My Baby Daddy Isn't Human-Chapter 213: Lunch Companion

Kade strode down the hallway, his expression twisted in irritation. He still couldn’t believe what he had just walked in on.

"What the hell was that?" he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair as if trying to physically wipe the memory from his brain.

He had gone back to Elion’s office, expecting to drop off a quick update—only to be greeted by an utterly insolent sight. Raelynn, her hand far too close to Elion’s thighs, Elion looking away as if embarrassed, and the overall questionable situation that had burned itself into his mind. The touch here, touch there—damn it! Kade groaned and shook his head. No, he refused to let that image linger any longer.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he made his way back to the cafeteria. He hadn’t even eaten yet, thanks to his ever-so-gracious duty of fetching Elion and Raelynn’s lunch. After that, he’d gone back to his desk to check a few reports, only to be rewarded with that scene. He scowled at the thought, pushing open the cafeteria doors.

The cafeteria bustled with chatter and clinking utensils. Employees were gathered in groups, eating their meals while sharing stories of their morning work. The scent of grilled meat filling the air, reminding Kade just how hungry he was. He grabbed a tray and quickly got in line, tapping his fingers against the plastic surface while waiting for his turn.

After collecting his food, he scanned the room for an empty seat. That’s when he spotted her—Lena, still sitting alone in the far corner.

Kade frowned slightly. "She’s a slow eater," he mumbled to himself. Or maybe she just preferred solitude. Either way, it wasn’t his problem.

His feet, however, seemed to have other plans. Before he fully processed it, he was already walking toward her table. He placed his tray down with a light thud and spoke casually, "Hope this seat isn’t occupied."

Lena looked up from her meal, a little surprised to see him. Her dark eyes blinked at him before she answered, "As you can see, it’s empty."

Kade smirked as he pulled out the chair and sat down. "Perfect." He picked up his fork, twirling it between his fingers. "Didn’t have anyone to eat with, and I see you didn’t either. So let’s accompany each other."

Lena tilted her head slightly, studying him as if trying to figure out his real reason for sitting there. "You don’t have any friends?" she asked, arching a brow.

Kade let out a dry chuckle as he sliced into his meal. "I have plenty of friends," he said smoothly. "I just didn’t feel like sitting with them today."

Lena made a noncommittal hum before going back to eating. Kade noticed she was a quiet eater, carefully cutting her food into small bites before bringing them to her lips. The silence stretched between them—not necessarily uncomfortable, but definitely unusual. He wasn’t used to eating without the usual back-and-forth banter he had with Elion.

After a few minutes, he caught Lena stealing a glance at him. He raised a brow. "What?"

Lena hesitated, then finally asked, "Why are you sitting with me?"

Kade leaned back slightly in his chair, chewing thoughtfully before responding. "Didn’t I already answer that?"

Lena set her fork down and met his gaze directly. "So it’s because you pity me for sitting alone?"

Kade swallowed his food and took a sip of his drink before shaking his head. "I don’t know why you think that," he said. "Doesn’t seem like you’re the type who needs pity."

Lena studied him for a moment before sighing. "Sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed." She picked up her fork again and continued eating.

Kade glanced at her. She was sharp, that much he could tell. He wasn’t even sure why he had ended up at her table. Maybe because she intrigued him in a way he didn’t expect. Or maybe—just maybe—it was because she knew about Raelynn.

As much as Kade trusted himself for all the infromation he gathered so far about her, there was something about Lena that made him want to keep an eye on her. Not because he suspected anything serious—at least, not yet. But she was too observant, and that could either be a good thing or a very dangerous thing, depending on where her loyalty lay.

They continued eating in relative silence, only exchanging small comments here and there. Kade found it strangely peaceful, despite his usual preference for lively conversations.

As they finished their food, Kade stretched his arms behind his head and exhaled. "Not bad," he said, nodding toward his tray. "Guess I’ll have to keep coming here for lunch."

Kade leaned back slightly in his chair, letting his hands rest behind his head as he glanced around the cafeteria. It wasn’t as if he had never eaten here before—of course he had. But more often than not, his lunches were hurried affairs, eaten at his desk in between answering emails and coordinating whatever Elion needed.

If he wasn’t at his desk, then he was usually in Elion’s office, discussing schedules and handling business over takeout containers or whatever meal had been brought up for them. Eating in the cafeteria was more of an occasional thing, something he did when he had the time—or when he needed a change of scenery.

Still, there was something about today that felt different.

Lena wiped her mouth with a napkin before standing. "Well, enjoy your meal next time."

Kade smirked. "I was thinking… maybe we could do this again."

Lena gave him a curious look. "You want to sit with me again?" ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Kade shrugged, standing up as well. "Why not? You’re quiet, you don’t nag, and you mind your own business. It’s a good change of pace."

Lena rolled her eyes slightly but didn’t outright refuse. "We’ll see," she said before walking off.

Kade watched her go, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He hadn’t expected the lunch to be anything special, but for some reason, he found himself looking forward to the next time.

He grabbed his tray and turned toward the exit, his mind already wandering to the next time he and Lena might share a table again.