Mia Evans, the Front Desk supervisor, approached them with a slight frown as she closed the distance. She is one of Sienna and Riley's best friends.
"Do you know why Angie called us for a meeting at this hour?" she asked, her brows drawn together in confusion.
Sienna exchanged a quick glance with Riley before shaking her head. "No idea," she replied.
It was already five minutes before five. At this time, most people were mentally clocking out, not being summoned into a sudden meeting like students called to the principal's office.
Riley stretched lazily as they began walking toward the meeting room, completely unbothered.
"Maybe Angie wants to buy us drinks," he said casually.
Mia let out a soft laugh. "Impossible," she said. "In all the time I've worked here, I've never seen her buy you... I mean, Us... anything."
Riley nodded seriously, as if agreeing with a tragic truth. "You're right, Mia..." he said. "That's impossible."
Sienna couldn't help but smile as she followed behind them, her earlier tension easing slightly at their usual nonsense.
"But, Riley... maybe Angie finally realized your value. That's why she wanted to treat you to a drink or maybe dinner..." Mia added lightly.
Riley turned to her with sudden hope. "You think so?"
"No, I'm just kidding..." Mia answered right away before laughing again. "I think she'd rather reward the office printer before rewarding you."
Riley's hope disappeared immediately. He put a hand over his chest, acting as if he were wounded. "That printer doesn't even work properly."
"Exactly," Mia chuckled softly and added, "Still more reliable than you."
Sienna shook her head, smiling at their funny conversation roasting Angie.
Although Sienna doesn't like Angie, she can't express her feelings because Angie is the Rooms Division Manager and her direct boss.
'Why does this feel strange?' Sienna wonders as she glances at the meeting room door in the distance, her steps slowing slightly. An uneasy feeling gradually arose as they neared the meeting room.
"You two, can you lower your voices?" Sienna interrupted them. "If Angie hears you both, you'll be rewarded with extra work instead of drinks."
Riley chuckled, "Come on, Sienna... Boss Angie is not that scary."
"Yeah, this time I agree with Riley," Mia added. "She just looks serious."
Sienna was about to respond but paused when she felt goosebumps. Her body tensed as she slowly turned her head.
Standing just behind them were Angie Feliz and Anna.
Anna's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile, her eyes flicking briefly toward Sienna, then Mia.
Angie, however, did not smile. Her expression was calm, but her gaze was sharp enough to cut through their earlier laughter.
The air instantly grew heavy.
Sienna's smile froze. 'Great. What perfect timing.'
"Since everyone seems to have a lot of energy to chat," Angie said coolly, "why don't we bring that energy into the meeting room?"
No one dared to speak.
Riley straightened immediately.
Mia cleared her throat.
And, Sienna forced herself to nod. "Yes, Ma'am."
Angie didn't wait for any more words. She walked past them toward the meeting room, with Anna following close behind, her mocking smile on her lips.
Riley leaned slightly toward Sienna and whispered, "So… about that free drink—"
"Stop the idea, Riley..." Sienna answered and rushed toward the meeting room.
This time, Riley and Mia didn't joke back. They also hurried to follow Sienna.
...
The moment Sienna stepped into the meeting room, she knew exactly why the atmosphere inside was completely different.
It feels quiet, still, and heavy.
Several department heads were already seated around the long table, their expressions serious. No one was chatting. No one was relaxed.
Sienna's steps slowed.
And then—
She saw him.
At the head of the table sat the General Manager of Imperial Hotel, Benjamin Foster. His presence alone was enough to make the room feel smaller.
Benjamin Foster rarely attended meetings at this level unless something important was happening. He sat there calmly, his posture straight, his expression composed. Everything about him spoke of control and authority.
But that wasn't what made Sienna tense. It was the way his eyes found her the moment she entered. His gaze was not brief, not casual, but intentional and eager.
She felt it immediately. That gaze feels too direct. Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides as she forced herself to walk to her seat beside Angie.
'Why is he here? Don't look at him. Just sit down,' Sienna says to herself, trying to stay calm as she settles beside Angie.
Across the table, Riley noticed Sienna's tense expression. His relaxed face subtly shifted. Mia, sitting beside him, also observed the exchange, her brows knitting together almost imperceptibly. Both understood that Benjamin Foster liked Sienna, but not in a proper way.
Sienna sat down quietly, keeping her eyes on the table as if the documents in front of her. She could still feel it. Benjamin's gaze lingered on her, and she hated it because this man was a playboy.
Angie's quiet cough broke the silence, easing the tension immediately.
"Alright...I see that everyone related to this meeting is here," she said professionally. "We can begin now." Her tone was steady, but she felt her posture was awkward and stiff. Her eyes briefly flicked toward Sienna.
Sienna noticed. She chuckled inwardly.
'So it's going to be like this again,' Sienna silently smiled, knowing how Angie disliked her because Benjamin Foster held no affection for Angie.
After a brieft silence, Benjamin finally spoke. "This year's Sterling Capital Management Training will not proceed as originally planned. There's some major change..."
His voice was calm, deep, and controlled. The kind that made people listen without interruption.
"The CEO of Sterling Capital will attend personally."
A soft murmur spread across the room.
Even Sienna looked up slightly in surprise. 'The CEO will attend?'
That hadn't happened before, because she had heard the CEO never attended the training.
"This means," Benjamin continued, "there is no room for mistakes. Sienna, you are the Front Office Manager..."
She straightened and looked him in the eyes, "Yes, sir."
"You will be directly responsible for guest coordination for this event and will also prepare the presidential room for Mr. Sterling during his stay at our hotel."
Sienna was caught off guard. That responsibility felt very important. Usually, Angie would handle this kind of task, but Benjamin had assigned it to her instead.
"Understood," she replied carefully. But, before she could say anything more—
Angie's voice cut in. "I believe that role would be reassessed in a matter of days," she said sharply.
The room fell silent once more.