Sienna
Sienna Putri Santoso has lived a life of wealth, privilege, and suffocating control. When faced with an arranged marriage she wants no part of, she makes a reckless escape, trading luxury for the unknown. Stranded and penniless, she stumbles into the world of Rafael Hartanto, a gruff, self-made entrepreneur who has no patience for entitled runaways.
What starts as a reluctant alliance turns into something neither of them expected. Sienna, determined to prove she can stand on her own, refuses to fall back into old patterns. Rafa, content in his simple life, doesn’t believe in fairy tales. But as they navigate close quarters, clashing tempers, and undeniable chemistry, they keep finding reasons not to let go.
With her powerful family closing in and past obligations threatening to pull her back, Sienna must make a choice: return to the safety of her old life or fight for the freedom she’s come to crave.
And Rafa? He might just have to admit that love, messy, complicated love, was never something he could outrun.
A witty, fast-paced romance filled with sharp dialogue, tension, and heart, Cinta is a story of breaking free, finding love, and choosing your own destiny.
Chapter 1
Sienna Putri Santoso had never walked anywhere in her life. Not really. Not without a driver trailing her in a black Mercedes or a bodyguard shadowing her every step. But now, in second-hand clothes that smelled faintly of someone else’s detergent, she walked. And with each step, reality sank in deeper.
She was broke.
The robbery had stripped her of everything except the clothes on her back and a handful of crumpled bills she found in her pocket. She’d spent the night on a bench, too proud to beg, too stubborn to admit she had no plan. But hunger had a way of humbling a person, and now, she found herself in front of a small warung, the smell of grilled satay making her stomach clench.
Inside, she hesitated. People sat at plastic tables, eating with their hands, laughing like life wasn’t one big cruel joke. She had never felt more out of place.
Then, a familiar voice broke through the sizzle of the grill.
“Are you following me? Because if you are, let me save you the trouble—I’m not interested in whatever it is you think you’re offering.”
Sienna turned, meeting the calm gaze of Rafael Hartanto.
Rafa, as Pak Agus, the warung owner, had called him, didn’t seem the least bit surprised to see her. If anything, he looked amused. He was dressed simply, jeans, a plain T-shirt, and an air of quiet confidence that irritated her.
“Excuse me, am I following you?” Rafa’s tone was casual. “This is my friend’s place, Pak Agus. Hello, Pak, two sates, please.”
Sienna crossed her arms. “Oh, so now you conveniently have a friend here? What’s next, you own the place?”
Pak Agus grinned as he handed Rafa a plate of skewers. “Rafa, lama tak jumpa! Mau teh juga?”
Sienna blinked. They actually did know each other, well sort of from the second-hand store and Rafa giving Sienna a ride.
“Wait… Rafa? That’s your name?” she asked, as if this were another twist in her already ridiculous night.
“That’s what people call me,” he said, taking a seat. “What should I call you? Or do you change your name depending on who’s asking?”
Sienna rolled her eyes and sat across from him uninvited. “Sienna. And I don’t change my name. Just my mind. Frequently.”
She glanced at his plate as Pak Agus set the food down. The satay glistened in the light, the smell almost intoxicating.
“Toyota Sienna? Your parents named you after a car? So original.”
Sienna narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me? First of all, it’s an Italian name. Sophisticated. Classy. Unlike whatever budget ride you probably drive.”
She reached for a skewer without asking, biting into it like she owned the place.
Rafa smirked. “Oh, by all means, help yourself. Clearly, you’re not used to asking permission for things.”
“Why should I?” she said, mouth full. “You wouldn’t have finished it anyway. Besides, consider it a small tax for annoying me.”
Rafa leaned back, watching her with open amusement. “So, what do you actually do? You don’t seem like a banker or anything sophisticated.”
“I do many things,” she said vaguely.
“Many things? Sounds like a very specific job title.”
Sienna smirked. “Of course. I’m what you’d call… multifunctional.”
Rafa chuckled. “Wow. Maybe a teller, a manager, and customer service all in one? The bank must be desperate.”
“They recognize talent,” she said, stealing another skewer.
Rafa took a slow sip of tea. “And with all that expertise, I assume you know how to budget your… salary?”
Sienna paused mid-bite. “What are you implying?”
“That you clearly didn’t budget for dinner.”
Sienna wiped her hands delicately. “I have expenses. Makeup, perfume… it takes money to look this good.”
Rafa smirked. “Ah, of course. Priorities. Who needs food when you can smell expensive?”
“Exactly. A woman of my caliber doesn’t just exist, Rafa. I maintain a standard. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Oh, no doubt. You’re definitely special. Just not sure if it’s the good kind or the high-maintenance kind.”
Sienna gasped dramatically. “How dare you? I am not high-maintenance. I just have… standards.”
“Right. Standards that include running away from home, getting robbed, and eating my satay.”
Sienna pointed a skewer at him. “Okay, first of all, I did not run away. I strategically removed myself from a toxic situation. There’s a difference.”
Rafa grinned. “Ah, so this was a calculated escape? Very bank manager of you.”
Sienna rolled her eyes. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Maybe,” Rafa admitted. “Or maybe I just like seeing where this story goes.”
Sienna smirked. “Well, if you’re so invested, maybe you should give me another free ride. Since I’m special and all.”
Rafa leaned back. “Hmm… I don’t know. Free rides are for lost people, and you said you’re not lost, right?”
“I am never lost; people lose me.”
Rafa chuckled. “Of course. The great Sienna doesn’t get lost—she just leaves people behind.”
“Exactly. And if they can’t keep up, that’s their problem, not mine.”
Rafa raised an eyebrow. “Sounds exhausting. Always running, always making sure you’re ahead. Doesn’t it get lonely up there on your high horse?”
Sienna smirked. “Lonely? Please. I’m thriving. You should try it sometime—oh wait, you’re too busy giving free rides to lost souls.”
“Touché,” Rafa said. “But tell me, Miss Never Lost, where exactly are you heading next?”
Sienna paused just for a second, then smoothly covered it up. “Oh, you know, back to work. Important meetings, clients, maybe even a little—what do you common folk call it?—networking.”
Rafa grinned. “Wow. And yet, here you are, eating my dinner, without a ride, or a plan.”
Sienna leaned in. “Who says I don’t have a ride?”
“You don’t.”
“I could if I wanted to.”
Rafa laughed softly. “Right. Well, Miss Independent, if you ever choose to have a ride, let me know. But remember, it’s only free for special customers.”
a witty, emotional, and fast-paced contemporary romance novel about Sienna Santoso, a runaway heiress who finds unexpected love and independence while escaping an arranged marriage. Facing family pressure, personal growth, and undeniable chemistry with Rafa, a self-made entrepreneur, she must decide between her past and her future. A gripping slow-burn romance filled with tension, humor, and heartfelt moments.
