Leslie pretended not to notice how piercing Calix's gaze on her was, fully understanding his action might cause her indigestion. With quite a difficulty, she swallowed a bite of her food.
Frowning, Leslie stared back at Calix, "Why are you looking at me like that? Still thinking why does a soul like me need to eat?"
Calix narrowed his eyes as he listened to her questions. Leaning his chin on the back of his hand, he didn't move his gaze away from Leslie.
"Why did you reject my offer? Don't you wanna go shopping? If you don't want clothes, we can get something else."
"Huh?"
Leslie unconsciously enlarged her eyes, disbelief flickering in them. Without holding back, she threw some questions as a response to Calix's silly inquiries.
"Why couldn't I reject your offer? First thing first, do you think I need to go shopping for clothes or anything? I'm not smelly even if I don't shower."
Their conversation that happened at the lake before reoccurred inside Calix's home office. The young man decided to let Leslie have lunch there instead of in the kitchen.
The home office provided them with better privacy. This was one of Calix's precautions not having people think he was crazy for talking to the air.
Leslie couldn't believe that Calix was still thinking of her refusal. She eyed him with various question marks popping into her mind.
Did this young CEO's pride get hurt because of the rejection despite having plausible reasons?
Was he trying to flaunt his wealth like how the male lead Xander did to the female lead Violet?
He should save it for his real wife later!
Calix pursed his lips. Pushing his body backward, he leaned on the chair's backrest while crossing his arms over his chest, assuming a relaxed position.
"I'm not talking about your smell," said Calix after a moment of silence, referring to Leslie's last question, "It's just... if you want new clothes, I'll buy them for you. You can wear them, right? Like this dress on you?"
Leslie looked down at the pink dress worn over her body. It was not the same white one as yesterday's.
"Well... I can change clothes," replied Leslie quietly.
Before exploring the mansion, Leslie randomly checked the walk-in wardrobe. She found several of Charlene's outfits there including other items. Aunt Wendy had carefully arranged them in the right places.
Despite not needing a shower or bath, Leslie still stepped into the washroom. She only had a quick shower, afraid of alerting anyone.
If Aunt Wendy or Uncle Raymond checked the washroom, they would only see the shower tap raining water without any occupant.
Even in this otherwordly state, Leslie could feel the coolness of the water falling on her body. The sense of normalcy made her joyful.
Exhaling a sigh, Leslie softened her voice as she tried to reason with Calix again.
"Calix, why do you want to buy anything for me? You don't need to do that. I'm happy enough that you're willing to tolerate my weird existence right now."
Calix instantly furrowed his brows. His slightly grim expression told Leslie that he was annoyed with something. Most probably by what she was saying.
"Don't say that I'm tolerating you. I just wonder if going shopping will make you happy."
Leslie blinked. Still enveloped in confusion, she asked him back, "Do you want to make me happy now?"
What was this man thinking?
Shrugging, Calix tried to speak nonchalantly yet, his sunken expression gave his true feelings away.
"You can only talk to me so, won't you be lonely? I can take you to other places if you're bored. I'm trying to be a good accomplice to you. Well... since I'm also using you for my own benefits, take it as compensation."
Leslie quickly clammed her mouth shut. She almost burst out laughing right after she understood Calix's reason.
How could he come up with something like that?
Shaking her head in helplessness, Leslie's lips curved into a smile. She watched how Calix's upset countenance morphed into something else, a bashful expression.
Never once did Leslie expect the CEO Xu who played tricks to ward off his potential suitors could be this considerate. It felt so unbecoming of someone of a higher standing like him.
Yet, he was also the same man who was concerned about her having meals and rest despite his ranting complaints.
In less than forty-eight hours since the first time they met, Leslie's impression of Calix kept getting better.
Putting down the chopsticks, Leslie tried to give the most earnest smile she could to Calix. His eyes were still on hers.
"For now, I desire nothing aside from the favor I wanna ask you."
Calix dropped his arms. He leisurely fiddled with the lowest button of his burgundy vest. Lifting up an eyebrow, he inquired, "Seems like you're gonna ask for something big. When will you tell me?"
Calix was genuinely intrigued by this so-called favor Leslie wished to get from him. He still remembered the flicker of desperation she quickly hid from her face yesterday, during the time she first brought it up.
Leslie tensed up, inadvertently straightening up her posture. The little movement caught Calix's eyes.
"Tonight. I'll tell you tonight," Leslie smiled had a hint of sadness, "I also... don't want to waste time."
The longer she kept delaying in finding Calliope, the day of them reuniting would also be pushed back. Leslie sincerely didn't want that.
Mimo kept telling her that Calliope was safe and sound yet, her motherly heart wished to hug her little daughter as soon as she could.
"Okay. I'll wait for it tonight."
Calix nodded, showing no signs of pressuring her. With a slight tilt of his chin, he pointed at the food.
"Eat more. We'll stop somewhere. As you said, I should bring gifts for my parents-in-law."
"...yes, thank you."
With no more questions being raised, Leslie quietly finished her meal. She didn't want to waste Aunt Wendy's delicious homecooked meal.
Calix had stopped looking at Leslie. He was playing with his phone, seemingly preoccupied with something.