The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 341 A Treat

"I like anything that you prepare, grandma." Autumn chuckled. She gave her grandparents a hug and then hurried off to work.

Since everything had been cleared up with Charles, Autumn felt relaxed and wore a smile on her face. The world was beautiful again. As soon as Isla entered the office and saw a new and refreshed Autumn, she knew that she and Charles had made up.

"Take a look at this, Autumn. It looks like I'm gonna be really busy today, " Isla said holding up a stack of papers and left Autumn's office. The cooperation with Giant Promise Company, along with the fact that their opponent stole their proposal getting out, had led to a gradual increase in the company's business. Now the whole Cloud Advertising Company was swamped. One could feel the energy within the company.

As the company had been constantly getting better, Autumn was exhilarated beyond description.

She remembered that Amy invited her to dinner so she made time to call Charles and asked him to go with her and visit the Zhao family after work. "Okay, I'll pick you up after work then." Charles said holding the phone to his ear while signing a few documents.

"No, you don't have to bother coming here. I'll come to you, "Autumn replied, smiling by herself in her office.

After hanging up, Charles remained in his seat, looking across the table at Leila, and asked, "What did you say?"

"Oh, Mr. Lu, I said..." Leila beamed and repeated what she had just said. Since their return from Europe, tensions between Charles and Leila had eased a lot.

Charles was able to see Leila's abilities based on their latest business trip to Europe. Naturally, he wanted to treasure her talent.

After giving her report, Leila kept looking at Charles, her dark eyes gleaming with expectation. Charles gave her a puzzled look and asked, "What's the matter? Anything else?"

"Mr. Lu, you promised me a reward when we were in Europe, remember?" Leila reminded him with a faint giggle.

Charles smiled and nodded. "Yes, of course I haven't forgotten. So have you decided what you want for you reward?" he replied with one eyebrow raised.

"Yes!" Leila replied with a little hop. "Well, what I want is very simple. I just want you to buy me a meal. So... are you free today, Mr. Lu?"

Charles paused for a moment and asked, "Er... that's it?"

"Yes, that's it," Leila answered. "Please don't get me wrong, Mr. Lu. All I want is to have dinner with you and nothing more. In my opinion, what I did was part of my duty and I don't need any reward at all. However, I always learn a lot from you every time I talk to you, Mr. Lu. So I want to take the opportunity to ask you what I need to get better with my job."

After a short pause, Leila smiled earnestly and went on, "I love my job and I want to keep improving at it. Of course, it doesn't matter if I am the one treating you to this dinner, as long as you are willing to join me, Mr. Lu."

"You've done a good job." Charles responded coolly.

"Not good enough," Leila said, shaking her head slightly. "I want to be better. Mr. Lu, I really hope you can give me some advice. And I hope you don't turn me down."

"All right," Charles agreed, a little reluctant. 'It's just a meal. No big deal,' he thought. But it suddenly occurred to him that he had promised Autumn to go to the Zhao family for dinner this evening. "But I can't take you to dinner today. I'm sorry."

He then explained, "I have promised my wife to visit her family with her and have dinner with them today, so..."

Instantly, disappointment was written all over Leila's face, but she said, "Oh...I see. Never mind." She then took a pained look at Charles and added enviously, "You really love your wife, Mr. Lu. She must be very happy to have you as her husband. I'm so jealous..."

"Really?" Charles laughed, "You don't have to envy her. You are still young, and you are sure to meet someone who will love you with all his heart. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried!" Leila replied. "I think there is no better man than you in the world, so I am not in a hurry at all."

She didn't need to bother looking for another man, because the best man in her eyes was the one right in front of her now.

"It's settled then, Mr. Lu. Please remember to invite me to dinner when you are free," Leila said.

"No problem, I'll keep that in mind," Charles promised, "I'll definitely treat you to dinner when I am free."

Leila then walked out of Charles' office with a cheerful smile in her eyes. Of course she heard Charles and Autumn talk on the phone. She knew that Charles would not be able to join her for dinner today, but she made the request at this time on purpose. That way, Charles would not be able to refuse her when she asked him out again.

"Congratulations, Leila." David called out to Leila heartily when she passed by him in the hall. He had heard that Leila got that contract done in Europe. "Thank you. I'm treating you guys to lunch. Don't forget!" Leila returned with a faint smile, but not showing much joy.

Her goal was more than the contract. She wanted Charles to know that there was more she could do and that keeping her close with him was the right thing to do. Knowing that Leila was going to invite some colleagues to lunch, David also asked Charles if he could go with them. Charles agreed after a moment's hesitation.

Over lunch Leila schemed to sit next to Charles, and tried to keep the atmosphere lively until everyone no longer felt uptight with the presence of their boss.

Seeing Leila so lively, Charles felt that she was very different from what he remembered her as. It was as if he really knew her well today.

Halfway through lunch, Charles went to the register and settled the bill. As he turned around, he saw Leila standing in front of him, looking at him confused. This made him feel guilty, as if he just got caught in the act, doing something bad.

"What do you mean by doing this, Mr. Lu?" Leila asked, taking a step towards him. "I said it was my treat. Why did you settle the bill?"

"That's all right, " Charles said. "We seldom eat out together. Besides, I know how much you get paid. It's not easy for you to make money. How could I get you to pay the bill when I'm here?" "But... "Leila frowned and tried to argue but Charles stopped her.

"It's settled already. Come on, no need to argue about it." Charles said casually, "You may rest assured that this meal is not the one you asked me to treat you to."

Leila smiled and finally added, "But Mr. Lu, if we go out for a meal again, please let me pay for it. I told everyone it was my treat, but you paid for it. It has become embarrassing for me."

"Okay, I'll make sure you pay next time, " Charles replied, and returned to the table with Leila.

An hour before work was over, Autumn handed over the job to Isla, ready to go and pick up Charles. "I'm going now, Isla. Please take care of these."

"Okay, I'll make sure they're done, " Isla assured her. She was glad to see that Autumn was back to her original energetic self.