The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 244 Talk on the Phone

"I am afraid...." Autumn was fully aware of Abby's kindness and desire to relieve her company from its distressed situation, but.... she thought of declining out of pride.

"You do not need to feel guilty. We chose you based on your company's credibility." Abby smiled at Autumn. "Andy's company has entrusted this proposal to some eligible partners, however, upon my strong recommendation, he decided to give Cloud Advertising Company a chance. So..... you must spare no effort to make it. Do not let me down."

"Thanks very much." Autumn felt relieved after Abby's explanation, "You can rest assured. I am bound to put this proposal into fruition."

"That is all I came for. Now I have to go." Abby rose from her chair, "Relevant information has been sent to your E-mail. Autumn, the other eligible companies invested with their respective groundwork three days ago. They have had a head start so you will have to work around the clock."

"I am fully aware of the urgency." Autumn nodded gently and then accompanied Abby to the elevator. After Abby had left, Autumn immediately called for a meeting. She gave a detailed account of the proposal from Andy's company. "I fully understand the efforts all of you have invested in the proposal from our Japanese client, but.. this new proposal is of equal importance. You are kindly requested to work overtime to accomplish it and right after, be handsomely rewarded."

"Autumn, but the Japanese case... must be done quickly. I doubt our capacity to handle both of them within the deadline!" Isla expressed her concern.

"I will handle the Japanese project while all of you work on the new project." Autumn replied with great composure, "That is all. You are all dismissed."

Autumn worked extra hard to ensure the perfection of the Japanese project, when Charles made his call, "It is too late. You had better drop your work and go home for a good rest."

"How do you know?" Autumn instinctively turned around, expecting Charles's arrival, however, on second thought, she realized that Charles must have called home to learn of her absence, "You should take a rest too."

"Yes, thanks for your concern." Charles continued, "After dining with a Japanese client, I just returned to my hotel for a refreshing shower."

"Go to sleep early then." Autumn expressed her care for Charles.

"What are you doing tonight?" Charles found himself satisfied talking to Autumn over the phone. He was dying to hold Autumn in his arms despite being away for only a day.

"I am working on a proposal. By the way, today... Abby paid me a visit at the office." Autumn moved away from the computer and chatted away with Charles, "She entrusted me with a proposal from Andy's company."

"Great, did you accept it?" Charles switched to a comfortable position lying on the bed as he asked Autumn.

"Yes, I accepted it gladly." Abby was kind enough to give Autumn's company an opportunity. It was not justifiable for her to decline it.

Moreover, Autumn was fully aware of the qualifications to be involved in such a proposal it. "At times, I replace myself guilty of bearing a grudge against the Zhao Family, but.... after deep reflection, the Zhao Family should treat me with the due care after being absent from my life for such a long time."

Autumn sighed and continued their conversation. "Last night I dreamed of my late father who requested me to take good care of my grandparents as he failed to do so. Charles, could you accompany me to the Zhao Family house after your return from Japan?"

"I'd be happy to." Charles was happy to hear of Autumn's acceptance of the Zhao Family. Out of nowhere, a knock on the door broke off their blissful moment.

"What's the matter?" Autumn wondered.

"Hold on. I have to see who is knocking on my door." Charles did not hang up his call, put his phone on the bed, and opened the door to see Leila looking attractive in her pajamas.

"Mr. Lu, this is the document you want. I have sorted it out with marks pending review. Any questions or instructions are welcome." Leila felt deeply attracted with Charles at that moment, a godsend, indeed. However the sight of the wedding ring that Charles wore dampened Leila's enthusiasm.

"Ok, I got it." Charles took the document and spoke, "It is late. You had better rest. We will discuss it tomorrow."

"Mr. Lu....." Leila did not relent. She knew "step by step, slowly and surely" was the best policy to win the love and trust of Charles, but.... she was overwhelmed by a growing sense of frustration at Charles's lack of reaction to her sexy clothes.

"Anything else?" Charles frowned at Leila's presence, being eager to resume his phone chat with Autumn.

"Mr. Lu, tonight it was very kind of you to drink for me. Are you ok?" Leila asked with a tone of concern.

"I'm fine." Charles replied calmly.

"Excessive drinking is harmful to your stomach. Mr. Lu, this is my well prepared honey to dispel the effects of alcohol. You had better have some before sleeping." Leila expressed her concern for Charles.

Charles frowned at Leila's affection. There was more aversion than warmth in it.

"Anything else?" Charles was already giving her the cold shoulder.

Leila felt like complete idiot before Charles and left, crawling with shame. "Nothing... nothing more. Mr. Lu, good night."

The moment the door was closed, Leila's resentment grew. Charles picked up the phone again. Autumn could not help but make fun of Charles. "Your female secretary is over-zealous to care for you." "Are you jealous?" Charles asked. There was a element of jealousy in Autumn's joke.

"Definitely not!" Autumn tried to deny Charles's claim.

"Autumn, my dear wife." Charles, all of sudden, talked to Autumn in a solemn tone, "No matter what happens, I love no one but you."

"Good. What do you say?" Autumn's face turned red with shyness and then smiled, "You do not need to take my kidding seriously."

The conversation lasted for nearly one hour. Autumn asked Charles to go to sleep before diving into tomorrow's intense work. "Well, now it is late. You had better sleep soon."

"And you?" Charles asked.

Autumn looked at her watch and sighed, "I intended to work a lot tonight, only to be interrupted by our chat. Now I am about to go home."

"Take good care." Charles mumbled and only fell asleep upon the receipt of Autumn's assuring text message.