"Everyone has had their monts of submitting to others. Look at Sixth Master now, so glorious and successful. But there must’ve been tis when he too had to act submissive, no?"
Becoming submissive is for the day when one no longer needs to be. So people submit and eventually turn themselves into masters; others have to act submissive for a lifeti.
"Exactly. Who hasn’t had to play submissive at so point?"
Sienna Johnson turned to look at Adrian Desmond, imagining him. When she t him, he was already sobody’s "master." It was hard for her to picture this man acting obsequiously toward others, bowing and scraping.
"Get those ridiculous thoughts out of your head! I have my pride. Even when I was down and out, I never played submissive to anyone!"
"How is that possible?"
"Why not?"
"But you just said, ’Who hasn’t had to play submissive at so point?’ Isn’t that admitting that you were submissive to others?"
"I only started having to act submissive after I married you!"
Sienna chuckled. "Sixth Master, stop teasing . I’m certainly not your ’master’ to be appeased."
"Don’t play coy after getting your way."
"I’m hungry."
"There’s a Western restaurant nearby that’s not bad. Would you like to try it?" Adrian’s mood was instantly diverted by Sienna’s lighthearted remark.
You see, this is the tragedy of playing the submissive role; even one’s emotions are controlled by the other party.
"Sigh, I’m already so hungry that I don’t have the luxury to be picky. Let’s just go to that Western restaurant. As long as I can fill my stomach, I’m good."
"Mrs. Desmond, do you know what I like most about you?"
Sienna, arm entwined with his as they strolled, chatted, "Of course, it’s because I’m devastatingly beautiful, captivatingly charming, and exceptionally witty..."
"Mrs. Desmond, I feel nauseous," Adrian interrupted, expressing his physical reaction to her narcissistic words.
"Sixth Master, you’re not pregnant, are you?"
"If I had that capability, what would I need you for?"
Sienna was rather bold today. "I thought that in Sixth Master’s heart, having children was just a by-product."
"What’s gotten into you today?" Adrian stopped and tugged at her cheek, making Sienna grimace. "Are you really Sienna Johnson? You’re not an impostor, are you?"
"Yes, I’m a fake."
"May I ask, madam, you who wear my wife’s face, who are you really?"
The two entered the Western restaurant, joking and laughing.
The ornate crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, making the entire restaurant appear elegant and serene. llifluous piano music filled the space like gentle tendrils of emotion, slowly seeping into one’s soul. Lilies exuded a delicate fragrance. Courteous waiters and quiet diners, occasionally sharing hushed laughs, all contributed to a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere.
Sienna had always felt that going to a Western restaurant wasn’t about eating; it was about fostering romance.
They ordered black pepper steak, salmon in red wine sauce, pasta bolognese, and creamy corn soup.
Sienna focused on her food. Adrian thoughtfully cut her steak into small pieces and placed the plate in front of her. Sienna contentedly enjoyed his attentiveness.
A woman nearby watched them, her eyes red with envy. Sothing she had craved her entire life was being effortlessly enjoyed and, in her eyes, trampled upon by Sienna.
"lanie, what are you afraid of them for? Co on, let’s go over and say hello."
"No, don’t..."
A very fashionably dressed woman pulled a delicate-looking woman with her, striding quickly toward Adrian’s table.
"Are you Sienna Johnson?"
Sienna was relishing the steak Adrian had cut for her. She was surprised to hear soone in Abyanabad recognize her.
She looked up and saw a woman with striking makeup. Sienna guessed that without the heavy makeup, she wouldn’t recognize this woman on the street at all.
"And you are?"
"I’m lanie’s good friend!"
"Oh?" Sienna put down her knife and fork, picked up her napkin, wiped the corners of her mouth, and looked at the woman with keen interest.
"What are you so arrogant about?"
Sienna maintained a faint smile. "I was rely being modest and polite, yet you call arrogant. Does this an that an arrogant person sees only arrogance in others?"
"No wonder lanie is bullied by you like this! You’re quite a sharp-tongued woman!"
"You flatter !"
"I wasn’t praising you!"
"Where I co from, ’sharp-tongued’ is a complint. It seems, Miss, you’ve used the word incorrectly."
Sienna also saw lanie Carpenter standing behind the woman. The last ti Sienna had seen her, lanie had been lying in bed, crying and playing the part of a tragic, frail beauty. This ti, she was still sticking to the weak and delicate act.
"Janice, let it go." lanie Carpenter tugged at her friend’s clothes, stopping her from saying more.
"Miss Carpenter, what a coincidence. Abyanabad really is a small place; fancy eting you even while out for a al," Sienna greeted her.
lanie Carpenter didn’t respond to Sienna but looked at Adrian and asked, "Sixth Brother, are your injuries better?"
"They are, thank you," Adrian replied, his tone polite yet distant.
Under the table, Sienna slipped off her shoes and nudged Adrian’s leg with her toes. Adrian shot her a glance and, his expression unchanging, took hold of her mischievous foot.
"Sixth Brother, last ti was all my fault. My dad only hit you like that because he was worried about . You... don’t stoop to his level. After all, my dad has always treated you well."
"So, your dad gets to beat him to death, is that it?" Sienna retorted sharply.
"Miss Johnson, have you no manners? It’s impolite to interrupt when others are speaking," Janice Crarson reprimanded her.
"Miss, I’m heavily pregnant, yet you call ’Miss.’ Is there sothing wrong with your eyes, or are you deliberately trying to insult by implying my child’s father is unknown?"
Adrian, who usually stayed out of squabbles between won, finally spoke. "The child in her belly is mine. What ’father unknown’? If anyone dares to spread such rumors, I’ll cut out their tongue!"
Sienna fanned the flas. "Sixth Master, of course, I know the child in my belly is yours. But I can’t stop so people from running their mouths. We’re clearly married, and I’m this pregnant, yet people keep calling ’Miss.’ Isn’t that like saying I’m pregnant with an illegitimate child..." Sienna looked at Janice Crarson, a malicious smile playing on her lips.
Adrian declared, "She is my wife, Mrs. Desmond!"
Tears instantly welled up in lanie Carpenter’s eyes and stread down her face. Seeing lanie crying, Janice Crarson glared at Sienna as if she were the sole culprit.
"Sixth Master, what has lanie ever done wrong for you to treat her this way?"
Sienna rested her chin in her hand, watching Adrian with keen interest. Adrian completely ignored Janice Crarson’s accusation.
lanie Carpenter wiped away her tears and said softly, "Sixth Brother, please don’t be angry with Janice. She’s just upset on my behalf."
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