While waiting for the food to be served, Ella sat stiffly, surrounded by an absurd amount of cutlery, golden chandeliers, and a silence so heavy she could choke on it.
People on the adjacent tables were eating but one couldn’t hear a single sound from them. It was almost like the setup of a royal banquet.
Ella once again felt herself drowning in the setup of a royal banquet.
Ella’s background was simple compared to Adrian’s, but on its own, she still came from a wealthy family.
And she had grown up dining in fine places and having expensive meals.
Except, she never really liked eating in places where one would have to be conscious of how they are eating.
After she became a model, she had to be more conscious of her diet so she had stopped dining outside and instead, she hired a cook.
Later, when she started to gain weight, Ella was more hesitant to go anywhere or be around people. She would rather survive on the takeouts and the food that Esther brought to sate her cravings.
The food in Eve Mansion was discarded by her half of the time because of her hatred for Adrian.
In this life, Ella did not have so many concerns. And while a place did not make her uncomfortable, she just did not like how silent and calm everything was.
Bored to death, she decided to initiate small talks with the man who was sitting straight and quiet, looking like a beautiful painting, on the other side of the table.
’’Baby, do you usually eat at places like these?"
Ella propped her chin in her palms, eyeing the man across from her. ’’Then do you like eating in the Eve Mansion, the main mansion or these places more?"
Adrian paused, ’’Eating with you.’’
Ella’s brain did a ’glitch glitch’ first before the meaning behind his words slowly registered in her head.
So the most basic translation of his words went like— It’s not about Eve Mansion, main mansion or these restaurants... I like eating with you.
"You don’t like it here.’’ Adrian said suddenly.
Unlike before, his tone was not questioning this time.
Seeing that he seemed to be engaging in a casual conversation instead of asking solemnly, Ella was assured that he would not walk out of here if she answered him honestly.
So, she lowered her voice, ’’It’s not that I hate it but don’t you think that this place is too stiff and serious? I would rather have some street food in lively places..."
While she was looking around, she did not notice the way Adrian’s shoulders stiffened suddenly.
’’You... don’t like things that are stiff and serious?" A mushroom cloud of darkness hovered above his head.
’’We only live once, so in my opinion, we should be as unserious as possible. At least, when it is manageable. Being stiff all the time will only stress you and the people around you. What is there to like...?"
The temperature in the surroundings dropped. The mushroom cloud expanded.
’’Now that I think about it, you are so serious all the time too,’’ Ella’s gaze flitted back to Adrian.
Adrian sat there quietly, his gloominess weighing down the very furniture.
’’How about this? In the future, I can teach you to have some fun. Or we can find some time to go have street food together~" Ella batted her lashes at the man.
Adrian’s deranged brain caught onto the keywords and the broken circuit suddenly started repairing itself.
The dark mushroom cloud over his head burst into fresh magnolias, and the freezing air was warm again.
Ella’s eyes widened. He... He actually agreed?
She was just teasing the man.
Never in her wildest dreams did she indulge the fantasy of having street food with this guy.
Who was Adrian King? Not only did he hail from a family of the royal descendants, but just the mention of his name was enough to stir chaos in the entire country.
To top it off, he was a germaphobe.
While Adrian’s response had Ella bewildered, the dishes were served.
Ella noticed that while the staff tried to stay professional, they still trembled every once in a while when they accidentally caught sight of Adrian.
Same, brothers, same.
These people must have been instructed by Ji Yan to act normally.
Looking at all the dishes she had ordered, Ella no longer dilly-dallied.
Lately she has been on a diet. And she knew it was essential for her to keep dieting along with running and working out if she wanted to lose weight.
But with her current situation, she would have to build it up bit by bit.
It’s fine. I can eat for one day. I will just run some more tomorrow.
In any case, I have been diligent with my diet. Who asked this guy to entice me with good food?
Thinking of that, Ella threw the guilt in Adrian’s pockets and dove into the food like a starving raccoon.
Adrian watched the girl diving into the food like her life depended on it.
And before he realized it, he had also picked up the spoon.
His hand followed her movements and everytime she tried a dish, Adrian was the next one to try it.
However, after a while, the man’s movements paused.
Ella stopped eating and glanced at him.
But when her gaze landed on his face, her lips trembled a little, ’’You...’’
Adrian’s handsome face that usually reflected a deathly pallor was tinted slightly red. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as a very thin layer of sweat covered his forehead.
Ella, who was on the verge of laughing, froze a little when the man showed no reactions.
Her eyes widened, "Wait... are you allergic to spicy food too?!"
Adrian was about to speak when the girl grabbed his hand suddenly.
He gazed at their hands, her above his.
Taking his silence for an affirmation, Ella started drowning in guilt.
She got up from her chair and moved to the chair right next to him.
Ella held up a glass of water in front of him.
Adrian didn’t move. His gaze flickered between the glass and the girl holding it, as if waiting.
Ella blinked. Wait... was he expecting me to—?
The realization struck her, and a suspicious look crossed her face. "You... You can drink on your own, right?"
Adrian simply stared, unmoving.
Adrian: Drop golden tickets, power stones, reviews, gifts, and scram!
Ella: *rubs his arm* Baby, softer... Softer~
Adrian: Drop golden tickets, power stones, reviews, gifts, and scram~