"I know I messed up. Okay? I do— and I’m willing to fix it. I’ll come early, I’ll stay late, I won’t even take breaks if you say so— I’ve learned my lesson—" Finn kept blabbering, unable to stop.

Sienna didn’t even look at the man sitting across from her as he kept rambling. Her fingers were wrapped around her coffee cup, watching the street outside the window of the coffee shop.

She exhaled slowly as she took another sip of her latte.

"I’ll handle clients, I’ll do field work, anything. Just give me one more chance, Madam Boss. I swear I’ll prove it this time—"

Her gaze at last settled on his face, "You seem to be quite passionate," She paused for a moment, "Shame— it never showed up at work."

Finn swallowed hard.

"Madam... I – I was going through stuff—"

Sienna chuckled, "Yeah, I know. An affair. Right?"

This time, he couldn’t look into her eyes. She leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, studying him carefully.

"If you’re so desperate to work," She tapped her fingers lightly on her coffee cup, "Apply at Star Realty and Projects."

Finn was caught off guard, "What?"

"Get there, Finn. Tell them you worked with me and now you need a job. Show your desperation."

He remained still. Eagerness on his face was suddenly replaced by caution. He wasn’t a fool. He knew Star projects belonged to Sienna’s brother-in-law.

Sienna leaned forward slightly, "You’ll get hired faster."

Finn’s brows pulled together, "And why would you—"

She tilted her head, cutting him off, "Take it as your career boost," She set down her cup and brushed an invisible speck off the table, "Of course," she said silkily, "You won’t be going there for free."

His throat bobbed a little as he gave her a confused look.

"You’ll keep me updated," She continued as her gaze locked onto his, Meetings. Deals. Who’s investing? Who’s backing out? Anything useful. Everything that’s useless. I should know it."

He stared at her, still unsure.

Sienna’s lips curved a little into a cold smile, "In return, I’ll make sure your hard work finally pays off."

Now more people were coming into the café, making it a little noisy. Finn was still processing it.

"Madam boss. Do— do you want me to be— your spy?"

Sienna held his gaze, "Aren’t you the one who had been begging me for a chance? This IS your chance, Finn. Prove yourself."

Finn got quiet. He knew this was the only opportunity he had.

"Fine!" He extended his hand for a handshake, "I’m on board,"

Sienna looked down at his stretched hand and then held it with a smile, "Thank you, Finn. Just— don’t disappoint me," Her grip on his hand increased, "And don’t you dare try to cross me because I know how much you love your family," She finished casually and enjoyed, watching his startled face.

***

Sitting on the living room couch, Sienna was still thinking about Finn when her mind drifted back to Ruby and her injured face.

She never liked violence, and for a moment she felt guilty.

But whatever you did to my daughter is not forgivable, Ruby.

"What are you thinking?" She pulled herself up when she heard Hunter, "You have these deep lines on your forehead," His finger landed above her brows to smooth the creases.

"Just thinking..."

She gave him a tight-lipped smile, thinking hard about whether she should confide in Hunter.

"Thinking what?" He picked up the TV remote and flipped through the channels until a news channel popped up.

"I’ve rehired Finn," She mumbled, her gaze lingering on his handsome face, maybe hoping to catch some sort of reaction.

"Oh, wow!" His hand was suddenly stretched out to ruffle her hair, "So, I’m no more your secretary? It was nice working with you, ma’am," He gave her a mock bow, "Please clear my dues by the end of the month."

She chewed her lower lip, a little disappointed, "I didn’t know you hated working with me."

"Hated?" He chuckled without moving his eyes off the screen, "Why would you say that? I enjoy being with— I mean I enjoy WORKING with you," His gaze moved to her face for an instant, "I enjoyed every bit of it," He nodded at her.

"Sorry for killing the buzz, Mr. Secretary, but this time Finn isn’t appointed as my secretary. Of course, I won’t kick you out of your job just to take him back. You’re precious," she said a little too sweetly.

For a moment, he seemed to go still, "Did you say precious?" He asked with a raised brow. She nodded with that fake sweetness.

"So, menace. Without having a wealthy background with zero skills... I’m precious to you? Whoa!" This time, his attention didn’t move back to the TV screen.

Sienna tried to control the smile spreading on her lips, "You are— but don’t get too confident. You are precious because you look like someone who can carry me around when I’m sick and weak. Otherwise—" She tilted her head, eyeing him up and down, "— you are just a decorative piece."

Hunter let out a short laugh, shaking his head, "Decoration?" He repeated with amusement, "You really think I’m just a decoration. I carried you around last time you injured your foot," He reminded her, pinching her nose playfully.

She shrugged casually, "Well! At that time, I was weak. Now I’m stronger, and I don’t think— you look like someone who can do heavy work," she finished with a pout, fighting the grin tugging at her lips.

His lips curved even more, "I don’t have to struggle to lift you, sugar," His voice sounded more like a caress, making her heart skip a beat.

"Hunter. I don’t think—Ouch! What are you doing?" She yelped in surprise.

Without warning, his hand slid under her thighs while the other arm snaked around her waist. Before she could process it, he had pulled her straight onto his lap.

Her hands suddenly flew to his shoulders, struggling to balance herself. He leaned closer, as his voice dropped to a whisper,

"Still think I’m just for decoration?"