Chapter 242: It’s My Wedding Gift To You

By the time it was finally time to leave work, Sienna was still sitting in front of her computer, completely focused on finishing the reports on the screen. She wanted to finish as much as possible before going home. Before she realized it, another couple of minutes had passed.

She was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t even notice the office door slowly opening.

"Girl, are you planning to work late? Burning the midnight oil?"

Ava’s familiar voice immediately pulled Sienna out of her concentration. She looked up and saw Ava and Mia standing together in the doorway, both wearing amused smiles.

Sienna let out a helpless sigh before saving her work and shutting down her computer.

"Girls, I’m sorry for making you wait," she said apologetically as she stood and stretched her stiff shoulders. "I completely lost track of time. These reports just kept coming."

Ava laughed and waved her hand dismissively.

"We’ve known you long enough to expect this."

Mia crossed her arms and grinned. "I honestly thought you were fighting with your husband and deliberately staying late to avoid going home."

Sienna couldn’t help smiling at the teasing. "If I were fighting with him, he would’ve shown up here already."

"That’s true," Ava agreed with a laugh. "Your hubby doesn’t seem like the type to let an argument last until tomorrow."

"He definitely isn’t," Sienna admitted, unable to hide the warmth in her smile.

She picked up her handbag and cell phone before switching off the office lights.

As they walked toward the elevator together, she quietly thought about Zachary. Despite everything that had happened with Zoey earlier that day, he hadn’t stopped her from spending the evening with her friends. Instead, he had simply reminded her to enjoy herself and promised they would talk once she got home.

His understanding made her appreciate him even more.

For now, she wanted to set her worries aside for a few hours. There was a chance this might be one of the last evenings she would spend with Ava and Mia as coworkers if she really decided to resign from the Imperial Hotel.

About ten minutes later, the three women arrived at Virelle Longue, one of the city’s most elegant restaurants and wine bars. The private VIP room had already been prepared for them.

Although the restaurant belonged to Zachary, Sienna had asked the Manager not to treat them differently. She wanted nothing more than a quiet dinner with her best friends.

The room was warm and comfortable, with soft lighting and a peaceful atmosphere that made it easy to relax after a long day at work.

As soon as they settled into their seats, orange juice was served, followed by a bottle of red wine for Ava and Mia. Sienna, remembering her husband’s advice, chose a fresh fruit juice instead.

"I miss evenings like this," Mia said happily after raising her wine glass.

"Yeah, me too," Ava agreed.

Not long afterward, the appetizers arrived. There were fresh oysters, grilled shrimp with garlic butter, smoked salmon, Caesar salad, and warm artisan bread served with herb butter.

As they enjoyed the food, the conversation naturally drifted toward work.

Ava was the first to complain. "I swear the kitchen nearly exploded today."

Sienna laughed. "Why does your kitchen always make a scene? What happened this time?"

"We had three banquet events, two VIP reservations, and one new kitchen staff member who almost burned an entire tray of lamb chops because he was so busy plating a dozen halibut, he almost forgot to lower the oven temperature."

Mia burst into laughter. "Ava, please tell me you didn’t throw a spatula at him."

"Ugh, well... I wanted to," Ava chuckled. "But he almost cried, so I forgive him."

"You probably scared him enough just by looking at him," Sienna teased.

Ava sighed dramatically before taking another bite of shrimp. "I’m tired of training new chefs..."

Mia shook her head before sharing her own story. "Well, the front office wasn’t any better. A guest insisted he’d booked the presidential suite, but the reservation clearly showed a deluxe room. Then he claimed our computer system had changed his booking."

"What happened?" Sienna asked.

"He eventually admitted he’d booked the wrong room."

Ava nearly laughed into her wine. "So he blamed the hotel first?"

"Of course," Mia replied. "Guests always blame the hotel before admitting they clicked the wrong button."

Sienna listened quietly while smiling. She loved moments like these. Listening to Ava and Mia complain about work somehow made her own stressful day feel lighter.

Their conversations were full of jokes, laughter, and harmless gossip about coworkers, funny guests, and unexpected situations around the hotel.

By the time the main course arrived, everyone was in a much better mood.

Ava chose grilled wagyu steak with roasted vegetables, while Mia ordered herb-crusted sea bass with creamy mashed potatoes. Sienna enjoyed grilled Atlantic salmon with lemon butter sauce, accompanied by fresh asparagus and wild rice.

As they continued eating, the topic gradually shifted away from work.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Mia suddenly said. "Ava, how’s the wedding planning?"

Ava’s face immediately brightened.

"It’s almost finished. If everything goes according to plan, we’ll get married at the end of the year."

Sienna smiled warmly. "Congratulations, Ava..."

"You deserve it, girl..." Mia added happily. "Just make sure you don’t forget to put our names in your invitation list."

Ava laughed. "As if I’d forget you guys exist and leave either of you out. NEVER! You two are family."

Sienna reached across the table and gently squeezed Ava’s hand. "I’m really happy for you, Ava!"

"Thank you, dear..."

"So," Sienna asked with genuine curiosity, "what wedding gift do you want?"

Ava smiled shyly. "Honestly, anything is fine. Just having both of you there will already make me happy."

Sienna leaned back thoughtfully. ’Anything...!?’ she thought, but then a sudden idea appeared in her mind.

She turned her gaze back at Ava and said excitedly, "I know what I’ll give you."

"What is it...?"

"A honeymoon."

Both Ava and Mia stared at her.

"I’ll pay for your honeymoon trip."

Ava’s eyes widened. "Sienna, that’s too much."

"No, it is not. Now I’m loaded."

"Fine. But I can’t accept something that expensive."

"You can," Sienna replied with a smile. "It’s my wedding gift to you."

Ava looked genuinely touched. "Thank you."

"You don’t have to thank me yet," Sienna teased. "I haven’t even booked it."

The three women laughed again.