Page 6 of Arranged with Twins

Leo

T he car door opens, and we’re surrounded by a sea of people and noise.

Doormen and bellhops spring into action, recognizing us immediately.

I imagine Sienna is used to slipping in quietly as the daughter of the owners, but my presence beside her after word has spread about our engagement transforms the arrival into something more elaborate.

Staff members straighten, smiles become more deferential, and I can see the ripple of recognition spreading through the lobby.

Vincent and Katherine are waiting near the restaurant entrance, their smiles fixed and camera-ready. Katherine air-kisses Sienna’s cheek before turning to me with practiced charm.

“Leonid, how wonderful to see you again so soon.”

“The pleasure is mine,” I say, accepting her offered hand while Vincent steps forward with his own greeting.

His handshake is firm, though I notice the slight tremor that wasn’t there six months ago. The stress of whatever financial crises he’s managing is beginning to show in physical ways that go beyond simple fatigue.

“Thank you both for arranging this,” I say, noting how Vincent’s smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

The whole greeting is perfectly choreographed as professionally as any show on Broadway.

We’re ushered into the hotel’s elegant dining room, where Katherine immediately guides us toward a table positioned for optimal lighting in the center of the room.

Nothing about this location is accidental.

She and Vincent have clearly chosen their stage with the same care they’d give to planning a board presentation.

I take my seat across from Sienna, who seems increasingly tense as we settle into our roles. The moment a server approaches, she speaks up with barely controlled urgency.

“I’d like a mimosa. Light on the orange juice.” She holds up her thumb and forefinger in a scant measurement, and I bite back a laugh. She apparently needs alcohol to get through this performance.

Katherine’s eyebrows rise slightly at this request, but she doesn’t comment. Instead, she turns her attention to examining Sienna’s appearance more critically. “Sienna, darling, what an interesting choice for brunch.” Her voice carries maternal concern that doesn’t quite mask her disapproval.

I look at Sienna properly, taking in the bold golden shade that makes her hair look almost luminous.

The dress is beautifully cut, with subtle details that speak to real craftsmanship rather than mass production.

“I think she looks beautiful,” I say, watching Katherine’s reaction carefully.

“That color brings out the highlights in her hair perfectly.”

Sienna glances at me with genuine surprise, as if she expected me to side with her mother’s criticism. The flush that colors her cheeks suggests she’s not used to having her choices defended.

“Thank you,” she says quietly, then adds with more confidence, “My friend Nadia designed it. She’s incredibly talented.” She shoots a glance at her mother before her smile becomes a bit sharper. “She’s offered to design my wedding gown.”

Katherine gasps. “Nadia wants to design your wedding dress?” Her voice carries a strained note, as if discussing something distasteful. “Impossible.”

I decide to push this particular button. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. She clearly knows your tastes and how to make you look stunning.”

Katherine looks genuinely pale at my words. The idea of losing control over even this aspect of the wedding planning clearly horrifies her, which makes my support for the idea even more satisfying.

Sienna says, “I think it would give good optics too. She’s still up and coming, though she’s getting more commissions all the time and has her own little shop.

” She’s clearly warming up to the idea, as if it’s the first time she’s actually considered letting herself imagine Nadia designing her dress.

“I… Well…” Katherine intercepts the mimosa Sienna ordered and downs half of it in one gulp. She looks flushed when she says, “Perhaps, if I can rein her in…”

Sienna and I share a moment of amusement at her mother’s obvious distress. Our gazes meet across the table, and for just a second, the performance falls away. She’s genuinely surprised that I defended her choice, and I’m oddly pleased to have caught her off guard in a positive way.

I like her. It’s as simple as that.

The waiter quickly backtracks and soon returns with a second attempt, this time passing over Sienna’s heavily fortified mimosa before Katherine can take it and writes down the rest of our orders. I use the momentary distraction to observe the family dynamics more carefully.

Katherine gives a good showing of appearing to recover quickly from her shock about the wedding dress as she rambles a bit about how to spin independent designer involvement as a publicity opportunity. “Of course, a more experienced designer can guide her, acting as a mentor…”

Sienna rolls her eyes at that but doesn’t bother to argue.

I make a mental note to tell her later that she should choose whatever dress makes her happy.

This probably won’t be her only wedding, since I doubt we’ll consign each other to a life sentence, but I’m oddly invested in ensuring she has a memorable day.

Vincent studies his menu with more concentration than the simple offerings require, clearly using the distraction to avoid making eye contact with anyone. “The lobster benedict is excellent here,” he suggests once we’ve placed our drink orders. “One of the chef’s signature dishes.”

“I’m sure everything will be wonderful,” I say, then lean back slightly in my chair. “Speaking of wonderful, I’ve been reviewing some of the paperwork for our families’ business integration. There seem to be some outstanding obligations that weren’t mentioned in our initial discussions.”

Vincent freezes, looking relieved when the waiter returns in moments with his martini, my coffee, and Katherine’s second mimosa. “They’re nothing significant. Just the usual complexity of modern operations.” A bead of sweat trails down his temple.

“Of course. I’m particularly curious about the Eastern European investments though. The energy sector has been so volatile lately, and I noticed some interesting patterns in the quarterly reports.”

Katherine jumps in smoothly, her laugh musical and dismissive. “Oh, you men and your business talk. Surely, we can discuss something more pleasant over brunch? Sienna was just telling me about the most divine flower arrangements she saw at the botanical garden yesterday.”

I wasn’t aware Sienna had visited any botanical garden yesterday, but she nods along with her mother’s deflection without missing a beat. Her eyes sparkle though when our gazes meet again, and it’s clear she’s equally surprised to hear she just said that.

“The orchid exhibition was remarkable when I visited last week.” She smiles for a second before adding, “There was such intricate beauty in something so delicate.”

“Much like wedding planning,” Katherine says with renewed enthusiasm.

“Every detail matters, and every choice reflects on the overall vision. Speaking of which, Leonid, I’ve compiled a list of photographers who would be perfect for the formal engagement shoot.

We’ll need to submit that to the papers within the next few days, but all of them have worked with the most prestigious families and are used to tight deadlines. ”

The conversation shifts to safer territory, and I let it flow while making mental notes. Vincent’s obvious discomfort when I mentioned his investments confirms what Ilya’s financial analysis suggested. Katherine’s eagerness to redirect attention toward wedding planning shows her priorities clearly.

They’re both hiding something significant, and neither of them is particularly skilled at deception.

A pity. The truth will soon come out, and I’m sure it won’t be in their favor.

Across the table, Sienna’s jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. She’s intelligent enough to recognize the undercurrents in this conversation, even if she doesn’t understand the full scope of what’s happening. Her parents are using this engagement to solve problems she doesn’t even know exist.

Or perhaps she does know. I shouldn’t underestimate her. She’s a tricky one.

I let the business discussion drop for now, filing away Vincent’s reactions for later analysis with Ilya. Today is about maintaining appearances and gathering intelligence, not forcing confrontations that could destabilize the entire arrangement before I understand all the moving pieces.

“I should mention,” I say as we finish the main course, “I’d like to take Sienna to dinner tomorrow evening. Somewhere public, where we can be seen together. It’s important that we establish a regular pattern of romantic outings.”

“What a lovely idea.” Katherine beams, clearly relieved to return to topics she can control. “Where were you thinking?”

“Le Bernardin, perhaps. Or Daniel. Somewhere that will generate the right attention for our engagement.”

“Perfect. I’ll make sure the appropriate photographers know where to position themselves.” She pulls out her phone to make notes. “Sienna, you’ll need something spectacular to wear. I have several options from the spring collections that would be?—”

“Actually,” Sienna interrupts, her voice carrying a note of defiance, probably fueled by my support. “I’d prefer to choose my own outfit for once.”

The tension at the table is palpable, but I find it kind of amusing.

Katherine’s smile becomes more fixed, Vincent looks uncomfortable, and I’m curious about how this small rebellion will play out.

My allegiance is firmly with my fiancée, should she require me to step in, but I doubt she’d thank me for it.

“Of course, darling,” Katherine says carefully. “Though perhaps we could review the options together to ensure the overall aesthetic is appropriate for the venue.”