"Take your time leaving. I won't see you out."

Leonel paused, giving her a long, meaningful look before finally exiting.

After he left, Alexis washed her face and returned to her work routine, her appetite for lunch seemingly vanished.

Leonel's visits always stirred conflicting emotions within her.

She reminded herself that their relationship had ended a long time ago.

Her mind was set against him, but her body seemed to disagree, evident from their recent encounters.

Alexis had to admit that being intimate with Leonel was quite comfortable. She wondered if he had a particular understanding of women or just an insight into her, as he consistently managed to please her.

But she sternly reminded herself, that there couldn't be a 'next time’.

Despite the physical satisfaction, she couldn't afford to let herself become entangled with him again.

Continuing down this path could only lead to complications and unwanted emotions.

Alexis was determined not to contradict her own principles and end up disappointing herself by going back on her words.

Lost in these thoughts, she was interrupted by her secretary, who entered with a Lunch box.

Alexis leaned back in her chair.

“Didn't I say I'd skip lunch?" she queried.

The secretary responded cautiously, "Mr. Douglas sent this over. He said you're worn out and you're gonna need this."

Alexis usually had a tough exterior, but the events in the lounge earlier with Leonel were clearly not lost on her secretary.

But then, she chose to ignore it.

Leonel's gesture with the lunch box seemed a deliberate attempt to unnerve her.

She opened the box to find two stir-fried dishes and a bowl of silver fungus soup, all foods known for their nourishing properties for women.

As Alexis sat there, memories of Leonel's audacious whispers during their earlier encounter flooded her mind, causing her face to heat up.