I was still in my pajamas when the call came in.
The ringtone jolted me out of a half _ distracted soul through a book blog, and when I saw the name flash across the scene_ Dad_ I sat up straighter.
"Hi, Daddy," I answered, voice soft.
"Sienna," came his deep, familiar voice. " Good morning, sweetheart. Are you busy."
I blinked. "Not really. Why?"
"I need a quick favor. One of my assistant messed up a file delivery, and I've got a meeting later today. There's a printed proposal waiting in my office _ I need you to pick and drop it off at Damson company. It's urgent."
I froze.
Damson.
Damian's company.
"You need me to drop it off?" I said slowly.
"Yes. It's simple_ just hand it over at the reception desk and leave. No meetings, no delays."
I hesitated . Every cell in my body screamed no. Absolutely not.
"I don't know, Dad...
"Sienna, It's just paperwork. And it's a professional request. You won't even see anyone important. The CEO isn't going to be loitering around the lobby.
My stomach twisted. "Still...."
"I trust you with it. And it'll only take twenty minutes of your day." He softened his tone. "Please. I won't ask if it wasn't important."
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
The logical part of me knew he was right. Damian was a CEO. He probably spent his entire day locked in an office or shouting in meetings. There's no reason I'd run into him.
I could be in and out.
Fast and clean.
Strictly business.
"No problem," I said finally, forcing smile into my voice. "I'll take care of it."
"Thank you, sweetheart. I owe you."
He hung up.
And I sat there for a long moment, staring blankly at the wall.
Damson company.
Of all places.
Of all the CEOs in New York.
Of course it had to be him.
Thirty minutes later, the towering glass structure of Damson company loomed over me like a warning.
I hadn't been inside the building for years. Not since..... before everything fell apart.
But now, I stood at the entrance, clutching the slim envelope containing my father's proposal like it was a live wire.
You won't even see anyone important, he said.
I inhaled sharply and stepped through the revolving door.
The lobby was sleek and intimidating _ polished marble floors, high ceilings, sharp lines and the kind of silence that hummed with power. Everything about it screamed wealth and control.
I walked up to the front desk, fixing a polite, professional smile on my face.
"Hi, I'm here to drop this off on behalf of Mr. Blake. It's for Mr. Cole's team." I said, placing the file gently on the counter.
The receptionist glanced at the label, then typed something quickly. "Ah, yes. This needed to be handed directly to the project manager assigned to the prosopal. Mr. Easton. He's on the twelfth floor."
My stomach tightened. "I was told I could leave it at the front desk."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. He needs to receive it personally. It's a high_ priority handoff." She smiled. You can take elevator B. He's expecting the file.
Great.
The proposal was delivered without incident.
Exactly how I wanted it.
The project manager _ Mr. Easton _ took the envelope from my hands with a curt nod and a distracted thank you. No questions. No delays.
I made my way back to the lobby, keeping my head high and my pace even, though my nerves still simmered beneath the surface.
At the front desk, the receptionist gave me a polite smile.
"Thank you for delivering the file," she said warmly.
"Thank you," I echoed, both of us speaking at once.
I smiled faintly, shook my head, then turned to leave.
I never noticed the sound of polished shoes hitting the marbles behind me.
Never felt the weight of his stare burning into my back.
Never saw the way Damian Hart paused mid_ stride just outside the executive elevator, his personal assistant speaking beside him, oblivious.
He's been on his way out_ headed for a high stakes meeting that had his entire morning blocked off.
But when he caught sight of the woman across the lobby _ her walk, her hair, the tilt of her face_ he stilled.
Sienna.
She didn't even see him.
Didn't even glanced his way.
She walked out of the building, calm and composed, completely unaware.
And Damian watched her go_ silent, unmoving.
His assistant finally turned, confused. "Sir? we'll be late."
Damian's jaw flexed once. "Let's go."
And just like that, the doors closed behind them both.