My Darling, My Dearest

Putting on a polite face, Rachel said, "Then thank you for driving me."

Something flashed in Jack's narrowed eyes as he looked at Rachel's face. Then, he turned around and walked ahead.

Jack drove a white BMW instead of his favorite Land Rover. Whatever his reason of changing the car, he himself couldn't say.

The same was happening to Rachel. She also couldn't figure out why Jack suddenly showed concern for her. Deep down, she felt that there was a purpose behind his actions, and it was not really out of good will.

While Rachel was silently contemplating, Jack started driving and didn't notice anything wrong with her. There was only silence between them until they reached the hospital.

As Rachel was getting out of the car, Jack said, "Be careful."

Surprised, Rachel stopped and looked at him weirdly.

Thinking that there might be something wrong with his brain, Rachel gave him a peculiar look. Jack suddenly felt confused and asked, "What's wrong?"

After a moment's silence, Rachel shook her head and said, "I'm fine. Thank you for driving me here."

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It was obvious that she wanted to say something but decided not to. Jack just leaned against the back of his seat.

'Really?1 Instead of asking further, he calmly said, "Well, I have to go."

Watching the car disappear along the busy street, Rachel stood still, lost in thoughts. She further analyzed that Jack might just be stressed.

When she entered the hospital, she proceeded to her office and changed her clothes. Then, she started her rounds.

Meanwhile, Celine was scared. Though she behaved lately and tried her best to be a good girlfriend, she felt Jack's coldness towards her.

She believed that she could show Jack how sorry she was through those gestures.

Before, she used to give concessions to gain his approval again and again. But, this seemed not to work this time. So, she could not be obedient and didn't dare to stir up trouble.

However, Celine couldn't understand why Jack was still indifferent to her these days.

But, she did not have the heart to ask. There were times when she acted recklessly, with an intention of doing everything she wanted without caring what others thought. However, fear would take root in her heart again just because Jack might start disliking her.

Celine took the initiative again to clean Jack's house just like before. He had told her that this ■3

made him feel like they were family.

Cooking was the other thing she did. The last time she cooked, she accidentally knocked the hot soup and scalded her foot. Since that incident, Jack didn't allow her to do those chores anymore.

At first, she felt moved by his decision and decided that she would become a better woman for him. Later, Jack hired a servant to deal with his house.

As time passed, her promise of becoming a better partner for Jack was forgotten.

Her good treatment of Jack was just her occasional "gift" to him, or her peace offering to make up for the recent mistakes she did.

After the talk with Michael, Jack couldn't sleep. Michael's words kept on repeating in his mind. He wondered what he would do with Celine.

Despite of their numerous quarrels lately, Jack never intended to break up with Celine.

What he wanted to happen was for both of them to have some space to calm down. Thus, he didn't talk to her these past few days.

The last straw for him was Celine's revelation of their private matters to others. He was annoyed and disappointed.

And, the thing he could not really accept was the way she told it to her so-called friends-proudly and flauntingly. She took his integrity as something to show off to others.

That was totally wrong. What did she think of

him? 3

Tossing all night, Jack wasn't able to sleep. When dawn broke, he got up and decided to put aside his personal affairs for the day. While dressing up, he couldn't help but think of Rachel.

After thinking for a while, he decided to drive to her house. Once there, he called her. He got confused when his call didn't get through. On his second try, it failed again. He began to worry and wondered if there was something wrong with her.

He got out of the car and walked to the door whiling calling her for the third time. This time, he heard the faint ringing of the phone from the direction of the stairs. When he looked there, he saw Rachel descending.

"Mr. Fu, there will be a meeting at ten o'clock regarding the holiday resort. Here are the meeting materials. Do you want to check them in advance?" Hearing Austin's voice brought Jack back at present time. Taking the iPad, he scrolled a few pages to look at them. "Print them in A4 and A3 sizes in two copies."

"Okay." As soon as Austin stepped out of the CEO's office, he saw someone waiting.

Though he was surprised, he automatically smiled at her. After greeting her, he asked, "Miss Duan, what brings you here?"

"Is Jack here?"

"Yes, Mr. Fu is in the office," Austin replied.

"Then, I'll go see him." Walking past him, Celine headed to the office. All Austin could do was follow her with his gaze. Then, he went out to talk to the secretary outside. At the front desk, he said, "Remember this. When someone comes looking for Mr. Fu, always inform him first."

Hesitatingly, the girl explained, "But Miss Duan didn't stop by here. She just went in straight..."

"No matter who the visitor is, you are responsible for everyone who goes in. It's your duty to inform him." It was rare for Austin to speak in such a serious tone.

The secretary nodded immediately, indicating that she understood. "I'll be more careful next time."

"What if Mr. Fu had a guest and that lady walked in, he wouldn't blame her. You would be blamed, you know..."

Again, the secretary pondered on what Austin

said.

If Jack had a meeting and the lady interrupted him, she would really be blamed. The secretary gratefully smiled at Austin, and said, "Thank you for reminding me." Smiling, Austin replied, "You're welcome."

It was never his intention to criticize Celine's actions. But she kept on bypassing the secretary every time she came.

Jack never granted her special treatments. In fact, he was very adamant in separating his private and business affairs.

But lately, the employees became the recipients of Jack's bad moods. It took Austin a lot of ■3

courage to tell Jack. It was such a good thing that Jack realized his mistake.

There was really no problem if Celine came. Everyone knew that she was Jack's love, and she could come and go anytime.

But, Celine had to follow the rules. If she didn't want to wait for an approval, it was her business. As for the secretary, it was her duty to report.

Afterwards, Austin left to do Jack's bidding. Then, he remembered the first time Jack brought Celine in the company three years ago. She hid behind him like a child. After greeting Jack, he saw Celine peep sideways and take a look at her surroundings.

It was then he saw in Celine's eyes what kind of woman she was: an ordinary girl from an ordinary family with an ordinary educational background and an ordinary career.

Whenever Jack's driver brought her here, she just waited outside silently. When she saw him, she would smile and greet him by his name.

But now, everything was different. Money and status really had a big influence on people. Celine changed.

Now, she looked beautiful and fashionable, proud and arrogant. She was no longer the innocent girl that she used to be.

Standing by the door, Celine twisted the doorknob. When she found it unlocked, she pushed the door open and walked in.

When he heard the noise, Jack raised his head and saw that it was Celine who had just entered. ■3

He was slightly surprised but not happy. A trace of displeasure appeared on his face. "Why are you here?"

When she saw his reactions, she suddenly choked. Her eyes turned red, and tears welled in her eyes. Sobbing, Celine asked, "Why, can't I come anymore? You don't want to see me, do you?" Standing up, Jack closed the document and walked towards Celine. She was happy because he was going to comfort her.

However, it was not the comfort she expected to receive. She could hardly hold her tears back anymore.

Getting a piece of tissue, Jack wiped her tears and whispered, "Why are you crying? Did I say anything wrong to you?" His tone was flat and not soothing at all.

Grasping the hand which was wiping her tears, Celine cried, "Jack! How can you be so unreasonable?"