Chapter 44 Affection at the Dinner Table
The moment Lauren laid eyes on the man in the black suit, his aura chilly and distant, she halted the words she was about to reveal.
Quentin was back...
"Hey, Quentin, you're back! Come and see this scarf Lauren got me, isn't it pretty?" Hannah excitedly showed off her scarf to Quentin, while Lauren felt a tinge of awkwardness, fearing Quentin might think she was sucking up to Hannah on purpose.
"Yeah, it's nice," Quentin responded, his tone nonchalant and his expression stoic. Yet, his gaze remained fixed intently on Lauren.
Lauren hadn't expected Quentin to even acknowledge Hannah this time, as he typically ignored everything related to her in the past.
Catching the subtle glances between Quentin and Lauren, Hannah spoke with a suggestive look, "I'm going to check on the soup in the kitchen. You youngsters chat, okay?"
Quentin understood Hannah's intention. Since she went out of her way to give him and Lauren some privacy, how could he let the opportunity slip away? Especially since they'd been giving each other the cold shoulder for so long, he had some things he wanted to ask Lauren.
With Hannah gone, Lauren's nervousness increased. Suddenly, she felt her hands were out of place, unsure where to rest them appropriately.
Reflecting on recent events threw Lauren's mind into disarray. Hiding the pregnancy, then being given the cold shoulder by Quentin over the divorce, later taking a job in secret to survive, and, through a bizarre twist of fate, ending up at the Robinson Conglomerate.
The chaos was too much for Lauren to handle, and she pondered over Quentin's thoughts silently. He must believe that she schemed her way into the Chongxin Sales Company, which was connected to the Robinson Conglomerate.
With that thought, Lauren instinctively looked at Quentin, only to catch his eyes still fixed on her.
Feeling unnerved by his gaze, Lauren searched for a topic to ease the awkwardness.
"Hello, Mr. Robinson," she blurted out a greeting which immediately made her feel foolish. What was she doing, greeting him like they were strangers?
Unexpectedly, Quentin engaged. "Well, Lauren, it's been a while."
Quentin's words were clearly loaded, leaving Lauren uncertain how to respond. It didn't make sense to talk about missing each other when they saw each other every day at work.
"Yeah," Lauren laughed awkwardly, running her hands through her hair in an attempt to mask her discomfort.
Quentin sauntered over to where Lauren was with a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes and took a seat right next to her, the very spot Hannah had just vacated.
Lauren shifted away as if dodging a plague. She couldn't handle his intense presence—it was almost suffocating.
"Looks like you're doing well for yourself—shooting videos, whispering sweet nothings. You’ve indeed been quite the surprise," Quentin casually said as he picked up a magazine and flipped through it.
Lauren's mind raced back to Quentin's earlier comment about her "whispering sweet nothings," which now left her even more puzzled as to what he really meant.
After a moment of contemplation, Lauren found the right words. "Oh, Mr. Robinson, you flatter me. I'm just fulfilling my contract and trying to get the work done promptly."
Quentin pressed his lips together, silent, leaving Lauren uncertain whether to sit or stand, a real moment of discomfort.
Hannah spotted the two talking and couldn't help but smile broadly. The energy of youth was something to be envied, with all its complex emotions. She just hoped Quentin would appreciate Lauren—it would ease her biggest concern.
With dinner ready, Hannah came out to invite Lauren to join her in the dining room.
"Lauren, dear, I had someone whip up a special batch of Beef Soup just for today. You should have some extra. You've lost weight recently—is it because you've been too busy to eat properly? Quentin, you're to blame here—you can't be taking meal breaks away from the staff."
Lauren hastily replied, "No, no, it's not that—the company provides ample break times. It's just my metabolism, I guess. I'll make sure to eat more and pack on a few pounds before the next time I visit, okay?"
Hannah looked at Lauren with compassion, thinking how hard it was to find someone as kind-hearted as her. Quentin, that boy, didn't know how good he had it—he really needed a lesson.
But then again, who was she to arbitrate matters of love? With a sigh, Hannah resigned herself to the complexities of the heart.
"All right then. Hey Quentin, why don't you help Lauren with her soup? The fish was handpicked by our butler Ferguson from the Seafood Market—it's fresh. Lauren, you should try it and see if you like it?" Hannah urged Quentin.
Feeling awkward, Lauren quickly interjected, "I can help myself, thank you."
Quentin remained unflappable as he stood up, casually scooping a spoonful of soup into her bowl as if it were nothing.
Lauren was so surprised that she forgot to thank him. By the time she remembered to express her gratitude, Quentin had reverted to his detached demeanor, focusing solely on the meal in front of him.
"Tha... thank you," Lauren carefully seated herself, blinking rapidly as she eyed Quentin uncertainly. Could this really be the same man who had just served her soup? The domineering CEO, Quentin?
Hannah smiled warmly at Lauren. "You're practically family, no need for formalities. Now, try it—isn't it delicious?"
A hint of blush crept onto Lauren's face. She tasted the soup with her spoon, savoring it. "It's delicious, really tasty."
"That's great, as long as you like it. Quentin, dear, serve Lauren a few more pieces," Hannah instructed once again.
Strangely enough, Quentin was extraordinarily cooperative today, which contradicted Lauren's previous experiences with him. He hadn't stormed off as she might have expected, which significantly altered her perception of him.
Could it be that Quentin was falling for her? That she was finally gaining a foothold in his heart? Lauren's spirits soared at the thought.
If that were truly the case... it would be wonderful... She wouldn't have to keep up her tiring act...
But Lauren quickly dismissed these speculations. Quentin's behavior was likely influenced by Hannah's presence—the one person he held in the utmost regard.
Weighing both theories, Lauren concluded that the latter was more probable. Once she realized this, her appetite waned; even the delicious soup now seemed bland. Despite how she felt inside, her face remained smiling, the emotional sensitivity of her pregnancy evident.
Finally, the dinner ended on an ostensibly cheerful note.
Hannah was particularly pleased with Quentin's performance, so instead of continuing to monopolize Lauren's company, she urged him to take Lauren home.
In Hannah's presence, Lauren played the part of the affectionate couple with Quentin, approaching his car with him.
Normally, Lauren would automatically take the back seat during their "performances," but today Quentin gallantly opened the passenger door for her.
Lauren's heart fluttered at the significance of the gesture. She knew all too well that the seat beside the driver was reserved for the woman of the house. Quentin's behavior that day was puzzling—his actions were uncharacteristically strange.
She couldn't help but steal a couple of extra glances at him. Quentin started the engine. With a push of the accelerator, the car sped off into the distance.
