"I stayed up late last night and had an early morning."

“You should get some sleep. I'll wake you when we arrive," Bennett suggested, handing her a neck pillow from the back seat.

Curious, Claudia asked, "When did you get this?"

“Ah, picked it up on my way back the other day," he responded.

It had been a Thursday. He caught sight of the pillow in a shop window when he was waiting for the traffic light to turn green, Realizing Claudia didn't have one, he'd stopped to buy it.

As she fitted the pillow around her neck, Claudia was about to say something when yet another yawn escaped her.

Bennett chuckled softly and encouraged, "Go ahead and rest."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink, and she nodded, “Alright, I'1L take a nap then.”

“Okay.”

And that she did, falling asleep almost immediately after her words left her Lips.

The car quietly exited the parking lot, its interior steeped in peaceful silence.

As he prepared to enter the expressway, Bennett glanced over at his slumbering companion,

Claudia had already drifted off to sleep, her head gently resting against the neck pillow.

He reached behind him to grab a thin blanket, draping it over her without waking her.

Gazing at her peaceful visage, he felt a pang of sympathy but resisted the urge to disturb her further.

The traffic light shifted to green.

With that, Bennett resumed driving.

Claudia had enjoyed a deep, uninterrupted slumber, When Bennett gently roused her, she gradually opened her eyes and cast a fond gaze at the man before her. With a voice that carried the lingering traces of sleep, she playfully uttered, "Bennett."

His heart melted at the sight of her.

Bennett retrieved a bottle of water and handed it to her.

"Have a sip of water

Claudia accepted the bottle and took a drink, the cool liquid instantly dispelling any remaining drowsiness she felt.

As she touched her slightly flushed cheek, she inquired, “How long has I slept?"

Bennett smiled warmly.