The next morning arrived faster.

Sienna was already in the kitchen, moving with quiet energy as she prepared breakfast and warm drinks for their little adventure.

Early this morning, she was not dressed as a chef. She wore yoga pants, a snug white hoodie, and sneakers better suited for walking than standing in a kitchen. A black baseball cap sat neatly on her head, holding her hair in place.

"You look different—"

Sienna was stunned to hear Zachary’s voice behind her. She turned and saw him standing there, holding sunglasses, his gaze briefly scanning her outfit.

"A good difference? Or a worrying difference?"

He considered it before responding.

"...Look prepared for the adventurer."

She can’t help but smile. "Alright, I’ll take that as a compliment."

At the same time, Skylar appeared right behind him, his eyes lighting up the moment he saw her. "Aunty Sienna, you are coming with us, right?"

"I am," she answered him with a warm smile.

"Hooray! I’ve already been waiting for this day. Aunty, you need to see my expedition." Skylar said excitedly.

Zachary sighed softly. "It’s not an expedition, Sky."

"It is, Dad—" Skylar insisted.

Sienna glanced between them, then leaned slightly toward Zachary.

"I think we should let the expert Skylar lead this expedition," she whispered.

Zachary shook his head. "Oh, no, Skylar now has more votes than I. Why do I regret inviting you...!?"

Sienna gasped, amused by his expression.

"Well, Zach, you can’t remove me from this expedition now," she said, her tone playful and teasing.

"You are right..." Zachary responded softly. "We need to go now," he said, then walked.

Sienna took the container bag filled with their breakfast, holding it securely in one hand as she followed Zachary to the back door.

Skylar, of course, had already rushed ahead of them, his excitement far too big for something as simple as walking at a normal pace.

The moment Sienna stepped outside, the cool morning air brushed against her face, instantly waking her up more than any cup of coffee could.

She followed Zachary toward the off-road vehicle, her steps steady but her gaze occasionally drifting around, taking in the quiet beauty of the place she hadn’t fully appreciated before.

However, before they reached the car, Zachary slowed his pace slightly. Just enough to match hers.

"Let me carry that," he said, gesturing toward the container bag.

Sienna didn’t argue. Not because she was tired, but because, at that exact moment, her attention had already been stolen by the sight ahead.

However, Sienna’s step slowed when she saw Skylar already sitting comfortably in the back row, which meant she would be sitting in the front, next to Zachary.

She hurried over to Skylar with a slight, hopeful smile.

"Sky, the view from the passenger seat is beautiful..." Sienna said casually, as if the idea had just crossed her mind, "You should sit in the front."

It was a gentle suggestion from her, a polite attempt to avoid sitting next to Zachary. Unfortunately, she forgot how observant Skylar truly was.

"Aunty Sienna... no... no..." Skylar replied, shaking his head with calm confidence. "I’ve seen the scenery many times. As for Aunty Sienna, this is your first time, so it’s fine... You can enjoy the scenery. There’s no need to feel bad."

Sienna could only smile, unable to change this little boss’s decision.

"Thank you, Sky, for your concern," she said, feeling defeated. "Alright, alright, I will pay more attention to the scenery..."

She turned toward the passenger door and paused.

Zachary had already opened the car door for her, standing there like a man who knew exactly what he was doing with both his manners and his face. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

She paused for half a second, just long enough to notice, and just short enough to pretend she hadn’t.

’You are so dangerously handsome, Zach...’ The thought arrived uninvited and entirely unhelpful. But of course, she couldn’t say it. She simply said, "Thank you, Zach." She hurried into the car, worried about keeping him waiting.

...

The vehicle started smoothly and slowly left the villa.

Sienna allowed herself to truly look at the scenery.

The scenery unfolded before her like something out of a painting. Tall trees, endless green, soft morning light filtering through the leaves. It was peaceful in a way that felt almost unreal.

"This scenery is so beauti..." she whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.

But before she could finish that thought, her eyes caught something. The helicopter they were riding in was still there, parked on the landing pad.

Instantly, her expression stiffened. And just like that, her peaceful mind betrayed her once again.

’We... We are going back to using that thing... right!?’

A small knot formed in her stomach as her mind filled with so many scary questions.

’What if something went wrong with the engine?’

’What if the weather suddenly changed during the flight?’

’What if—’ She shook her head, trying to throw away her scary thoughts.

But of course, she failed. Her thoughts started again, ’Will he be able to handle the helicopter if the weather changes?’

She swallowed lightly.

The peaceful scenery blurred slightly as her thoughts spiraled around the helicopter. She tried to focus on the trees, the sunlight, or the road ahead, but every time her mind wandered, it returned to that flying machine.

Fortunately, her savior is able to distract her—

"Aunty Sienna! Look... Look..." Skylar’s voice broke through her thoughts like a lifeline.

She turned slightly in the direction he intended her to look.

"That pine tree is so big!" he said excitedly. "Dad said it’s hundreds of years old."

"Really?"

"Yes! And look... look!" Skylar pointed again. "There’s a lake over there, and I usually go fishing there. You should also come with us on the next trip..."

Sienna swallowed, trying to see Zachary’s reaction, but she didn’t have a chance as Skylar didn’t even pause for breath as he continued talking.

"And in winter, when the lake freezes, we can use it for ice skating. So fun..."

Sienna smiled, her worries momentarily pushed aside by his enthusiasm.

"This place is really beautiful..." she said softly, her voice genuine this time.

"Of course, it is!" Skylar nodded proudly.