After a few moments of comfortable silence, Sienna shifted again, her fingers still tracing lazy patterns on my back. The rhythm was calming, but I could feel a shift in the air. Something was about to happen, and it wasn't just the lingering anticipation of our cuddled-up afternoon.
"Do you have any plans tonight?" she asked, her tone casual, but I could sense an undercurrent of something serious.
I shook my head, pulling back slightly to meet her gaze. "Just this. Why? What's up?"
She hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Well, I have an event to attend. A charity gala. I was thinking..."
I perked up, intrigued. "You want me to come with you?"
Her lips curved into a sly smile, and I knew I was in for it. "Only if you promise not to embarrass me."
"Hey! I can dress up!" I protested, my chest puffing out in mock indignation. "I clean up nice."
"Good, because I won't be bringing a dork to this event." Her playful tone was back, but I could see the serious glint in her eyes.
"Alright, but if you embarrass me, I'm kicking you out of the mansion," I warned, leaning in closer.
"Very funny," she muttered, smirking as she walked away. "Just be ready in an hour."
As I dashed into my room, I rifled through my clothes, heart racing. I finally found my tuxedo, slightly wrinkled but still fitting well enough. After getting ready, I took a deep breath and headed downstairs, hoping to impress her.
When I reached the bottom, Sienna turned to face me, and I nearly forgot how to breathe. She was wearing a stunning black dress that hugged her curves perfectly. Her confident stance only amplified her beauty.
"Wow," I breathed, unable to keep the admiration out of my voice. "You look incredible."
"Not bad for a total dork, huh?" she teased, a smirk on her lips.
"Not bad at all." I stepped closer, wanting to close the gap between us. "I might need to step up my game."
"Just don't take too long in the mirror next time," she quipped, a playful spark in her eyes.
As we walked to the car, the air felt charged. The gala was at one of her hotels, a charity event she had been working hard on for weeks. I could see the excitement and nerves fluttering beneath her calm facade.
When we arrived, the buzz of people milling around filled the air, laughter and chatter resonating in the vast space. Sienna took my hand, her grip firm. "Stay close to me, okay? These people can be... annoying."
"Got it," I replied, trying to quell the anxiety bubbling in my stomach. Being out in public like this, especially at an event where everyone would be watching, felt overwhelming. But with Sienna by my side, I felt a little braver.
As we entered the venue, the lights sparkled, and I could see the glint of formal attire everywhere. I felt a bit out of place at first, but when I looked over at Sienna, I saw her confidence radiating.
Throughout the night, I stayed close to her, enjoying the way her hand felt in mine. Every time I glanced at her, she was charming everyone around her, and it made my heart swell with pride.
Then, as we were mingling near the bar, a guy approached us. I recognized him as one of Sienna's business acquaintances, a cocky guy named Mark who always seemed a little too interested in her.
"Hey, Sienna," he said, flashing a grin. His eyes slid over to me, and the smirk faded slightly. "Who's this? Your new little toy?"
I felt a muscle in my jaw tense. "I'm her boyfriend," I said, my voice steady but my heart racing.
"Right," he replied, dismissively. "You might want to keep your distance. Sienna's got a lot on her plate, and it'd be a shame to get in the way."
I glanced at Sienna, who was watching him with an unimpressed look. She stepped forward, her expression unwavering. "Fuck off, Frank," she snapped, her tone dripping with disdain.
"Mark," he corrected, his confidence faltering.
"I don't care," she shot back, crossing her arms. "You're not worth my time or his."
"Seriously, Sienna? You're going to choose this guy over the opportunities I can provide?" He tried to sound persuasive, but the arrogance in his voice only made her more annoyed.
She leaned closer, her eyes narrowing. "Listen, Mark, I don't need your advice or your so-called opportunities. I've built my empire without you, and I can continue doing so. So, back off."
He opened his mouth, probably to argue further, but Sienna cut him off again. "If you bother us again, I'll make sure everyone knows how irrelevant you are in this industry."
With that, she turned her back to him, taking my hand and leading me away. I felt a rush of admiration as we walked, her confidence radiating off her.
"Wow," I said, trying to catch my breath. "That was... intense."
"Necessary," she replied, a small smirk creeping onto her lips. "I don't have time for people like him."
"Thanks for standing up for me," I said, feeling grateful. "You really didn't have to."
"Of course I did. I always have your back," she said, her voice softening. "Now, let's enjoy the rest of the night."
Later, as we stepped outside for a moment of fresh air, I turned to her, the noise of the gala fading behind us. "You were amazing back there."
Sienna smirked, leaning against the wall. "I don't tolerate disrespect. You know that."
"I get that," I replied, my heart still racing from the confrontation. "But seriously, you handled it like a boss."
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze piercing. "That's what you like about me, isn't it?"
"Yeah," I admitted, stepping closer to her. "You're fierce."
As I held her close, the warmth of the moment enveloped us, and I could feel how right it felt to be by her side. Everything in my life had led me to this point, and I knew there would be countless nights like this ahead of us—filled with the occasional chaos but even more laughter.
With Sienna, I was exactly where I belonged.
