After some thought, Lulu headed into the kitchen. “Is there something you’d like to eat?”
“Yeah. I didn’t work late today, but I didn’t eat outside either,” Zachary replied-he had been concerned since he could not see Lulu and Star in the security cameras, and so, he hurried back. He was relieved to see that both of them were safe. “There’s nothing much in the kitchen…”
Indeed, there were just eggs and noodles and nothing else. Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang just then.
“There’s someone here?” Lulu asked as she glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was already 8 PM-who would visit this late?
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang again.
Seeing that Zachary had no intent on moving, Lulu answered the door. “Mr. Slate!” Vivian exclaimed as soon as the door opened, holding a food container. “I remembered you didn’t eat today, so I made something for you…”
Even as she spoke, she was studying Lulu intently, and she subtly turned away as Lulu lowered her head and moved aside.
“What are you doing here?” Zachary asked, striding toward them with a glass of water.
“Mr. Slate…” Vivian beamed when she saw him, hurrying toward him while shoving Lulu aside.
Lulu almost lost her balance but managed to catch herself, whereas Zachary seemed not to see it.
He stayed silent and waited, pursing his lips when Lulu did not say a word.
At the same time, Vivian put the food container on the table as if she was at home. “I was so worried and m know you wouldn’t have much food at home, so I brought you something. I made all these myself!” Zachary would have stopped her in the past, but somehow not this time.
Vivian then continued, “You’ve been working hard on those projects, so you need to have a proper dinner! had the cafeteria make you chicken soup, but you skipped dinner so I had to bring it for you. It’s quite late because I went home first and cooked before rushing here. You must be hungry, right?”
Lulu was still standing by the entrance, watching as the twostood, looking amicable under the glow of the warm lamp.
Vivian then opened the food container to reveal the assortment of dishes inside.
After Vivian laid out all the food on the table, she got a bowl from the kitchen and poured in the chicken soup herself, saying, “I ordered the chicken myself from a farm. It’s the type fed with proper grains and never locked in coops. Chickens reared like that are the best! Some of it was used at the cafeteria, but since you didn’t eat, the soup has cooled, so I made another bowl for you after I got home! Also, I saw the beef from the nearby market looked fresh, so I cooked it too. Why don’t you try and see if you like it?”
Zachary took a seat as Vivian continued to fawn over him, looking neutral and accepting of everything she was doing.
He actually felt repulsed but did not show it.
Instead, he subtly glanced at Lulu, who stood there, unmoved.
Feeling a little frustrated just then, he turned coolly toward the finely cut beef which was stir-fried with peppers. It was steaming since it was just cooked and looked perfectly fine, but Zachary simply did not feel an appetite!
On the other hand, Vivian never glanced at Lulu as she was completely focused on Zachary. She was disappointed to see no reaction from him but naturally did not dare show it!
“Here, this mackerel is more homely-I’ve even added saffron that would nourish your digestive system and clear out toxins…”
Zachary frowned just then, unable to pretend any longer.
He would have chased Vivian out if not for his intention to probe Lulu. Closing his eyes, he tried to play it cool or at least not appear upset. “And this!” Vivian continued to introduce the food excitedly, seemingly not noticing Zachary’s disgust. “Chicken legs that I marinated for days. The flavor is perfect without being too spicy, and you’d probably like it!” Zachary merely felt sick looking at the greasy gleam of the chicken legs, while Vivian revealed a pot of stewed pork and grilled eggplants. Seeing that he was not moving, she eagerly put a piece of pork on his plate. “You have to try this. I practiced cooking this countless times before I finally perfected it!”
Lulu finally turned toward them but quickly turned away.
Zachary wanted to chase Vivian out but started eating when he noticed it.
“It’s alright,” he told Vivian even though his eyes were on Lulu, lying even though he did not like it. “It’s not greasy, and it’s both salty and sweet!”
Vivian was grinning from ear-to-ear just then. “You’re amazing, Mr. Slate. I only added a little sugar in there, but you could taste it already!” Zachary was speechless he just made that up, and yet…
Meanwhile, Lulu could feel Zachary glancing at her from time to time for some reason even as she stood in a corner.
Was she being paranoid? Why would he take notice of her when he was of hexv eating so happily?
She lowered her head further…
“Great!” Zachary exclaimed just then, much louder this time for Lulus e benefit.
Seeing that he was content, she started to leave.
Before Lulu could leave, Zachary turned and saw her, calling out, “Ms. Jones!”
As Lulu paused, he slowly wiped his mouth with a tissue and pointed at Lulu while telling Vivian, “I haven’t introduced you-she’s the new babysitter I hired.”
Vivian was just about to put more food on Zachary’s plate, and she straightened right then. “Babysitter? I see…”
There was nothing wrong with her tone, but Lulu felt hostility the instant their eyes met!
“This is my assistant, Vivian!” Zachary continued just then.
Lulu did not react, even smiling cheerfully since she knew when to keep her distance. “Nice to meet you. I’m the childcare worker Mr. Slate hired for his baby.”
“You’re quite young, I’m surprised you’d be a childcare worker. You must be impressive since Mr. Slate would hire you himself,” Vivian said, probing her with a smile and flattery. “Mr. Slate always had a good eye, and there must be something about you that sets you apart. I hope you can take good care of his baby!”
“Also…” She walked up, eagerly taking Lulu’s hand and picking up the huge bag she brought, opening it and revealing a large amount of childcare products. “I brought a lot of stuff for the baby. Check them out and see if there’s anything unsuitable. Just tell me, and I’ll buy it tomorrow!”
Seeing that Lulu was left a little dumbstruck, she smiled and promptly picked up a baby food steamer, which she then placed on the table. “This one is imported- you can’t usually get it locally, but I heard it’s safe and easy to use. I had to queue up for it!”
Zachary walked toward them and shot Vivian an impatient glare. “Thank you. Send me the bill later. I’ll claim it for you as expenses.” “No way! You’ve taken such good care of me, I’m not so ungrateful that I’d ask to claim for something like this!” Vivian exclaimed, waving him off, before moving on to the baby clothes. “It’s been hot lately, so it’d be better to have more clothes prepared for the baby. I’ve asked a friend to buy this from abroad-the material is perfect, and the baby would be very comfortable!”
“Also, there are some children’s toys, designed expressly for their age. It’s better than ordinary toys, and you can let your baby play with these!”
As she continued to pull a pile of things from the bags, Lulu more or less read her mind by then.
Zachary could tell as well, could he not? Why else would the woman be so enthusiastic?
However, he did not reject Vivian.
Did this mean…
Still, it made sense he would want to settle down-Lulu only hoped that she would have more time staying with Star.
Suddenly, Vivian grabbed Lulu’s hand. while beaming. “You must take good care of f Mr Slate’s baby. Just tell me if you need anything-Mr. Slate is busy, so he can’t help much!”
“Sure,” Lulu replied, subtly pulling her hand away.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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