11 Rosie
Sienna stepped out of her car, the warm rays of early morning sun grazing her face as she climbed the marble steps of the Montgomery mansion. The air was still, almost too quiet, and she let out a sigh, rubbing her stiff neck from the night before.
She pushed open her bedroom door, but froze the second she walked in.
A woman sat on her bed, heavily pregnant, relaxed, and completely at ease, knitting a tiny white sock.
“Rosie?” Sienna’s voice was tight with surprise.
Rosie looked up, her smile warm. “You’re back finally? That’s great!” She rose slowly to her feet, placing the half-finished sock aside. “Where were you last night? Is everything alright?”
Rosie was a striking woman, her blonde hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. Her face was round, glowing with the unmistakable softness of pregnancy. Warm hazel eyes sparkled with an easy confidence, the kind that came from always being the center of attention.
Despite her pregnancy, she moved with the grace of someone who was at ease in her own skin. She wore a loose, pale pink dress that complimented her rounded belly, the fabric flowing gently around her form.
Hearing her words, Sienna’s heart skipped. Her cheeks flushed with heat. Her lips parted for a second before she caught herself. “Yeah. Everything’s fine,” she muttered, waving her hand in the air as if it meant nothing.
“You look tired,” Rosie added, concern softening her tone. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, absolutely,” Sienna shrugged, brushing it off. “I was just working late on a new project at Dad’s office and ended up falling asleep in my chair. My back’s killing me,” she groaned.
Just then, Theo came striding out of the washroom, towel slung over his shoulder, sleeves rolled up. He moved with that lazy confidence that always made people turn twice. His sharp jaw was damp from the shower, and his messy hair clung to his forehead.
He walked straight toward Rosie, offering his hand like a reflex.
“Thanks,” Rosie said softly as she took it.
Theo turned to Sienna. “Your shower was leaking. I took care of it. Sorry we barged into your room without asking.”
Sienna blinked, then laughed lightly. “Please. It’s your house. I’m the guest here, remember?”
Theo chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Is your back still broken?” His tone was teasing, but there was a faint concern in his eyes. “Don’t overwork yourself like that. You’re acting like you’re seventy.”
“You’re already seven months in,” Sienna said with a half-smile, her brows drawn as she stepped farther into the room, eyes drifting to Rosie’s stomach. “Are you two planning to keep this a secret forever, or will you finally make it official and announce your relationship?”
Rosie stiffened slightly at the question. Her hands fidgeted with the edge of the blanket on the bed. Then, she looked up and gave Sienna a soft, apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Sienna. I know this whole thing’s probably a burden for you.” Her voice was gentle, almost tentative. “Have you found someone for yourself?”
“No,” Sienna said flatly, pulling Rosie to sit back on the bed beside her. “I’m planning to die single. Is that going to be a problem?”
That made Rosie laugh, and even Theo cracked up, the warmth between them filling the room.
“You know,” Theo said, leaning closer and patting Sienna on the shoulder, “our contract is almost up. Three years are nearly over. I’ll take care of it. And besides—” he looked at Rosie with a proud, loving gaze, “I’ve made real progress, haven’t I?”
He brushed his hand through Rosie’s hair with affection.
“Back then, my parents didn’t let me marry Rosie just because she was my secretary and didn’t come from a well-known family. But now,” he straightened his spine, voice deeper and steadier. “Now, I’m the CEO. I’ve earned this position. I’m not letting anyone control my life anymore.”
Sienna nodded, a real smile tugging at her lips. “Good. They used to threaten you with the company’s position, but now you’re already holding it in your hands. They can’t take that from you anymore.”
Theo nodded, his eyes still on Rosie, a look of quiet affection and deep love on his face.
***
Adrian entered the Emperor Hotel with a confident stride, the sharp click of his polished shoes echoing in the luxurious, marble-floored lobby. His broad shoulders seemed to fill the space.
The Emperor Hotel stood tall with its glass-and-steel exterior shining under the night sky. Inside, everything was cool and modern. The lobby had dark marble floors, clean lines, and high ceilings with soft, white lighting that gave the space a calm, expensive feel.
Black leather sofas sat neatly around low glass tables, and a quiet waterfall ran along one wall, adding a soft, steady sound to the silence. A scent of cedarwood and fresh linen filled the air—subtle, clean, and refined.
There was no crowd. No noise. Just quiet elegance.
Behind the sleek check-in counter, staff moved with smooth precision, each gesture controlled and polite. Every detail was carefully placed, from the perfectly trimmed indoor plants to the digital art that moved slowly across the walls.
This wasn’t just a hotel.
It was power in silence.
"Sir, Mr. Hall is waiting for you in room number five," Matthew informed him as they walked through the lobby, heading toward the meeting. But Adrian halted mid-step when he saw a familiar figure entering the elevator.
His brow furrowed slightly, the ever-present edge of control in his demeanor sharpening.
It was Sienna’s mother.
“Matthew, what’s Mrs. Donovan doing here?” Adrian asked.
"I'll find out, sir," Matthew responded quickly, already moving toward the reception.
Just minutes later, Matthew returned with an update, his expression tinged with hesitation. "Sir, there's a family meeting in room thirty-one. Mrs. Donovan’s family is here, along with the Montgomerys."
Adrian’s jaw tightened at the mention of the Montgomery family. Just then, Adrian caught sight of Theo and Sienna entering the hotel together. They stopped in the hall, and Sienna turned to Theo with a smile, whispering something to him while adjusting his tie and brushing the wrinkles from his coat.
Adrian’s heart skipped a beat, his body stiffened with agitation. His eyes burned with a mixture of anger and jealousy as he watched them. Without a second thought, he moved quickly, following them.
"Sir, the contract today—it's important. We should—" Matthew tried to stop him.
"Cancel it. It doesn’t matter," Adrian bit out, his voice low, commanding. His focus remained solely on Sienna as he took quick, silent steps, following after her.
He reached the elevator just in time to see the doors close behind Sienna and Theo, and without a second thought, he boarded another elevator to follow them to room thirty-one.
Room thirty-one was more like a private dining hall than a hotel room. The space was wide and open, with high ceilings and tall windows that let in the glow of the city lights. A round dining table stood in the center, covered with a crisp white cloth and lined with polished cutlery, fine plates, and tall glasses that sparkled under the soft ceiling lights.
Elegant chairs were arranged neatly around the table, each one carefully placed. At the far end, waiters stood by quietly, ready to serve. Silver trays of appetizers sat untouched, and bottles of expensive wine rested in ice buckets nearby.
Sienna sat next to her mother, Pamela, a woman whose air of meticulous perfection seemed to match the lavish surroundings. Pamela was as immaculate as ever, her neatly styled bun and expensive, tailored outfit speaking volumes of her wealth and status.
Paintings hung on the walls, soft music played in the background, and the scent of roasted meat and warm bread floated through the air.
It was a space meant for family—but it felt more like a performance.
Sienna sat beside Pamela, who took her hands in hers.
"Sienna, honey, how’s your relationship with Theo? Are you both happy?" Pamela asked with a soft smile, her gaze lingering on her daughter with concern. "I see he takes care of you so well. There were photos all over the news channels! I’m glad to see you both have such a great relationship."
Sienna’s lips curved into a smile. “He takes care of me nicely, Mom. Don’t worry. We have a great relationship.”
Pamela’s gaze shifted toward Theo, sitting across from them. She addressed him with warmth, “Theo, did you make the arrangements for the party today? You were so careful, even taking care of food allergies. That’s such a thoughtful thing.”
Theo grinned as he walked over to them, and refilled Pamela’s glass with wine. "It’s my responsibility, Mom. I want you to be comfortable and happy as much as possible when I’m around."
Adrian stood in the doorway, unseen by them, his gaze locked on the group. His jaw tightened even further, and his eyes narrowed into cold slits. His gaze flicked from Sienna to Theo, the sight of them so close sending an unmistakable surge of anger through him.
He entered the room through the other door. A divider in the middle separated four meeting tables. On one side sat Theo and Sienna’s family, and on the other side, Adrian took a seat directly across from where Sienna sat. Thanks to the divider, they didn’t know he was there or that he could hear everything.
Suddenly, Pamela grabbed Sienna by the arm and quietly pulled her out of the room. Adrian immediately stood too, wanting to follow and get a moment alone with Sienna. But just as he was about to come out of the room, Sienna’s mother stepped out and pulled Sienna aside herself.
A frown formed on Adrian’s face, and he started to back away. But his steps halted the moment he heard Pamela’s words.
Pamela leaned toward Sienna, her voice lowering. “What happened to that ex of yours? Do you still talk to him? Adrian?”
“Mom!” Sienna hissed, pulling at her arm and freeing herself. She looked around quickly to make sure no one had overheard.
As far as Sienna was concerned, she had never publicly dated Adrian. She didn’t want to deal with the ridicule that would come from being associated with him, especially since he was such a prominent figure in the country, and Sienna didn’t match his status at all. But her mother didn’t understand that.
Sienna sighed, gripping her mother’s arm. “Mom, don’t—”
“Sienna,” Pamela interrupted. “Theo is so attentive to you. He’s so helpful. Look at how he’s been helping our family business. Now that he’s growing his own business, he’s benefiting both his company and ours. He’s so polite. You and Theo are a perfect match!”
Adrian, standing outside the door, clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. His body tensed with anger.
“Mom, he’s none of our business anymore. Don’t keep bringing him up. It doesn’t matter. I don’t have anything to do with him anymore.”
Pamela’s frown softened, and she nodded, looking at Sienna with a smile. “I’m happy. It’s good that you don’t have anything to do with him anymore. He was a playboy. I didn’t like him.”
Sienna sighed loudly, a heavy weight settling on her shoulders. "Mom, please... we’re done talking about him."
Pamela continued, oblivious to Adrian’s presence. “Your ex wasn’t worthy of you. Remember that time at this very hotel when you asked Adrian to convince Sean Mendoza for a contract? After you went there, Adrian ruined everything and even threw you out of that room?”
“Mom, it’s all over! Please stop talking about my ex!” Sienna insisted, whining a little as she freed herself from Pamela’s grip. “Please, I need to go to the washroom. I’ll come back to the room soon. Go.”
She pushed Pamela’s shoulders, guiding her back into the room.
Pamela huffed and walked away. Sienna closed her eyes, sighing loudly and looking up at the ceiling. It would have been better if her mom didn’t know about her and Adrian. That way, she wouldn’t have to keep hearing about her ex, even if it was to badmouth him.
She turned around and headed toward the washroom. But just as she took a step inside, someone briskly walked past her, grabbing her hand and yanking her into the washroom.