Chapter 44

Mia waved enthusiastically as she spotted Sienna and Riley approaching. Sienna returned the gesture with a bright smile and jogged over, throwing her arms around Mia in a tight embrace.

"Mia!" Sienna exclaimed joyfully, her face lighting up.

"Wow, you really missed me!" Mia chuckled, wrapping her arms around Sienna in return.

"Of course! It feels strange not seeing you every day now that we've graduated," Sienna replied, pulling back slightly to meet Mia's gaze. Since graduation, she'd been swamped with job applications, many of which hadn't yielded any responses yet. Meanwhile, Riley had jumped right into working on their company, and Mia was thriving as an influencer.

"Right? Especially with you two lovebirds," Mia teased, rolling her eyes playfully. "I thought you'd forget all about me after being in a relationship for nearly a year!"

Riley laughed, ruffling Mia's hair mischievously. "You know we're busy, but you'll always be our number one," she said, playfully clutching the tote bag slung over Sienna's shoulder.

Mia feigned a pout, lowering her gaze dramatically. "For all I know, you just want Sienna all to yourself," she teased, a smirk creeping onto her lips. "But since you're both here, let's do something fun! I heard there's a new coffee shop that just opened. How about we go there for my livestream today?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Sienna chuckled and linked her arm through Mia's, feeling a wave of warmth at the camaraderie. "Sounds perfect! Let's go!"

"Alright, Riley, since you're the tallest, you get to hold the camera for our livestream," Mia instructed, handing Riley her action camera attached to a handheld stand. With a quick press of a button, Mia activated the live stream.

"Hey, everyone! Look who I've got here! Ta-da!" Mia announced dramatically, showcasing Riley and Sienna. Both of them waved at the camera, smiling brightly. "These two lovebirds! Seriously, they've been together for almost a year, and here I am, still single," Mia added, wrapping her arms around herself in mock despair.

Sienna couldn't help but laugh as she playfully hugged Mia, enjoying the lighthearted moment.

When they arrived at the coffee shop, they were relieved to find it only moderately busy, allowing them to snag a table with excellent lighting. Mia set up her action camera on the table, ensuring it was focused just right. As they called over a waiter, Mia began explaining to her audience about the coffee shop's best sellers, her enthusiasm infectious.

Riley and Sienna exchanged proud glances, silently cheering Mia on as she shared her passion with their viewers.

Mia connected her livestream on her phone to keep an eye on the audience comments. Some viewers were inquiring about the food, while others were curious about Sienna and Riley's relationship.

Sipping her drink, Sienna leaned in to check the comments. She paused and smiled. "Oh, I like this one! It says, 'Riley, when do you plan to propose to Sienna? Come on, put a ring on her already! #RoadToForever,'" she read aloud, laughing softly.

Mia and Sienna turned to Riley, who was busy sipping her usual strawberry drink. Clearing her throat, Riley replied, "Well, clearly I want to propose to Sienna. However, I need to have financial stability first. You know, married life isn't easy. Diving into it without preparation can either make or break you. But definitely, we'll get there soon." She smiled warmly at Sienna.

Sienna's cheeks flushed at Riley's response. "Oh jeez, what a slap in the face for me being single!" Mia chimed in, feigning dramatic disappointment.

Riley loosened her tie as she stepped into her unit, kicking off her shoes and swapping them for her cozy slippers. Just then, Sienna rushed toward her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"I'm home," Riley said, a smile spreading across her face as she looked at Sienna.

"Welcome home!" Sienna replied, wrapping her arms around Riley in a warm embrace.

"What's this? Miss me already?" Riley teased, hugging her back.

"I have good news for you!" Sienna said, pulling away from the hug, her hands resting playfully on her hips as she leaned forward slightly.

"Oh, let me guess—we're having a baby?" Riley joked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, not that!" Sienna laughed, her excitement bubbling over. "It's something I've been waiting for."

Riley's expression turned curious. "Did you get the job?" she asked, her smile widening.

Sienna nodded, bouncing on her feet like a child. "Yes! I got the job!"

"Really? You got the job? Wow! I'm so proud of you, love!" Riley exclaimed, scooping Sienna up and spinning them both around in a joyful embrace.

"Finally! After months of trying," Sienna exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Seriously, I'm so happy for you, love," Riley said, her smile genuine as she gazed at her girlfriend. Seeing Sienna's eagerness filled her with pride. Riley moved closer, her fingers gently brushing against Sienna's cheeks. "I'm so proud of you," she added, leaning in for a sweet kiss.

"So when will you start?" Riley asked after their lips parted, settling back onto the sofa with Sienna comfortably in her lap. She began to remove her tie and slowly unbutton her polo shirt, a playful smirk on her face.

"Well, they said I should start next week, but I'll need to be away for a month for a photoshoot," Sienna replied, looking up at Riley. "I'll probably be back by the twenty-first of next month."

Riley paused, her fingers tracing Sienna's thigh, glancing at her with concern. "But that's our anniversary," she said softly.

Sienna nodded, her expression contemplative. "I know, love. Maybe I can request a day off for our anniversary so I can come back early?" she suggested, resting her chin on her hand.

"Eh? You've just joined the company; you can't leave right away," Riley chuckled, though a hint of sadness crept into her voice. "But why do you need to be away for so long?"

"They said it's a major project that needs to be completed because they're launching the lineup next month. So, we'll be staying at a hotel provided by the company," Sienna explained, reaching for Riley's hand and playing with her fingers.

"Do you really have to stay away? I don't have anyone else here," Riley pouted, her playful tone tinged with genuine disappointment. Sienna laughed softly and leaned in for a reassuring kiss.

"That's only for a month, love. I'll be back on our anniversary, and then we'll celebrate together," Sienna promised, cupping Riley's cheeks tenderly.