CHAPTER 100: CHAPTER 99: WANT TO TRY DATING AN ARCHITECT?

Nina Sinclair walked over and handed the laptop back to Simon Forrester.

Simon nodded, "Take care on your way back." He was carrying some packed desserts, intending to head home.

However, Nina didn’t walk in the opposite direction; instead, she caught up with him, and while walking alongside him, asked, "Cyrus, can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"Are you really living with Lawyer Thornton? Are you two in a romantic relationship?"

Simon halted his steps, turned his head to look at Nina, his gaze cold. After a moment, he said expressionlessly, "Those are two questions; I refuse to answer."

With that, he quickly turned a corner into the elevator lobby, took the mall elevator, then transferred to another elevator to go home.

Upon entering the house, he saw Sienna Thornton and Maeve watching an American drama in the living room. Sienna had her head resting on Maeve’s shoulder, her arm affectionately around Maeve’s waist.

Simon’s eyes flickered slightly, he changed into slippers, and gently placed the paper bag he was holding on the coffee table, "I brought some Starbucks desserts."

Sienna leaned over at the sound, immediately opened the bag, and after seeing what was inside, exclaimed happily, "This is all my favorite!"

Maeve eyed her and chuckled, "Didn’t you just have ramen? You’re eating dessert now? You’ll get fat."

"Mmm," Sienna picked up a piece of cheesecake and cautiously tasted it, "It’s not bad!" With that, she held it out to Maeve, who took another bite from where she had eaten.

Maeve was planning to stay with Sienna for three days, so Simon intended to stay at the design studio for three days, as it was rather inconvenient with an unfamiliar girl at home.

And there was news regarding Maeve’s investigation.

Maeve was from Z City, from a wealthy family, but her mother died early, and her father remarried, leaving her feeling like an outsider at home. After graduating from Z University, she started her journey in Beijing; at first, she wrote folk songs for artists, later becoming an independent singer due to her striking appearance. Two years ago, Mr. Lester passed away, and she inherited a small amount, which she used to buy a plot of land on the outskirts of South Bay.

Simon recalled that when Sienna first invited him to design the main building of a guesthouse, she mentioned the project site was outside of South Bay. It must be that Maeve was the owner of that plot of land.

These weren’t issues; the major problem was that Maeve was closeted.

The thing Simon feared the most had happened.

As soon as he read the investigation report, he immediately returned to the apartment. Seeing only Sienna at home, he asked, "Where’s your friend?"

"Maeve?" Sienna put the folded clothes into the suitcase, "She had a last-minute schedule and left at noon."

"Are you packing?"

"Yeah," Sienna closed the fully-packed suitcase, pushed it aside, and then stood up, saying, "I’m getting my cast taken off tomorrow morning, planning to move back in the afternoon."

"Where are you moving to?"

Sienna smiled, "Back to my own house! The front door’s been replaced, no one can break in now! It’s really safe; don’t worry!"

With that, she walked over, placed her hand on the door handle, and smiled at Simon, "I want to sleep now; need to go to the hospital early tomorrow."

"I’ll go with you tomorrow..." Before he could finish, the door closed.

Simon sighed deeply, initially intending to knock again, but his hand froze in mid-air.

She’s avoiding it.

The timing isn’t right. Forget it.

Returning to his room, he thought of Sienna moving out the next day and was unable to sleep all night. He came up with dozens of excuses to make her stay, but eventually dismissed them all as too awkward.

...

The following day, Simon got up early, since Sienna hadn’t expressed whether she wanted company for the hospital visit, so he got up early, prepared breakfast, and waited for her in the dining area.

The result was that the one who said she’d leave early for the hospital was, as usual, still in bed past nine, looking as if she hadn’t fully woken up.

Seeing her ambling dazedly around the house, Simon was both amused and exasperated, "Come over for breakfast."

"Hmm?" Apparently not expecting him to still be home, Sienna was surprised for a moment, then asked, "What time is it? Why haven’t you gone to work yet?"

"I’m taking you to the hospital," Simon replied nonchalantly, "But didn’t you say you were going early today? Why sleep until now?"

"The appointment’s at eleven."

"..." She really was avoiding.

After breakfast, Sienna lingered in her room for quite some time, until nearly running late, she begrudgingly came out with a displeased look.

The two entered the elevator one after the other, both silent, making the atmosphere awkwardly quiet.

Sienna stared at the changing numbers, her exterior calm but her heart a tumult.

Because as soon as the elevator doors closed, Simon had taken her hand. She tried to pull away but was held tighter.

The elevator descended slowly.

"Sienna," Simon suddenly called softly.

Sienna was startled; it was the first time Simon had addressed her by name. Although calling her full name seemed a bit rude, his pleasant voice made it less offensive.

Coming back to her senses, she feigned surprise, her clear eyes meeting Simon’s deep gaze in the reflective elevator wall, asking, "What’s up?"

Simon: "How many relationships have you been in?"

Sienna dodged the question, asking instead, "Why do you want to know?"

Simon gazed deeply at her, suddenly smiling, "Can’t you see I’m interested in you?"

Sienna was shocked and wary, just as she was thinking about how to respond, there was a "ding," and the elevator doors slowly opened.

Composing herself, she said, "Let’s talk about it outside."

The two got into the car, Simon still as considerate as ever, opened the car door for her, and placed the crutches in the trunk.

The car left the parking lot and drove a long distance, Simon jokingly asked, "Ever dated an architect?"

Sienna thought: Oh no, seems like there’s no escaping today.

She picked at a hangnail, using a smile to mask her nervousness, "I’ve never dated an architect."

Simon chuckled helplessly, unsure whether to be pleased their relationship was about to progress, or regretful.

Her underlying meaning was that she hadn’t dated an architect, but had dated other professionals. Simon sighed at his own greed, hoping such an amazing woman would have a clean slate in terms of romantic history.

But her past romances weren’t anything he found difficult to accept. Before meeting him, she didn’t live for him, encountering someone who made her heart flutter and entering a relationship was perfectly normal.

He had a clear understanding of love.

He turned to glance at Sienna.

The early winter sunlight filtered through the windshield, gently spilling over Sienna’s face and body, making her appear particularly gentle and elegant.

Simon’s heart warmed. Returning his gaze to the road ahead, he asked, "Do you want to try with an architect?"