Chapter 636 His Arrangement
Things at the lab wrapped up quicker than expected. Remembering Branden’s instructions before they parted ways, Catherine messaged him for him to pick her up.
It took about half an hour to get here from the apartment.
Shortly after sending the message, Catherine got a reply from Branden, which read, [I’m waiting at the door.]
Putting aside what she was working on, Catherine grabbed her coat and headed out.
Just as she stepped out, she spotted a man standing in the chilly wind.
She thought she might have to wait a while, but she didn’t expect that he had never left. Catherine walked right up to him. Seeing that, Branden began to take off his coat.
“No!” Catherine refused him outright. Seeing Branden frown, she explained, ” I’m not cold. We can get in the car right away.”
Seeing her insist, Branden didn’t push further.
He opened the car door for Catherine and guided her carefully. He was afraid that she might bump into something.
Once inside the car, Catherine felt bored and struck up a conversation with Branden.
“Why didn’t you head back? Aren’t you worried I’ll be busy until midnight?”
Catherine smiled faintly and cast a meaningful look at him.
When an experiment encounters problems, there’s no telling how much time it could take to fix the problem. Before Catherine found the problem in the experiment, she didn’t know how long it would take, let alone Branden.
Surprised by her rare initiative in asking, Branden looked at her confidently and said, “If an hour’s not enough, then two. If two aren’t enough, I’ll wait till dawn. Eventually, you’ll crack it, right?”
Catherine pursed her lips and nodded in agreement. “Makes sense!”
They exchanged a smile and looked at each other.
When Patrick came out with Marshall, they caught sight of the car driving away.
“These young folks nowadays are way wilder than we were back then!”
Marshall noticed the car from the start and saw it hadn’t moved, indicating Branden hadn’t left. Compared to Marshall’s calmness, Patrick was much more surprised.
He knew Branden and Catherine were close. Moreover, he understood that when young people were in love, they were glued together and would want to spend 24 hours together.
But he hadn’t expected Branden, who was always busy, to waste time here for Catherine willingly.
It showed just how highly Catherine was regarded in Branden’s heart.
After Catherine got into the car, Branden took her arm and gently massaged it. “Are you tired? Do you want to nap a little?”
Catherine shook her head and replied, Not sleepy. I want to play a game for a while.”
“Alright.” Branden reached to switch on the backseat lights. Playing games in a dark environment wasn’t good for the eyes.
Catherine had intended to play a game to pass the time while they drove home, but as soon as she opened her phone, she received an email from Rodge.
She opened the email and found Rodge’s plea for help.
Rodge’s experiment hit a rough patch, and he hoped Catherine could spend a few days in Oceanvile to assist him.
Catherine can address the problems more effectively if she was present in the lab and checking the experiment data firsthand, as it would provide a direct understanding of the process.
After reading the email, Catherine handed her phone to Branden without hiding anything. She let him read it himself because she couldn’t be bothered to explain the contents.
Seeing she was open about it, Branden readily took the phone to check her email.
After going through it, he understood Catherine’s intent and gave an immediate response.
“I’ll arrange your flight for tomorrow. You’ll go to Oceanvile for three days. I’ll handle your absence from school. As for the lab…”
Before he could finish, Catherine smiled and said, “As for the lab, I’ll talk to Professor Hartley myself and request time off.”
Branden calmly replied, “Alright.”
Catherine showed him the emails to seek his advice and have him organize everything. And indeed, Branden understood her.
After returning to her apartment, Catherine slept soundly until dawn the next day. She noticed that her insomnia symptoms had been getting lighter lately.
In the past, she relied on sleeping pills to fall asleep.
Ever since she’s been with Branden, she hardly took any medication. Each time she attempted, Branden would toss it away and coax her into bed.
If she couldn’t sleep, he would resort to force. He would use his strong physicality to drain her excess energy and force her to sleep.
Gradually, her insomnia symptoms lessened. Sometimes, she’d fall asleep in the car on their way back, and Branden would carry her upstairs.
After getting up from bed, Catherine stepped into the bathroom.
After a while, she went into the living room. Catherine found a warm meal and a note from Branden waiting for her. [I have some company matters to attend to. Carlo is waiting downstairs for you.]
After reading the note, Catherine casually pushed it aside.
She lifted the insulated covers on the plates and bowls. They were all her favorite foods, which means Branden must have prepared them in person.
Despite his work commitments, he ensured she had something to eat before leaving.
Branden was quite a good boyfriend.
Catherine felt reassured and sat down to indulge in the lunch Branden prepared.
When she stood up to pack her bags, she found that Branden had arranged her luggage neatly on the sofa.
There was just a simple backpack, which was just the way she liked.
Branden covered all the bases. He was incredibly attentive and detail- oriented.
With everything taken care of, Catherine didn’t need to worry. She grabbed her bag and headed downstairs.
Carlo was waiting downstairs as said. He came out of the car as soon as Catherine descended. Then he respectfully stepped forward and reached to take the bag from her shoulder. “Miss Swann, Mr. Branden asked me to escort you to the airport. Your flight is all set.”
Catherine lowered her cap slightly, nodded casually, and got into the car.
The airport was some distance away from the apartment. Catherine felt drowsy after the satisfying meal and she closed her eyes to rest.
Carlo had been keeping an eye on Catherine’s movements. Seeing her intent on resting, he carefully raised the partition.
Following Branden’s earlier instructions, Carlo adjusted the temperature inside the car, slowed down, and drove steadily.
Despite it being the same car and routine, Catherine woke up the moment it came to a halt.
Maybe it was due to the absence of someone beside her.
After Catherine stepped out of the car, Carlo escorted her to the plane.
Branden had arranged a first-class seat for Catherine. After settling into her seat, Catherine activated the “Do Not Disturb” sign.
She lowered her hat to block the outside world from sight and prepared to sleep through the two-hour flight.
Suddenly, she heard a sound beside her. Catherine frowned and lifted the brim of her hat. She was about to signal the person not to disturb her.
When she saw the face of the intruder, her eyes lit up instantly. “Why are you here?”
Branden replied with a gentle smile. ” Fortunately, I made it in time to accompany you!”
He had rushed to the company early in the morning to handle everything. This would free him up to accompany Catherine to Oceanvile and take care of her.
Catherine couldn’t be without him, and he couldn’t be without her.
