Boyle drove a new car today and his heart ached for his car as Cherie kicked the tire hard.
The black Spyker headed toward Moonlight District.
Cherie looked out of the window and asked, “Where are we going?”
‘Can’t we just find a cafe nearby and discuss the matter?’ Cherie wondered.
Boyle glanced at her sideways. "It’s a quarter past eleven now. I doubt you’ve had your lunch.”
“I don’t want to have lunch.”
“I know you don’t have any appetite now but still, you have to eat something.”
Depression often led to a loss of appetite. However, having an empty stomach was bad for one’s health.
She had to eat a little. She was too skinny.
Her body felt thin and bony when he hugged her earlier. She was not that skinny back then.
He had to replenish her diet so that she could obtain a healthy weight.
“Aren’t we supposed to talk about the case?”
Boyle smiled. “We have to fill our stomach no matter what.”
“How are you going to expand your business with such an attitude?”
“You need a brain to do so, and you can’t get one by starving yourself.”
Cherie was utterly speechless.
Fine, let him be then.
Soon, they arrived at a dumplings restaurant.
Cherie pursed her lips. ‘Why are we having dumplings in the afternoon?’ Cherie thought.
After they alighted from the car, they entered the restaurant and ordered two portions of steamed dumplings.
He did not order much as they would be going to other places to eat as well.
There were limited tables in the restaurant and the restaurant was fully packed.
The atmosphere was lively and the cooking fumes wafted from the kitchen.
It had been a long time since Cherie was in such a crowded, lively place. She felt as if she had been living in the dark for the past seven years.
The hot, blazing sun shone through the window and on her fair face. Subconsciously, she blocked the dazzling sunlight with her hand.
Boyle was seated opposite her as he did not want her to feel uncomfortable if he got too close to her.
However, as she lifted her hand to block the sun rays, he stood up and went over to her side to sit beside her. Since he was taller than her, he was able to block the annoying sunlight away from her.
Cherie furrowed her brows as she looked at him with an aloof gaze.
Albeit receiving cold treatment from her, his eyes were doting and kind. “Why are you looking at me? You can’t fill your stomach by looking at me, Rie.”
Their food was served in no time. Boyle requested two saucers from one of the waiters and poured some vinegar into one of the white saucers.
“Don’t you like the dumplings here the most? Eat it while it’s hot.”
Cherie lifted the fork and spoon to dip the dumpling into the vinegar before putting it into her mouth.
The dumpling tasted refreshing and whetted her appetite.
Boyle smiled as he watched her eat. “Doesn’t it smell nice?”
Cherie did not answer him. ‘It does,’ Cherie thought to herself.
Cherie felt she was contradicting herself. She was reluctant and initially refused to eat but when the food arrived, she could not resist gobbling it up.
There were ten dumplings and she ate eight while Boyle finished the remaining two.
Boyle drove her to the next restaurant after they finished the dumplings.
Cherie thought they were going to discuss the case after eating dumplings. However, she felt speechless as they arrived at the Peninsula Restaurant.
“I’m not hungry,” Cherie said.
Boyle ignored her and opened the door for her. He unbuckled her seatbelt and dragged her out of the car.
“This restaurant is well-known in North City. It’s highly recommended and you’ll probably like it as they sell western food.”
“... Since when were you keen on being a food tour guide?”
Boyle smiled. “I have to do some research to treat my future wife for lunch.”
Cherie was at loss for words.
She flung his arms away and headed into the restaurant right away.
Boyle made a table reservation at a semi-open yard situated near to the swimming pool.
There were many coconut trees planted nearby and occasionally, they could hear cicadas singing in the trees. The cool breeze blew past them and the scenery was rather cozy and relaxing without the sun shining on top of their heads.
Boyle ordered a few popular desserts which were favored by many girls.
He also ordered a medium-well Wagyu steak. The juicy, tender meat melted instantaneously in his mouth and smelled appetizing.
For plating purposes, the steak was served in a small portion on a large plate. Cherie finished the steak after a few bites.
Boyle noticed it and offered his portion to her.
Cherie stubbornly declined. “I don’t want anymore. I’m full.”
Boyle did not answer her nor did he take back the portion he gave to her. He stood up and said, “Go ahead and eat first. I’ll be back in a minute.”
The steak was long gone when Boyle came back from the restroom.
Cherie immersed herself in eating the delicate desserts as if nothing had happened.
Boyle did not ask her about the steak too.
After a while, Cherie cleared her throat and explained, “It won’t taste nice if the steak is cold so I ate it on your behalf.”
Boyle looked at her with a doting gaze. “You’re right.”
Cherie did not know how to respond as she quietly ate the cheesecake Boyle ordered.
‘Something isn’t right. Aren’t we supposed to discuss the case?’ A thought flitted through her mind.
She lifted her head abruptly and looked at Boyle.
Before she realized it, Boyle reached his hand out and wiped away the whipped cream on her lips.
It was overly intimate for Cherie.
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