Sienna can’t help but smile. How could she refuse this cute little boss?

"Sure, I can make simple sushi rolls."

"Thank you, Aunty Sienna..." Skylar replied immediately, as if she had just agreed to something incredible.

"But I need to check the ingredients first. I worry we don’t have them here."

"Aunty is right," Sky said seriously. "I will pray that we have all the ingredients in the pantry."

"I will also pray with you," Sienna responds, trying to match his seriousness.

Zachary, who sees them, can’t help but feel amused. He leaned back slightly, watching them for a moment before joining their conversation. "Sienna, you’ve just raised his expectations."

Sienna turned to look at him, "Well, I already mentioned I can only make a simple one..."

"But I’m pretty sure he heard ’amazing.’"

She blinked at him before answering, "That’s not my fault."

Their eyes lock on each other. "It is now."

Silence settled between them.

Skylar looked at Zachary and Sienna in return, then innocently said, "Daddy, don’t fight with Aunty Sienna. Or she won’t make me a sushi roll."

They both gasped in surprise upon hearing that, then nodded in agreement.

"I’m not scolding her..." Zachary said, then continued his meal.

Sienna smiles warmly at Skylar and gently reassures him, saying, "Yes, Sky... your daddy and I are just talking..."

Their conversation naturally flowed, becoming really easy and enjoyable after that.

Skylar kept up his new habit; each time he tried a new dish or any food Sienna offered, he gave her a thumbs-up.

At first, she thought it was just a small gesture. But then it happened again. And again.

Eventually, Sienna couldn’t ignore the little boss’s constant praise anymore. "Sky, are you rating again?"

"Yes," Skylar answered seriously.

"And?"

He gave her another thumbs-up. "Delicious...! Everything Auntie Sienna cooks for me tastes so good."

Zachary sighed softly, shaking his head. "Very detailed feedback."

"I appreciate it," Sienna said, though her smile made it clear she found it amusing.

The longer she sat there, the more the feeling of being an outsider faded. It didn’t disappear all at once. It softened, then melted. Until it was no longer something she was aware of.

"You can come with us tomorrow, Sienna..." Zachary said out of the blue, his tone casual, as if it were a simple suggestion.

Sienna paused.

The offer lingered between them for a moment.

"I..." she began, shaking her head slightly. "It’s okay. You two should enjoy your time together. I’ll stay here."

When Sienna believed her answer sounded reasonable—the safe choice—she was mistaken.

"Aunty Sienna..."

"Yes..." Sienna glanced at Skylar, and she was immediately stunned by his expression.

Skylar’s eyes were fixed on her, wide and hopeful, wearing that unmistakable expression that made refusal feel almost cruel—the puppy gaze.

Sienna froze, her grip tightening slightly around her fork. ’Oh no...how could I refuse him?’

Zachary stared at both of them, clearly not planning to intervene. ’Smart move, Sky.’

"I want you to come with us," Skylar continued, his strike. "Please, aunty...huh!?"

Sienna feels her heart stop for a brief second, already feeling that her plan to stay at the villa has failed.

She glanced at Zachary, silently asking for help. However, he gave none. In fact, he looked entertained as if he also wanted her to join them.

Sienna was speechless.

She leaned in toward him and whispered, "Zach, do something."

"I am," he replied calmly. "I’m observing."

She shook her head, feeling defeated. Then back at Skylar. "...Alright," she said finally, her voice giving in. "I’ll come."

Skylar’s face lit up instantly, his excitement bright and genuine. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Yay! Aunty Sienna is the best..." He cheered up before enjoying the dessert. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Sienna leaned back in her chair, letting out a quiet breath as she surrendered to the moment. She had lost. Completely.

And yet, she didn’t feel like she had lost anything at all.

As light conversation between Skylar and Zachary filled the space again, something slipped quietly into her thoughts. A dangerous thought.

’Why did this feel like more than just a three-person dinner... it felt like a family dinner...!?’

Her body tensed immediately.

’No. Don’t you dare to picture yourself in their family, Sienna...’

She pushed the thought away. This wasn’t her place or her reality. And it definitely wasn’t something she should allow herself to hope for.

But even as she told herself that, she looked again at the father and son, at their quiet understanding and how they had made space for her without effort. Sienna couldn’t deny the truth... For the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel alone.

...

The dinner finally came to an end.

Skylar had already excused himself, his small footsteps echoing lightly as he made his way up to the second floor.

Zachary, on the other hand, had disappeared just as quietly.

Sienna didn’t even notice when he left the dining area, her attention already shifting toward the plates, the glasses, and the familiar rhythm of cleaning up.

It felt natural now.

She gathered the dishes, stacking them neatly before carrying them to the sink. The soft sound of running water soon filled the kitchen, steady and calming.

Just as she was about to begin loading the dishwasher—

"Sienna."

She turned slightly.

Zachary stood a few steps behind her, his presence as quiet as ever.

"Yes?" she asked, pausing mid-motion.

"About the sushi ingredients..." he began. "Don’t worry. I will make sure you can find them tomorrow morning."

Sienna slightly nods.

"I only lack seaweed to wrap the sushi." She specifically told him, worried he might go overboard and somehow bring an entire seafood market to the villa.

"Understood," he replied simply.

Then, as quickly as he had appeared, he excused himself and walked away again, heading toward the stairs with the same calm, effortless steps.

Sienna stood there for a moment, watching his back disappear from view.

Then a faint smile tugged at her lips before she turned back to the sink. Her thoughts drifted to tomorrow, to their driving plans, to Skylar’s excitement. And unexpectedly... to Zachary.