Hendrix glanced at the screen of her phone before asking, "Where were you?" Noelle pressed her lips together. "Who gave you the right to change my lock?" "Answer my question!" Hendrix demanded with a stormy expression.

Noelle had every intention of arguing with him, but after locking, eyes with him for a few tense moments, she finally relented. "The hospital."

Hendrix's expression shifted slightly as his eyes swept over her.

Noelle didn't notice his gaze. She continued, "They told me this afternoon that my mom woke up, but by the time

1 got there, she'd fallen asleep again. I stayed, hoping she might wake up again."

Her voice was soft, laced with quiet sadness.

The icy edge in Hendrix's face melted slightly, but his frown returned just as quickly. "Then, why didn't you answer your phone?"

'It was on silent. I didn't see it," Noelle replied, her tone flat. "Can I go inside now?"

Hendrix stepped aside without a word, giving her space to pass.

Noelle bent down to change her shoes and set her bag near the door. Then, she turned to face him. "So, why are you here?"

Hendrix didn't have an answer.

All he knew was that he didn't want to stay at Percy Gardens by himself, nor did he feel like going back to Nivis Villa. After driving aimlessly for a while, he found himself here.

"I'm hungry," he said suddenly.

"What?"

"I want something to eat," Hendrix said as he pulled out a chair and sat down at the small dining table. Herp

place was tiny, and the table was small. Hendrix's long legs looked almost cramped under it.

But if he felt any discomfort, he didn't show it. When Noelle didn't move, he lifted his gaze and gave her a demanding look.noveldrama

Noelle wanted to send him back to Nivis Villa. There were plenty of staff there to cater to his every whim. But she was too exhausted to argue.

Reaching for her phone, she said, "What do you want? I'll order takeout."

"How long will that take? I'm hungry now," Hendrix said in an unapologetic tone.

They stared at each other for a long moment before Noelle finally gave up and headed to the kitchen. Her kitchen was just as small as the rest of her apartment. The counter could only accommodate one person, and the fridge was crammed into a corner by the door.

Noelle wasn't good at cooking. At best, her meals were edible. But with Hendrix acting like he had to eat immediately, she didn't have much of a choice, so she cooked a plate of homemade spaghetti.

The dish consisted of some pasta, tomatoes, and ground beef. For garnish, she sprinkled some basil a kind vendor

had given her for free.

Noelle was fully aware that this humble meal didn't match Hendrix's status. But it was all she had to offer, and frankly, she didn't feel it was inappropriate.

What surprised her was that Hendrix didn't seem to mind.

When she placed the bowl in front of him, he didn't say a word. He simply picked up the fork and spoon, bent his head, and started eating.

Hendrix finally got to eat the spaghetti he missed out on during his birthday. He felt very satisfied.

Noelle hadn't eaten either, but she didn't have much of an appetite. She picked at a small portion of spaghetti for over ten minutes and still didn't finish it