Chapter 15: Why Now?
Sienna’s smile bloomed slowly, almost without her realizing it, as her eyes remained fixed on the message glowing on her phone screen.
For a moment, the world around her faded into the background.
The noise of the office, the ticking clock, and even the quiet tension she had been carrying all day. All of it disappeared, replaced by something light and warm spreading through her chest.
’Wow... He replied. Not only did he reply... but he was already waiting for me. In the parking lot!’
Her heart gave a small, unexpected leap, catching her completely off guard.
It had been hours of silence, hours of quiet doubt creeping into her thoughts, whispering things she didn’t want to believe.
And now, just like that, everything was overturned by a single message.
’Zach...’ she thought, her lips curving upward. ’I’m sorry... for doubting you earlier.’
She let out a quiet breath, shaking her head faintly at herself.
’Geez, girl! You really thought he gave you a fake number,’ she scolded inwardly. ’Impressive, Sienna! Truly impressive!’
Still, the warmth in her chest didn’t fade.
She quickly turned toward Mia, who was still waiting beside her desk, but now ready to leave.
"Mia," Sienna tried to sound as casual as possible, though a hint of excitement still slipped through, "you should go home now. Without me. I still have something I need to take care of here."
Mia frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.
"Oh...? Do you need me to go with you?"
"No! No need," Sienna replied quickly, perhaps a little too quickly. She cleared her throat, forcing her tone to soften. "I mean... It’s nothing serious. I can handle it myself."
’There is absolutely no way I’m letting you see him,’ she added in her mind.
Her imagination worked against her almost instantly; Mia raised an eyebrow. Mia is asking questions. Mia was not letting her leave until she explained everything.
’No. It would be a disaster to let Mia meet Zach now.’
"Alright," Mia said after a moment, though her gaze still lingered with suspicion. "Call me if anything happens."
"I will," Sienna replied with a small smile.
Once Mia left, Sienna didn’t waste another second.
Then, Sienna’s fingers moved quickly across the screen.
"I’m heading to the parking lot. Please wait."
This time, she didn’t hesitate. She pressed send immediately, as if afraid her courage might disappear if she waited even one second longer.
Grabbing her bag, she left the office, her steps quick, her heart beating just a little faster than usual.
Everything felt strangely light.
Until...
A ding sounds, and the elevator doors slide open.
The moment her eyes landed on the person inside, the warmth in her heart vanished. Replaced instantly by cold tension.
Benjamin Foster stood there, composed as always, his presence filling the small space with an invisible pressure that made Sienna’s chest tighten.
His familiar, gentle smile appeared the moment he saw her, as if this encounter had been nothing more than a pleasant coincidence.
"Sienna? What a coincidence," he said warmly, his hand holding the door open for her. "Come in."
For a brief moment, Sienna considered turning around and running.
Pretending she had forgotten something in her office or anything.
But she didn’t.
She couldn’t.
Instead, she stepped inside, her movements controlled, her expression carefully neutral.
"Sir..." she greeted politely, keeping her distance as she positioned herself near the corner.
The doors closed.
And just like that, the space around her became suffocating.
Sienna kept her gaze forward, her posture straight, her hands resting at her sides, though her fingers slowly curled into her palms.
’Stay calm,’ she told herself. ’It’s just an elevator ride. A few seconds. You can survive this.’
She had done it before. Avoided him. Escaped every situation where he tried to get closer.
For two weeks, she had managed perfectly.
But today? Today, it seemed like her luck had run out.
She can feel the subtle movement beside her.
’Oh no, why did he approach me?’ Sienna screamed in her mind. Her heart tightened instantly. ’Please don’t come near me!! Please, bastard, don’t try anything funny today!’
However, Benjamin still stepped closer. Close enough that the space between them disappeared.
Sienna’s body tensed, every instinct urging her to move away, but she couldn’t. She didn’t have space to move. He was trapped between the elevator wall and Benjamin.
’Damn it, Benjamin Foster! Just stay away from me!’ she cursed him in her mind.
But of course, he didn’t move away. Instead, his hand reached out to hers. Before she could react, his fingers wrapped around hers.
Sienna flinched sharply, her head snapping toward him, her eyes filled with shock and restrained anger.
For a split second, her mind went blank. Then everything rushed back at once. Disgust, fear, and anger, mixed into one thought.
"Mr. Foster! You crossed the line. Let go of my hand!" she snapped, trying to pull her hand away, but his grip was too strong for her to escape.
Benjamin smiled, enjoying her angry expression, before he gradually let go of her hand.
"You’re worried about the CCTV?" he asked casually, ignoring her anger. He glanced at the floor-number indicator above the door as if the situation meant nothing.
Sienna stared at him, disbelief rising within her.
Before she could say anything, he continued, his tone almost amused.
"Don’t worry, Sienna... It won’t be a problem. I can ask someone to delete the CCTV footage."
For a brief moment, Sienna felt something sharp rise in her chest. ’Not a problem? Of course it’s not a problem...for you.’
"But," he added, turning his attention fully back to her, "I’ll stop here for now...I won’t kiss you..."
Her eyes were sharp enough to warn him that she didn’t like hearing his words.
Still, this shameless Benjamin casually continues speaking—
"Oh, right, I found a new restaurant downtown," he said, as if offering something pleasant, something she should feel lucky to receive. "You’ll like it."
Sienna inhaled slowly, steadying herself. This time, she refused to let herself feel intimidated.
"I’m sorry, sir," she said, her tone calm, professional, but stern in a way she knew she had never done before. "But I honestly cannot bring myself to be intrigued or interested in your kind offer."
Benjamin paused, clearly taken aback.