Leonel's frustration was palpable, wishing he could silence her provocative comments. He stepped out of the car and ushered her inside.

Once settled next to him, Alexis took off her high heels, visibly exhausted.

Her day had been long and taxing- court in the morning, an intense encounter with Leonel at noon, and handling Edwin's crisis through the afternoon and evening without so much as a bite to eat.

Noticing her pale complexion at a red light, Leonel asked softly, "Not feeling well?"

Alexis, not one to neglect her well-being, directed him, "Let's go eat something."

Leonel immediately connected the dots.

"The lunch I sent today, you didn't eat it?"

Alexis let out a light snort.

“Let's not do something as childish as that again."

Leonel remained silent, his grip firm on the steering wheel. As the traffic light turned green, he drove to a nearby Mexican restaurant known for its pleasant atmosphere.

The chill in the air had thinned the crowd.

Once seated, Alexis ordered their meal, which arrived quickly. She ate mostly in silence, her focus on the food.

After partially satiating her hunger and drinking half a glass of water, she noticed Leonel hadn't touched his meal.

She asked with a faint smile, "Not to your liking?"

Leonel simply shook his head.

"No, it's fine."

He was more interested in watching her, a rare moment when she seemed to let her guard down, a contrast to her usual poised demeanor.

Their dinner continued with minimal conversation.

After a while, Leonel ventured, “All these years, haven't you met someone you liked? Why are you still single?"

Alexis wiped her lips, leaning back with a gaze full of her familiar arrogance.