Chapter 14: Let’s Date!
Benjamin paused, clearly taken aback. This was the first time she had ever rejected him directly.
Sienna met his gaze, her expression steady despite the tension building in her chest.
"Mr. Foster, please stop whatever you’re thinking about me," she continued. "I respect you as my superior, but nothing more."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, he laughed. Soft at first, then more openly.
"Are you kidding, right!?" he said, shaking his head slightly. "I know you like me, Sienna..."
Her fingers tightened at her sides.
’How shameless! This bastard is sick!’ she thought dryly.
"Let’s date," he added, as if it were the most natural suggestion in the world.
Sienna was left speechless.
"Mr. Foster, I never plan to date someone else’s husband," she replied calmly, her voice steady even as her patience thinned.
Benjamin didn’t get upset. Instead, he smiled and chuckled, amused by her response.
"I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that," he said lightly. "Just for your information, I’m in the process of divorcing my wife."
Sienna almost laughed when she heard that.
’Congratulations,’ her mind whispered. ’Should I send a gift basket?’
"So we can be together," he finished.
That was enough for Sienna. She didn’t want to give this man hope any longer. She needs to draw a sharp line between them.
"I never have feelings for you. And just so you know, I already have a boyfriend," she lied.
The lie came out smoothly. Naturally. Even surprising herself.
Benjamin’s expression darkened slightly. "A boyfriend? You’re lying," he said. "I know you’re still single."
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
Relief washed over her instantly.
"Why should I lie to you? My boyfriend is waiting for me in the parking area..." Sienna said, giving a small nod before stepping out without hesitation.
She didn’t wait. Didn’t look back.
Even when she heard him call her name.
Even when she felt his presence shift behind her.
She kept walking faster.
Her heartbeat is still unsteady.
Her thoughts are still racing.
But one thing was clear: right now, she didn’t want to be anywhere near Benjamin Foster.
She only wanted to reach the one person waiting for her outside.
Sienna felt her heart pounding wildly, yet she dared not slow her pace. She quickened her steps to the parking lot.
The air outside was cooler, but it didn’t really help with the tension in her chest.
Without wasting another second, she pulled out her phone, her fingers already moving to dial his number.
Sienna wanted to find him before Benjamin reached her.
But before she could press the call button, a sleek black SUV rolled smoothly to a stop right in front of her.
The engine hummed softly. Then, the window slid down.
And there he was, Zachary Sterling. Sitting on the driver’s seat, looking calm as ever, one hand resting on the steering wheel, his sharp gaze meeting hers.
"Sienna, get in..."
He didn’t raise his voice. Just loud enough to make sure Sienna could hear him. And he didn’t even look rushed.
But something about the way he said it made her follow his words without hesitation.
But then,
"Sienna, wait—!" Benjamin’s shouting voice cut through the air behind her, much closer now.
Her heart dropped.
Without looking back, Sienna yanked the door open, slipped inside the passenger seat, and pulled it shut in one swift motion.
"Zach, hit the gas...hurry..." she said quickly, her hands fumbling slightly as she buckled her seatbelt. Her eyes darted to the side mirror, her breath still racing.
The car began to move.
Smoothly.
Effortlessly.
As if nothing urgent had just happened.
Sienna kept her gaze fixed on the mirror, watching as the figure behind them grew smaller and smaller until finally, gone.
Only then did she release the breath she had been holding.
Relief enveloped her.
But it didn’t take long... the awkwardness followed.
Her shoulders stiffened slightly as reality settled in.
Sienna slowly turned her head and saw him driving calmly. Composed. Completely unaffected.
’Heaven...’ she thought weakly. ’Why does this feel so familiar?’
The memory surfaced instantly. The hospital. The night. The way she had thrown herself into his car without thinking.
And now, here she was again. Different place but similar circumstances. Running from someone and then jumping into his car to escape.
Another difference was that last time, it was a gangster.
This time, it was her own boss. Wild.
Sienna pressed her lips together, her expression growing complicated.
Right now, she is too scared to imagine what might happen on Monday.
’Should I laugh... or should I start preparing my resignation letter?’
She silently sighs repeatedly, trying to ease herself. But she couldn’t—
"Interesting."
Zach’s voice broke the silence.
Sienna turned toward him, confusion written clearly across her face.
"Excuse me?"
"This is the second time," he said, his eyes still focused on the road ahead, "you’ve been chased by someone."
For a moment, Sienna didn’t know how to respond. He was clearly right.
𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
It took her a few seconds to react.
"Well..." she said awkwardly, her fingers tightening slightly in her lap. "When you put it like that... it really sounds bad."
Zach didn’t react immediately, but there was a faint curve at the corner of his lips.
Then he continued after a short pause, "That man... he didn’t look like someone your family sent to catch you."
Sienna’s body tensed slightly, almost unnoticeably. His words seemed simple, but responding could be dangerous.
For a brief moment, she hesitated. Her thoughts moved quickly, weighing what she should say and what she should keep to herself.
The situation with Benjamin was already complicated enough. If it spread, if it became gossip, it wouldn’t only affect her; it could damage the hotel’s reputation as well.
And for some reason...Sienna didn’t want Zachary to know that part of her life. Not yet.
After a few seconds, she let out a small breath.
"He’s... a colleague," she said carefully, choosing her words one by one. "Someone from my workplace."
Zach finally glanced at her.
Just for a second.
But the surprise in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed.
"He’s been... forcing himself on me, hoping for a date," she added, her tone turning slightly dry. "And I rejected him."
That was the simplest version of the truth. Clean and safe.