When the tea was served, Benjamin frowned, feeling irritated.
Helena explained, "The Lady wanted to brew the tea for you, so it took some time."
Benjamin furrowed his brow, lifting the tea cup carefully, sniffing its aroma. "So, this is her brew?"
"No, Master. She didn't adjust the water temperature and quantity properly, so after a few attempts, she asked me to do it," Helena said.
Benjamin immediately set the teacup down on the saucer, saying, "Alright, do your job."
Helena bowed respectfully before leaving.
Back in the dining room, the assistant noticed that the table had been set perfectly. Heading to the kitchen, she saw Jacqueline standing next to the head chef, while he instructed her on what was necessary to please Benjamin's palate.
Helena narrowed her eyes, assessing Jacqueline.
"Helena, the tulips have been delivered from the farm, where should I place them?" the maid's voice pulled Helena out of her thoughts.
She startled slightly but immediately composed herself and attended to what she needed to do.
Breakfast was served, and Jacqueline called Benjamin for breakfast, filling in for Helena, who was busy with the flower arrangements being delivered to the estate.
As she stepped out of the dining room and approached the living room, the closer she got, the slower her steps became, and she stopped abruptly when she saw Benjamin, busy handling his tasks.
Noticing Jacqueline's presence instantly, but Samuel didn't announce it to Benjamin; he just gave her an encouraging smile.
"Give me the pen," Benjamin requested.
His voice was stern and cold, lacking the sweetness from her memory, and when it echoed, it made her start.
"You're here, Jane," his voice suddenly softened oddly. It made Jacqueline feel like his previous severity was just an illusion.
He had spotted her through her reflection on the TV screen. Benjamin placed the pen down, stood up, and walked over to her.
"Did you sleep well last night?" he asked, lifting her chin, frowning as he saw her tired eyes. "Probably not. I wonder what kept you up last night; I'll ask Helena to address this issue."
"It's because of your damn gift," Jacqueline thought but didn't dare to say. She made an excuse, "I just had a nightmare last night. So everything is fine; don't bother Helena with this."
"Nightmares happen when your mind isn't right; they can repeat," Benjamin didn't allow this matter to be dismissed casually, even when Jacqueline, the only concerned party, didn't need to.
"But... you really don't need to..." Jacqueline tried to persuade.
"Alright, Jane, you must be hungry now. Let's have breakfast," Benjamin cut her off, then his large hand grasped her small hand. He led her to the dining room in front of Helena, Samuel, and other servants.
His intimate action was indirectly acknowledging her esteemed position in this mansion. From now on, they would know how to treat her.
Food was served as they sat down at the dining table. Starting from breakfast, Jacqueline endeavored to observe Benjamin's actions, genuinely wanting to ascertain whether Benjamin knew that the gift smelled strongly of blood or not.
But he acted as usual, which confused her. She wasn't entirely convinced Benjamin was innocent, but she also didn't find evidence of his prank.
Helena announced that the car was ready to take them to the aquarium when Jacqueline was learning how to care for some flowers in the garden. As she stepped out of the mansion, she was overwhelmed by the line of cars parked in the yard.
"Do we have to choose one of these cars?" Jacqueline asked.
"No, we'll use the first one, the rest are for the guards," Benjamin opened the car door for her.
"You really need so many guards?" she asked curiously.
Benjamin sat down beside her, smiling, "Nobody knows what might happen."
She remembered classic assassination scenes in mafia movies and wondered if she was safe sitting next to a mafia boss.
Benjamin placed his hand on hers, gently comforting her, "I'll protect you."
"Oh... thank you," she even felt more anxious hearing him say that. Because it meant what she feared could become real.
The car she was in started moving. When they reached the highway, Jacqueline glanced back, seeing the other cars still following theirs closely. She wondered if it was too ostentatious. Although she worried about being assassinated, she didn't think the hitmen would act so brazenly as to do it on the highway because there were many people there.
"Do you always go out like this?" Jacqueline asked.
"Basically, I always need my guards," Benjamin seated in a hunched position, resting his head on one hand, and his eyes were on her.
His sitting posture made her uncomfortable; she felt Benjamin was evaluating her.
Benjamin's answer didn't help her either. Of course, for a mafia dons like him, guards, lots of guards, are always necessary. But what she wanted to know was whether they always appeared so ostentatious.
She also felt unnatural going out with so many tall men in black suits following behind.
"That so, Samuel, I understand," Jacqueline saw Benjamin talking to Samuel through the walkie-talkie. He had been holding it ever since he got into the car. It seemed that this outing wasn't just a trip to the aquarium.
She was confused when she realized she might face an assassination attempt this morning.
She bowed her head, sweat dripping down her forehead. She didn't want to die; she still had a lot to do. Why did he involve an innocent like her in his business, Jacqueline wondered.
Benjamin saw through her acts, brushed her hair behind her ear, gently comforting her, "Don't show such lack of trust in me. I will protect you, sweetheart. I won't break my promise."
But I never trusted you, Mr. Turner, she thought.
Anyway, they arrived at the aquarium safely. When she stepped in, there was no one inside except her and Benjamin. She didn't even see Benjamin's guards.
"Hold on, do you rent the whole aquarium for this morning?" Jacqueline was astonished.
"Rent? This is mine," Benjamin chuckled.
"Yours?" Jacqueline was surprised.
"In the summer when I was 16, I had a memorable trip to the Hawaiian Islands. To commemorate that amazing vacation, my father built this aquarium for me," Benjamin explained.
Oh God, he's talking about building an aquarium as if buying a souvenir after his damn memorable vacation in Hawaii, Jacqueline thought, still stunned by what she heard from Benjamin.