Part 15

The little restaurant was filled with many customers. Claire chose a square-shaped seat next to the window, allowing Abigail to sit in the corner so that the girl could not get in and out freely. Antony did the same to Flavia so that he ended up sitting directly opposite Claire.

Claire handed the menu to Antony while she looked at the menu together with Abigail. It was obvious that Antony had never eaten at a little restaurant like this. While he was used to cooking and homemade-cooked meals made by his mother or the family's chosen chef, he's used to eating at fancy restaurants or his family's hotel restaurants. If it's urgent, Antony prefers to buy take away or delivery order. Antony does not like to eat food that he does not know the hygiene of.

But out of respect for Claire and seeing how enthusiastic Flavia was, Antony refrained from pulling them all out of the place and taking them to a better restaurant.

"The food here is very hygienic, Sir. I made sure of it myself. Their kitchen is clean and all the ingredients are obviously fresh." Claire suddenly said.

Is Antony's attitude too obvious? Antony asked himself.

"Yes, I trust your choice." Antony replied flatly.

"So, are you ready to order?" Asked Claire curiously. Antony nodded his head.

"I'll just follow your reference." He replied and Claire only responded with a smile.

A duck-based dish. Stir-fried vegetables and cold drinks were ordered. Antony is even surprised when Claire orders an extra course for Antony's driver to take home.

Antony took off his suit when he saw Claire doing the same. It was also uncomfortable to see them wearing formal suits while the people visiting the restaurant were dressed casually. Then again, Claire had already changed her hair into a ponytail which made her look very relaxed.

Beautiful. Antony complimented her silently.

The food had arrived and was placed on their table. It was billowing smoke and somehow, looked tantalizing. As tantalizing as the woman in front of him. Claire Hampton.

While Abigail and Syquilla were busy eating and talking. Antony enjoyed his menu by occasionally stealing glances at Claire.

Antony was amazed by Claire's attitude that even though she knew that the man sitting in front of her was the number one person in the company, the girl didn't seem to seek attention or maintain a graceful impression. Whereas most of the women Antony knew so far, always tried to look charming, look elegant and keep Antony's gaze so that he could only see the positive side. But Claire?

The girl didn't even feel awkward about wiping the sweat from her forehead in the heat. Ignoring the remnants of chili sauce and oil that slightly decorated the corners of her lips that were now turning reddish. She didn't even seem embarrassed by her portion of food, which was quite a lot compared to the women who were used to eating five-star restaurant menus that were less than a third the size of the plates they were using.

And again, what amazed Antony was that the girl didn't even look at him or make small talk or talk about herself like attention seekers usually do but offered him more food. Whether it was more rice, side dishes or chili sauce.

On the other hand, Antony also paid attention to his daughter's movements. He realized that he had missed a lot of his daughter's growth and development. He also knows that behind the shy demeanor that his daughter always shows him, Flavia has an enthusiastic and cheerful side. And now Antony noticed it when his daughter was interacting with her best friend.

Flavia is even more talkative nowadays. Not like when they were together. She was like any other young teenager. Talking in whispers and occasionally giggling, although Antony had no idea what they were really talking about.

"The movie is launching this Thursday, Aunty. So shall we go see it?" the whining voice came out of Abigail's mouth. Antony who had finished with his food now only chose to pay attention.

"Yes, we'll watch it." Claire replied casually.

"Yes!" The exclamation in the form of a hiss came not only from Abigail's mouth, but also from her daughter's mouth.

"Saturday night." She said as she reached for a tissue and cleaned the corners of her mouth. Antony had to restrain himself from reaching out and rubbing the corners of her mouth with his thumb or even wiping them by licking them with his own tongue.

"Deal!" the two teenagers replied in unison.

"It's done, right?" Claire looked back at the two teenagers. Both teenagers answered with a nod. "Then, let's go home." Claire said as she got up from her seat.

They walked hand in hand. Claire walked up to the counter and picked up the order that they had asked for takeout earlier. As she was about to pay, Antony held her back and pulled out money from his wallet.

"I promised to pay for our dinner." He said as Claire looked at him confused. Claire just nodded and smiled. It was a small thing that somehow made Antony’s chest beat so fast. Even standing side by side like this-amidst the thick smell of greasy food and spices-Antony could still smell the girl's body like the first time they met in the elevator the other day.

And sniffing that scent in such close proximity made his pants feel smaller. Even though Antony was sure that he was very much in control.

They walked out of the restaurant hand in hand. The two teenagers were obviously waiting for them outside. Abigail was the first to speak up when Antony was near them.

"So Flavia can stay at my aunt's house?" Asked the girl urgently.

Antony answered with a nod. "Yes. I allowed her to stay with you. I leave her in your care.” He said as he looked at Claire.

Claire nodded again in response. “You don't have to worry, sir. I assure you that she will return home in good condition. And there's no need to worry about your daughter. She's a good and independent girl and no trouble.” Claire's answer sounded so wise to Antony. Her white hand that was freed from the cardigan gently embraced Flavia's shoulder and even rubbed her head as well. "Your daughter is very adaptable and very likeable. So you don't have to worry about her." She continued which was given an enthusiastic nod by his age-difference twin, Abigail.

Antony looked at Flavia. His daughter looked back at him shyly. But then she said. "I've put your suit in the car. I'm going with Aunty C and Abigail. I'll go straight home after school is over." The girl promised.

Antony just nodded. Then Flavia approached and without Antony expecting it she wrapped her small arms around Antony's waist. Antony was clearly surprised, his heart pounding with shock and happiness. His hand reached out and rubbed his daughter's head again.

"See you tomorrow." Flavia said shyly. After Flavia released her hug, Abigail did the same to Antony but the girl did it more boldly.

"See you soon, Uncle. Don't miss us." She said with a smile on her beautiful face. After releasing the hug, Abigail pulled Flavia's arm to get into the back of the car.

"We're leaving, Sir. Good night." Claire said before getting into her car.

Antony was still rooted to the spot, looking at Claire's car that had pulled out of the parking lot and was ready to return home. After the car disappeared, he got back into the car. The fragrance of the food he had eaten was immediately smelled when he opened the door.

"Sorry, sir. It was Miss Flavia who forced me to accept this gift.”  The driver said nervously.

Antony just nodded. The driver currently driving his car was not the driver Antony usually worked with. So Antony understood that in the man's eyes he looked scary. He had to start making a different impression on the people around him. He had to make people, especially those closest to him, no longer keep their distance from him.