The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 315 Another Business Trip

"Really?" Gary was still worried about her, but Autumn nodded her head with finality. "Yes, it's true. Now, it's almost the end of the year and we have nothing but loads of work to deal with." Gary gave Autumn a nod, but added, "If he does something stupid, do remember to tell me. I will help you deal with him."

"OK, grandpa. I will. And thanks, "Autumn answered. After they finished eating, Autumn tidied up the table and then went upstairs. She couldn't explain why she was feeling worried somehow. Charles arrived home close to midnight. That time, Gary wasn't asleep yet. He was waiting for Charles to have a word with him. He motioned for Charles to follow him. "Let's go upstairs." Gary led Charles to the dining room. He pointed to the remaining food on the table. "You see? Today, Autumn prepared so many dishes because you told her that you would come home for dinner. But what's wrong with you? You didn't return until now. Is that worthy of Autumn's efforts?"

On seeing the food on the table, Charles felt sorry. But the reason why he worked so hard and so late was to give Autumn a good life.

"Grandpa, I......" Gray interrupted him before he could say another word, "I don't know what you are thinking. I only ask you one question. Are you still in love with Autumn?"

"Grandpa! Yes, of course I am!" Charles looked at Gary, in disbelief. As it turned out, Gary thought that there were some problems between him and Autumn. How ironic it was! Charles stifled his laughter and asked his grandpa, "What are you thinking about, my grandpa? Recently, I've been too busy with the business to care for Autumn. It's my fault but there will never be emotional problems between us. Don't make a blind guess."

"A blind guess?" Gary sneered. As the saying goes, a neutral third party sees the issue in question more clearly than the disputants. In his view, Autumn could now bear a grudge against Charles. If they failed to resolve these issues in time, they were likely to encounter emotional problems sooner or later.

"Charles, you think I'm an alarmist, right? Well, I am not. Charles, listen to me. It strikes me that you really don't understand your wife well enough. I'm aware that you are under great pressure at work. But do you think Autumn is just lying around doing nothing? Everyday, she takes good care of me and helps Chris see what is sensible, among other things. In addition to dealing with tons of things at her own company, she also worries about her grandma's health. She has to face all of these things by herself. She is not less stressed than you." What Gary said really got to Charles. Perhaps it was true that he hadn't paid Autumn any regard recently.

"You are not the only one who is under pressure, you see. What you need to do now is to balance between your work and family, do you hear me?" Gary patted Charles on his shoulder. "I am too old, Charles. It's impossible for me to keep you company forever. It's Autumn whom you are going to live with, your whole life. She plays an important role and I believe that my grandson will finally come to realize what matters most in your live."

Gary said with a sigh. He continued, "It's getting late, and I have to go to bed. You'd better think about what I said to you just now."

After his grandpa had gone to the bedroom, Charles heated up the dishes that Autumn cooked for him. Then he sat by the table and devoured everything. Having finished the dishes, he went upstairs. He found the bed lamp of Autumn still on when he opened the door.

In spite of the dim light, it felt very warm. It seemed as if it was kept on for someone who came back late.

Autumn leaned on the head of the bed, with a book in her hands. Hearing a rustling noise from the doorway, she was immediately sober. As she rubbed her sleepy eyes, she said to Charles, "Hey, you are back."

"Yep, I am back." Charles smiled with sweetness. He asked curiously, "Why are you still up? It's too late."

"I wanted to wait for you, but I couldn't helping falling asleep." Autumn smiled with embarrassment, and continued, "Was there too much work for you to deal with? Why do you come home so late tonight?"

In fact, Autumn really wanted to have a chat with Charles. She didn't know what was wrong with her, either. She just felt lonely in her heart, and wanted someone to listen.

"Yes. Unfortunately, I have been too busy." Charles took off his coat and lay down on the bed. He took Autumn into his arms and said in a gentle voice, "I'm so sorry, Autumn." "What are you sorry about?" Autumn was surprised to hear Charles's apology.

Charles hugged Autumn in his arms with satisfaction. He explained, "I ate the food you cooked for me. They are all delicious."

"You have had them?" Autumn was amazed to raise up her head. She muttered, "They have all gone cold."

"It doesn't matter." Charles smiled, "I didn't know you cooked meals for me at home. These days there has been plenty of work that I need to deal with. I would have come back for supper tonight, but one of my clients asked me to dinner out unexpectedly, so I had to accept his invitation. What's worse, my cellphone ran out of battery power when I was going to give you a call. I am really sorry that I have kept you waiting all night. Oh, by the way, I will go on a business trip next week."

"Don't mind it too much." Hearing Charles's explanation, Autumn felt much released. But when she recalled that Charles said he was going on a business trip next week, she felt unhappy again. She confirmed, "You are going on another business trip?"

"Yes, I am." Charles nodded. "A client in Europe wants to have a cooperation with Shining Company, so I need to go there personally for about ......" for about three days."

"So long ......" Autumn replied with disappointment.

"Well, well." Charles consoled Autumn in his arms, "I know you hate to be away from me. But you need to be aware that whatever I do, I just want to give you a good life. It makes sense, right?"

"Yes of course, it does." Autumn gave him a wry smile. She had no choice but to accept this fact just because only she could best understand Charles.

If she could, she preferred to live a life free of worries with her beloved family rather than pursue an abundant life like now.

"I'm going to take a bath. You can go to sleep ahead before me." When Charles stood up and headed for the bathroom, the usually silent Autumn suddenly called him back, looking a bit embarrassed. "What's the matter, honey? Do you have something to tell me?" Charles asked with curiosity.

Autumn was hesitant at first. But soon she asked frankly, "You say you are going to Europe this time, then... how many people are going with you?"

"The same people as last time." After Charles answered in a calm voice, he took his clothes to the bathroom directly, leaving Autumn alone on the bed with a myriad of thoughts in her mind.

The same as last time... That's to say, Leila would also go on this business trip with Charles?