Hearts System: 1000 Ways to Tell CEO I Love You-Chapter 15: Beckett’s Chicken Parmi (1)

The maiden could only take that subtle glare from the beautiful woman. Starting a fight she couldn’t win was not an option.

"Ms Piper."

Luellen flinched when Leander called her name. She didn’t even realize Leander was standing so close to her. He was on his way to the inner office’s door, after all.

When she looked up, Leander took his phone out of his pocket. He said, "I need you to stock the pantry for later. Beckett said he will come to cook lunch for everyone. Look up a few recipes if you like. Just make sure he has something to use. You saw the kitchen’s state yesterday.

"Give me your MoMo. I’ll send you money."

"Uhm... sure..." Luellen figured she would be running errands more often than not. She only accepted it. After all, it was on her contract. Any demands from the CEO and his office should be treated as work-related tasks.

Luellen could still stay calm and work through the task. Leander just had to transfer a lot of money for mere groceries. She looked up at him, but he pocketed his phone.

"Uhm... Mr Leander, do you know how much groceries cost? This is too much..." Luellen whispered, but the whole office caught her voice. Even Galaxy glared at her for that question. "Should I return some?"

"...no... but Beck can grow demanding. He will ask you for a few things along the way." Leander didn’t react loudly. "You can also buy snacks for everyone."

Luellen only nodded after a second. She softly smiled again. "Okay. I’ll be going now. Uhm, is there a dish you’d like to eat for today, Mr Leander?"

Leander stayed in his spot, not meeting anyone’s gaze. He cleared his throat. "Anything’s fine. Let Beck decide on things like that next time. My preferences are not his priority. He just cooks what he likes."

"Got it..." The maiden bowed a little and walked off to attend to her task. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Luellen!" Madam Henny waved her hand and called Luellen over. She then gave the girl a small piece of paper. "That’s Beckett’s number. Why don’t you give him a call instead? I’m sure he already has a plan."

...

Indeed, Beckett had a plan. It was to meet Luellen in the supermarket. He even had Sydney in a pet backpack with a window and breathable top cover. He wore the backpack on his chest like she was a real baby.

He waved his hand. "Luellen! Hey, are you waiting long? Sorry, parking is horrible at this time. I could ask Andy to buy me a priority spot, but that would mean they’d welcome me like a king whenever I come. It happens at this one builder’s store, and it’s never amusing! Ow... I shouldn’t talk too much..."

"Mr Beckett, aren’t you exhausting yourself? You just got out of the hospital." Luellen even thought of taking the backpack from him.

"It’s okay. I can’t look weak for so long." Beckett laughed, holding his abdomen under the backpack. "Anyway, I was thinking of what Andy mentioned earlier. Chicken with torched cheese and sauce... I think he means Chicken Parmi. It should be easy to make."

He then flashed a big grin. "We just have to buy an oven for baking!"

Luellen stared at the man. She then chuckled. "The kitchen stove has a built-in oven, Mr Beckett. Can we not use that?"

"Huh? When did he update the kitchen?" Beckett stroked his chin. "I remember him buying a microwave last month. That Galaxy girl keeps bringing him pre-made home-cooked meals. But he has to microwave it every time. Does she still do that? I heard she hasn’t done it for a week now."

"I don’t know, Mr Beckett. I only started working in our office yesterday." Luellen smiled at him. However, he turned to her in disbelief instead. She asked, "Mr Beckett?"

"Wait, you’re that new? But he already invited you to his house and allowed you to touch Sydney?" Beckett laughed harder, his face contorting from dull pain. "That Galaxy girl can’t even recognize Sydney. She’s always kept away from my baby girl!"

Luellen smiled in helplessness. "Mr Beckett, she doesn’t like dogs. Maybe that’s why she’s not asked to watch over Sydney."

Beckett’s smile froze before he nodded off. He then soothed his abdomen. "Yeah, I guess. But...! You’re my assistant for today instead! Let’s forget about her and find good ingredients for my dearest brother. I also want to cook a creamy soup for Henny. Does she still like sweet desserts? Also, that secretary... he’s scary. I don’t know what to cook for him. Will he even eat my food?"

The chatterbox brother kept talking for almost two hours. Luellen was used to listening to others, so she almost treated him like a podcast. Since Luellen didn’t have a car, she had to call Houston to pick them up... as per Leander’s reminder.

"Andy! We’re here now!"

Beckett laughed as they arrived inside the CEO’s outer office. Madam Henny quickly got up to giggle and scolded him for getting too loud. Galaxy and Shirley only glanced at him, not liking his presence at all. Moreover, he was the only one allowed to call Leander with a nickname. As for Luellen and Houston, they carried the groceries to the kitchen.

On his desk, Leander only glanced at them as they entered. He was on a video conference with some directors. He didn’t say anything, even when Beckett entered the office.

Luellen caught the younger brother using ridiculous gestures as if they were valid forms of communication. Her eyes flickered.

"Those two understand each other quite well..." she whispered.

The maiden stayed by the open doorway. She only smiled at Beckett when the other person headed to the kitchen. He still let Sydney out of the bag to sleep on the couch. Houston had also gone to excuse himself and leave for his job.

The door closed behind Beckett. He dragged a chair close to the counter and sat. His body leaned against it, and he groaned softly.

The sound he made alarmed Luellen. She quickly strode to his side. "Mr Beckett! Is everything all right? Are you in pain?"

"Hey, are you good with secrets?" Beckett chuckled. He tampered with his shirt and showed off the patch covering his abdominal wound. A chuckle escaped his lips. "I’m not even supposed to be discharged within the month. My stomach is fine, but the muscles and tissues have barely healed. I shouldn’t be walking around..."

"Then why?" Luellen looked up at the pained expression on Beckett’s face. "Should I call a doctor for you?"

Beckette shook his head. "No. I’ll go to the hospital later... on my way back. I have to hide my movements from Andy. Do you know? Our mother got sick after giving birth to me. So, no... I can’t allow myself to stay in the hospital and have him grow crazy alone."