"You know," Lina crossed her arms, "You can’t stay hidden from Hunter forever."

Sienna was sprawled across the sofa with one leg hanging off the armrest. Her phone was inches away from her face.

For the last three days, she was at Lina’s, borrowing her clothes and managing her work online. Her thumb was moving on the phone screen nonstop, scrolling, replying, and switching apps.

She didn’t want to admit it to Lina that she was missing her laptop... and Hunter too....and maybe Brian too.

Lina stood by the doorway, watching her friend, who was trying her best to show her that she didn’t give a damn about Hunter.

Lina knew her inside out and could see through her lies easily.

"I’m not hiding, Li," Sia didn’t even look up from her phone.

"Then what is it?" She walked in, stopping in front of her, "You do know you’re always welcome at my place. Right?"

Sienna let out an annoyed breath and dropped her phone on her chest, finally looking at her friend, "Who said I’m avoiding Hunter? I’m just staying here for a few days, Li..."

"For what?" Lina asked bluntly.

"It’s just easier... to manage the office from here, Li. Your internet connection works better and ... I needed peace to make some decisions."

Lina bent forward with a sigh, placing her palms on the coffee table, "Look at me when you talk to me, Sia."

Sienna rolled her eyes and straightened, "Why? Are you falling for me?" She chewed her lower lip, trying to hold the smile.

Lina was doing the same because she pressed her lips together, "I fell for you when we first met. How old were we? Four? Five?"

Sienna chuckled and slapped Lina’s arm, "We were five! Kindergarten."

Lina nodded as she came to sit beside her. Sienna let herself fall over her best friend, "I don’t know how to face him.’

"I know it feels awkward. But you’ve faced worse, sweetheart. Remember how you attacked that man outside Joe’s? Like, come on. You cut your father’s leg. Snatched a few deals from Tom. You’re already causing havoc. This is nothing compared to that."

Sienna stayed quiet.

How to tell you, Li. For some silly reason, this one is the hardest.

"Hey. I’m talking to you," Li poked her shoulder, "Wake up and go!

Sienna groaned and rolled onto her back, dragging a cushion over her face, "Ugh... you’re so annoying."

Lina snatched the cushion away, "And you’re being ridiculous, Sienna Mason."

Sienna blinked with a sigh and then suddenly sat up, "Are you kicking me out?"

Lina let out a short laugh as she shook her head, "Don’t try that face on me."

"After what we’ve been through, this is how you treat me, Li? Throwing me out on the streets?"

"Oh please," Lina rolled her eyes, "You’ve been living here rent-free, wearing my clothes, eating my food—"

Sienna leaned forward and nudged her with a playful punch, "Bitch! What about the emotional support I bring?"

"You bring nothing but chaos. Okay?" Lina shot back and then leaned closer, "Fine. You want to stay? Stay as long as you want!"

Sienna narrowed her eyes as she regarded her friend’s face with suspicion, "And what’s the catch here?"

"Go and fetch your laptop," Lina said with an overly bright smile, "Do that and live here rent-free."

Sienna frowned as she heard her best friend’s condition. Her laptop was at the office, but Nora had told her that Hunter had taken it home to keep it safe.

Going home was easier.

She could easily slip in when Hunter was at the office and grab it from her room.

Easy peasy.

A slow grin spread across her lips as she looked at Lina, "Sure. I’ll do that," She snapped her fingers, "And then for this whole week, you’re treating me like a queen. Deal?" Sienna raised her hand.

Lina slapped her hand against Sienna’s before locking briefly, "Deal!"

***

Hunter stepped out of Sienna’s office as the delegation left after the meeting. This was a small office, and it didn’t have a proper conference room.

He loosened his tie slightly, still thinking about the deal that he wanted to lock before Sienna would arrive. God knew how long she would take to return.

"Nora," He called the receptionist who was already walking towards him holding a tablet, "Yes, Hunter?"

"You need to send them the revised draft within an hour and email that receipt to Sienna," He was aware that she was in contact with her staff, "And don’t forget to add the clause we discussed— no room for negotiation this time."

"Done," She said professionally, something Sienna never expected her to do.

"And set up a follow-up call tonight. I want this closed today."

Nora nodded as she typed quickly, walking beside him, "Anything else?"

"Just clear my afternoons," He added, because he needed to manage Levisay meetings too. Hunter sat at an employee’s desk to glance at the finance sheet on his PC.

"Hunter..." A familiar voice called him.

Ruby leaned against the edge of the desk, one hip tilted to it, as she gave him a fake smile, "You’ve been working too hard lately. Where is Sienna?"

"I don’t know," Hunter kept himself busy while typing quickly on the computer before shutting it off.

"Maybe you should take a break, Hunter. I can help you relax..." Her tone was suggestive as she brushed the back of her hand over his arm.

Hunter walked past her, too engrossed in his phone as if she wasn’t even there. Her smile faltered when he ignored her presence.

What’s so special about her? She asked him silently, seeing him walk away.

"It’s useless, you know?" Nora whispered behind her, as she started working on her tab, "He is too sincere with Ma’am boss."

Huh! Sincere? My foot. He can’t be sincere to anyone because he offers contract marriages, Nora. You don’t know because you’re not reborn.

Ruby let out a quiet scoff as her lips curled slightly, "Asshole!" She muttered and moved to another desk, joining the gossip.

***

Hunter’s eyes were still glued to his screen when his phone suddenly started ringing.

"Lina?" He whispered.

"Hey, Hunter. How are you?" She sounded extra chirpy on the phone.

"I’m good. Why?" Hunter frowned in confusion.

"Oh, nothing. I hope your butler is home because Sienna just left to get her laptop."

Hunter’s mouth formed a small O.

"Thanks, Lina," He bit his lower lip, fighting a grin as his thoughts drifted to his wife, "Don’t worry. I’ll handle it from here."