, settling into a relaxed posture.

Ford's hands clenched into fists at his sides. His jaw tightened even further as he stared at her, his muscles coiled with restrained anger.

He knew exactly what she was doing. She was testing his patience, baiting him, waiting for him to give in.

And he was not going to let her win.

After what seemed like a while, Sia noticed the driver was taking the familiar route leading to her home. Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"Where are you going?" she asked, sitting up straight, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Ford, who had been staring out the window, barely reacted. His expression remained as firm as ever.

"Why ask him?" he said flatly. "Obviously, he's taking you home."

Sia's irritation flared. "And why didn't you tell me? Did I say I wanted to go home?"

Ford's fingers curled slightly as his patience thinned. His voice rose, his agitation seeping through. "So where exactly do you expect me to drop you?"

Her annoyance mirrored his. "Weren't we supposed to be hanging out? Like you said?" she shot back, her tone laced with frustration.

This time, Ford turned to face her, his gaze impassive. "Well, plans changed. I don't feel like it anymore."

Sia narrowed her eyes but forced a smile. "That's fine. We can still talk and catch up at your place," she suggested, her voice overly sweet.

Ford's answer was immediate and final. "I don't think so."

Before she could argue, the driver's voice cut through the tension.

"We've arrived, sir," he announced, pulling the car to a stop.

Sia's frustration boiled over. "No! Take us to his house," she demanded, her voice sharp with irritation.

But the driver remained silent, unmoved by her command. He only took instructions from his employer.

Sia turned to Ford, her tone shifting from anger to concern. "Why are you acting so cold toward me? I thought we had moved past this."

But Ford remained indifferent. He didn't even spare her a glance.

"Are you listening to me!" She angry shouted.

Turning to her "Sia get dow. Julet go home" Ford calmly spoke.

He was already getting tired from her naggings and complains.

"Oh, so that's how you want it? Fine. Let's see how far you can take this."

Without wasting a second, Sia flung the car door open and bolted out, running straight into the middle of the road.

She came to a sudden stop, standing there with an almost playful defiance, her eyes locked onto Ford's. A slow, deliberate smile stretched across her lips, taunting him.

Ford's heart lurched.

Stepping out of the car, his voice thundered across the street. "Sia! Get off the road!"

But she didn't move. She didn't even flinch. Her gaze remained fixed on him, unwavering, as if daring him to react.

Then, in the distance, the blaring horn of an approaching truck shattered the air.

Ford's stomach clenched as his eyes darted past her. The truck was barreling toward her, its headlights glaring in the dim light, its horn growing louder with each passing second.

"Sia, get off the road!" he roared again, urgency coating every word.

But she didn't budge.

The massive vehicle surged closer, its tires screeching against the asphalt. Still, she remained rooted in place, her smile never fading.

"Let's see who wins," she murmured, her voice light, almost teasing, as she held his gaze—completely unfazed by the danger hurtling toward her.