Chapter 731: Chapter 702: Love in a Parallel Universe [024]
The person caught up with them, glanced at their clasped hands, and asked with a cheerful smile, "Aren’t you going to introduce this pretty lady to me?"
Simon Forrester ignored the comment, holding Sienna Thorne’s hand and heading straight out, walking faster than usual. As they were about to reach the car, Sienna turned her head and smiled awkwardly at him.
The person gestured a drinking motion to her with a grin, "I’m Jack Hawthorne. Next time, bring Jules and come have dinner with the gang."
At this moment, Simon opened the car door for the passenger seat. Sienna smiled and nodded at Jack before getting in.
Simon closed the passenger door, turned around, and talked to Jack. His expression remained neutral, revealing neither joy nor anger, but he allowed Jack to place a hand on his shoulder. After chatting for a while, Simon smiled, showing his neat and white teeth.
During their conversation, he glanced at Sienna sitting in the car, patted Jack on the shoulder, and quickly got in the vehicle.
As the car started, he said, "Let’s go watch a movie."
"Okay."
The sports car sped away from Skylight Gardens, racing towards the CBD.
Seeing Sienna silent and lost in thought, Simon freed a hand to hold hers, and asked with a smile, "What kind of movie do you want to watch?"
"Let’s decide after we get there."
"Alright." Simon tightened his grip on her hand.
She didn’t say much afterward, hoping Simon might bring up the person from earlier. This was her first time meeting someone familiar to Simon.
The afternoon sun shone brightly through the windshield, bathing them in warmth. Elegant instrumental music played softly in the car, making the atmosphere feel relaxed and leisurely.
Simon was focused on driving with few words spoken, making the setting less awkward.
But Sienna felt unsettled inside.
As a track ended, amidst the brief silence, she turned her head towards Simon and hesitantly asked, "Was that person your friend earlier?"
"Yes, Jack is the CEO of both Hawthorne and Stellair Airlines. Mooncrest is one of Hawthorne’s projects."
Sienna felt disappointed and didn’t pursue the conversation further.
Simon had no intention of introducing her to his friends. When Jack asked for an introduction earlier, Simon said nothing and just brought her into the car, only chatting with Jack afterward.
Sienna felt sad and her mood was low.
As a result, later when they watched a movie and strolled around the mall, she was not in the right mind, feeling a sense of loss.
Simon, however, remained considerate as always, holding her hand throughout, allowing her to choose the movie, and letting her rest her head on his shoulder. When she got thirsty but didn’t want a soda during the movie, he specifically went out to buy her mineral water.
He truly treats her well, but why doesn’t he introduce her to his friends as his girlfriend...
During dinner, Simon noticed her unhappiness, mistook it for fatigue, and simply had dinner before taking her home.
The car stopped at the Thorne Family villa entrance. Worried about Quentin seeing them, Simon intentionally parked where it could be shielded by the garden wall.
The enclosed car space was suitable for conversation, and also for some intimate actions.
Sienna sat with her head bowed, hands twisted together, still waiting for Simon to say something.
In the next moment, she heard Simon unbuckling his seatbelt followed by a gentle electric motor sound, and then she was embraced by him.
Simon kissed her hair, gently asking, "Are you very tired?"
She shook her head, wanting to ask why he didn’t introduce her to his friends, but fearing even asking would hurt her dignity... She remained silent in his embrace, listening to his soft voice comforting her.
"Get some rest early tonight, tomorrow is a workday." He cupped her face and planted a kiss on her forehead, "I’ll call you when I get home."
"Okay."
He asked again, "How do you usually commute to work?"
"Normally the subway, but if I oversleep I either take a cab or my dad drives me."
"Do you have a driver’s license?"
She nodded her little head.
He chuckled, "What kind of car do you like?"
"Nothing in particular."
He laughed at her response, patting her back, "Alright, go in and rest early."
Though he said this, he didn’t let her go immediately. Instead, he cupped her face again, rested his forehead against hers, and gazed at her with eyes full of tenderness for a long moment. Then, he gently kissed her delicate nose before getting out of the car and opening the door for her.
It was freezing outside, the winter wind was harsh. Upon exiting from the warm car, Sienna shivered from the cold.
Simon quickly went to her, wrapped her in his arms so that most of her body was shielded, and walked her swiftly to the garden iron gate.
She turned to him with a smile, "I’ll head in now; drive safely home and call me when you arrive."
"Alright, you go inside quickly."
Sienna opened the gate, turning back to wave at him briefly before heading towards the front door. Just before entering the house, she turned back to look at him; he was still standing outside the gate, waving back at her with a smile.
She picked up her phone and sent him a voice message, "It’s so cold, get back in your car quickly. Don’t catch a cold." After sending it, she waved at him once more before heading inside.
Quentin Thorne and Melinda Linton were watching TV in the living room. She greeted them briefly and retreated to her room quickly.
She knew why she felt bad but was clueless on how to cheer herself up.
She couldn’t very well start an argument with Simon over this and demand he introduces her to everyone, one by one.
Simon clearly isn’t the type to do something foolish like that. Even if he agreed to please her, what good would it do? Would it really make her happy?
She knew she shouldn’t dwell on such trivial matters; it would not only negatively impact their relationship but also upset her. Yet, when things happen and emotions hit, she can’t help herself.
Today could have been a sweet date, but her sour mood ruined it.
Sigh.
Sienna hurriedly showered and came out, lying on the bed and staring off into space while waiting for Simon’s call.
From the moment she entered the house, not even half an hour had passed; Simon must still be on the road. While waiting, she became restless and irritable, eventually deciding to message Maeve for words of comfort.
"If a couple goes out to eat, and they bump into the guy’s friend but the guy doesn’t want to introduce the girl’s identity, why?" She hadn’t told Maeve about her own relationship yet, claiming she was asking for a friend.
Maeve was likely out for the evening; it took her five minutes to respond with a voice message, "Why else? The guy isn’t serious! If he were serious about the relationship and marriage, he’d definitely introduce her to his friends! Not introducing is purely to avoid explaining to friends when they break up; he never intended for her to enter his inner circle..."
Sienna was taken aback, her hand shook and the phone fell off the bed.
Her entire being turned blank; her mind failed to grasp the situation momentarily.
Maeve voiced the possibility she was unwilling to admit; she’d always reassured herself, Simon was so gentle and attentive, devoted time to her, how could he possibly just be messing around with no plans for commitment?
Yet she overlooked the fact that Simon had only given her gentleness, care, and time, which wasn’t enough to build a sense of security for her, causing her to cling to these points for reassurance, seeking a semblance of security.
But the security built by only one person isn’t enough; security standing alone is like an illusory mirage, ready to vanish into thin air at any moment.
