Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Christopher's villa on the hillside, her own place, and the northern hot springs were all in different directions.

Isabella had no idea how this could be considered "on his way."

She was about to say that maybe she wouldn't go, but Ryan continued, "Isabella, I messed up at work this time, but you can't just get upset and skip out. This team-building event is partly to show appreciation for your hard work at Nexus Technologies, and partly to make up for Samuel's dinner party last time."

With Ryan putting it that way, Isabella couldn't argue.

As soon as she got up to freshen up, Christopher called. "I'm making breakfast. What do you want?"

Before Isabella could refuse, he rattled off several options. "If you can't decide, I'll bring you a bit of everything."

Isabella was at a loss for words.

She wasn't a big eater; there was no way she'd finish it all.

Finally, Isabella compromised and asked for some oatmeal.

Christopher's voice was filled with amusement. "I'll be at your place in about twenty minutes. Is that enough time for you to get ready?"

"Plenty." Isabella had already washed her face and decided not to put on makeup, just some sunscreen.

By the time she finished getting ready, Christopher's car had arrived.

Worried that Christopher might try to buckle her seatbelt like he did yesterday, Isabella didn't hesitate and directly sat in the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt herself.

Christopher noticed her actions out of the corner of his eye and a smile flickered across his face.

He handed her a thermos with oatmeal inside. "Try it and see if you like it."

Here we go again!

It felt like if she said it was good, Christopher would keep bringing it to her.

Isabella took the thermos with her slender fingers, but as she was about to open it, her hands suddenly froze.

She turned to Christopher and said, "Let's go."

Christopher raised an eyebrow at the thermos resting on her lap. "You're not eating it now?"

Isabella was a bit stunned, then looked at Christopher with a questioning gaze, silently asking how she was supposed to eat in this setting.

If she ended up spilling the oatmeal, she'd really be in trouble!

But Christopher's gaze remained fixed on her, as if he wouldn't give up until he got an answer.

Isabella replied, "I'm not hungry yet. I'll eat it later."

"No way, it takes two hours to get there. It'll be cold and not as good." Christopher persisted, his tone lazy like a husband coaxing his wife in the morning.

Isabella shook off her random thoughts and reluctantly agreed, unbuckling her seatbelt to get out of the car.

Christopher, however, gently grabbed her wrist, his fingers warm from holding the steering wheel, lightly holding her wrist.

The grip wasn't strong, but it was firm and commanding. "Eat it here."

Isabella wanted to say it wasn't appropriate, but Christopher's patience was clearly high, making it seem like he wouldn't budge until she agreed.

Everyone at Vertix Atelier knew Isabella and Christopher were coming together, and if they arrived late, it would inevitably spark rumors.

Isabella sighed and sat back down in the leather seat.

She carefully opened the thermos and took out the oatmeal bowl, the steam carrying the warm scent of oats between them.

Isabella sat upright, her fingers elegantly holding the spoon.

She looked down at the bowl of creamy oatmeal, topped with nuts and rich in milk flavor, clearly prepared with care.

Isabella slowly scooped a spoonful, her lips pursed to blow on it until it was cool enough, then took a bite.

She was already beautiful, and her graceful movements, her eyelashes casting delicate shadows, made her look like a princess in a painting.

Christopher sat beside her, his gaze on her slender fingers holding the spoon, noting even her nails were neatly trimmed and subtly pink.

After Isabella had eaten half the bowl, Christopher finally spoke, his voice softer than the car's atmosphere. "Is it good?"

Isabella realized she had eaten more than usual today because the oatmeal was really to her taste.

She looked up, her eyes warm from the oatmeal, her voice gentle like a stream. "It's very good, thank you."

"Then finish it." Christopher's eyes held an odd satisfaction.

Isabella didn't understand why, but wasting food wasn't her nature, so she obediently finished it.

She placed the last spoonful in her mouth, then took a wet wipe from her purse to clean her lips.

Christopher took the empty bowl from her, placing it in the front seat storage compartment.

"Buckle up." His voice was gentle, and Isabella complied, fastening her seatbelt as he started the car and merged into traffic.

The Maybach's soundproofing was excellent, keeping the outside noise at bay, the morning sun casting a warm glow on their quiet but comfortable atmosphere.

Isabella looked out the window at the passing scenery, occasionally catching the fleeting sunlight on her face.

Christopher focused on driving, his gaze occasionally drifting to her serene profile in the rearview mirror.

Perhaps it was Christopher's smooth driving, but Isabella unknowingly fell asleep. When she woke up, the car was parked on the lawn at the northern hot springs resort.

Christopher was still in the driver's seat, now holding a document.

It seemed he had been waiting for her.

Isabella was startled, not expecting to fall asleep in Christopher's car, and awkwardly touched her lips.

"Mr. Harrison, I'm sorry, I fell asleep."

"No problem," Christopher's tone was calm, his gaze briefly shifting from the contract to Isabella, "Give me a few minutes."

He seemed to be reviewing a document, so Isabella nodded in agreement.

About twenty minutes later, they got out of the car and followed the signs to a more open lawn.

From a distance, Isabella could see a colorful array of tents, string lights wrapped around tree trunks, like stars.

She could faintly hear laughter from the crowd.

Isabella pointed ahead. "They should be over there."

Just as she spoke, Chloe's cheerful voice came from behind. "Isabella, you finally made it! I was losing badly at cards."

Isabella and Christopher turned to see Chloe running over with a freshly grilled skewer, her eyes darting between Isabella and Christopher.

Chloe came up beside Isabella, a mischievous smile on her lips, whispering, "I was wondering why you hadn't shown up. Were you off 'dating' Mr. Harrison?"

Though Benjamin was a colleague, compared to a wealthy man like Christopher, Chloe naturally sided with Christopher.