Claudia rushed down the stairs and went to the dining room, her heart still racing from her conversation with Bennett. Marcia emerged from the kitchen after hearing her footsteps and informed her, “Mrs. Dreksin, I've finished cooking the noodles that Mr. Dreksin requested. Do you want to eat now?"

Claudia looked at Marcia, her cheeks still red, and nodded. "Yes, I'll eat now."

“Great! I'll bring it to you in a second,"

Marcia said before returning to the kitchen. Not even two minutes later, she came back, carrying a bowl of delicious noodles.

“Thank you, Marcia."

Claudia had just grabbed the fork and spoon when Bennett entered the dining room.

He sat down across from her. Marcia quickly went back to the kitchen to fetch another bowl of noodles and placed it in front of the man. "Here you are, Mr. Dreksin."

“Thank you."

Bennett picked up the fork but did not immediately eat. He glanced at Claudia and said, "Let's eat."

At that, Claudia bowed her head and started eating.

Bennett noticed her red ears again but did not comment on them. Instead, he also began eating.

Claudia ate quite slowly. When Bennett was done, she had only eaten a third of her noodles.

When his phone rang, he went to the living room to answer it.

Claudia tried to eat faster when she realized that the noodles were getting cold.

Once she was done, she called Marcia to collect the dishes and drank half a glass of water before exiting the dining area to look for Bennett.

She found him talking to someone on the phone by the French window. Instead of approaching him, she took a seat on the high stool at the worktop. She rested her chin on her hand and studied the man.

Bennett must have felt her gaze because he suddenly turned around to look at her. In an instant, the man's eyes softened, and the crease between his brows smoothed.

Claudia's face lit up with a radiant smile, and the sparkle of happiness in her beautiful eyes was as dazzling as a starry sky. Bennett immediately came over to her once he finished his call.

Claudia blinked her eyes, blushing a little at the uncontrollable longing she felt. She did not try to suppress it, though. She spread her arms and asked, “Can I hug you, Bennett?"

Bennett's heart felt like it was being clawed by soft feathers at the sound of the woman's gentle voice.

He Looked her straight in the eye and swallowed before replying, “Of course."

As soon as she heard that, Claudia wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her head against his stomach.

Bennett placed a gentle hand on her head. Soon, he was running his fingers through her hair.

A few seconds later, he put his hands on each side of her waist and gently but firmly Lifted her.