CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE (53) Drooling

"Ma'am, Miss Chen has been calling you..." Grace collected the phone from him and muttered. "Thanks Yang."

She got into the awaiting car, dialed Rose's number, the call connected and what came next was unexpected.

"Now, did you beat an older woman up?"

She heard Rose laughter at the end of the question.

Grace's expression said she was aggrieved. "Ahan, what do take me for?" Grace voice was the same as her facial expression.

"Haha," Rose laughed out. "I know you, best."

"Sure, you do." Grace let out a sigh of relief. "How did you find out, though?"

"She came to me, preaching about family..."

"Hahaha!" Grace burst into laughter as well. "How shameless?"

"Exactly,"

"I hope she didn't say anything bad to you."

"What could she possibly say?" Rose twirled her hair with her index finger. "I have heard a lot, already."

"Hmm," That was the only sound that came out of Grace's mouth.

Rose then went ahead to ask, "So, tell me. What is your plan for Christmas?"

"Haven't decided yet, haven't even had the chance to ponder over it. If you get the chance to, please give me a heads up. Add travel to whatever plans you're making though, let's leave the country and have fun for some days."

Rose pondered over it and after much consideration, she said. "That's great. I'll let you know then."

"Okay, bye. Take care. Love you."

"Take care, love you too."

*~~~*

Once the call ended, there was a light knock on Rose's door, followed by Xu Dandan head poking in. "Can I come in?" She asked.

"Yeah,"

"Did you order anything?" Xu Dandan folded her hands in front of her chest, her eyes also formed a tiny slit while she spoke.

Rose opened her mouth ready to say no, when a thought clicked in her mind. "N... Yes!"

Dandan jumped. "You don't have to shout though..."

"Where's it?" Rose was more focused on what was delivered.

"There's someone at the lobby saying your... he brought your food and..."

"He?" Rose sprang up from her chair. "Do you mean, Mr ..." she trailed off then put her emotions in check, seeing how Dandan kept narrowing her eyes at her, as if she was trying to see through her eyes and into her soul. "Let him come up..."

"No, we can't." Dandan jumped right into Rose's statement. "Who are you expecting? Have you forgotten that no one except this floors employees are allowed up here?"

"Okay, I get it. Now, just go get it then, if you can't let him come up." Rose checked her wristwatch and the time said, 11:30. She raised her head up to see that, Dandan hadn't moved. "What is with you?"

"If the food is from the mansion, it won't need to go through inspection, but if..."

"Stop talking already, Dan'er! Eeesh."

Xu Dandan was momentarily stunned. "Didn't you have breakfast? Why are you so..."

"Ma'am,"

The two ladies turned to see Duyi at the door, carrying a carton which clearly read, 'Urban Remedy'

Xu Dandan jaw dropped just like her eyes enlarged. "Where did you get that from?"

"It's a special package for the boss." Duyi smiled brightly at Dandan. He went over to put it on the couch table.

Rose circled her office table and went straight to the resting area, with her eyes glued on the package.

Dandan was trying to process her thoughts. Urban Remedy? How? Didn't...? Oh, he has a spare shop, but isn't that small? Will he be running the restaurant from there until the main one is complete? But the shop she saw yesterday, was, uhmm... small...

"How is this here? Who sent it?" She finally let her thoughts out.

"Ah?" Duyi thought of something quickly as he explained to her. "Our boss, offered for him to cook for the site workers, as well as her, he didn't reply, but seeing this, I think he agreed. Do you understand now? Hmm?" He looked towards the lost in thought Xu Dandan.

"Do you?" He tapped her on the shoulder.

"I think so..."

Rose on the other hand was absorbed in her own world, leaving the two on their own, she removed the cello tape, and gently lifted the carton lid, to see a wooden three layer thermos flask, sitting perfectly in between polystyrene.

He's really smart. Rose thought. He must have done it to avoid the food spilling.

Since Rose was in her own world, she didn't get to see the two pairs of curious eyes on her.

She stared deeply at the flask, unbolted it, took out the spoon and chopsticks that were locked by the sides, lifted the first cover and what hit her face was hot vapor and the nice smell of sauced tomatoes and eggs.

"Hmmm!"

Rose's mind was drawn back into the world due to Xu Dandan's gruntle.

"Wow!" Rose saw Dandan swallow.

"What are you thinking?" Rose flicked her fingers in front of Dandan, trying to pull her attention away from the food.

"Open the second layer, hmm?" Xu Dandan urging voice made Rose to laugh.

Rose did as told and what greeted them was the freshly cooked rice, mixed with veggies accompanied by the smell of coconut and milk.

"Did, he really send this to you?" Xu Dandan couldn't help but ask. "If he did, then I must applaud his maturity. I mean, even after you kicked..." Xu Dandan swallowed her words as Rose shot her death glares.

"He had grabbed me too hard, don't forget."

"Aish... but..." Dandan trailed off again. "Okay, I give up... He has a nice way of apologizing..." Dandan flashed Rose a grin. "Right?"

"It's not bad, right?"

"Yes, let me have a taste." Xu Dandan hand moved to grab the chopsticks, but Rose was quicker.

"Let me taste it first, it might be just the looks and nothing more..."

A big smile spread on Duyi's face as he shook his head. "He really cooks well," He could assure them that because he had been there severally with Ye Zedong.