Chapter 423 William and Hayden (24)
Yet, she didn't look away, maintaining eye contact as she replied calmly, "A little."
"Good," William nodded, his deep-set eyes twinkling with mirth. "It'll be ready in five minutes."
"Okay." Hayden nodded. "Don't mind me; carry on."
William smiled, said nothing else, and went back to his soup. Meanwhile, Hayden walked into the dining room, pulled out a chair, and sat down, his eyes still fixed on him.
True to his word, the soup was ready in five minutes.
It looked delectable, steaming, and aromatic; its color was so delicious that it made Hayden's mouth water.
"Try it."
As Hayden fixated on the soup bowl, barely able to look away, William extended a fork toward her.
Without hesitation, Hayden took the fork and eagerly sipped a spoonful...
Wow!
The taste was delightful, perfectly seasoned.
She immediately scooped another spoonful to her lips.
As she went for the third spoonful, William placed the bowl in front of her and took the seat opposite her.
Like he did at breakfast, he didn't start eating. He just quietly watched her, seeming to relish the moment.
"Why do you like watching people eat?" Hayden asked, spoon in hand and about to eat, only to find William's quiet gaze on her.
William chuckled, picked up his fork, and shook his head. "I just like watching you eat," he said.
"Why?" Her curiosity spilled out.
"Because it's beautiful."
Hayden stared at him, speechless.
Although she found his answer baffling, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter uncontrollably.
Hastily, she lowered her head and continued to eat.
William smiled before lifting his bowl to join her. He ate with such elegance and grace that the two of them dining together looked like a perfect, dynamic painting.
Due to his fine upbringing and the silence he'd become accustomed to during meals at home over the past four years, Hayden ate her meal seriously without speaking.
She remained silent, and so did William, simply eating while watching her enjoy her food.
After finishing her meal, Hayden put down her knife and fork and accepted William's napkin. She wiped the corners of her mouth before standing up to say, "The soup was delicious; I'm full."
William finished eating faster than she had, but he hadn't eaten as much. She had polished off most of the large serving of beef and broccoli.
She couldn't help it; the taste was too good. Since she'd come to London, she hadn't had such a good appetite.
"How about we pick out a movie to watch? I'll clean up," William suggested, sitting across from her.
Hayden shook her head and replied, "No, I should be going. Thank you for dinner."
With that, she didn't wait for William's response and turned to leave.
"Hayden," William called out instantly, swiftly getting up and catching her by the arm.
"Mm?" Hayden stopped and turned to look at him.
"It's very late now," William held on to her, his tone serious.
She nodded, "Yeah, I know."
"It's not safe to go alone."
"I'll take a cab downstairs."
William looked at her, and his lips curved into a charming smile, "Can't you stay?"
Confronted by his handsome and alluring smile, Hayden's heart fluttered wildly, but she quickly steadied herself and firmly shook her head, "No, I can't."
"All right, I'll take you home," William conceded to her determination.
After a moment of hesitation, Hayden nodded, agreeing with a simple "Okay."
Upon her agreement, William took her hand, and they headed toward the apartment door.
Reaching the door, he fetched Hayden's shoes and then knelt on one knee to help her into them.
Hayden watched him, motionless.
"Let me," William said, looking up at her softly.
Only then did Hayden lift her foot, allowing him to slip her shoes on.
After helping Hayden with her shoes, William put on his own, grabbed the car keys, and opened the door.
"It's so late for just the two of us..."
To their surprise, as the door swung open, Jasper was standing right across at his apartment door, in the midst of unlocking it.
Hearing the sound, he turned his head and saw Hayden and William exchange glances while gesturing with two fingers, stopping short of actual speech.
William and Hayden weren't novices; they understood exactly what those hand gestures implied.
However, both managed to keep their composure and face the picture of calm.
"I'll take Hayden back to her dorm," William said, glancing at Hayden.
"Oh." Jasper nodded, his gaze landing on Hayden, filled with suggestive meaning.
He was no inexperienced kid. The state of Hayden's face and neck spoke volumes; she had clearly been through an intense encounter.
Who would've thought that William would win over the high and mighty Princess of the Smith family so soon?
Feeling the weight of Jasper's knowing look, Hayden effortlessly averted her eyes and stepped out of the apartment, heading toward the elevator.
William closed the door behind them and followed.
"Can I borrow your phone once it's unlocked?" William asked as they entered the elevator.
Thinking he had left his phone behind and needed to make a call, Hayden promptly unlocked her phone and handed it to him without hesitation.
With a satisfied smile curving his lips, William took the phone and, under Hayden's curious gaze, he pulled out his phone and opened his Skype to his QR code. He then used Hayden's phone to scan it.
After scanning, he navigated Hayden's Skype to accept the friend request.
Having added each other on Skype, he then saved his number in Hayden's contacts.
Hayden watched him silently.
After finishing, William said, "If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime." He then handed her phone back to her.
Without a word, Hayden just took her phone and pocketed it.
Soon, the elevator dinged at the basement level. William's car was parked close by. Once they were in the car, he ignited the engine and drove Hayden back to her dorm.
The car had only traveled a short distance when William's phone began to buzz in his pocket.
Stopping at an upcoming red light, he took out the phone and saw it was a call from Michelle.
After a glance, he put the phone back down, his attention returning to the red light in front of him.
...
