Chapter 292 Sebastian Invites: My Place?
Camilla thought, 'Wait for me? Why?'
"Is it something important?" Camilla straightened up immediately.
"Yes. Probably good news for you."
"What is it exactly?" Camilla's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
The more mysterious he acted, the more intrigued she became.
"Well..."
Sebastian had visited his old friend Lloyd Wallace at Excel Business University yesterday, and "happened" to make a small request.
"Lloyd has agreed to let you use one of their biology labs. I checked it out—they have all the equipment you need, including the CPRT," Sebastian said.
"Really? That's fantastic!" Camilla exclaimed.
Camilla nearly jumped with excitement.
She'd been desperately searching for a lab, and Sebastian had already found one for her!
It was like being a homeless person suddenly offered a fully furnished apartment.
Unable to contain herself, Camilla rushed forward and grabbed Sebastian's sleeve. "Sebastian, you're absolutely amazing!"
Her eyes were bright with gratitude, almost luminous.
Her hand rested on his elbow, and even through his clothes, he could feel the warmth of her touch.
Their eyes met, and Sebastian smiled.
Only then did Camilla realize she might have overreacted.
She quickly withdrew her hand. "Sorry, I got carried away."
In her haste to apologize, she missed the flash of disappointment in Sebastian's eyes. "It's fine."
"To show my appreciation, you're coming over for dinner. No excuses!" With that, Camilla dashed home.
Sebastian's previously dimmed eyes instantly brightened.
Once inside Camilla's place, Sebastian removed his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and headed straight to the kitchen.
Washing vegetables, chopping ingredients, peeling garlic...
He anticipated every task before Camilla could even ask.
Moving around with the ease of someone completely at home.
They'd cooked together so many times that they'd developed an unspoken rhythm.
When Camilla reached out, Sebastian knew exactly whether she needed salt or sugar, a bowl or a plate.
By six o'clock, dinner was ready.
Outside, darkness had fallen completely, with a bitter wind howling, but inside was warm and cozy.
Camilla knew Sebastian didn't drink and wouldn't let her drink either, so she didn't even bother asking.
She smiled. "Thank you, Sebastian, for helping me out again."
"Thank you, Camilla, for another delicious meal."
The portions weren't huge, but everything tasted wonderful, and they finished every last bite.
Sebastian unconsciously remarked, "I've been putting on weight lately."
Camilla was gathering the dishes, and the clatter drowned out his words. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"Nothing. Let me help you." Sebastian then began clearing the table alongside her.
By now, he was so practiced at washing dishes that Camilla barely needed to lift a finger. She just stood beside him, taking the clean dishes, drying them, and putting them away.
Noticing his white sweater, Camilla couldn't help asking, "Sebastian, would you like an apron?"
Sebastian glanced down at himself. "Good idea. My hands are wet—could you help me?"
"Sure."
Camilla took an apron but hesitated. Sebastian was so tall that she'd probably need to stand on tiptoe and reach up to get it around his neck.
While she was contemplating how to proceed, Sebastian suddenly bent down. "Is this better?"
"Maybe a little lower."
"How about now?" He stooped further.
"Perfect."
Camilla quickly looped the apron over his head.
Sebastian straightened up and waited a moment. When she didn't continue, he smiled and prompted, "You might want to tie it around my waist too."
"Right!" Camilla snapped back to attention and grabbed the strings, tying them into a bow behind his back.
Sebastian suddenly started coughing.
"What's wrong?"
"It's a bit tight."
"I'm so sorry! Let me fix it. Is this better?"
"Much better."
After tidying the kitchen, they moved to the living room.
Camilla prepared a fruit platter and set it on the coffee table. "Help yourself."
"Thanks."
She took a piece of apple and sat at the other end of the sofa. "I heard the TV network is broadcasting the joint academic conference between Harmony College and Oasis University?"
"Yes, would you like to watch it?"
Camilla nodded, but then looked disappointed. "My TV doesn't get international channels, so I can't watch the livestream."
"You can watch it."
"What? How?"
Sebastian simply said, "At my place."
And so Camilla followed Sebastian to his apartment.
It wasn't her first visit, but she usually stayed in the living room and rarely entered his bedroom.
The only exception was when she'd helped him find a thermometer and cold medicine when he was sick.
She'd been in too much of a hurry then to notice much.
But this time was different.
While Sebastian set up the projector, Camilla stood in the room, taking everything in.
Their apartments had identical layouts with similar-sized master bedrooms, but Sebastian's décor couldn't have been more different from hers.
From the style of the bed and wardrobe to the colors of the bedding and curtains...
Camilla's room featured soft, muted Morandi colors, while his was starkly black, white, and gray.
Rationality and restraint seemed ingrained in every aspect of his life, with every detail exuding seriousness and precision.
Though the color scheme was minimalist, the room was immaculately clean.
On the nightstand, an alarm clock and charger sat on one side, with a small bookshelf on the other.
The bookshelf held journals and magazines, all perfectly aligned.
Sebastian drew the curtains.
The projector came to life, casting its light onto the blank wall opposite the bed.
After a few taps on his phone, Sebastian tuned into the CBS broadcast.
"Oh my God! It's actually working!" Camilla exclaimed delightedly.
As the camera panned across the audience, they could see Aurora sitting in the front row!
"There's Aurora!"
Camilla craned her neck, which started to ache. Looking for somewhere to sit, she scanned the room but found no chairs, only...
"Feel free to sit on the bed if you'd like."
Camilla hesitated. "Is that okay?"
A bed was such a personal space.
Just as she didn't like others touching her bed, she felt uncomfortable using someone else's.
Sebastian explained, "I changed the sheets and duvet cover yesterday. It's clean."
"That's not what I meant!" Camilla waved her hands. "I'm worried about messing up your bed."
"It's okay." He then handed her a pillow, suggesting she could use it for back support. "The pillow is new. I haven't used it yet."
Camilla stood awkwardly, unsure what to do.
Sensing her discomfort, Sebastian realized his invitation might have been too forward.
He quickly offered, "Just a moment, I'll bring you a chair from the living room!"
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