“Are you hungry?"

Claudia, on the verge of claiming she wasn't hungry, was interrupted by the audible rumble of her stomach.

She looked at him awkwardly and confessed, "I am a little hungry."

He smiled warmly.

"You don't have to wait up for me. Go ahead and have breakfast."

"Okay."

Bennett rubbed her head affectionately, ruffling her hair slightly, and went upstairs.

Observing his back as he left, Claudia couldn't help but ponder how he was so energetic.

Had she not been getting enough exercise lately?

Should she also make exercise part of her morning routine from now on?

Claudia was lost in thought and did not notice Marcia approach her until she spoke.

"Mrs. Dreskin, breakfast is ready. Should I serve it now?"

Snapping back to reality, Claudia turned to face her and answered, “Yes, thank you."

The sweet smell of congee and buns hit Claudia from the kitchen as she walked into dining room.

"That smells amazing."

"I knew this morning would be cool due to the rain that fell last night. So, I made congee and steamed buns. They are still warm and shall be easy to eat."

"That's so considerate of you, Marcia. Well done," Claudia said with a smile on her face.

Marcia looked down shyly and said, “I'm just doing my job as best as I can."

She then turned around and went back to the kitchen with a smile on her face, happy about the compliment.

Claudia ate the congee slowly, savoring the taste with every spoon she took. It took her fifteen minutes to finish a bowl of it.

By the time she was done, Bennett still hadn't come downstairs. She picked up a steamed bun and ate it, then called out to Marcia to take rest and continue to heat them. With a glass of water in her hand, she went upstairs to get her phone.

Upon entering her room, she saw that Bennett hadn't come out of the bathroom yet.

Staring at the bathroom door and listening to the splash of water inside, Claudia couldn't help but think of what had happened last night.

As the images of the previous night's events flashed through her mind, she felt her waist get increasingly sore.