The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 278 The Gate-crasher

Charles ate a lot since he was in a very good mood, even though he kept complaining about feeling bloated afterwards. Autumn was amused by his words. She laughed at him and said, "Why did you eat so much then? Your stomach must be aching, right? Charles, you can be very funny sometimes."

Charles smiled back at her, but said nothing. They walked downstairs to the company as Autumn was about to go back to her office. "I am afraid that I won't have time to see my grandmother today because of my workload, but if you have some time, please visit her and keep her company. I will have to work an extra shift in the office today," said Autumn.

She paused for a while and went on to add, "If I can manage to get off work earlier, I will meet up with you, so we can pay her a visit together. Is that all right with you?"

"Sure. As you like it, " Charles nodded with a soft smile. ?Autumn spent the whole afternoon working while her employees were all inspired by the meeting in the morning. They worked diligently and soon completed planning the general structure of the proposal. Autumn was pleased by their hard work and devotion so she decided to give everyone the rest of the day off. Autumn was in a good mood and she looked forward to meeting Charles. When she went to the parking lot, she found Aron's car parked there. She figured that Aron was probably waiting for Isla.

Autumn felt happy for Isla; seeing Aron's car there. She felt relieved knowing that Aron cared about Isla so much. "Hey, Aron." Autumn stepped forward and asked, "Are you waiting for Isla here?"

"Hello, Autumn. Yes, I am waiting for her." However, instead of being cheerful, Aron looked upset. He'd come here almost everyday to see Isla after she got off work, but she'd always avoid meeting him. To add salt to his wound, he found out that she had been seeing other people and going on blind dates.

Autumn was quick to notice the sadness in his eyes. "What's up? You look sad," Autumn asked him curiously.

"It is difficult to put it all in a nutshell," replied Aron. Aron took Autumn into his confidence since they had been through a lot of hardships together during their childhood. Thus, when Autumn showed her concern for him, he began to pour out his grievances to her. "Autumn, Isla is still mad at me. She is still reluctant to talk to me, even though I have already apologized to her sincerely, many times. I am so worried; I don't know what to do, I am at a loss here."

"What? She is still angry with you?" She assumed that they had cleared the air and that everything in the past was just water under the bridge, but she did not expect to replace that things between them were still unresolved.

Turns out Isla was being very stubborn and perhaps it was because she felt greatly wronged this time.

"Why are you here? I have told you not to come here again." Isla's voice chimed in abruptly as they were talking. She kept a straight face, and spoke with an impatient tone when she saw Aron. She rushed up to him angrily and asked, "Why won't you listen to me? I have told you this before."

"Isla, please don't talk like that, " persuaded Autumn. She reached out, grabbed Isla's sleeve and tried to calm her down. Autumn felt guilty since she helped Aron to keep the truth from Isla, she felt that she should also be held responsible for that. "Calm down, Isla. Just talk to him."

"Autumn, I know that you care about me, but I can handle this on my own. Don't worry about me, " Isla said while keeping a straight face. She turned to Aron, her eyes filled with apathy, and said "Aron, this is the last time I will warn you. Don't ever come to see me again. I don't ever want to see you either. Do you understand me now?"

"Isla..." ?Aron grew sadder upon hearing Isla. Every time he stepped closer to her, she would step back, to keep a certain distance between them. Aron had no choice but to stop, then he said to her in a gentle voice, "Okay, stop. I won't come closer to you, but Isla, you've been angry with me for so many days, when can we sit down and have a real talk? Give me a chance to explain myself to you, "Aron implored, sincerely.

"I think we don't need to have a talk at all. There is nothing for us to talk about. I have somewhere I need to be right now. I've gotta go," said Isla coldly. Isla forced herself to be impolite to him, but, as a matter of fact, she also felt very frustrated.

She had suffered for a long time because of him, thus, she decided not to get close to him, because she didn't want to get hurt by him again.

It's a basic part of human nature to avoid disadvantages, that have caused them to suffer a traumatic experience. So when they expect something similar, they immediately choose to circumvent it rather than confront it head on.

"Are you going on a blind date today?" Aron asked in a sad voice while his eye brows furrowed.

"That is none of your business. You don't need to worry about me." Isla responded in a cold voice. "You are just a stranger to me now," added Isla.

"Isla, you..." Autumn hastily stopped Aron who came close to breaking down and said, "Aron, calm down."

Isla glowered at Aron, and then turned around to leave when Aron shook off Autumn's hands and said, "Autumn, why are you trying to stop me? Look at her! She's going on a date with another man." "Aron, you need to relax. Isla is still mad at you. She will only get angrier if you keep on pestering her right now." Autumn was starting to get worried about the both of them. She figured it would be best to have a talk with Isla and try to come up with a possible solution. Autumn persuaded Aron patiently, "Aron, I will speak with Isla. You don't have to be so upset. Go back home first, I will help you persuade her."

Aron was not in a good mood, so he agreed with Autumn and left without saying a word. After he left, Autumn went to Shining Company. Everyone there greeted her warmly, ever since Charles disclosed their relationship.

She even felt a little embarrassed when somebody pushed the elevator button for her.

She ran into David outside Charles's office. Nonetheless, David was shocked to see Autumn there. "Mrs. Lu, are you here to see Mr. Lu?"

"Hello, David. Yes, you are right. I also bought some snacks on the way here. Please, have some, it's really good." Autumn handed the snacks to David. She was not trying to win his support, but instead, she was just showing her appreciation to him for helping Charles at work.

"Mrs. Lu, you are so kind. Thank you very much." David felt her kindness as he took the snacks from Autumn, happily.

"Where is Charles? Is he still working inside?" Autumn asked while pointing at his office.

"He is inside," replied David while nodding his head slightly. While they were talking, Alice, who was recruited by Autumn, walked up to them. She greeted Autumn courteously with a smile; she did not act in an adulatory manner which made Autumn appreciate her even more.

Her good manners put Autumn's mind at ease. Autumn could tell that Alice was a kind and honest girl, just by her manners.

"David, please sign this document. Thanks." Alice handed the file to David. Autumn noticed that they were busy with work so she left them and walked towards Charles's office. She stood in front of his office and knocked the door.

"Come in," said Charles.

Autumn pushed the door open and walked in, but was soon shocked to replace Leila sitting there, dressed scantily. She even wore a sycophantic smile with an obsequious air. Autumn found Leila's sex appeal highly inappropriate and irritating.

"Autumn, what are you doing here?" Charles was surprised to see Autumn. He stood up quickly, stepped forward to Autumn and sat her down beside Leila. Leila seemed very indignant and kept glaring at Autumn with a disdainful look.

Leila wasn't expecting to see Autumn today, and before Autumn had arrived, she was in a cheerful mood because she found the chance to be with Charles alone even though they were just talking about work. Leila cherished the beautiful moment she had with him, especially since no one had come to bother them.

But now that Autumn was here, her happiness evaporated into thin air.

Autumn sensed a strange vibe come from Leila as she sneaked a glance at her.

It was easy to spot Leila's affection for Charles. Thus, she was starting to get a little concerned. After all, just as the old saying goes, a water-front pavilion gets the moonlight first. Perhaps one day Charles would fall in love with Leila after being closely associated with her.

"Hello, Autumn, long time no see," Leila greeted her. Although Leila was unhappy to see Autumn, she had to pretend to be a kind-hearted woman. Therefore, Leila held back her resentment and greeted Autumn with a soft smile which made her look graceful.