“No, I haven't had any alcohol." How could she, given her low alcohol tolerance?

Claudia was uncertain why he would ask that.

It took Claudia a moment to grasp what Bennett was getting at. Her cheeks flushed as she extricated herself from his embrace.

"I haven't even taken out my things from the suitcase yet. I should head upstairs and get things in orde:

She was also eager to give him the special gift she had bought.

As this thought crossed her mind, her eyes were instinctively drawn to the tie clip fastened to his tie.

Bennett followed her gaze and looked down at his own tie, noting the clip.

"Go on, then," he said with a smile, gently letting go of her as he took the glass from her hands.

Casting one more look at him, Claudia spun around and hurried upstairs. Her suitcase was a cornucopia of items, including the bags she'd bought for Aurora.

She started to unpack and organize her things. Just as she retrieved the special gift she'd bought for Bennett, he entered the room,

She couldn't help but look up at him as she extended the gift box toward him, as if presenting a sacred treasure.

"I picked up something for you during my business trip."

“What's this?"

Bennett's eyebrows shot up in pleasant surprise as he looked at the box.

“Thanks, Claudia. I appreciate it.”

“Take a look," Claudia urged, placing the box in his hands.

To be exact, this was the first gift Claudia had ever given to Bennett, and she was really nervous about it.

He looked her way before opening the box. Inside, there was a Patek Philippe watch.

“Do you like it?" she asked, a hint of concern coloring her voice when he didn't immediately respond.

The watch hadn't been her original idea for a gift. She'd stumbled upon it while out shopping for bags for Aurora, Intrigued, she entered the Patek Philippe store and was immediately drawn to this particular watch.

It was a simple, clean design featuring just the timepiece, the calendar and the phases of the moon,

Its dark brown crocodile skin strap and rose gold dial struck her as the epitome of understated elegance, qualities she thought would resonate with Bennett's own character.

Indeed, Bennett was a man of both gentleness and discipline.

“Put this on for me, would you, Claudia?" he said while taking off his watch and handing the new watch to Claudia.