The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 317 It Was Really Discouraging

"I warned you earlier that Leila was a scheming and manipulative woman, but you still turned a deaf ear. If you had taken my advice into account, things wouldn't have gone down the way they have today. You are responsible for it because even after being aware of what you did, you decided not to act on the information. You should have known better what kind of woman she is," said Isla with eyes red with anger. She was exasperated with Autumn as she had tried many times to warn her to prevent such a situation.

"Isla, I know that I am in the wrong here and this could be prevented had I seen this coming. I regret not listening to you. Please don't scold me and just understand my perspective!" As she stared at Isla with a remorseful expression, Autumn went on to add, "If I had foreseen any of this, I would have definitely not introduced her to work at Shining Company to begin with. But now it is too late. I don't have a clue of what to do next."

Isla, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground, continued to munch on he drumstick while talking to Autumn. The dish was quite spicy, so as she finished one drumstick, she took a mouthful of milky tea to wash down the overpowering taste of spices. After taking a gulp of the refreshment, she said to Autumn, "Well, in my opinion, Charles will most definitely not fall in love with Leila. So don't cross the bridge until you get there. For now relax and take it easy," Isla comforted her.

Autumn also believed Charles and his loyalty, but she couldn't deny the fact that she was scared of what dirty tricks Leila would play.

With her brow furrowed, she responded, "I am just worried about Leila. Her affection towards Charles is so clearly visible through her every action. Now that she has finally got the chance to travel for business with Charles to Europe, I am worried that she will do something wrong."

"It is only fair that you will think on those lines. Of course, I understand you. You both have been married for about half a year, right?" Isla asked abruptly as Autumn nodded slightly. "Yes, we have been married for almost half a year. What's wrong?"

"When do you intend to have a baby with him?" Isla ambushed her with yet another question.

"What? Why would you even ask me this?" Shocked and yet a little embarrassed, Autumn asked Isla what her intentions were for asking such questions abruptly.

"Autumn, I think it is the right time for you two to start a family now," said Isla, as she sighed. Isla paused for a moment and then added, "I know, in the beginning it was not easy for you to marry him and you two have faced many hardships. But now that you have fallen in love with one another, I think you should consider having a baby with him. Apart from starting the next bright chapter of your life, having a child with him will also subtly send a clear message to the women around him. I trust Charles. He is a man of rock-solid integrity. But if you have a baby with him, he will be more family-centered. In this scenario, Leila too would lose all her chance to get close to him. And naturally she will give up. What do you think?"

"But..." Upon hearing Isla's suggestion, Autumn was hesitant. She frowned with confusion. She hesitated because she didn't want to start a family with intentions to use their child to anchor Charles down. "Don't hesitate," Isla blurted. "You alone are responsible for your marriage, so you should have a baby with him. Autumn, I know you don't want to look at marriage as a gamble, but trust me when I say the most powerful chip in this game is your baby with him. Do you understand?" Isla sincerely said.

It was an indisputable fact.

"But also there is no need for you to worry too much. If you feel uneasy about the entire situation you can rest assured, I will ask Aron to keep an eye on them for you!" consoled Isla, as concern was seeping through her eyes. However, Autumn shook her head and replied, "No, I trust Charles completely. He will never do anything to disappoint me ever."

If she had no faith in her marriage, then her relationship with him would be meaningless.

They chatted for a long time as Isla finally reminded her, "Autumn, I know you have faced many difficulties to be with him and your relationship has come out stronger. But now that you are married to him, you have to do all that you can to maintain and ensure this happiness is here to stay! No one could understand your feeling in your marriage completely, because no one ever even had the same experience. Now that you have met your true love, hold on to him. Don't hesitate anymore."

Upon hearing this, Autumn was shocked. She kept staring at Isla blankly, because she had never heard such wise and mature words from Isla.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Is there some food stuck on my face?" Confused, Isla asked Autumn who was still staring at her with a rather blank expression.

"No, that is not it." Autumn shook herself out of silence and said, "I just feel like you are so different now. It seems that love can change people's temperament, "Autumn said a warm smile.

"No, that is really not the case," Isla denied what Autumn said. "In fact, it is really not as complicated as you think. I remember that you said the same things to me when I started dating Aron. It is just as the old saying goes that a bystander sees through everything. And now I am the bystander.

You are the one who taught me to trust your lover and I did it. But now it seems that you are now facing the same plight. You always feel that Leila is a stumbling block in your marriage, but it is not so complex as you think. You can make your own decision as you like to. You are the one who has to decide whether you are going to remove the stumbling block or make a detour." Isla's word hit her like a strong storm, and she finally realized it was not as complicated as she thought. All she had to do was to trust him and work on their marriage together while enjoying the sweet life with him.

As long as Charles loved her, he would remain loyal, under any circumstances.

"I understand everything clearly now. Thank you, Isla. I appreciated your kind words and guidance, "Autumn thanked her sincerely. Her insecurities had disappeared after she poured out her grievances to Isla. And now she finally very clearly understood what she had to do.

"You are welcome, Autumn. You are my best friend and you don't need to thank me as I only did what I am supposed to do after all you would do the same for me." Isla couldn't help laughing as she realized that Autumn had come round and she was really happy about it.

Autumn also took Isla's other suggestion into account. She stopped at a drugstore on her way back home. The shop assistant rushed up to her with great dedication and asked Autumn what she needed to buy "I want some folic acid, "Autumn replied with a hint of embarrassment.

"Are you preparing for pregnancy?" the shop assistant asked with a grin. "This brand of frolic acid is pretty good and I recommend it. Would you like to buy this?"

"Yes, sure." Autumn paid the bill for the folvite as she smiled softly.

From the pharmacy, her home was only a five-minute drive. Once she returned, Autumn found Chris in the living room. It was rare for Chris to be home so early as she usually went for a date with Sam every day. As she spotted the folvite in Autumn's hands, Chris jumped with joy. "Autumn, are you pregnant?" she asked cheerfully which led Autumn to blush almost immediately.

"No, Chris. Not yet, "Autumn replied as she took back the folvite from Chris's hand. She then glanced at Gary's bedroom as she was scared Gary would hear this. "Be quiet, Chris. Grandpa is resting." Chris made a face at Autumn and stuck her tongue out playfully. "It seems like you have decided to have a baby. Autumn, I am so happy for you," Chris said.

"This is just a plan." Autumn replied briefly. "Why didn't you go out for a date with Sam today?"

"He is busy with his work. I am so bored. Autumn, would you like to go out to watch a movie? I know a new film is screening and my favorite actor is the lead." Chris asked Autumn with great expectation. Seeing her excitement, Autumn was unable to decline her invitation and so nodded to express her agreement. "Okay. But wait for a moment. I first have to change my clothes."

They went out for a movie cheerfully but unexpectedly Rachel showed up in the film almost abruptly. Though the scene lasted only for a few seconds, Chris lost interest in it all at once even though her favorite actor was the starring in it. "Autumn, let's go. I don't want to watch this movie anymore. It is just really disturbing."