Chapter 13
The President Brought a Bento Lunch
The next day, Claire Bennett got up early.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Julian Sterling had finally behaved himself a little and stopped pinning her down. After that, she drifted off to sleep in a haze.
After washing up, she went into the kitchen and started busying herself.
Most of the mural jobs she'd taken before had been in detached-house neighborhoods, and sometimes out in the country too, painting walls for people. It wasn't very convenient to get food there, so she was used to bringing her own meals.
Now there was one more person, so she casually made two portions.
Just as she put the lid on the lunchbox, she turned around and saw Julian Sterling standing in the kitchen doorway, his deep eyes resting on her as if he were thinking about something.
"You're up? Come eat breakfast."
Claire Bennett brought breakfast to the table. She had made a simple Western breakfast: bacon and eggs, milk, and sandwiches.
"I'm going to buy paint later. Do you know where in Chicago I can buy acrylic paint?" Claire Bennett wasn't familiar with Chicago, so she could only ask Julian Sterling.
Julian Sterling remembered that Claire Bennett was supposed to paint the exterior wall of Sterling International.
He answered, "Eastwood Road."
"Oh." Claire Bennett nodded, then seemed to think of something and asked, "After I buy the paint, it'll be later before I can help you move your things over."
"No need. My friend will bring them over."
Last night, he had arranged for Marcus Reed to deliver his things. To keep his identity from being exposed, he had gotten rid of everything he used before. There were only a few newly bought items left, and even the car was borrowed from Marcus Reed.
Claire Bennett quickly said, "Really? Then please thank your friend for me."
After breakfast, Claire Bennett was about to head out, and Julian Sterling picked up the car keys and said, "Need a ride?"
Claire Bennett didn't refuse.
She wasn't familiar with Chicago, so having someone take her was better than trying to find the place by herself.
Julian Sterling's car was already parked downstairs from the apartment, a Volkswagen that cost just over a hundred thousand, looking ordinary and low-key.
Claire Bennett was surprised for a moment. He'd been at the apartment all night last night, so when had he driven the car over?
An hour later, Julian Sterling dropped Claire Bennett off on Eastwood Road. Claire Bennett unfastened her seat belt and said, "You should be busy today, right? I can get back by myself."
Julian Sterling's gaze fell on the little floral bag beside her, and he reminded her, "You forgot your stuff."
"That's yours."
Claire Bennett smiled. "I made you a lunch too while I was at it. Take it with you and eat it later."
After saying that, she closed the door.
He lowered his eyes to look at the lunchbox, his brows drawing together slightly, as if a little put off.
This woman hadn't succeeded in seducing him last night, so she'd switched tactics?
To win over a man, first win over his stomach?
Julian Sterling parked the car in Sterling International's parking lot. Looking at the lunchbox Claire Bennett had left behind, he had intended to throw it away there, but then he remembered the sight that morning of that slender figure busy in the kitchen.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally took the lunch with him.
He took the private elevator upstairs.
Several assistants waiting outside the president's office were so shocked when they saw Julian Sterling walk in carrying a little floral lunch bag that their eyes nearly popped out.
What had they just seen?
President Sterling actually brought a lunch? And in a bag this girly? Could it be that a cold, heartless man like President Sterling had gotten himself a girlfriend?
No, wait! It was also possible that President Sterling's younger sister, Ruby Sterling, had made it.
Marcus Reed walked in from outside and saw the two assistants acting sneaky, craning their necks and peeking around. He asked, "What are you looking at?"
The two of them immediately lowered their voices and said, "Hey, just now we saw President Sterling bring a lunch made by Miss Sterling. Miss Sterling really does care about President Sterling as her brother..."
The corner of Marcus Reed's mouth twitched, and he had no choice but to shatter their beautiful fantasy.
"Miss Ruby can't cook."
Ruby Sterling can't cook? Then who made Julian Sterling's lunch?