Chapter 54
As everyone’s eyes were fixed on Catherine, she walked alongside Branden and entered the restaurant.
The interior design of the restaurant matched the style of the building, exuding an elegant and unique ambiance that transported people to a foreign country.
They were given the largest private room, not in terms of table size, but in its expansive area, resembling a spacious, one-level restaurant.
Branden handed the menu to Catherine and asked, “What would you like to eat?”
Catherine didn’t respond, her delicate face resting on her hand, indicating her fatigue and weariness.
Branden noticed her exhaustion and sighed as he gazed at her. “Then I’ll order. After we finish eating, I’ll take you to rest,” he said in a deep tone.
Catherine had no objections. She didn’t enjoy selecting dishes, so she didn’t mind letting Branden decide on the meal.
If there was anything she didn’t like, she could choose not to eat it.
Since there were only the two of them, Branden thought a simple lunch would be more suitable. He ordered two sets with an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert, and specifically asked the chef to prepare something spicy for Catherine.
Catherine glanced at the dishes containing mussels and fish, which appeared appetizing and pleasing to her. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
Taking the initiative, she picked up the utensils and began eating silently.
Catherine remained quiet throughout the meal, and Branden was not particularly talkative either. Neither of them said a word during the lunch.
Occasionally, Branden made a slight sound as he deboned the fish and placed it on Catherine’s plate.
“Enjoy!” he said.
Catherine glanced at him, her lips curling into a faint smile, radiating a wild and carefree air.
The fish dish was delicious but filled with small bones.
Therefore, even if Catherine liked it, she preferred not to deal with it.
To her surprise, the man sitting across from her patiently removed the fish bones. She wouldn’t refuse his kindness, so she enjoyed the dish without reservation.
Paxton’s eyes widened in astonishment, disbelief etched on his face. His boss opening the car door for Catherine could be considered a gentlemanly gesture, but deboning the fish for her took it to another level.
Was this true love?
After finishing the main dish, Catherine leaned back in her chair with half-closed eyes, looking as relaxed as a sleepy cat.
Observing her in this state, Branden couldn’t help but take another glance at her face. This girl seemed unpredictable, and he felt like he couldn’t fully grasp who she was.
“If you are full, we can leave right now!”
Upon uttering those words, Branden stood up, and Catherine followed suit, leaving the seat.
Unexpectedly, Branden didn’t leave the restaurant. Instead, he led her through a beautiful corridor and into another courtyard.
Paxton opened the door for them, seeming quite familiar with the place.
Once inside the house, Branden guided Catherine upstairs. He pushed open a door and then turned back, tilting his head towards Catherine, his gaze suggesting something.
Catherine wasn’t sure what he was up to, but entering a room alone with a man was a potentially dangerous situation.
However, she didn’t fear Branden in the slightest. Furthermore, she knew he wouldn’t do anything to harm her. She walked directly into the room, which was predominantly decorated in black, white, and gray tones, reflecting Branden’s minimalist style.
After appreciating the decor, Catherine turned back with the same gaze, raising her eyebrows and waiting for his next move.
“This house is mine. The bedding is changed daily, and it’s all brand new.”
Branden pointed toward the nearby bed and slowly approached Catherine, leaning close to her ear before softly saying, “You should go to sleep… I’ll be working!”
Catherine gave him a cold glare. “What the hell is he doing?” she thought.
Afterward, she reclined on the bed, closed her eyes, and fell asleep within a few seconds.
Catherine slept soundly, as if alone in the room without anyone else present.
Branden took out his laptop, which he always carried with him, and sat quietly on the nearby sofa, working. Even as he typed on the keyboard, he did so gently, ensuring Catherine could rest
undisturbed.
Time passed swiftly.
At half past one in the afternoon, Catherine, who had been peacefully asleep, slowly sat up.
There was no alarm or disturbance, and she woke up naturally. Interestingly, the moment she woke up coincided perfectly with the time it would take to travel from there to her school, as if she had calculated it in her mind.
Even Branden was somewhat surprised by her precision, as it indicated she possessed an exceptional ability to regulate her biological clock.
“Are you awake?” Branden’s deep and magnetic voice carried warmth, akin to a gentle breeze.
Catherine usually disliked hearing people speak immediately after waking up. However, Branden’s voice didn’t bother her. In fact, it was pleasant to listen to.
Branden silently observed her as the sunlight intensified, streaming through the white. curtains and gently cascading onto her fair, smooth skin, enhancing her radiance and captivating beauty.
Catherine sat for a moment before slowly getting up from the bed.
Branden thoughtfully brought her a cup of coffee and handed it to her, asking, “Want some?”
Catherine didn’t refuse and reached out to take the cup, promptly finishing its contents in one gulp. Her movements were elegant and swift, displaying no hesitation.
After she handed back the cup, she coldly said, “Let’s go.”
With that, she turned around and left, indifferent to whether Branden followed behind.
Branden glanced down at the cup beside him, and a faint smile appeared on his face. There was progress; at least she invited him to accompany her!
After Catherine descended the stairs, she entered Branden’s car, and he drove her to school.
As they arrived at their destination, Catherine opened the car door, preparing to leave. Unexpectedly, Branden grabbed her hand.
It caused her to turn around and cast an annoyed glare at him. It seemed that he was starting. to overstep her boundaries.
Catherine had already made up her mind that if Branden couldn’t provide a reasonable explanation this time, she would teach him a lesson, making it clear that he shouldn’t touch her hand without permission.
Branden held her wrist with one hand, pulled a box from a drawer next to him with the other, and handed it to her.
“Here!”
Catherine looked at the box and recognized it as chocolate, exquisitely packaged and
undoubtedly expensive. However, her face didn’t reveal much joy. “I don’t eat sweets,” she
coldly declined his offering.
She preferred intense flavors and wasn’t fond of sweets and chocolates.
Branden gazed at her, a smile forming on his face, which conveyed gentleness.
“Don’t worry. It’s not sweet chocolate. You can eat it when your blood sugar is low.”
Catherine furrowed her brow once again, intrigued by how this man knew about her hypoglycemia.
Branden understood the reason behind her expression, but he chose not to respond, instead offering a faint smile. “You should go, or you’ll be late for class!” he advised.
Catherine nodded and shook the chocolate box in her hand. “Thanks.” Her voice remained emotionless, as was typical for her.
Then she turned around and left, seemingly forgetting about the lesson she had planned to teach him just a few seconds earlier.