He merely wanted to tease Claudia. But he didn't expect her to be so sensitive.

His mind wandered when he noticed the reddened rims of her eyes.

Once he regained his focus, he remembered his original intent.

Bennett placed the glass down and regarded Claudia.

Claudia blushed at his scrutiny. She arched an eyebrow and asked, “What's the matter?"

"Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

When Claudia heard his words, her blush deepened. She subconsciously bit the rim of the glass.

To discuss such things was embarrassing and difficult.

"You don't have to be embarrassed. Neither of us has experience. If you feel uncomfortable, don't endure it."

Claudia glanced at him, shook her head, then nodded. Her hesitation was evident as she pondered the question while biting her lip. “No, I'm not uncomfortable. I'm just a bit sore in my waist," she replied carefully.

“I understand. I'm going to take a shower. Would you still like to stay here?"

The reason Claudia came downstairs was to be with him. But if he was going upstairs now to have a shower, then there was no reason for her to sit here.

“Hurry up and have your shower."

She didn't answer his question but urged him.

Bennett knew she felt shy, so he smiled, leaned down, and kissed her.

Then he stood up and went upstairs.

The sandalwood fragrance, mixed with a hint of alcohol, gradually dissipated. Claudia raised her head and watched as Bennett walked to the staircase, reaching the landing.

She didn't get up to get the glass of water until he took a turn and then went up the stairs slowly.

When Claudia returned to her room, Bennett was already in the bathroom, preparing for his shower.

She picked up her phone and found that Aurora had sent her a message asking if she was free this weekend and that she wanted to go shopping with her.

“I haven't been shopping with you for a long time!" Aurora wrote.

“Sure, I'm free!" Claudia replied in a hurry.

Bennett's birthday was coming up, and she hadn't bought a suitable birthday gift for him. It was a good chance for her to go shopping with Aurora this weekend to see if there were any befitting birthday gifts.

Aurora usually replied to her messages within seconds. But she was most likely working overtime and didn't reply to her until a while later.