Sienna stood by the counter, her fingers lightly resting against the smooth surface of the coffee machine as she tried to look far more confident than she actually felt.

"Zach, do you want espresso, cappuccino, or latte?" she asked, keeping her tone light.

"Latte. Thank you," Zachary replied easily, already moving toward the kitchen island. He pulled out a chair and sat with a casual grace that somehow made the entire room feel smaller.

Sienna turned her back to him almost immediately, focusing on the machine. She measured the coffee carefully, watching every small movement.

At this moment, it wasn’t just about the coffee. It was about not messing up in front of him. And, unfortunately, it was also about the fact that she could feel his gaze.

She tried to steal a glance, but she regretted it.

With one glance, she knows it wasn’t just her mind playing tricks. His gaze toward her wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t fleeting either. But it was there, steady, quiet, and focused entirely on her.

Her heart betrayed her immediately, quickening in a way that felt unnecessary for such a simple moment. She bit her inner lips, trying to calm herself down.

’It’s just coffee, Sienna. You’re not defusing a bomb.’ She stifled a smile, hearing her own thoughts.

However, a few moments later, his calm voice broke the silence. "I can see you’re quite skilled at making coffee..."

A faint smile formed on her lips.

"Oh, come on, Zack, there’s no need to praise me so soon. I was just pouring the milk..." she says, trying to keep it playful rather than flustered. "You really should see my latte art... it could turn out perfect or end up a total disaster."

Behind her, she heard him chuckle, a low, warm sound that seemed to settle into the room rather than pass through it.

That didn’t help her focus.

Still, she continued, forcing herself to finish what she started. The milk flowed into the coffee, her wrist moving with care as she tried something that resembled a rosetta or... something that could be interpreted generously if one were kind enough.

After a few more seconds, she stepped back, examining her work with squinted eyes.

’Not bad. Not amazing either. But not a disaster. That was a win.’ She tries to cheer herself up.

Finally, she turned around, holding the cup with both hands as she walked toward him. There was a small, quiet confidence in her steps now as she placed the latte in front of him.

"I need your honest review," she said, lifting her chin slightly as if bracing herself.

Zachary looked down at the cup, his eyes scanning the surface before a faint, impressed smile appeared.

"Looking good," he said.

His words were enough to ease her shoulders just a little. But tension returned when she saw him pick up the cup and take a sip.

Sienna watched him carefully, her expression neutral, though in her mind she was far from it. Inside, she was preparing herself for criticism, compliments, or worst of all, polite indifference.

He swallowed, then nodded before he looked up at her.

"It tastes really good too," he said. "You truly have a talent for making perfect lattes, Sienna. This is good..."

The second nod felt more convincing than the first, and the sincerity in his voice made it difficult for her to brush it off as mere politeness.

"Thank you, Zach—" she replied, her tone light again as she turned back to the machine to make one for herself. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

This time, her movements were easier and more relaxed.

Somehow, the tension that had wrapped itself around her earlier had loosened without her noticing exactly when it happened.

Her thoughts no longer raced with ridiculous questions like ’What if I spill it? What if he hates it? What if I somehow ruin coffee forever?’

Instead, she found herself breathing normally again.

’Good job, Sienna...’ she told herself, almost amused. ’Remember, you’re working here. He offers help because he understands your difficulties. You only need to see him as your boss, not someone who likes you.’

She smiled faintly at her own logic, satisfied with how reasonable it sounded.

But her carefully rebuilt calm didn’t last very long.

"How’s your sleep?"

The question came casually, but it hit her like a stone dropped into still water, small, yet enough to create ripples.

She paused for just a fraction of a second before adjusting her expression, picking up her own latte, and turning to face him.

"Usually, it is difficult for me to adjust to a new place, but strangely, I sleep well here," she said, keeping her voice steady. "Maybe because this place is really quiet."

That part, at least, was true. The quiet had been unexpected... and comforting.

"That’s good," Zachary replied, taking another sip of his drink. He seemed satisfied with that answer.

"I see you already prepared everything..." His gaze fell on the takeout breakfast she had prepared.

"Yes...I hope you and Sky like it," she said, her tone hopeful but cautious.

"Sure, we will."

Sienna hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering toward him again before she spoke.

"But, Zack," she added, a hint of worry slipping through despite her efforts, "...sorry, I only made a simple sandwich, nothing fancy. And I also made sure the portion was for six people."

There was a brief pause, as if she expected disappointment.

Instead, he simply nodded. "Sandwich sounds good."

That was it. No criticism. No raised expectations. Just simple acceptance.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he gestured lightly toward the seat beside him. "You can sit, Sienna."

Sienna paused. For a second, she didn’t move. Because, somehow, his invitation felt... different. Too casual and too close.

She glanced at the empty space beside him, then back at him, her body hesitating despite her mind trying to come up with a polite way to refuse.

’Girl, this man was your employer. Sitting with him like this felt... inappropriate. Or at least unfamiliar, right!?’

"Sienna," Zachary said, his voice cutting in before she could refuse.

She looked at him.

"Can you see me as Zach, not your boss?" he continued, his tone calm but unmistakably serious. "I can tell you’ve changed a lot since last night. I want to see Sienna, whom I met before... The cheerier you..."