Chapter 76 - 75: A Taste of Kindness
But soon, he noticed that she was eating plain rice with soup. Looking at her—her obviously sallow and malnourished body, slightly hunched shoulders and pale cheeks.
He paused mid-bite.
And then, without a word, he stood up, startling her.
She assumed he was finished eating or perhaps going to take a call, though she hadn’t noticed a phone on the table. She didn’t pay much attention and kept her gaze fixed on her nearly empty bowl, pretending not to notice the way her stomach twisted with hunger. A bland mixture of rice and boiled vegetables sat untouched, the same thing she’d been eating for weeks now. There was no flavor, no joy in it—but it was cheap, and that was all that mattered.
A few minutes later, he returned—carrying not one, but two large trays laden with a variety of food.
The rich aroma hit her before the visuals did. Steaming plates of grilled meats, tender fish bathed in a savory sauce, buttery bread rolls, golden potatoes, and even a few exotic side dishes she couldn’t name. Her eyes widened slightly before she could control herself, and instinctively, she gulped, her mouth watering. Still, she lowered her gaze, pretending to focus on her own plate.
She couldn’t afford to look interested. She didn’t want him to notice.
Rex, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease. He sat back down and began eating heartily, letting out content sighs every now and then, clearly enjoying the meal. Elara kept her head low, scooping another bland mouthful of rice into her mouth. She couldn’t even taste it anymore.
Elara blinked, her spoon halting mid-air. She glanced at him warily from the corner of her eye.
After a few more bites, Rex leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach with exaggerated satisfaction. "Man," he groaned loudly, "that was really delicious."
But what do I do with the remaining food? "he continued dramatically. "There’s still so much food left."