Sienna was struck by a touch of curiosity and surprise. "Who was it?" she asked.
Unexpectedly, Joe replied, "Meet me in my villa after lunch, I'll tell you."
"Haha," Sienna chuckled, finding it amusing. "Are you keeping me in suspense?"
"Not intentionally," Joe explained. "But let's say 1:30, does that sound good?"
Sienna frowned, checking her watch. "It'll take at least thirty minutes to get to your Landscape Villa."
"No need to go that far," Joe said casually. "I bought a new one on No. 3 Campus Road this morning."
"This... this morning?" Sienna gasped.
"Yeah," Joe confirmed. "I was worried about Allan's unresolved feelings. What if the note was really for ME? I might not be able to stay in the dorm."
"So you bought a villa just in case."
"That's right!"
Shock overwhelmed Sienna, leaving her speechless with disbelief. She had always known that Joe's family was incredibly wealthy, their business consistently ranking at the nation's industrial top tier since Joe and her childhood, never falling below second place, though always second to the Myles.
But purchasing a villa at lightning speed in the most competitive area, namely the campus region, required more than just a hefty sum of cash. It spoke to connections with the most authoritative figures and institutions.
"Well," Sienna thought to herself, "Having such a glorious family history is never just about money, is it?"
"Okay, I'll meet you there. Want me to bring some drinks? Your favorite apple juice, if it's available in the canteen?" Sienna offered cheerfully. Whenever they met to study or discuss something, Joe would need it to clear his mind.
"That would be great! I haven't stocked anything at the new place," Joe exclaimed, feeling grateful that his childhood savior knew him so well.
"See you then!" Sienna hung up and headed back to the Principal's office to speak with her uncle, only to find him already back at his own desk.
"My lady, please allow me at least half a day to compile the list," Mr. Brown said, giving Sienna a slight bow.
Amused, Sienna beamed, "Then I look forward to hearing from you soon," before turning around and walking away.
Mr. Brown stood there, astonished, his back half-bent, his round stomach protruding in mid-air. He had intended to humble himself, hoping to evoke a sense of guilt in Sienna for asking her Uncle, a senior member of the family, to fulfill her request. However, the outcome proved to be quite the opposite, as Sienna accepted his offer with no hesitation.
Sighing, he realized that perhaps this was what he owed her as her uncle. After all, back when he was struggling with both work and love life, it was Sienna who had devotedly pulled him out of the mud.
-
When Sienna arrived at the canteen, a quarter of an hour had already passed since the lunch hour began, and the initial rush of students had already claimed the freshest food and the prime seats. Scanning the room, she spotted a queue with slightly fewer people and promptly joined it.
Even so, it took nearly another quarter for her to reach the front. She purchased a set meal featuring her favorite braised chicken with pepper, rice, and two bottles of the apple juice Joe favored. Balancing the tray, she made her way to a table for four situated in the middle of the room.
This table had a noticeable crack running through its center, and one of the seats was in need of repair. It was clear why no one else had chosen to sit there. But for Sienna, who often dined alone, it made no difference. She placed the tray on the intact side, took a seat, and was just about to take her first bite when she suddenly caught urgent whispers swirling around her.
The whispers grew louder, gradually escalating into a murmuring chorus of open discussion as more and more voices joined in. Alongside the buzzing hum of conversation, heads began to turn in unison, their gazes directed towards the long passage stretching from the entrance to the serving counter and onward to the seating area.
Sienna joined the collective action, following suit and turning her attention in the same direction.
A striking figure cut through the crowd with an effortless ease, his demeanor exuding an aura of confidence that captivated those around him. Each step he took commanded attention, drawing the gazes of onlookers like a magnetic force. His posture was impeccable, shoulders squared, head held high, effortlessly claiming the space around him.
His features were chiseled, boasting a strong jawline and piercing eyes that seemed to focus solely on his destination, oblivious to the world around him.
Even from a distance, Sienna could unmistakably tell that the approaching person was Brandon Myles.
What surprised Sienna, and indeed everyone else in the canteen, was the presence of Brandon Myles. It was widely known that he never ate there and had openly expressed his lack of interest for the cafeteria.
"Maybe he's just here to fetch something," one girl whispered to her friend.
"He's indeed fetching something!" her friend replied, nodding towards the direction Brandon was heading. "The tray!"
"Oh my god!" another student almost dropped his folk. "He's queuing at the counter for food!"
"What is he doing here anyway?" a slightly older student exclaimed in a hushed voice.
"Ah, I see. He's testing if the property his family donates is running properly!" a girl speculated, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Brandon's unexpected appearance even drew the attention of the teachers and professors dining in their staff zone. Among them, one tall, middle-aged man nearly spilled his soup at the sight of Brandon's silhouette.
The middle-aged man was none other than the Director in charge of the canteen, Mr. Arlington. He hadn't received any prior notification that a member of the Myles family, let alone the Heir himself, would be visiting to inspect the premises.
What if the Heir discovered a fault and reported it to Headquarter? What if, in a worst-case scenario, the Heir had heard rumors—perhaps about the Director diverting funds into a personal account?
With these troubling thoughts swirling in his mind, Mr. Arlington began to tremble with every step Brandon took closer.
Just as Brandon seemed to be nearing Mr. Arlington's table, Mr. Arlington sprang up, ready to offer a flattering greeting to the imposing Heir. However, his intentions were abruptly halted when the Heir simply walked straight past him and paused at the cracked table where Sienna was seated.
Their eyes locked, and Brandon couldn't help but notice that Sienna's reaction differed from the surprised or curious expressions of the others in the canteen at his unexpected appearance.
"Yes?" After what felt like an eternity, Sienna finally spoke, raising her head to look at him.
She should have offered a proper greeting, like "hello" or "how are you," but the memory of their earlier encounter today and the scrutiny of countless pairs of eyes in the center of a public place left her momentarily speechless, save for this single word.
"I noticed you have a vacant seat. May I take it?" Brandon asked, his voice barely audible but piercing through the temporary silence that had enveloped the entire canteen.
That did astonish Sienna deeply. "Why?" she blurted out instantly, without even pausing to consider the context.
Brandon found himself at a loss for words. He hadn't thought this through himself. He had simply assumed that since students typically ate in the canteen, Sienna would be there too, so he had come to try his luck. Spotting her immediately upon entering, he had made his way over to her table.
Sensing the oddity of her question and the confusion evident on Brandon's face, Sienna quickly added, "If you want, but be careful. The table might break if you put too much weighty food on it."
Brandon nodded and walked around the table, taking the seat opposite Sienna. Another wave of surprise washed over her as she observed the contents of Brandon's tray - it was filled with vibrant greens: fried asparagus, chopped kale, cucumber salad, sautéed zucchini, and a portion of rice.
Suspicion crept into her mind as she eyed the vegetables, her gaze then shifting to assess Brandon's physique. He had a remarkably well-defined silhouette, with broad shoulders and a trim waist—an unmistakable sign of someone who was both well-fed and physically fit. How did he maintain such a shape with just these greens?
"Here is your stewed beef, Mr. Myles," a female waiter arrived, presenting a bowl that emitted an enticing aroma of delicious cuisine.
Brandon nodded in acknowledgment at it. However, in the next moment, he slid the bowl of beef onto her tray, speaking softly, "This is for you."
Sienna's astonishment peaked. What was Brandon Myles thinking?
The same question echoed in the minds of everyone else present in the canteen, except for Mr. Arlington, who inwardly sighed with relief. It seemed that the Heir of Myles wasn't here to conduct an inspection but rather to enjoy a date with a girl.
Yes, it must be a date, Mr. Arlington affirmed to himself. After all, no subtle gesture would escape his notice—a man who had witnessed countless similar encounters as the veteran in realm of dining.