Chapter 212

Ienna’s lips curved into a radiant smile. Wayne looked so serious–it was a rare side of him, different from his usual easygoing self.

“Wayne, you’ve always been like a brother to me. Besides, I’m really not looking to date anyone right now, and honestly, it’s just not the right time for me,” she said softly.

There were still so many things she wanted to accomplish; romance just wasn’t on her agenda at the moment.

“I understand. I promise I won’t make things difficult for you. Can we just keep things the way they’ve always been? Don’t go out of your way to avoid me, and don’t worry about what others think. I’m not interested in anyone else but you, and whenever you need me, I’ll always be there for you–no conditions, no hesitation,” he said sincerely.

Sienna’s smile faded as she took a sip of her red wine, the smooth, rich cherry flavor she loved.

Her sense of morality held her back for a moment.

“Wayne, I just don’t get it. Why not consider someone else? Maybe you’ll meet a girl who’s truly right for you. Your parents are counting on you as their only son…”

Before she could finish, Wayne interrupted, “Sienna, you are already here. I don’t want to think about anyone else, and it’s not because of them or you. If I can have you, I’m the luckiest man alive; if not, then that’s my fate. Settling for someone I don’t love would trap me in a lifetime of painful responsibility. It’d be torture for both of us. I’d rather put my energy into my career.”

As he spoke, a barely noticeable sadness flickered in his eyes.

“Sienna, do you think I like you because it’s convenient or for some kind of benefit?” he asked, his voice soft but intense.

She never knew that eighteen years ago, he’d fallen for her at first sight. Even as a kid, she was already outshining all the adults around her–a total genius, no question about it.

When he was fifteen, watching her stand at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confidently talking national politics, that was the first time he truly understood what it meant to have his heart skip a beat, to have a stranger haunt his dreams.

And when he found out she was his good-for-nothing little sister’s best friend, he was so happy he couldn’t sleep the whole night.

He spent the whole night scheming how to get her to notice him, even just for a second.

Hearing his question, Sienna paused for a moment. Isn’t it just because it’s practical or convenient? she wondered to herself.

Maybe, deep down, she already had a hunch about the real answer.

“Sienna, I’m not saying this to put any pressure on you. I want you to know, if you ever decide you want to pick someone who’s at least a pretty decent husband, I’m always ready for whatever test you throw at me. I hope you’ll keep me in consideration,” he said sincerely.

Sienna gave him a faint, elegant smile, blooming like a flower on her breathtakingly beautiful face.

“Alright. As you wish, maybe I’ll put you at the top of my list in the future,” she replied with a soft laugh.

“Let me thank you in advance, Miss Enna,” Wayne said with a bright smile, raising his glass to clink it gently against hers.

His eyes were shining with endless affection, as if they could hold a thousand unspoken wants.

“Want to catch a movie?” Wayne suddenly asked after dinner.

“No, Winifred and the others should be home now. Thanks for dinner.”

“Alright, let me drive you back,” he offered.

“Okay,” Sienna replied.

Meanwhile, Thorn was glaring daggers at Wayne as he drove Sienna home, so pissed he nearly ripped the curtain apart.

That damn Wayne Hening bastard, always up to no good, he fumed to himself.

Why hasn’t he been run over by a car yet? Did he drop dead from overworking already?