Chapter 315

Brittany Oakley's hand paused in mid-air. She turned around and smiled at Alexander.

"Okay, we'll do it your way."

She went to the office table, put down her bag, and opened it. Inside was a large lunch box.

"I know you forget about everything when you work, including eating."

She picked up the coffee cup in front of him and poured out its contents.

"Drinking coffee without a proper meal isn't good for your stomach. You don't know how to take care of yourself, do you?"

She opened the lunch box, revealing hot food. The food was attractive and smelled delicious.

"I cooked your favorite BBQ ribs. I also made fried chicken."

Full of enthusiasm, she placed some cutlery in front of him. With both hands supporting her chin, she looked at him with a yearning expression.

Alexander shot her a look and said faintly, "You cooked all this?"

"Yes! Quick, sample my handiwork!" Brittany urged, smiling so wide her eyes turned into slits.

"You cooked?" Alexander repeated, his question rhetorical. His cold eyes scrutinized her, as if trying to read her thoughts.

Pouting, Brittany stood up and stamped her feet.

"Fine. I got takeout from Cloudy's. I just got off a plane and didn't have much time, alright? I'm still jet-lagged and exhausted. Even if I wanted to cook, I had no time to buy ingredients."

"I never said you had to cook," Alexander replied, putting the lid back on the lunch box and pushing it aside. "Since you're tired, you should go home and rest. Not come here."

"I wanted to see you." Brittany's anger flared when she saw him push the lunch box aside without taking a bite. "Even if I didn't cook it, I bought it. Why won't you just try some? Don't you like the food from Cloudy's?"

"I'm not hungry," Alexander said faintly. "It's late. I'll get Edward to send you home."

"I don't want to go home."

Brittany furrowed her brows and said unhappily, "If you don't like takeout, let's go out to eat. I'll go with you."

She went forward and held his wrist.

"We could go for a late-night meal, Alex. Let's go!" she said coquettishly.

(The following two sentences are awkwardly placed and should be integrated earlier in the scene for better flow.) She had gone directly to get him food after her flight as an excuse to see him sooner. She clearly wanted to stay longer.

"Brittany, that's enough." Alexander pried her fingers from his wrist. "It's late. You must be tired from your flight. Go home and rest."

"I don't want to!"

Brittany lost her temper at his insistence on sending her away.

"You know I just got off a plane. Aren't you happy to see me? We haven't met in half a year. I went to get you food as soon as I got back, yet you don't appreciate it? You're even trying to drive me away!"

"It's already late. It's not safe for a girl to be out alone," Alexander frowned. "Next time, don't stay out so late. It's not a good habit."

"What's so bad about it? I like you, and the whole world knows it! I just wanted to see you!" Brittany shouted. (The office staff would likely have heard her confession had they still been present.)

Alexander looked up at her. "But I don't like you that way, Brittany. As I said before, you're like a sister to me. If that's not how you see our relationship, then don't say I'm like a brother to you either."

The Oakleys and the Russells were close family friends. The older generations had a strong relationship; the head of the Russell family owed the Oakleys a favor. This closeness extended to a familial connection through marriage: Brittany's uncle married Alexander's aunt. To a certain extent, they were related.