"It's alright. You don't need to apologize. Besides, you didn't have any bad intentions. I'm actually grateful... because thanks to you, he's much calmer now," Sienna replied with a faint smile.
The man nodded slowly. "If you don't mind me asking... what's your name?" Sienna asked, finally plucking up the courage.
That question made the man fall silent for a moment. He didn't answer immediately, just looked away. His demeanor seemed hesitant to reveal his identity. His covered appearance, complete with a hat and a mask that almost hid his entire face, made Sienna even more curious. They seemed like shadows of each other, both hiding something.
"Young Master," a deep and firm voice cut in, coming from a tall man in a formal suit who had just approached.
The man beside Sienna immediately stood up and walked towards the other man. The way they spoke, their respectful body language, and their serious gazes, made Sienna conclude one thing. This man was no ordinary person.
"Is he from a prominent family?" she thought to herself. Her eyes stared at the man's back in confusion. She even waved her hand when the bodyguard glanced at her, as if trying to make a good impression and just say a brief hello.
A few minutes later, the man returned to his seat. He adjusted his hat and then turned back to Sienna.
"Is he acting up again?" he asked in a soft voice, followed by a sincere smile. For some reason, he seemed to really enjoy this moment.
"A little," Sienna replied with a smile, her tone sounding lighter.
The man asked for permission again, "May I rub him again?"
Sienna nodded. Without hesitation, the man placed his hand back on Sienna's belly. His touch remained gentle, soothing. And for the first time in the past few days, Sienna felt at peace.
The man chuckled softly. "Looks like you're quite naughty, huh? Even though I only left you for a moment. You shouldn't be like that. Don't trouble your mother, understand?" he said as if speaking directly to the fetus.
For a moment, there was no conversation between Sienna and the strange man. Only the man's soft voice flowed, as if immersed in a warm interaction with the fetus. Both of them even seemed to forget that they hadn't had a chance to introduce themselves.
However, there was one rather interesting thing. The man began to feel a strangeness. He was used to feeling uncomfortable if he was too close to strangers, especially smelling their body odor. He was quite sensitive. Some scents could even make him dizzy or nauseous. But this time was different. The woman beside him had a scent that was not only soft and calming, but also felt very familiar.
Her scent was like...
In his heart, he wondered why he could feel this way. Why he felt calm. Why he felt like... he already knew her.
Time passed unnoticed. In that silence, the man slowly leaned against Sienna's shoulder. His breathing sounded regular and calm. Maybe it was from exhaustion. Or maybe, because he felt too comfortable with the woman's presence beside him.
Sienna felt something light on her shoulder, as well as the gentle stroking on her belly slowly stopping. She turned her head slowly to the side and was surprised. The man who had been actively talking to her fetus was now asleep with his head resting on her shoulder.
Sienna's gaze went to the man's face. Although partly covered by a hat and a mask whose strap had come loose on one side, she could still see clearly enough. A strong jawline, a sharp nose, and then...
Those lips.
Sienna stared at them intently. Her eyes widened slightly. Those lips were very familiar.
With a little hesitation, she reached out her hand, intending to touch the man's hat to confirm who the figure now sleeping beside her was. However, before she could do so, a deep voice was heard from the front.
"Excuse me, Miss. Please do not disturb the young master while he is resting."
Sienna immediately withdrew her hand and looked at the man standing not far from them. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb his sleep," she said softly in an awkward tone.
"It's alright," the bodyguard replied in a calm tone.
Sienna smiled faintly, then glanced at her watch. Her eyes widened as she realized her departure time was getting closer. Carefully, she stood up so as not to wake the man beside her.
She looked at that face once more, then turned to the bodyguard and said, "Goodbye. Please convey my thanks to him. Because of him, my child has become much calmer."
"Very well, Miss," the man replied, nodding respectfully.
Sienna nodded back, then walked quickly with her suitcase in hand. She left the waiting area, left this city, and unknowingly, left something she had actually wanted to avoid.
Some time later, the sleeping man slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times to adjust to the light in the room, then turned to his right.
"Young Master Azka, it's time to depart," said the bodyguard when he realized his young master had woken up.
Azka Xavier sat up straight. He rubbed his face slowly, then asked in a hoarse voice, "Where is that woman?"
"Ah, you mean the pregnant woman earlier? She left some time ago," the bodyguard replied.
Azka nodded slowly. But his expression looked far from calm. Something felt amiss. An indescribable feeling. He touched his chest slowly.
"That scent..." he murmured softly. "It felt like... her. But I don't think that's possible."