Brian had been convinced that several invitations would be needed to coax them into his office.

Their immediate arrival had caught him off guard.

Without a hint of emotion coloring her features, Rosalynn led Maggie to the lounge area and took a seat.

Rarely had Sanford bothered to lay out cutlery and plates with such meticulous courtesy.

Keeping her gaze Low, Maggie seated herself next to Rosalynn, carefully avoiding Sanford's eyes.

“These dishes are from Atera Restaurant. I hope they are to your Liking."

Sanford's glance brushed past Maggie as he reached for her bowl to serve her soup.

Simultaneously, Brian extended his hand for Rosalynn's bowl.

In an unspoken agreement, a compromise that betrayed a twinge of regret in their eyes, Sanford yielded, allowing Brian to serve first.

With an unchanging countenance, Brian spooned a serving of soup into Rosalynn's bowl.

Rosalynn, unperturbed, accepted the bowl and began to consume the soup at a leisurely pace.

It was now Sanford's turn to serve Maggie. Before he could do so, Maggie intercepted with a polite, "I've got this.”

She took over, filling a bowl for Brian first, then one for Sanford, and finally one for herself.

Her actions held a certain dignity yet detachment, subtly hinting at her position as merely an employee.

An unreadable emotion crossed Sanford's face as he accepted his bowl and muttered a soft, “Thank you."

“You're welcome," Maggie murmured, casting her gaze downward and beginning her meal.

The room fell into a silence, punctuated only by the faint sounds of their dining.

Noticing Maggie's single-minded focus on a particular dish, Sanford found himself reaching out to serve her more.

Upon sensing his gaze, Maggie looked up only to divert her eyes when she met his.

She proceeded to eat faster, seemingly eager to finish her meal and take her leave.

Sanford's lips twitched as if to speak, but he remained silent, eating in quiet while the food tasted bland and unappetizing to him.

Out of nowhere, the silence was broken by the shrill ring of a phone.