The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 459 Burke's Proposal (Part One)

Leila regarded Burke with veiled eyes. She liked him but he didn't quite reach her standards. For her, a rich CEO like Charles was the perfect husband material.

"What's wrong?" Burke asked, noticing Leila regarding him with cold eyes. She had been distant since she agreed to date him. Despite this, Burke didn't mind. He was just happy to have his beloved girl to be his girlfriend.

"Are you sure you can afford this place?" Leila asked him with a frown. She knew how expensive the food was in this hotel. "A meal here will cost more than two months of your salary. Besides, it's too hard to get reservation from the restaurant here. We can't enter here without reservation."

Leila's tone was mocking as she looked up at Burke with contempt and derision written plainly on her face.

"Are you worried about my pocket?" Burke grinned, ignoring her mocking tone? "Don't worry your head about these things. I have taken care of all of this."

Burke took Leila's hand excitedly and said, "Let's go."

Leila had no choice but to follow Burke into the hotel lobby. They took the elevator up to the tenth floor. The restaurant there was famous for its delicious food and panoramic view of Y City.

This was not Leila's first time to eat in this restaurant. She had been here before with Charles while she was working at the Shining Company. But today she felt that something was different. "What's going on?" Leila asked in a puzzled tone, grabbing Burke's arm. "How come there's only the two of us here?"

Looking around at the lavishly furnished restaurant, Leila was baffled that the usually busy restaurant was now curiously empty. The restaurant was sought after because of the romantic ambiance it afforded its customers. Tables were set apart far from each other to achieve cozy privacy.

Tonight, all the tables were unexpectedly empty except for a table near the window with a great view of Y City at night. The table was elegantly set, lighted candles cast dancing shadows across the room adding to the romantic air.

"Because I booked the whole restaurant," Burke replied smoothly, smiling widely. "What do you think? Do you like the place?"

"You booked the whole restaurant, really?" Leila couldn't believe she heard him right, looking up at Burke in disbelief.

If the gesture was coming from Charles, she could well believe, but from Burke it was unbelievable. She knew Burke's family was not rich. How could he afford to book the entire restaurant on a doctor's salary? Leila thought that she might accept Burke if he was as well off as Charles. After all, her dream was to marry a rich man.

"Yes, I did," Burke affirmed. "Let's go to our table," he invited.

Burke escorted Leila to their table by the window. He pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit down before going to sit down at the opposite chair. A few moments later, a waiter appeared welcoming them both and turning to Burke asked courteously,"Excuse me, Mr. Zhou. May I serve the dish?"

"Yes, thank you," Burke nodded affirmatively. "I ordered the food beforehand. I hope you don't mind," Burke apologized.

"It's all right," Leila responded absently. Her mind was still dazed from the surprise. Looking out the window, Y City spread out before her. 'Isn't this the life I've always wanted?' she asked herself.

She wanted to experience how the other half lives, parties and bars at night and eating at exclusive restaurants, a rich upper-class status.

'Now I almost achieved my dream, why is it that I don't feel happy?

I know Burke too well. He will probably be eating noodles for months after treating me to this meal.'

She looked at Burke guiltily, feeling sorry for making him spend so much.

Burke was unaware of the thoughts going through her mind. He poured her a glass of wine and said, "I wanted to bring you here before for a romantic dinner but you didn't give me a chance. But now..." Burke smiled leaving his sentence unfinished.

"Tell me, why did you bring me here, Burke?" Leila asked puzzled.

She took a sip of her wine, staring out the window to appreciate the breath-taking night view of the view of Y City. 'I really enjoy looking at the city from this vantage point. If only... it was Charles sitting opposite me, it will be much better.

Unfortunately...' she sighed fixing her glance at Burke.

Burke chose that moment to seize Leila's hand resting at the table. Still basking at the romantic atmosphere, Leila didn't withdraw her hand immediately.

But after a while she managed to untangle her hands from Burke, saying, "I accepted your dinner invitation because I have something important to tell you."

"Please let me speak first, Leila," Burke said trying to recapture Leila's hand. He had planned for this moment for a long time and he couldn't wait to tell Leila how he really felt about her.

He had been in love with Leila for a very long time and today he finally decided to propose to her.

Leila sat quietly, waiting for what Burke had to say. Suddenly, out of nowhere Burke brought out an exquisite rose bouquet and offered to Leila.

"This is for me?" Leila asked surprised and confused at the same time.

"Of course," Burke replied with a bright smile. "I remember you told me that you loved roses, so I brought you these flowers. I know it's the first time I have brought you flowers but I promise it won't be the last. From now on I will send you flowers for every occasion in your life. Will you give me this chance?" Burke said, his handsome face serious.

"Is this your idea of a joke?" Leila asked flustered. She couldn't believe that Burke was really proposing to her right now. He caught her off guard and she didn't know how to respond.

Burke smiled warmly. "Leila, we have known each other since high school. I loved you at first sight and I never stopped loving you. You know that, but why are you so surprised?" Leila lowered her head guiltily. She knew exactly how Burke felt about her, but she was not sure about her feelings for him.

'I had a feeling that he's going to propose tonight, but I came here to end our relationship. How could I tell him that I want to break up with him now?' Leila thought, biting her lip.

At that moment, a waiter came to their table with their food. Leila gave a sigh of relief at the intermission.

The waiter arranged the succulent dishes in the table and left. Burke looked at Leila with a smile. He opened his mouth to continue where he left off.

Before he could say a word, Leila said, "The food looks delicious!"

She smiled up at him before continuing, "Thank you for bringing me here."

"I'm glad you like the place," Burke smiled back at her enthusiasm. He was relieved that she liked the food he ordered. Looking pleased, Burke continued, "I can bring you here anytime you want."

He knew that Leila had a taste for luxurious places like this restaurant. 'I don't mind if she is a little spoilt. After all, she is the woman I love, ' Burke thought to himself.

"You don't have to, Burke," Leila replied hastily. "The food here is good but really expensive. I don't want you to go broke because of me," Leila teased him.