Chapter 377

Lily thought Alexander would return to the hotel after his business meeting. She was surprised when he invited her to dinner.

Alexander turned to her and asked, "Did you manage to try the food at the restaurant I recommended?"

Lily recalled the chaotic day at the restaurant. She hadn't seen the boy since then and wondered how he was doing. Food allergies are common; many people suffer from them. These allergies range from dairy and seafood to less common ones like millet and egg allergies. The possibilities are endless. It was understandable that some people are unaware of their allergies, but Helen was the boy's mother—how could she not know?

"Is there anything you'd like to have?" Alexander asked, handing her the menu. He knew she could understand Westwood's language.

Lily touched her earlobe and shook her head. "I'm not familiar with the food here. You should order; I'm fine with anything." She preferred food from home. While Westwood had delicious cuisine, she didn't know how to appreciate it.

"Since we saw how Southbank soap was made, why don't we try some bouillabaisse and steaks as our main courses, and also" He pointed to several menu items. "Since we drove here, we shouldn't be drinking, right?"

Lily nodded, so Alexander ordered two orange juices and returned the menu to the waiter. "Are you still mad?" he asked, noticing her subdued demeanor.

"Why should I be?" Lily replied, snapping back to the present. She had been lost in thought.

Alexander smiled. "You gave me presents and I brought you to dinner; why would you be mad? Seems like asking you out for dinner was the right thing to do."

Lily teased, "Not quite. I haven't tasted the food yet. We'll see if it's good."

The dishes arrived shortly afterward. The plating was exquisite, but Lily couldn't identify the ingredients.

"Try some," Alexander suggested, gracefully cutting his steak.

The stew looked appetizing, so she filled her bowl. "You said this was called…bouillabaisse?"

"Yup! You're supposed to dip the bread in the soup while you eat it," he explained, gesturing to the bread.

Lily hesitated but followed his instructions. "Then, what's next?"

"If you don't mind the strong smell of garlic, try putting some rouille on your bread as well."

Lily had already decided the dishes weren't to her taste, but Alexander had gone out of his way for her, so she should at least try. She cautiously took a spoonful of stew and was surprised by the rich seafood flavor. The stew was fragrant, slightly spicy, and a flavorful blend of herbs and spices. The taste was so intense that it made her cough.

"How is it?" Alexander asked, offering a napkin.

"It's quite good, vibrant, and savory," Lily said, pausing. She meant it; the stew had a distinctive, delicious seafood taste. Unfortunately, she still couldn't identify the ingredients. Her sense of smell was excellent, but her sense of taste was less refined.