Mrs.
Stephanie personally took our orders before finally leaving.
Soon, the awkward silence settled between us again.
Alexander remained focused on his phone while I quietly sat across from him, unsure of what to say.
Not long after, our food arrived, and we ate in silence.
Almost an hour later, we finished dinner.
Alexander paid the bill, and we returned to the car.
“Where should we head to, sir?” the driver asked.
“The villa,” Alexander answered shortly.
Knowing how much staying at the villa affected his work schedule, I turned to him.
“Thank you for dinner, Alexander,” I said quietly.
“But you really don’t have to…” “Isn’t this what you wanted?” he cut in sharply, as though he had finally run out of patience.
“Just enjoy it while it lasts.” I froze.
Before I could even process what he meant, the car had already arrived at the villa.
Alexander didn’t say another word.
I stepped out while the driver closed the door behind me.
Moments later, the car disappeared through the gates.
I stood there quietly, watching its taillights fade into the distance.
“Alice, dear?” Aunt Rose’s gentle voice pulled me back.
I turned toward the villa and saw her standing at the entrance.
“You’re back.
Was it Alexander who just dropped you off?” she asked, though it sounded more like she already knew the answer.
I nodded.
Her smile immediately deepened.
“Come inside.
You must be tired.” She naturally linked her arm with mine as we walked in.
I tried my best to keep my expression normal, but somehow she still noticed.
“Why do you look like this?” she asked softly.
“Didn’t you have dinner?” “I did,” I answered quietly.
“With Alexander.” She let out a satisfied sigh.
“That boy is finally doing the right thing.” My footsteps slowed.
So…
It really was because of Aunt that he had taken me to dinner.
Then…
What did he mean by those words in the car?
“Go freshen up and get some rest,” Aunt Rose said, patting my hand gently.
“You need to stay healthy if you’re going to handle the company.” “Alright, Aunt.
Good night.” “Good night, dear.” I headed upstairs to my room.
Even after taking a shower and changing into my pajamas, my thoughts refused to settle.
Isn’t this what you wanted?
His cold voice echoed over and over in my mind.
What exactly did he think I wanted?
And why…
Why did it always feel like he was looking at me with disgust?
I lay in bed, turning from one side to the other, unable to quiet my thoughts.
Finally, I sat up.
Opening the drawer beside my bed, I reached for a small medicine container tucked away in the corner.
It had been prescribed years ago whenever my anxiety became overwhelming.
I rarely needed it now.
But on nights like this, when my thoughts refused to stop racing, it helped calm my mind enough to sleep.
After taking one with a glass of water, I lay back down.
Exhaustion soon overtook me.
By the time sleep finally claimed me, I didn’t even realize how deeply I had drifted off.
The next morning, I nearly overslept and was almost late for work.
Wrapped in the rare peace the night had given me…
I never realized it might be the last peaceful sleep I’d have for a very long time….
The following morning, I arrived at the office a little late than usual.
Yesterday’s visit to Livingston Corporation’s agricultural sector had given me a clearer understanding of where our ingredients came from.
Now, it was time to focus on what Johnson Culinary Group did best.
Preparing the meals.
No sooner had I settled into my office than Mike entered carrying a tablet and several files.
“Good morning, ma’am.” “Morning.” He placed everything neatly on my desk.
“Ma’am, the selection process for your assistant has been completed.” I looked up from the document in my hands.
“Would you like to interview the finalists yourself?” I shook my head.
“Let the Human Resources Department make the final decision.” I glanced at the neatly stacked files covering my desk.
“I already have more than enough on my plate.” “Alright, ma’am.” He collected the documents but remained where he was.
“Anything else?” I asked.
Mike nodded before handing me the tablet he had been carrying.
“We received this from Livingston Corporation this morning.” The concern in his expression immediately caught my attention.
I took the tablet and began reading through the document.
At first, my brows only furrowed.
Then, as I reached the second page, my eyes widened.
“They’re changing the menu?” “Yes, ma’am.” I looked back down at the proposal.
It wasn’t a minor adjustment either.
Several signature dishes that had been used for similar events over the past few years had been replaced with entirely new selections.
That meant recalculating ingredient quantities, revising procurement schedules, adjusting production timelines, and testing every recipe again before the event.
There wasn’t much time left….