Sienna had just settled into her room when she heard a knock at the door. She opened it, expecting to see Mila, but was surprised to find Daniel standing there.
Feeling anxious, she asked, “Do you need something?”
Daniel’s gaze was intense, but his tone was gentle. “My room is right next to yours. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to come find me.”
Sienna couldn’t imagine what she might need from him. She pursed her lips, feeling a bit helpless. Mila must’ve deliberately placed her guest room next to Daniel’s; she was sure of that. Out of politeness, Sienna nodded and said, “Okay.”
Just as she was about to close the door, Daniel placed his hand on it, looking slightly nervous as he gazed at her.
“Anything else?” Sienna asked.
Daniel slowly withdrew his hand. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke in a husky tone, “How… long will you be staying?”
Sienna felt a twinge of sadness but responded casually, “You don’t want me to stay here?”
Daniel hurried to explain, “No, that’s not it. I just wanted to know how many days you’ll be in Phoenicia.”
“I’ll leave Morrison Residence once Wanda’s wedding is over. But I have a book signing event next month. So, I’ll leave Phoenicia after that,” Sienna explained.
Daniel slowly clenched his fists, his breathing becoming a bit erratic. “What day next month?”
“The 5th.”
“You don’t have to rush off after Wanda’s wedding. You can stay here,” Daniel said, his voice tense as he clenched his fist tighter.
He added, “Just don’t tell your mother you’re staying at my place. I don’t want her worrying about you.”
His words stirred up Sienna’s sadness. If Shelly were still alive, she wouldn’t have worried about Sienna staying at her ex-boyfriend’s house. His concern seemed odd to her. Sienna didn’t respond. She just nodded in agreement. Ads by PubFuture
Daniel gazed at her, wanting to say so much but was too nervous to speak.
Seeing that he had nothing more to say, Sienna closed the door. “Good night.”
Reluctantly, Daniel replied, “Good night.”
As Daniel shut the door behind him,
a sudden urge tugged at him to reopen it. His hand rested against the door, yet he couldn’t justify a valid reason to do so. He balled his fist and pulled his hand away.
Daniel headed to his room next door and closed the door behind him. He sank onto his bed, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, overwhelmed by inner turmoil. Sienna dominated his thoughts entirely.
When they dated, they had never
lived in such close quarters. But after their breakup, they shared a roof, with only one wall separating them. This closeness triggered the deep and unsettling emotions within
him.
The realization that the person Daniel couldn’t stop thinking about was just next door made it impossible for him to remain calm.
That night, he couldn’t find any peace. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep until dawn.
The following morning, Sienna woke and went through her morning routine. She slipped into a plain, long dress. Then, she left the room with her phone and a small crossbody bag slung over her shoulder.
Upon descending the stairs into the living room, she came across Daniel. He turned to meet her as he heard her footsteps.
Sienna briefly glanced at him and softly greeted, “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Daniel replied, rising from his seat. Observing her neat attire and the bag hanging from her shoulder, he asked, “Heading out?”
“Yes, just going for a walk,” Sienna responded.
Daniel pointed at the dining room. “How about grabbing breakfast before you go?”
He had been waiting for her to join him for breakfast.
“It’s fine. I’m not hungry.” Sienna
politely declined. She explained, “I’ve
already texted Wanda to let her
know I’ll be out all day. I won’t be Ads by PubFuture
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meals, so there’s no need toprepare anything for me.”
Daniel paused, pursing his lips. A hint of nervousness flickered across his face as he swallowed. “I’m off today. How about I drive you? It’ll make getting around easier.”
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