At her words, he paused and met her gaze.

He dipped his head and met her inquisitive gaze with his own penetrating eyes. "What's your theory, Mrs. Dreskin?"

"Was it too hot? The air conditioning doesn't seem to be very effective."

He looked into her eyes for a good while and then spoke up again.

“If I hadn't taken a cold shower, I might have ended up taking another kind of hot shower with you, Mrs. Dreskin."

“Why would I have to take a hot shower with you if you're the one who-" Claudia caught herself mid-sentence, suddenly aware of the implication. Though she had never had sex, she had heard people talking about it and seen others doing it through adult films.

Additionally, her long-lasting friendship with the open-minded Aurora had also given her some awareness of such matters.

Coming to her senses, Claudia instantly regretted her poorly chosen question. She wished she could rewind time and stifle those words before they had ever left her mouth.

How she wished she could turn back time and stop herself from asking such an inane question.

Quickly lowering her gaze, she felt her cheeks and ears flush a vivid shade of red.

Her cheeks and ears flushed red as she hastily took a spoonful of porridge. Only it was too hot, and she was about to spit it out when Bennett extended his hand.

Before she could react, she had spat the hot porridge into his palm. Unfazed, Bennett wiped his hand with a tissue and turned his attention back to her.

“Did you burn your tongue?”

He gently cupped her cheeks, prompting her to open her mouth. Obediently, she stuck out her tongue for him to inspect.

"It's hot," Claudia said, her lips pursed tightly as she looked at him. "Obviously, it's hot. Slow down. I won't steal your food, Mrs. Dreskin."

Embarrassed, Claudia wanted to tell him she wasn't worried about him eating her meal.

But the words wouldn't come.

How could she admit she was nervous a moment ago?

Proceeding with caution this time, Claudia sampled the temperature of the porridge before deeming it safe enough for consumption.

She focused intently on her food, still smarting from her previous faux pas, and chose not to engage in further conversation

After the meal, she glanced at her phone. It was nearly nine.

Today was Monday.

“Isn't Monday usually a meeting day for you?" Claudia asked, turning her attention to Bennett.

“Missing one meeting won't make that much of a difference."