Chapter 18: Famished

Thomas smiled, "Miss Qing handpicked the lotuses to prepare fresh tea for the old master. I was afraid that she would catch a cold so I made arrangements for her to freshen up."

"Oh?" The old man raised a brow as he looked at the tea, then glanced outside at the stormy weather before looking at his grandson.

Callahan looked back at the man with a clueless gaze, "What is it?"

"Nothing," the old man cleared his throat as he picked the cup and took a small sip. His expressions relaxed a little.

Butler Thomas leaned in, "Old Master, does it suit your taste?"

"Hmm. Bearable."

In the Master Bedroom, Sienna had just freshened up and changed into a fresh pair of clothes when there was a knock on the door.

It was Butler Thomas who informed her that Callahan’s grandfather had already left the Magnolia Crest premises, which relieved Sienna a little because it meant that Callahan was able to handle this matter with his grandfather peacefully.

Butler Thomas told her that Callahan was waiting for her downstairs. She asked him what the matter was but the man simply said that he did not know, which left her further intrigued.

Sienna informed the man that she would be there in a moment. She stood in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection as the events of the night ran through her head.

After a few minutes, Sienna squared her shoulders and let out a breath.

By the time she walked out of the Master bedroom, she looked fully calm and composed, as if none of the events of the night had fazed her.

Yet when she reached the living room, her footsteps slowed.

The place was enveloped in the comforting warmth of the cackling fireplace.

Callahan stood in the center of the living room, facing the staircase with one hand tucked in his pockets.

And in front of him, there was a small chocolate cake sitting on a coffee table with a candle burning atop it.

Realizing what it was, Sienna froze completely.

"Happy Birthday."

As she walked towards him, her throat felt a little dry. There was a strange emotion swelling up in her chest. At some part of the day, she had forgotten that it was her birthday.

Callahan was the last person whom she expected to remember it.

"Thank you," the words came softer than she expected them to.

She cleared her throat and walked around the table.

As she absent-mindedly bent down to blow the candle, locks of her hair swooped forward.

Sienna flinched but before her hair could touch the flame, she felt a firm yet gentle grip around her hair, "Careful."

Callahan was holding her hair while she was bending forward to blow the candle.

What would have looked like a sweet moment to others, gave goosebumps to Sienna.

’What’s wrong with me? I have never been this clumsy...’

Sienna blamed everything on the cursed night and cut the cake before she offered a slice to Callahan, "Oh, you don’t like sugary stuff..."

She had just started to retract her hand when the man suddenly grabbed her wrist and took a small bite of the cake, "Have you been investigating me, Mrs. Hawke?"

Sienna opened her mouth to utter some poisonous words in response, but in the end, she looked at the birthday cake and choked on all the bitter words she had mustered.

Just as she started to pull her hand back, Callahan held her wrist tighter as he glanced at the cut on her palm.

His eyes wandered off to her fingertips that had turned a deep shade of red since she went out to get the lotus.

"In the future, don’t do it," He looked solemn as he said it, as if he was saying it like a little warning.

Sienna pointed at the cut before looking at her fingertips, "Which one?"

"Both."

Sienna fell silent for a moment before she suddenly asked, "Do you think I was ruthless today?"

He glanced at her face and released her hand, "Why would you say so?"

Sienna folded her legs on the couch, curling up slightly as she ate the cake while Callahan sat on the opposite side, pouring wine for the both of them.

"I did not consider their reputation or the fact that it was a big night for them. Everything I said earlier, and everything I did, I meant it and I still don’t regret my actions," Sienna paused.

"In fact, I had a hunch my father would do something like this so I acted in advance, and schemed my way through this contract marriage between us,’’ she added.

Sienna downed the entire glass of wine before pouring herself another one.

"I believe in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If you are not ruthless to them, you would be ruthless to yourself. You are not meant to center your life around others," Callahan said calmly.

He paused, "We got married but you have been lying low, which means that despite your wariness, you hoped that your father would make the right decision and prove you wrong."

She looked at him in surprise, clearly not expecting such an unusual response from him.

’Grrr’

The sound shattered the ambience in the living room.

Sienna was momentarily embarrassed, "I haven’t eaten anything properly the entire day. I am... famished."

"Come over," Callahan placed the wine glass down as he walked to the kitchen.

Sienna followed him, a little unsteady in her steps, "Thomas said that Aunty Jane left earlier. Do they not stay here?"

"They do. Occasionally."

Sienna watched as the man removed his suit jacket and folded the sleeves of his shirt, revealing his forearms.

"Then... you stay alone?" For a moment, her words drawled as her gaze lingered on his forearms.

"Mostly."

The golden watch on his wrist, the signet ring on his fingers and the visible veins... everything seemed to make the hand look even sexier.

Whether it was because of the heat in the kitchen, or the wine in her body, Sienna felt a little warm...