Chapter 32 Ideas in her head
SIENNA
Ethan walked straight to his table and reclined in his seat. The moment our eyes met, I saw his hardened expression soften, and he flashed a half-smile. That creeped me out. Whatever the man was trying to do, I was certain it wouldn’t end well.
“Hey, Sienna,” he mumbled, resting his hands on the table.
I stopped in front of the table, expressionless but professional. “You called me in, Mr. Ethan.”
He stared at me for a few seconds and chuckled. “You’re acting like I’m some kind of stranger.”
“You misunderstood me, Mr. Ethan. You aren’t a stranger but my boss,” I responded. “May I know why you need me in your office? I was about to start working when you insisted that I follow you.”
“I… Sienna… You look pretty today.” He flashed a full smile, and my stomach churned at the sight of that disgusting action. I stared without responding because I definitely didn’t know what to say to such a statement.
“I want to apologize for the way I spoke to you that night. I… I was a bit tipsy and didn’t know how to hold those words back,” he continued, assuming my silence meant he should go on.
“If there’s nothing important, I will excuse myself, Mr. Ethan,” I mumbled and turned.
I hadn’t taken a step when he stood up and called my name. “Sienna!”
My shoulders dropped as I let out a deep breath. What the hell does he want? Of course, none of his acts were getting to me. I just couldn’t wait for him to show his real self so I could get this over with.
“I… Do you regret signing the divorce papers?” he asked.
For a second, I was dazed. I expected everything from him but not this. With a raised brow, I veered around.
“What…?”
“Are you afraid you might beg me to take you back if you stay in the same place with me?”
His craziness kept increasing with every question.
What in the name of stupidity was this?
I stared at him with widened eyes, uncertain of how to respond to his questions. I didn’t even understand any of the things he said.
“You don’t need to be shy about this, Sienna. Who knows…? I might be ready to take you back,” he revealed.
I burst into laughter before I could even process his words. This had to be the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while.
“I beg your pardon, Ethan,” I muttered amidst my laughter. “Have you been taking courses in comedy?” I added, still laughing.
“Are you that excited?”
His words grated on my ears. I stopped laughing. What was he trying to do? Hadn’t he realized how stupid he sounded and looked, or was he just pretending?
“I have to return to my desk, Mr. Ethan. You don’t need to try to be so funny next time,” I said, my face turning into a frown. “Because you are obviously not funny. You sound dumb instead.” I turned and exited the office.
“Sienna! Stop there!” His voice followed me, but my steps didn’t falter or slow. I already had enough to deal with today.
As soon as I stepped out of the office, Lucien’s door opened, and he stepped out with a woman as beautiful as Catherine had described. They walked side by side, their faces full of smiles as they mouthed words to each other.
My steps halted. I felt a strange pull within me.
Lucien seemed happy. Could she be his girlfriend? At this point, I was forced to believe my colleagues’ statements.
Clutching my dress at the side, I nibbled on my lower lip, suppressing the inexplicable pain swirling within me. Just as I decided to avert my gaze from them, my eyes met Lucien’s, and his smile faded.
His cold gaze lingered on me for seconds before he eventually looked away and stepped into the elevator with the woman.
A shiver of displeasure rippled through me. I shouldn’t feel this way. I had no right to.
Lucien and I weren’t anything serious. The moment we shared meant nothing to me the same way it meant nothing to him. I shouldn’t keep feeling like he did something wrong.
Swallowing the lump wedged in my throat, I returned to my seat and dived into work. I just wanted to keep myself busy so I could shrug away these thoughts.
Minutes later, the elevator dinged, and Lucien appeared. His demeanor was dangerous and dominating. He exuded a stronger aura than ever.
“Sienna Vale!” he called as he walked toward me.
“Yes, sir,” I answered, getting up from my seat.
“I want to see you in my office,” he said flatly and walked past me without sparing me a glance.
Before I could say a word, he was already in his office.
Catherine and John shared glances before shifting them to me.
“What type of body cream did you use today, Sienna?” Catherine asked. “Tell me so I can avoid it. You’ve been struck with bad luck today,” she whispered, and they laughed.
I was numb.
Why did he look angry right after seeing his girlfriend off? Was he missing her already?
Unhurriedly, I made my way into his office, and as soon as I stepped in, I felt a strong grip on my wrist. Before I could process it, he pulled me to the wall and towered over me.
My breath hitched.
When I raised my gaze, it met his.
The intensity of his gaze told me something was wrong.
My throat bobbed as I tried to relax my tense body while still staring into his eyes.
“Why did you do that, Sienna? What do you think you’re doing?” he whispered harshly, his eyes still fixed on mine.
His face was close—so close that I felt his hot breath against my face. I was confused and terrified. He was happy to be with his woman a while ago; why did it seem like I was the one who did something wrong?
“I… I don’t understand you, Lucien,” I stuttered, blinking incessantly.
“Did you forget my warning that evening?” he asked. “I don’t want to see you around him. I told you… Then why did you go to his office?” he added.
Then, I remembered how he warned me about Ethan at the dinner party. He even punished me for speaking with him. But I thought that was just the moment speaking through him. He didn’t really mean that, did he?
He pushed his face closer, attempting to kiss me, but I tilted my head. He froze.
I pushed him back and took a few steps away. “I don’t understand you, Mr. Lucien,” I said, trying to remain as professional as possible. I wouldn’t let him get a hold of my emotions anymore.
Something flickered in his eyes—shock? pain? frustration? Or maybe regret? Well, I was certain whatever it was had nothing to do with me.
Then, he laughed, his dark, terrifying eyes lingering on me. I couldn’t stare into them. I was scared I might break if I did.
He scoffed. “You don’t want me anymore, huh?” He licked his bottom lip.
“I never had you, Mr. Lucien.”
He scoffed again. “Are you trying to be funny?”
“You didn’t see me wearing a clown or Joker’s costume,” I responded.
There was a shift in his demeanor.
Brazen of him to think he could manipulate me into seeing him as the victim when he was the one who played me.
“I’m not sure your girlfriend will be glad to know you brought another woman into the office right after she left,” I said after calming myself.
“What!” His voice cracked, and he smirked. “What do you mean? Girlfriend?”
“The woman who just left your office. Isn’t she your…?”
He snorted. “Your head seems to be filled with funny ideas,” he mumbled.
I was speechless. Wasn’t she his girlfriend? Then who was she?
“A client,” he responded almost immediately, as if he could read my thoughts. “She’s a client, but the project is a sensitive one and cannot be discussed with so many eyes and ears around,” he explained, closing the distance between us. “Since we couldn’t risk being recorded or monitored in a public space, we decided to meet in my office. Hence, the reason the curtains were drawn.” He stopped in front of me, his eyes fixed on mine, making my heart beat irregularly.
“Tell me, Sienna. Is this the reason I saw you with him? Because I was in here with another woman?” he asked, leaning forward.
“No… I…” I stuttered.
I hated that I let Catherine’s and John’s statements get to me and build ideas in my head. Those idiots. I will not listen to them again.
“You are mine, Sienna. You are not supposed to be with another man.”
I blinked. “I… he… it was work.”
His lips crashed against mine. He wasn’t slow or gentle. He bit my lower lip and slid his tongue into my mouth. It was as though he were pouring his frustration and anger into the kiss.
Even when I was getting out of breath, he didn’t break it. He was punishing me.
His hands grabbed my breasts, and he squeezed them aggressively.
Heat crawled to my neck and face. The intense sensation of pleasure gripped me tightly.
Then, he finally broke the kiss, giving me the chance to breathe.
“I don’t want to see you with him again.” He stared into my eyes as he spoke.
My breathing turned ragged. I nodded.
He flashed a smile and kissed my forehead. “Go back to work, girl,” he mumbled and walked to his table as if nothing had happened.
I stood there, watching him as he dived into work as though nothing had happened. He was punishing me. Making me crave him and ignoring me afterward—that was the punishment.
He raised his head. I saw a glint of mischief in his eyes as he said, “Are you not leaving?”
“I will leave your godforsaken office!!!” I snapped at him and marched out.