He said he was worried she'd get bored, and also afraid she'd spiral into depression if left alone for too long due to her illness.
Actually, ever since she learned she could walk again, she had stopped spiraling. But Oakley was kind and cared for her, so she couldn't refuse him.
As for their relationship, she felt it shouldn't be misunderstood.
"What local specialties?" Claire asked, her curiosity piqued.
"They're from Montara. There are wild mushrooms, perfect for making a rich broth."
"Stay for dinner tonight. Oakley makes amazing soup!"
After inviting Claire, Sienna suddenly remembered that Oakley was the one doing the cooking.
"You don't mind an extra guest, do you, Oakley?"
How could Oakley mind? Claire had saved his life too.
"Of course not."
"You both can have some extra wild mushroom chicken soup today. It's incredibly nourishing."
"I went to Montara to film a few days ago and picked up a lot of local delicacies."
"I was just telling Karla the other day that I'd ask her to bring some to Claire."
"Since we ran into each other today, I'll grab some for you later."
"Good thing the stuff is right in my car."
Since Oakley put it that way, Claire didn't refuse.
Because she knew there was no getting out of it.
Oakley was a rather stubborn man who valued loyalty deeply.
Seeing her as his savior, he frequently sent her local specialties from wherever he happened to be working.
Wherever his work took him, Claire would receive gifts from that region.
But she hadn't expected him to be so fiercely attentive to his fellow actress.
Was it really just pure kindness?
Claire watched his busy silhouette in the kitchen, then glanced back at Sienna, who managed a strained smile.
For some reason, Sienna felt Claire's gaze was a bit intimidating.
It was as if she had seen right through everything.
Finally, when Claire was administering her acupuncture treatment, Sienna confided, "I don't know if it's a misunderstanding, but l think Oakley might have feelings for me..."
Oakley's status in the entertainment industry eclipsed Sienna's completely.
So even though he was an outstanding man and her senior in the agency, she truly didn't dare to harbor any romantic fantasies about him.
His intense attentiveness was already becoming far too much for her to handle.
Had Claire not shown up today, she had planned to draw a clear line with him.
Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, she didn't want Oakley wasting his time on her.
"I think he treats you really well."
"Sienna, you can't just think about others; you have to plan for your own future too."
"Your bloodsucking parents and
younger brother are only temporarily intimidated. Once enough time
and they hit a tough patch,"
they'll inevitably cling to you again."
"If you can't handle them alone, you might as well find a strong shoulder to lean on."
Sienna smiled bitterly. "That wouldn't be finding someone to lean on. That would be dragging someone down into the mud with me."
Claire disagreed. "You never know unless you take the leap."
She could tell Oakley's concern for Sienna was absolutely genuine.
Claire's words etched themselves deeply into Sienna's heart.
After dinner that evening, Sienna wanted Oakley to drive Claire home, but Claire flatly refused.
"No need to drive me. I brought my own car."
Sienna looked at Oakley anyway, and he flashed a charming smile. "I'll walk you out. It's the perfect time to give you those specialties from my car."
Was that it?
Claire figured that was fine.
She headed home with several boxes of gifts, while Oakley returned to Sienna's apartment.
"Why are you back?"
Sienna had assumed Oakley would leave for the night after seeing Claire out.
Oakley cast a glance at the dark night sky outside, then looked back at Sienna's pale, delicate face.
Even though months had passed and she had recovered significantly, falling from such a terrifying height
aring major surgery
meant she couldn't bounce back completely just yet.