Catherine stood there, unsure whether she should leave or stay.
If she insisted on eating out, it would seem like she was rejecting his cooking.
But if she stayed, the atmosphere between them would be unbearably awkward.
While she was still tangled in indecision, Bert stepped out of the kitchen again, this time holding two more dishes. Plus the earlier ones, that made four—for just the two of them, far too extravagant for a simple lunch.
Catherine had no idea when he had started preparing all this. All she knew in this moment was that she wanted to escape.
So when Bert turned and went back into the kitchen, she quietly pivoted toward the door.
She hadn't taken more than a few steps when Bert's cold voice came from behind her.
"This is a suburban villa district. Hardly anyone stays here on weekdays—most only come during holidays. So there's no fast-food place within several kilometers."
Catherine froze.
He continued,
