Chapter 31: Sienna, You Are Doomed!
Not long after, the car slowed as it approached the familiar entrance of the Imperial Hotel.
The tall building stood proudly under the morning light, its polished glass reflecting the busy city outside.
Without hesitation, Zachary steered the car smoothly toward the employee entrance, as if he had done it many times before.
His movements were calm. Too natural for someone who claimed he was "just passing by."
The car came to a gentle stop.
Sienna let out a small breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned slightly toward him, offering a polite smile.
"Thank you, Zach," she said sincerely. "But, seriously... You didn’t have to do this."
Zachary glanced at her, his gaze calm, yet something subtle flickered in his eyes. "Why?" he asked casually.
The single word made her pause.
There was no sharpness in his tone, but there was something else... something faintly displeased, as if he didn’t quite like her reaction.
Sienna faintly smiled before answering honestly.
"Because... I feel bad," she admitted. "It’s early in the morning, and you had to come all the way to my place first and drive here. That’s not exactly ’on the way.’"
Her voice was soft, genuine, without pretense.
Zachary watched her for a second longer before a quiet chuckle escaped him.
"There’s no need to feel that way," he said. "I told you, I happened to be passing by."
Then, after a brief pause, he added, "And I remembered that you said you were sad last night... so..."
"S-Sad?" Sienna repeated, her voice rising slightly in shock. Her eyes widened. "Wait... I told you I was sad?"
Zachary nodded lightly, as if it were nothing important. "Yes. You said it was related to your work."
Sienna paused for a few seconds, trying to dig out her memories as her mind struggled to recollect anything she had said last night.
’Oh no! I talked about work too?’ she thought, her heart dropping.
"That’s why," he continued calmly, "when I passed your place, I decided to pick you up."
Sienna stared at him, completely stunned.
She couldn’t believe it.
Not only had she called him... she had also revealed her work troubles?
What else had she said?
Her fingers curled slightly against her lap.
"Are you really feeling alright?" Zachary asked again, his tone quieter this time, more serious.
The question caught her off guard.
Sienna swallowed before forcing a small smile.
"Yes. I’m fine," she replied quickly. "Please just... ignore what I said last night. I mean, forget it. It was nothing important." Her words came out too fast.
Zachary’s brows lifted slightly, clearly unconvinced. "Are you sure?"
𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"Yes," she insisted, nodding quickly. "I’m really fine. Nothing happened." She lies. A very obvious one. Even she could feel it.
The truth lingered just beneath the surface. The investigation, the pressure, the possibility of losing her job. It all came rushing back, heavy and unavoidable.
But she wasn’t ready to share that. Not with him. Not yet.
Zachary studied her for a brief moment, then leaned back slightly, his expression returning to its usual calm.
"Alright," he said simply. "But if you need a place to work, you can work for me." He added casually.
Sienna once again feels like froze. Her mind went completely blank.
’...What?’ She turned to him slowly, her eyes filled with disbelief. ’What did I say last night for him to offer me a job?’
Their eyes met.
For a brief second, neither of them spoke.
Then, finally, Sienna found her voice.
"Zach... what exactly did I tell you?" she asked carefully, almost afraid of the answer now. "Can you please tell me?"
Zachary exhaled softly, his tone shifting slightly as he answered.
"Nothing much," he said. "You talked about random things."
Then his expression grew a little more serious.
"But I remember one thing clearly..."
Sienna held her breath.
"You said," he continued, "’If I really lose my job, can I work for you instead?’"
She could only stare at him, her mind refusing to work. Her mouth opened slightly. Then closed again.
’Oh my god...’ She screams in her mind.
She feels like her soul has left her body. That was it. That was the end of her dignity.
How could she say something like that? And worse, he remembered it. Perfectly.
"Hahaha..." she suddenly laughed, though the sound came out a little too stiff, a little too forced. "You shouldn’t believe anything I say when I’m drunk. Please... It’s just nonsense."
Zachary looked at her, his lips curving faintly. "Hm. I know."
Of course, his words didn’t make her feel better. Not at all.
Sienna quickly turned away, pretending to fix her bag just to avoid his gaze.
"Alright, Zach... I should go now," she said, trying to escape the situation. "I’ll be late if I don’t get out."
She reached for the door. "And thank you again for driving me."
"Alright," he replied. "Have a nice day."
She nodded and opened the door, stepping out quickly. Fresh air hit her face. She feels instantly free. Or so she thought.
"Sienna." He called.
She paused mid-step and slowly turned back. "Yes?"
Zachary was still seated inside the car, looking at her with that same calm expression.
"You need to change my name on your phone."
Sienna frowned. "What do you mean?"
Zachary paused, as if holding back something. Before saying, "You called me last night... Mr. Handsome Zach and Mr. Dangerous-for-my-sanity."
As if someone had pushed the ’Pause’ button, everything around Sienna feels like it’s stopped.
Her brain exploded. Her face burned instantly. She didn’t even know how to react.
For a full second, she stood there, staring at him as if she had just heard the most unbelievable thing in her life.
Then, without a word, she waved awkwardly, turned around, and walked away.
’Sienna... you’re really doomed now!’ she screamed in her mind. Mr. Handsome Zach?! Mr. Dangerous-for-my-sanity?! What the hell is wrong with you?!’
Her steps quickened as she rushed toward the entrance, wishing the ground would open and swallow her whole.
Behind her, the car remained still for a moment longer.
And inside, Zachary smiled.