Chapter 7

Riley wiped her face with her bare hand as a frustrated sigh escaped her lips. How did this happen? Sienna was here in her unit again, but this time, it wasn't because someone was sick. They had dropped Mia off at her place and had gone straight home, and Riley assumed Sienna would stay in her own unit. But she was wrong.

"Remind me why you're here again, at my unit?" Riley asked, wearing her pair sleepwear—a short-sleeved animated top and matching shorts—while hugging a bolster across her chest.

Sienna shrugged nonchalantly. "I couldn't sleep in my unit, so let me crash here." She plopped down on the sofa, dressed in nothing but black lingerie.

Riley walked over and tossed the bolster at Sienna's face. "You must have forgotten? I just literally told you that I liked you, and yet here you are, staying at my place. What's worse, you just broke up with your boyfriend!" she gave Sienna an earful scolding.

Sienna sat up straight, clutching the bolster. "You told me you like me. I heard it loud and clear. Isn't this to your advantage?" She avoided Riley's gaze, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

"What? How does that involve me?" Riley asked, unable to believe what Sienna was hinting.

"How long have you known Ethan was meeting with a guy?" Sienna pressed, burying her face in the bolster.

Riley sighed, pulling her beanie bag closer. "I didn't know he was meeting a guy," she clarified before sitting down on the beanie bag and opening her mini-fridge, stocked with beer, sparkling water, and other drinks.

"You want some?" She offered Sienna a canned beer, twisting it open before handing it to her.

Sienna chuckled, taking a sip. "For someone who's the daughter of a healthcare business owner, you have a lot of bad habits."

Riley shrugged and took a sip of her beer. "I was only aware that he was meeting a girl. I caught him accidentally," she admitted, rubbing the tip of the can.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Sienna asked, a hint of urgency in her voice.

"Because you seemed so in love, you know? Besides, how would I even know if you'd believe me when I'm your mortal enemy?" Riley laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

Sienna sighed, meeting Riley's gaze. Her expression shifted, as she sensed an urge to kiss Riley... again. "What's wrong?" Riley asked, concern etched on her face.

Sienna set down her beer and moved closer to Riley. "You know... I want to try something."

Riley gulped, tightening her grip on her can. "What is it?"

"I don't know... I'm just curious," Sienna admitted, gaze at Riley softening.

"I'm not sure I understand what you—Hey!" Riley exclaimed as Sienna suddenly sat on her lap, facing her.

"Sien, stop... seriously, what the hell?" she stammered, her voice cracking at Sienna's boldness.

Sienna cupped Riley's face, a small smile on her lips that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I won't deny it, you're beautifully handsome," she said, though her tone was tinged with sadness.

"Sien..." Riley lowered her can to the floor and took Sienna's hand, attempting to remove it from her face.

"Why do you like me? Why did you even choose me? We come from families that are rivals," Sienna questioned, searching Riley's eyes.

"Sien," Riley's expression softened. "I didn't choose you. I tried to avoid catching feelings for you, but every time I see you, I can't help it. I'm sorry if it makes you uneasy. I'll try to stop this as soon as—"

Riley's eyes widened as Sienna suddenly kissed her. She instinctively tried to pull away, but Sienna deepened the kiss, drawing Riley in. It felt like drowning, and she found herself responding with equal intensity.

Sienna's arms wrapped around Riley's head, their kisses growing more passionate. Riley's hands instinctively wandered, gently massaging Sienna's breast through her lingerie. Sienna arched her back at the sensation, her breath hitching as Riley's lips trailed down to her neck, planting soft kisses.

"Riley..." Sienna murmured, breaking the spell. Riley pulled back, burying her head against Sienna's chest, laughter laced with bitterness escaping her. She almost lost her self-control.

"Why...?" Sienna whispered, her fingers gently threading through Riley's hair.

"This isn't what you wanted, Sien. Please tell me you didn't want this," Riley said, looking up, her eyes searching Sienna's.

Sienna's expression shifted, guilt flickering in her gaze. "I truly wish I were a different person right now. I wish I could love you the way you do... I wish I wasn't born into your family's rival." Sienna paused, her gaze intense.

Tears began to fall as she buried her face in Riley's shoulder. "Above all, I... I hope you were a guy..."

Those words struck Riley like a physical blow. She forced a laugh, masking her hurt. "Would you want me if I were a guy?"

Sienna pressed her face deeper into Riley's shoulder. "I don't know, Rile. I honestly don't know. I'm confused, and I'm sorry."

Riley reached out, gently running her fingers through Sienna's hair. "You don't have to feel sorry. We each have our own preferences."

"Still, I'm sorry," Sienna whispered, allowing herself to hug Riley tightly as Riley continued to stroke her hair soothingly.

Sienna woke up to the soft buzzing of her phone. Rubbing her eyes, she let out a yawn and reached for her device, hitting snooze on the alarm. It was Saturday, and she had no classes. As she looked around, she realized she wasn't in her own unit. Panic surged as she abruptly sat up, slamming her palm against her forehead. Right—she was at Riley's.

"Above all, I... I hope you were a guy..." The memory hit her like a tidal wave. Eyes wide, she quickly got up and rushed out to look for Riley.

"Rile—Mia?"

"Oh, good thing you're awake," Mia greeted her. Sienna scanned the room, searching for Riley.

"If you're looking for Riley, she went out early this morning. She called me last night, asking me to come here first thing," Mia explained, as if presenting herself.

Mia looked at Sienna intently before sighing. "Sien, I know both of you are my friends, and I understand you're confused, but sometimes it won't hurt to keep your mouth shut, you know?"

Sienna figured that Riley must've told Mia about what had happened last night. "I know, I went overboard. I kind of feel guilty," she admitted, fidgeting with her fingers.

Mia shook her head. "As you should," she replied, ushering Sienna toward the dining table. "Now eat. Riley prepared this before she left."

Looking at the table, Sienna was taken aback by the spread of food. "And oh," Mia said, pulling something from her shorts pocket, "here. Riley asked me to give this to you."

Sienna accepted it quizzically, realizing it was an RFID card. "She told me to give this to you so you could come here whenever you want," Mia explained.

Sienna furrowed her brow. "I don't understand why Riley's doing this..."

"Sien, Riley's not forcing you to like her. She's just worried you might need to barge into her unit if you can't sleep on your own. Don't read too much into it. Besides, I think it's clear to Riley that there's no chance you'll reciprocate her feelings; you made that pretty clear last night." Mia shrugged, slicing a sausage and taking a bite.

Sienna bit her lower lip. "Where did Riley go?"

Mia sighed. "She said she's leaving the country for a while. Maybe to move on?"

Sienna gulped, guilt gnawing at her insides. "Until when?"

"I don't know. Maybe for a month? A year? I honestly have no idea," Mia said, studying Sienna's reaction.

Sienna stood up abruptly and headed for the door when it swung open, hitting her forehead.

"Ow!" she exclaimed, kneeling on the floor and covering her head.

"Shit!" Riley entered, hastily dropping the groceries she'd bought. "I'm sorry! Are you alright?"

Realizing the owner of the voice, Sienna looked up, finding Riley looking at her with concern. She turned her glare toward Mia, who was struggling to suppress laughter.

"Mia!" Sienna shrieked, while Riley remained perplexed. Mia couldn't contain her amusement any longer.

"What the hell happened while I was gone?" Riley asked, kneeling to check Sienna's forehead. It was bleeding and bruised. Thankfully, Riley's mother had given her an ointment that could help reduce the bruise.

Mia chuckled. "Someone's worried you might be gone for good."

Riley glanced between Mia and Sienna, who was glaring daggers at Mia, as if ready to pounce. "I just went to the gym and then decided to restock my fridge."

"I'm not asking," Sienna said, crossing her arms.

"I'm just sharing, though," Riley scoffed.

Mia smiled triumphantly while taking another bite, as Sienna continued to shoot her icy glares.