SWNOVELXO Chapter 9: CHAPTER NINE.
The drive home was quiet, as usual.
But something was different.
Vince, who usually kept his eyes only on the road, glanced at her. Just once.
Sienna noticed.
She held back a smile and decided to test something. "Are you really not mad?"
Vince didn't answer immediately. Then, after a pause, he muttered, "I don't like pests."
Sienna blinked. That was… a response. A full sentence, even.
Encouraged, she tried again. "So, if he bothers me again, what will you do?"
This time, Vince didn't hesitate. "He won't."
His voice was calm, but there was something final about the way he said it.
Sienna felt a shiver—not of fear, but of something else. Protection. Possession. A quiet promise.
She turned to look at him fully. "Vince…"
He glanced at her again, his cold eyes meeting hers.
Then, without a word, he reached forward and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
It was so quick, so smooth, that Sienna barely processed it.
Her heart stuttered.
Vince returned his hand to the wheel, as if nothing happened. "Stop staring."
Sienna turned away quickly, pressing her hands against her cheeks.
He was changing.
Not much. Not obviously.
But she felt it.
By the time they got home, Jason still hadn't arrived.
Sienna kicked off her shoes and stretched. "Jason's late today."
Vince simply nodded, removing his jacket and placing it neatly on the couch. "He has things to do."
Sienna pouted slightly. "And you?"
Vince glanced at her. "Work."
She rolled her eyes. "Of course."
She should've known. Vince was always working, always busy, always pushing himself. It was frustrating.
"Well," she sighed, "you should at least eat first before you go."
Vince checked his watch. "I don't have time."
Sienna crossed her arms. "You always say that."
He said nothing.
She huffed. "Fine, go then. Overwork yourself as usual."
She started walking away, but then—
"Wait."
Sienna stopped. Vince wasn't the type to call her back.
She turned around, surprised. "What?"
He hesitated for a second. Then, in his usual flat voice, he said, "I'll stay."
Her eyes widened. "You… will?"
Vince exhaled, looking away slightly. "Just for a while."
Sienna smiled. "Good."
She went to the kitchen, hiding the small warmth spreading in her chest.
He was changing. Slowly. But he was.
Sienna set the table while Vince sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone. It was rare to see him not drowning in work, and she wasn't going to waste this chance.
"Come eat," she called, placing a plate on the table.
Vince didn't move. "I'm not hungry."
Sienna shot him a look. "You promised to stay. That means you eat."
Vince sighed but got up, walking over with his usual composed steps. He sat down, picked up his fork, and took a slow bite.
Sienna watched him closely.
"You always eat like this?" she asked, resting her chin on her hand.
"Like what?"
"Like a robot."
Vince gave her a blank stare. "I'm chewing, aren't I?"
Sienna laughed. "Barely."
He didn't reply but continued eating.
She decided to push her luck. "Do you always listen to Jason when he tells you to rest?"
Vince didn't even look up. "No."
Sienna rolled her eyes. "Of course."
She leaned forward slightly. "Then why did you listen to me?"
Vince paused. Just for a second. Then he took another bite, chewing slowly.
Sienna smirked. "That's what I thought."
After they finished eating, Sienna cleared the plates while Vince checked his phone. He looked more relaxed than usual—still cold, still distant, but… softer.
She walked back into the living room and sat across from him. "You're not leaving yet?"
Vince didn't look up. "I said I'd stay for a while."
Sienna tilted her head. "Define 'a while.'"
Vince finally looked at her. "Until you stop staring."
Sienna's cheeks heated up. "I-I'm not staring!"
Vince smirked—just slightly—and looked back at his phone.
Sienna's heart skipped.
Maybe he was changing. But what she didn't realize was that, even though he was still working, his presence tonight meant something.
He was here. With her.
And he had chosen to stay.