“Let her know that I want tortellini for dinner tonight,” Benjamin told Yvonne. “Get both the seafood and radish lamb versions, and also add a serving of beef and scallion.”
“Understood, Mr. Benjamin. I will inform Ms. Janie, and please come back earlier tonight,” Yvonne replied.
“I got it, Yvonne,” Benjamin acknowledged.
After ending the call and setting down his phone, a smile formed on Benjamin’s lips. The food suddenly seemed even more delicious, and everything felt like it was back on track.
He had mentioned that he wanted to have tortellini for dinner, with three different fillings. It was a dish that tasted delightful but was quite labor-intensive to make. Chopping the fillings, preparing the dough, and shaping each piece…it would keep her busy all afternoon.
Well, that would certainly keep her occupied, ensuring that she wouldn’t think of leaving.
Before the end of the workday, Benjamin decided to leave early.
He made his way straight back to Glenbrook, changing his shoes in the foyer. As he glanced down, he noticed a pair of familiar women’s low-heeled shoes.
A barely noticeable smirk formed on his lips.
Yvonne approached, taking his suit jacket from his hand.
Without hesitation, Benjamin headed towards the kitchen.
There, he caught sight of a slender and graceful figure bustling about, engrossed in the culinary tasks at hand.
Benjamin walked in, positioning himself behind Janie.
With one hand, he reached out and turned off the gas stove. The other hand gently encircled her delicate waist.
Janie jolted as if struck by an electric current, frozen in place with her apron-clad body.
This was a gesture from Benjamin that she had never experienced before.
However, in the next moment, he forcefully turned her body and captured her lips in a demanding kiss.
“Mmm,” Janie was taken aback, instinctively wanting to escape.
But Benjamin held her firmly by the waist, his large hand securing the back of her head, imprisoning her in his embrace.
Benjamin’s kiss was hesitant, his technique unrefined.
But the heat it emanated was scorching.
Tears welled up in Janie’s eyes.
With a whimper, she cried, wrapping her arms tightly around Benjamin, and burying herself in his embrace.
“You fool, you still know how to come back?” Benjamin caressed her hair.
“I admit defeat,” Janie choked in his arms. “I wanted to stop loving you, I wanted to drink Worryfree, but I couldn’t.”
“Worryfree?” Benjamin paused, his face turning serious as he held her petite face. “Where did you get Worryfree?”
Janie hesitated, “I found it on your desk.”
Benjamin remained speechless.
“Loving you is too painful,” Janie’s tears continued to flow. “But not loving you is even more agonizing, so I threw away the Worryfree.”
“You scared me to death,” Benjamin held her tighter, gently stroking her slender back. “You said you would give me a chance, and I trust your words.”
“Do you think I’m not trustworthy?” Janie raised her teary eyes, looking at him with a touch of grievance.
“Then what about this Harold guy you brought up?” Benjamin’s gaze grew intense. “The first time I saw him in the elevator, I could tell he had improper intentions towards you. If it weren’t for worrying that you might find me interfering, I would have thrown him out immediately!”
“You’re talking about it!” Janie retorted. “What about you? You saved Ysabel and she’s always hanging around you. You even go out for meals together!”
“Which eye of yours saw me going out with Ysabel?” Benjamin snapped. “That crazy woman, do you think I’ve lost my mind to be interested in her?”
“So, it was my misunderstanding?” Janie asked timidly.
“Enough,” Benjamin held her again, speaking in a gentle tone. “Misunderstandings happen, but as long as we talk things out, it’ll be fine.”
“Mmm,” Janie mumbled softly in his embrace.
However, despite resolving the misunderstanding in just a few sentences, Janie had been tormented and upset for several days. She had even contemplated drinking the Worryfree, thinking that if she didn’t love Benjamin anymore, it would be better to end her life.
“I’m hungry,” Benjamin said. “How is the tortellini coming along?”
“They’re all ready, just waiting for you to come back and cook them,” Janie wiped her eyes, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? Wanting to have three different fillings?”
A faint smile played at the corners of Benjamin’s lips, but he remained silent.
After dinner, Janie returned to her apartment as usual.
It was Benjamin who walked her to the door.
Standing in front of her apartment door, Janie didn’t invite him in.
Benjamin’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his deep, pleasing voice said, “Rest well. Do whatever you need to do tomorrow.”
“That means going back to Adelmar Studios?” Janie asked him.
