Chapter 85: Don’t Thank Me With Words, Sienna
Sienna barely had the chance to take in her surroundings before her attention was drawn toward him.
Benjamin Foster was already seated on the sofa, his posture relaxed, one arm resting casually along the armrest as though he had been waiting for quite some time. There was an effortless confidence in the way he occupied the space, a quiet authority that did not demand attention yet inevitably commanded it.
But it wasn’t his posture that unsettled her.
It was the way he was looking at her.
His gaze was steady, unwavering, and disturbingly intent. A faint smile lingered on his lips. He looked subtle, controlled, yet unmistakably satisfied, as if her presence had confirmed something he had already anticipated.
A quiet alarm stirred within her.
’Why does he look so... pleased?’ she wondered, the thought slipping into her mind before she could stop it.
Benjamin lifted a hand and gestured toward the seat across from him, his movements smooth and unhurried.
"Come in, Sienna. Sit with me. There’s something I need to tell you."
His tone was warm and carried a gentleness that, under different circumstances, might have been reassuring. But Sienna felt more cautious.
Still, she stepped forward.
"Sir..." she greeted politely, her voice steady as she lowered herself into the seat across from him, careful to maintain a proper distance.
Her posture remained straight, composed. Her hands rested neatly on her lap, every gesture measured and controlled.
Benjamin studied her in silence for a moment, his gaze lingering just long enough to make her aware of it.
"Why are you looking nervous, Sienna?" he asked casually, one brow lifting slightly in mild amusement.
The question caught her off guard.
For the briefest moment, her mind answered with unfiltered honesty.
’Nervous? I’m not nervous. I’m simply sitting across from a man who doesn’t understand the concept of boundaries.’
But of course, that thought never left her mind.
Instead, she offered a small, composed smile.
"Sir, I’m simply curious why you asked me to come here so suddenly," she replied, her tone respectful and even.
Only her fingers betrayed her, tightening subtly against the fabric of her skirt.
Benjamin continued to watch her, his expression thoughtful.
Then, slowly, the teasing glint in his eyes faded, replaced by something more serious.
"Congratulations, Sienna," he said at last. "You have been promoted to Room Division Manager."
For a moment, time seemed to pause.
Sienna did not move. She simply looked at him, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard.
’Promoted...?’
The word echoed faintly in her thoughts.
’Room Division Manager...?’
She had been aware that the position would soon be vacant after Angie Feliz’s departure. She had even wondered, briefly, who might take over.
But she never considered herself capable of taking over that role.
’Why me?’
The question echoed immediately in her mind, repeating itself with quiet insistence.
’Why now?’
Her heartbeat began to quicken, not with excitement, but with something far more complicated, confusion and suspicion.
And then another thought formed.
’No way! Benjamin... was he the one who recommended me?’
A chill ran through her, her palms growing cold as her body reacted before her thoughts could fully settle.
Because if that were true, then this promotion was not simply recognition. It was something with a price.
Sienna swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as she forced herself to meet his gaze again.
Benjamin leaned back against the sofa, entirely at ease, his expression calm and composed. That same gentle smile remained on his lips, a smile that might have reassured anyone else.
But not her. She recognized it too well. That expression was the same as the one on the face of the man who had once offered to "support" her career, so long as she agreed to become his woman.
Sienna shook her head, as if trying to clear away the thoughts crowding her mind.
’Calm down,’ she told herself, forcing her breathing to steady. ’Don’t assume the worst. This could still be legitimate.’
"Sienna."
Benjamin’s voice broke through her thoughts.
"You’re supposed to be surprised," he continued, watching her with quiet amusement. "Perhaps even happy."
She met his gaze.
’Happy...?’
At that moment, happiness felt like the least accurate word to describe what she was feeling.
Before she could respond, he added,
"Why are you looking at me like that? You look as if you don’t want this promotion."
Her fingers tightened again, gripping her skirt more firmly beneath the table. But her face remained calm.
"Sir," she began carefully, her voice steady despite the tension tightening in her chest, "may I confirm... is this an official decision from management?"
The question was simple.
But the weight behind it was not.
Benjamin let out a soft chuckle, leaning back slightly as if amused by her caution.
"Why would you question that?" he replied, a faint smile returning to his lips. "Of course it’s official."
He glanced briefly at the watch on his wrist.
"I believe the announcement has already been published on the company’s official website."
Sienna remained silent for a moment, but doubt flashed in her gaze.
"You may verify it yourself," he added calmly.
Without hesitation, she reached for her phone. Her fingers moved quickly across the screen, her actions almost instinctive.
It didn’t take long for her to find the announcement. She saw her name and the position, as Benjamin had told her.
’It’s real...’
A warmth spread through her chest, unexpected and overwhelming.
Oh my god! I’ve really been promoted...’
For a fleeting second, genuine happiness surfaced in her heart.
’I’m replacing Angie...’
’Thank God...’
But she did not allow it to show fully.
Outwardly, she remained composed, her expression softening only slightly.
Benjamin observed her closely.
"Now you believe me," he said, his tone gentle.
She nodded faintly.
"Thank you, sir..." she replied sincerely.
And yet, the unease did not disappear.
Because instead of acknowledging her gratitude, Benjamin laughed.
The sound was low, controlled, but it lingered in the space between them.
"Oh, please," he said, his voice calm, almost casual. "Don’t thank me with words, Sienna."
A pause.
"You should show it."