However, this time the silence no longer felt awkward.

Earlier, every pause between their conversations had made Sienna overthink herself into another dimension.

But now, strangely enough, the silence felt easier, almost as though neither of them minded simply staying on the line a little longer.

Sienna rested her head against the back of the sofa and allowed her thoughts to drift ahead without permission.

What should she cook this weekend?

Skylar liked almost everything she made, which honestly still shocked her a little. The boy ate her food with the enthusiasm of someone discovering happiness for the first time.

’Maybe I should make cream pasta? No... wait. Children usually love fried chicken more.’

Sienna smiled at her own thoughts, but they slowly faded as her attention shifted to Zachary.

’Should I make a warm soup? No. Soup is simple, but it sounds too plain...’ She nods, agreeing with her own thoughts.

"Sienna, I’m sorry..."

Zachary’s voice suddenly pulled her out of her spiraling thoughts.

Immediately, she straightened on the sofa. Her fingers tightened slightly around the phone.

"Zach, why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"

For a moment, Zachary did not answer immediately. It took a few more seconds before he said, "I didn’t reply to your text."

Sienna blinked slowly. Almost instantly, her memory returned to the message she had sent several days ago.

"Oh..." she murmured quietly. "About the money..."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly as she leaned back again.

"I just wanted to make sure you didn’t transfer it by accident," she explained carefully, trying very hard to sound casual despite the awkwardness slowly creeping into her chest again. "I mean... maybe you accidentally added extra zeros..."

"Is it not enough? I can transfer again—"

Sienna’s eyes widened instantly, and she sat upright so fast she nearly dropped the phone.

"No!" she blurted out immediately. "No, no—that’s not what I meant, Zach."

A gentle laugh came from the other end of the line.

Sienna frowned at the wall ahead of her. ’Wait. Why did he laugh?’

"Excuse me, are you trying to tease me?"

"I am," he admitted calmly.

For some reason, that only made Sienna more flustered. Because the image of calm, composed, emotionally untouchable Zachary making dry jokes over the phone at nearly midnight somehow felt unfairly attractive.

"I almost had a heart attack. I thought you would send me more money," she complained weakly, pressing her free hand to her chest.

"You’re exaggerating."

"I’m not exaggerating," she defended herself immediately. "Do you know how terrifying rich people’s bank transfers are? I opened the notification and nearly started praying."

Another soft laugh escaped him.

This time, slightly clearer than before.

And somehow, hearing it made warmth spread slowly through her chest.

"I’m serious, Zach..." she continued quickly before her thoughts betrayed her further. "That amount is huge for me."

"I’m sorry to shock you, but that’s your bonus."

Her lips curled into a faint smile. "There’s no way that’s a normal bonus."

"It is for me."

"Well, congratulations on terrifying ordinary citizens."

That earned another quiet laugh from him.

Sienna stared at the ceiling while shaking her head lightly.

"Seriously, Zach..." she said more quietly after a moment. "You really didn’t need to give me that much."

Her fingers lightly pressed into the fabric of the sofa beside her.

"I didn’t deserve it." She continued.

"You deserved it." His response came immediately, sounds firm, completely unwavering.

The confidence in his voice silenced her instantly.

Sienna was unsure how to respond to someone who sounded more convinced of her worth than she herself had ever been.

A quiet silence settled between them again afterward.

Then Zachary spoke once more, his tone gentler now.

"Sky likes anything you cook for him."

Sienna’s expression softened immediately.

"And," he added after a brief pause, "he likes you very much."

There it was again, the warmth that slipped into her chest. A smile bloomed on her lips.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Zachary exhaled softly.

"Sienna, it’s late," he said gently. "You should rest."

"Hmm... You are right."

"Good night, Sienna."

The way he said her name felt unfairly intimate for such a simple sentence.

"Good night..." she replied quietly.

The call ended.

Sienna slowly lowered the phone from her ear.

For several long seconds, she simply stared at the dark screen in silence, almost expecting it to light up again.

But it did not.

The apartment returned to its usual quietness.

She remained sitting there on the sofa, her thoughts slowly drifting in every possible direction at once.

Warmth lingered stubbornly in her chest, impossible to ignore, no matter how hard she tried to pretend otherwise.

"What is wrong with me? Why do I feel like this..."

She whispers, pressing a hand over her chest to try to calm her heartbeat.

"This is bad! Sienna, are you seriously starting to fall for him? No. Please stop thinking about it."

After sitting there for another minute doing nothing productive, Sienna finally stood from the sofa.

Her movements were slower now, calmer. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

However, as she walked toward her bedroom, her thoughts drifted once again—not toward the bonus this time, but toward the upcoming weekend.

Sienna could picture Skylar happily sitting at her tiny dining table. And Zachary was standing awkwardly in her small kitchen, barely enough space for two people to stand comfortably without bumping elbows.

The image of their skin touching made her stomach twist strangely. She was certain the strange feeling was not disgust, but it felt good.

She stopped at her bedroom doorway, then suddenly turned around to properly inspect her apartment.

Then she froze.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh no—" Her words escaped her lips as her gaze landed on the unfolded laundry on the chair. The random instant noodle cup is still sitting near the sink.

"...I have three days," she whispered seriously.

A pause followed.

Then she narrowed her eyes with determination.

"This apartment will enter military-level cleaning mode tomorrow."

Still, despite the growing panic, a helpless smile slowly returned to her face.