Lucian knew Roxanne was uneasy about his presence, so he went straight to the couch and quietly read his emails right after he entered the room.
Roxanne was playing with the children when a few knocks on the door grabbed her attention. She got up and went to get the door.
When she pulled the door open, she saw two waiters pushing a cart, and beside them stood a man who seemed to be the manager. The man was looking at her respectfully.
Roxanne was puzzled about the crowd outside her door since they did not order any room service. She instinctively turned to glance at the man sitting quietly on the couch.
“Good afternoon. I’m the manager of the hotel, and this is the lunch included in your vouchers. Enjoy your meal,” the manager said with a courteous smile.
Comprehension dawned on Roxanne. She immediately thanked the manager and stood aside to let the waiters push the cart into the room.
Roxanne called the children over to have lunch after the waiters had set up the table.
Lucian, however, was still seated on the couch, going through his emails with a deadpan expression.
Upon deliberation, Roxanne went up to him and said, “Mr. Farwell, come and have lunch with us.”
Lucian lifted his head at her invitation. She got up from the couch and sat beside Estella at the table.
With Estella sitting between them, Roxanne didn’t feel as uncomfortable.
However, recalling that their outing was to accompany the children, she didn’t want to be a wet blanket. Hence, she suppressed the uneasiness within her and focused on the children.
“Eat, Ms. Jarvis.” Estella clumsily speared some of the food and placed them on Roxanne’s and Lucian’s plates with a bright smile.
Seeing her enthusiasm, Roxanne couldn’t help but giggle. “Thank you, Essie. But you don’t have to look after me. You should eat more instead.”
Estella’s body had always been weak, and Roxanne was worried.
Estella nodded obediently, then flashed Roxanne a toothy smile. “I’ll eat! You eat too, Ms. Jarvis!”
Roxanne ruffled Estella’s hair with a chuckle.
Archie and Benny followed suit by scooping food for Roxanne and Estella. They even advised Estella, saying, “You can only grow taller if you eat more.”
Estella nodded obediently.
The atmosphere among the quartet was harmonious. Lucian, on the other hand, was like a stranger at the table.
Noticing the man’s silence, Roxanne hesitated for a while before scooping some food onto his plate. “Thank you for bringing us here this morning, Mr. Farwell.”
Since they came together, Roxanne didn’t want to spoil the mood.
There was a flicker in Lucian’s eyes, and he smiled at Roxanne. “Don’t worry about it. I should thank you for agreeing to share a room with us, Ms. Jarvis. Otherwise, Essie would’ve been disappointed.”
Estella nodded at the cue.
Roxanne smiled faintly in response to Lucian’s words.
Archie and Benny looked at Roxanne, then at Lucian, confused.
Mommy doesn’t like Daddy, no? Why did she scoop some food for Daddy, then? Were we wrong about Mommy hating Daddy?
They exchanged glances and scooped some food for Roxanne and Lucian after a brief hesitation. After that, they cautiously looked at Lucian from the corner of their eyes.
Seeing that, Lucian arched his brow in surprise and said, “Thank you.”
