Chapter 302: The Grand Opening (3)

"You made an excellent choice with the location too," Zoey continued. "It’s right in the middle of the city, so people working nearby can easily come here during lunchtime or after office hours. I can see this becoming a popular place for people to meet on lunch break and after work."

"Yeah. That’s part of our target and expectation."

"I think you’ll get it." Zoey smiled. "And from a business perspective, you’ve also created jobs. That’s something you should be proud of. You’re not just opening a restaurant for yourself. You’ve given other people an opportunity to work and earn a living."

Sienna’s smile softened. She had never dared to dream of owning a business of this scale. However, everything changed after she met Zachary; not only did she come to own a café and restaurant, but she also created numerous opportunities for people who needed a job.

And somehow, hearing Zoey praise her warmed her heart. This woman is not only her sister-in-law but also her former boss.

"Thank you, Zoey. That means a lot to me."

"You should be proud of what you’ve built, sister-in-law..."

Before Sienna could respond, the door opened again. Kennedy and Hannah Sterling entered together.

"Sienna!" Hannah immediately walked toward her and pulled her into a warm hug. "Congratulations, my dear. I’m so happy for you."

"Thank you, Hannah," Sienna replied happily.

Kennedy hugged her next and smiled proudly. "You’ve done a great job. The place looks excellent."

Sienna’s heart warmed at their words. Her in-laws had always treated her kindly, and having them there on such an important day made her even happier.

"We’re definitely going to bring our friends here," Hannah promised. "I want them to see what you and Ava have created."

"Really?" Sienna’s eyes brightened. "That would help us a lot."

"Of course," Kennedy said. "If they like the food, they’ll come back. And they’ll bring other people with them."

Sienna smiled wider. "Then I’ll have to make sure the food is good enough to keep them coming back."

Hannah smiled. "I’m sure it will be." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The conversation became even livelier when a server arrived with menus for everyone. Sienna sat down with the family while the children continued playing nearby.

"Let’s see what you have," Kennedy said, opening the menu.

The menu offered a variety of dishes, including grilled beef tenderloin, grilled chicken with herbs, grilled salmon, garlic butter prawns, and many other delicious dishes. They also offered several drinks.

Hannah looked through the menu before asking, "What do you recommend, Sienna?"

"The grilled beef is one of our favorites," Sienna answered.

"Since we’re having dinner together, maybe we can order several dishes and share everything," Hannah suggested.

"That sounds good, Mom..." Zoey agreed.

Kennedy nodded. "Then let’s do that."

They began placing their orders, choosing a mix of grilled meats, seafood, side dishes, and drinks for everyone.

Sienna smiled as she watched her family settle comfortably around the table. She accompanied them briefly before taking her leave to greet the other guests.

She wanted to make sure everyone was comfortable, especially since some guests had already arrived and she hadn’t yet had the chance to properly welcome them.

As Sienna walked downstairs, her cell phone vibrated in her pocket. When she checked it, Zachary’s name appeared on the screen.

A warm smile immediately spread across her lips, and she answered the call without hesitation.

"Honey, are you here yet?" she asked as she continued down the stairs.

"Yes, I just arrived," Zachary replied in his gentle voice. "Where are you?"

"I’m on my way to the first floor. Where are—" Sienna stopped when she spotted him standing near the entrance. He was accompanied by a man she had never seen before, and the moment Zachary noticed her, he raised his hand and waved for her to come closer.

Sienna’s curiosity grew as she looked at the unfamiliar man, who watched her with obvious interest, and he didn’t even try to hide it.

Still, seeing Zachary’s familiar smile made her forget about everything else for a moment. She smiled back warmly and quickened her steps until she reached them.

Before she and Zachary could exchange another word, the man beside him looked between them with an amused expression and asked, "Zach, who is this beautiful lady?"

Instead of answering immediately, Zachary reached for Sienna’s waist. He gently pulled her closer until she was standing comfortably beside him. He looked at her with a slightly apologetic smile and said, "Sorry, I’m a little late."

Sienna looked up at him and shook her head. "You came just in time. I was about to come looking for you."

Zachary’s smile widened, and he gave her waist a gentle squeeze before turning toward the man in front of them.

"Jim, you asked me earlier who the owner of this place was?"

"Mhm," Jimmy replied, a slight frown appearing on his forehead as he waited for Zachary’s answer.

"Here she is. The owner of this place, and she happens to be my wife, Sienna Sterling..." Zachary said casually.

Zachary then looked at Sienna and introduced the man beside him. "This is Jimmy Jonas. He’s the CEO of The Aethelis Group."

Sienna’s eyes widened slightly. She knew The Aethelis Group was one of the country’s leading media and entertainment companies, and its influence extended to magazines, television, and several other media businesses.

’Oh, so that’s why a reporter from Aethelis Magazine wanted to interview me. Zach invited their boss himself,’ she thought, finally putting the pieces together.

She was still processing the information when Jimmy stared at her in disbelief.

"Wow, Zachary Sterling, you’re married? Since when?" he asked, sounding genuinely shocked.

Sienna glanced at Zachary, who seemed completely comfortable with the revelation. He didn’t look embarrassed or nervous at all. Instead, he answered proudly, "Yes. I’ve been married for a while."

"Damn, man! You really know how to keep a secret." Jimmy laughed and shook his head. "My paparazzi agency has been following you for years, and we couldn’t find anything useful. Not even a proper photo or a rumor that led anywhere..."