Chapter 295 Is This a Proposal?

Chapter 295 Is This a Proposal?

Jeremy noticed Grace acting like they barely knew each other and smiled. "Since there's no one here, I'll claim these two seats. Help me save them while I go grab some food."

With that, Jeremy headed toward the serving line.

Once he was gone, Anna lowered her voice and asked Grace, "Why would someone from the executive office be eating in the employee cafeteria?"

Grace replied, "I'm not sure... Maybe he's too busy today to go out for lunch, so he decided to eat here instead."

The moment she finished speaking, the massive cafeteria suddenly fell silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone's eyes turned toward Grace's table.

Their table instantly became the center of attention.

Grace looked up and glanced around, only to see Alexander approaching their table, about to sit down.

Anna also looked up, and when she saw Alexander, her eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Mr. Hayes..."

Seeing Alexander about to sit at their table, she became incredibly nervous. She didn't know whether to sit or stand, her face flushing red with anxiety. Her body went rigid as she started to stand, but when Alexander looked up and gave her a thoughtful glance, her legs went weak and she collapsed back into her chair.

Grace found her flustered state both amusing and exasperating. "Anna, what are you doing?"

Anna stammered, "Mr. Hayes..."

She looked at Grace. "That's Mr. Hayes!"

She looked like she was too nervous to speak properly.

After all, she never dreamed that she'd have the chance to share a table with Alexander!

Her flushed face made her look like a fangirl meeting her favorite celebrity.

Alexander hadn't expected such an extreme reaction from her.

And it wasn't just Anna.

The other employees in the cafeteria were reacting strongly too.

Some veteran employees who'd been with the company for four or five years had never seen Alexander eat in the cafeteria before.

Soon, Jeremy returned with two trays of food. "Mr. Hayes, I got your lunch."

Grace's attention was immediately drawn to the trays Jeremy was carrying.

He'd gotten two meals, and each tray had two large chicken thighs.

As soon as Jeremy sat down, he noticed Grace staring intently at the chicken on his tray.

Looking puzzled, he asked, "Ms. Foster, why do you keep staring at my chicken? Are you still hungry?"

Anna looked like she'd seen a ghost, her eyes darting between them. "Grace, do you two know each other?"

Grace replied awkwardly, "Oh, we've met once before."

"I didn't eat enough, but the cafeteria's too crowded. I don't want to wait in line."

Jeremy picked up clean utensils, about to transfer some chicken to her plate.

Alexander shot him a meaningful glare.

Jeremy's hand jerked back, nearly dropping the chicken on the table.

Only then did he realize he'd overstepped, so he quickly lowered his head and focused on eating.

Alexander looked at Grace, noticing her plate was empty of protein, and transferred one of his chicken thighs to her plate. "Eat more."

Anna's expression became even more mystified.

Alexander had just given Grace his chicken!

Grace calmly accepted it, picking up the chicken thigh and contentedly taking a bite.

Alexander turned to Jeremy. "Besides chicken, are there any other protein options today?"

He watched Grace eat like she was starving, worried that one chicken thigh wouldn't be enough.

Jeremy immediately stood up, his mouth still stuffed with food, and hurried back to the serving line to check for other protein options.

Anna couldn't help but feel something was off.

She looked at Alexander, then at Grace. Sitting side by side, they didn't look like boss and employee—they looked like a married couple sharing a comfortable meal.

The way Alexander had given Grace his chicken was so natural, and Grace showed none of the nervousness that Anna felt. Most employees would be anxious and uncomfortable around Alexander, but she wasn't!

"Mr. Hayes?"

Stanley approached, looking genuinely surprised to see Alexander in the cafeteria. "Mr. Hayes, what a rare sight—you gracing us with your presence in the employee cafeteria!"

Alexander countered, "If you can eat here, why can't I?"

Stanley grinned. "Since it's such a rare occurrence, mind if I join you?"

He looked at Anna, noticing her empty tray. "Are you finished eating?"

Anna quickly started to give up her seat for Stanley. "I'm done. I was just waiting for Grace to finish so we could go back together."

Grace had finished her chicken and started to stand as well, but under the table, Alexander pressed her hand down. "Stay. Keep me company."

Stanley got the hint and immediately told Anna, "Anna, you can head back. Grace hasn't finished eating yet."

Grace added, "Anna, go ahead back."

Anna nodded and left with her empty tray.

Stanley sat down across from Grace.

He told his assistant, "Get me a plate—I'll have the beef stew."

"Of course."

Jeremy returned with another serving of protein.

He knew what Grace liked to eat—besides chicken, she enjoyed beef short ribs.

Grace asked, "Where did you disappear to this morning?"

Stanley laughed. "Alexander, your wife is checking up on you."

Grace protested, "We're not married yet. What do you mean 'wife'?"

Alexander suddenly made a startling announcement, "Grace, let's pick a good day and get our marriage license."

He didn't seem to mind that Stanley and Jeremy were sitting right there.

Grace didn't react immediately, but after a moment, her eyes widened in shock as she stared at him. "Marriage license?"

Alexander said, "Let's get the license first. As for everything else, I'll handle the arrangements."

Grace asked, "Can't we get a marriage license anytime? Why are you suddenly in such a rush to marry me?"

Stanley rubbed his nose. "Probably... maybe... he's afraid you'll run away."

Alexander glared at Stanley.

Stanley quickly corrected himself. "Sorry, I misspoke! Grace, you can't escape now. Anyone Alexander sets his sights on doesn't stand a chance."

Grace asked, "Are you just saying this casually, or are you serious?"

Alexander replied, "I'm serious."

Grace thought for a moment. "Does this count as a proposal?"

Stanley immediately interjected earnestly, "No, no! A proposal is such a significant event—it can't be this casual. There should at least be some ceremony to it! Marriage is a big deal, a once-in-a-lifetime event."

Grace laughed. "Well, not necessarily. What if there's a next time?"

Alexander gave her a dark look. "Next time? You want there to be a next time? With whom?"

Stanley actually detected a note of jealousy in that question.

He'd seen people get jealous before, but never someone getting jealous of a hypothetical person.

Especially Alexander!

He was actually capable of jealousy!

Stanley was truly amazed.

As time passed, the cafeteria grew increasingly crowded.

Alexander realized this public setting wasn't appropriate for such discussions, so he told Grace, "Come to my office this afternoon."