5. PRETENDING?

Chapter 5

Sienna POV

I lost my balance, staggering backward, but before I could fall, my father caught me.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I swallowed hard, unable to speak. Sweat was already forming on my forehead.

I looked up at him. His face was blank, like he had never seen me before.

He walked closer to us and smiled at my father.

"Mr. Williams, welcome," he said, then glanced at me. My heart jumped violently. "Is this your daughter?" he asked.

He reached out his hand to me with a polite smile. "Nice meeting you."

I took his hand with my trembling fingers, trying to act normal. "Nice meeting you, sir," I replied quickly, pulling my hand back as fast as I could.

"That's your fiancé. I hope your dad has told you about it?" His deep, sexy voice rolled out again.

"What's your name?" he asked, but I was no longer in the room. My brain was spinning in the dizzy heat of his presence.

"Sienna," my dad answered for me, snapping me back into reality.

I held my breath, avoiding Lorenzo’s eyes, though I could feel them burning into mine.

"Sienna Williams," I said, forcing the words out as I looked at my so-called husband-to-be.

"I'm Noah Romano," the guy beside me said with a wide grin, looking like he was thrilled to be getting married.

I managed a stiff, awkward smile.

Then the man, looked at me. "I'm Lorenzo. But they call me Don."

I nodded quickly, too stunned to breathe. Did he really not recognize me?

Why do I feel like he should?

Why does it sting that he doesn’t?

“Sienna,” my father's voice pulled me back again. “Why are you so distracted? What are you thinking?” he hissed quietly.

"Nothing," I smiled stiffly.

I glanced at Lorenzo again. Our eyes locked. I nearly sank into the floor.

“Noah, take your fiancée around the house and show her around. I need to speak with Mr. Williams,” Lorenzo said and walked away with my father. Something twisted inside me.

He doesn’t remember? Really?

“Sienna, let’s go,” Noah’s voice called.

I turned to him and gave a small nod, following behind.

"This is the center room," he said as we stepped into a space filled with computers and glowing screens. People sat everywhere, eyes locked on their stations.

“I heard you're a computer guru, so I thought you’d like to see this first,” he added.

"Huh? How do you know I know about computers?" I asked.

“Your dad told me,” he replied, still not looking at me.

Well, he’s not wrong. I was a hacker. Studied computer science. Learned a lot—more than enough.

“Guys!” he shouted suddenly. “This is my wife!”

Everyone turned, voices rising in playful cheers. I felt a rush of heat crawl up my neck but gave a nervous, fake smile anyway.

“Kai,” Noah called, and a guy with chiseled features looked up from a corner surrounded by four screens.

“Here’s your rival,” Noah grinned at him.

“I’m not that good,” I said quickly, brushing it off and stepping out of the room. I exhaled sharply the second I left.

What kind of husband am I getting stuck with?

Am I really a bride—or just a pawn in their game?

The moment my dad told me I was marrying his boss’s son, I knew there had to be a reason. A deal. A move.

And now here it is.

I scoffed under my breath at the thought.

Then—Lorenzo flashed in my mind. I forced the image away.

I shouldn’t be thinking about my father-in-law.

“Sienna,” Noah called again. “Let’s go to the training center.”

“No. Some other day,” I replied quickly. “I’ve seen enough.”

With that, I turned and headed for the sitting room—and stopped short. My dad and Lorenzo were already there. My stomach dropped. I wanted to turn around, but they’d already seen me.

"Come sit down, Sienna," Lorenzo said.

My heart slammed inside my chest. The way he said my name—Sienna—like it rolled off his tongue naturally.

I pulled myself together and sat. Noah joined me, sitting close.

“So, your wedding will take place next week,” my father said casually.

"What!" I gasped, eyes wide. “Isn’t that too early?”

He could be calculating, but this? I didn’t expect him to throw me into marriage so fast.

“What? Do you have a problem with that?” Lorenzo asked smoothly, calm but cold.

His voice sent a full-body shiver racing through me. My lips parted, but no words came.

Why does he sound so damn sexy when he speaks?

“You okay?” Noah nudged me.

“Yes... I’m okay,” I stammered.

“No, you’re not. You’re sweating.” He reached out like he was going to touch my forehead.

I jerked back instantly. “I’m fine, please,” I snapped.

His hand dropped, and silence settled. I glanced at Lorenzo. He was still watching me.

Does he really not remember me?

Or is he pretending?

But why would he pretend?

I met my father's eyes. He was glaring at me. I knew I’d messed up by pushing Noah’s hand away.

Then Lorenzo stood and walked toward me. My pulse thundered in my ears.

“Do you have a fever?” he asked, placing his hand gently on my forehead.

My pussy clenched tight at the feel of his hand on me.