The Apple of My Eye

The place where Charles Lu took Autumn Ye was a famous Sichuan restaurant in the Y City. There always was a long queue outside this restaurant, but today, it looked empty. "I remember you mentioned the other day that you like spicy food. Since I'm having my day off today, I thought we should try the food here." Charles said lightly, as if it was all normal. It was then that Autumn understood that Charles didn't have any work at office rather he figured out that she didn't want to stay at the Gu's, so he made an excuse and brought her here. Autumn was more than happy with Charles' considerate behaviour.

After the dishes were served, Charles continually refilled Autumn's plate but didn't eat too much himself.

She then recalled that the housemaid once mentioned that Charles had a weak stomach for spicy food.

"You..." Autumn looked at Charles in guilt and said, "We should try something else next time. I know you cannot eat spicy food. I don't feel good eating all by myself."

"Don't worry." Charles grinned. Autumn mentioned next time all by herself. Did it mean that he had slowly walked his way into her heart? "Have some more if you like it. I will get a Sichuan cuisine chef home later, so you don't have to eat outside."

"It's so embarrassing..." Autumn lowered her head, but felt warmth in her heart.

It was the first time that she and Charles were having such a peaceful moment, all thanks to Wendy Ye and Yvonne Gu.

They both desired for this peaceful atmosphere to go on all round the day but it just didn't work out that way. God always gives you a hard time whenever you are the happiest in your life.

Knowing that Charles couldn't stand spicy food, Autumn asked for the menu and ordered some dim sum. While waiting for it to be served, Charles got a call from Rachel Bai.

Since the day Rachel left the company, they hadn't contacted or seen each other.

Charles had wholeheartedly involved himself at home. Moreover, his relationship with Autumn too had eased down a bit, but it didn't occur to him that there were still some things left to be sorted out until Rachel called.

"Take it." Seeing Charles staring at the phone in a daze, Autumn who was seated next to him reminded him to answer the phone. She showed as if all this didn't have any impact on her.

Charles had been so nice to her recently that she almost forgot that he was Rachel's man and not hers.

And now...

It was time to return him to Rachel.

Charles frowned. It had been quite an effort making some progress with Autumn, and this call from Rachel automatically made Autumn draw a line between them. It was now the right time to make things clear with Rachel.

He had to go a long way to make his wife happy so he didn't want any third party to interference.

"Wait for me here, I'll be back soon." Charles went outside to answer the phone. Looking at the table full of Sichuan dishes, Autumn lost her appetite all of a sudden. She paid the bill and got the dim sum which she ordered for Charles packed up. When Charles finished his call and looked back, Autumn was already standing next to the car waiting for him.

"How come?" Charles frowned slightly and asked Autumn who was standing in front of him.

Autumn smiled and gave away a look of understanding,"Miss Bai must be having some urgent work with you. I've got the dish packed for you. Take this with you and I'll go back home myself. You don't have to drop me back."

Charles stared at the woman standing in front of him. He was confused. Rachel had just called to invite him to her place for what he flatly refused. However, it seemed as if Autumn wanted him to leave right away.

"So you want me to go and spend time with another woman?"

Autumn dazed for a moment, failing to understand what Charles meant.

"She was pretty upset with me when she saw me in your office the other day. Please tell her I am sorry. After all, Miss Bai has been with you for such a long time and whatever you do with her is totally understandable. So, just go and don't worry about me." Autumn put on a smile, "I will cover for you in front of Grandpa, so just go."

"Well, since you're so desperate to see me leave, I am going."

Charles sneered. How he wished that Autumn would stop him, but she didn't.

She just watched him get into the car and drive away.

Charles clenched his hands on the wheel.

When Autumn saw Charles leaving, she felt a little empty in her heart. She felt lost and didn't know what was wrong with her. She wanted to stop him from going but couldn't.

She wanted to tell him 'Charles, don't go!'

But did she have any right to stop him?

Autumn let go of her clenched fists and in all understanding let him go to Rachel.

Charles directly made his way to Rachel's house after leaving Autumn behind. He used to be a frequent visitor here, but rarely came here ever since the day he married Autumn.

He lit a cigarette at the doorstep but didn't smoke. Silently waiting for it burn out, he switched off the engine and went upstairs.

Rachel opened the door on the first ring of the bell itself. Seeing Charles standing outside, her eyes lit up like stars shining in the night.

"Charles, I knew you wouldn't leave me." Rachel threw herself in Charles' arms and held him tightly.

In this moment, she was not that mega celebrity Rachel but rather an ordinary girl who was deeply in love with her man.

"Stop it." Charles got rid of Rachel's embrace and walked straight into the house.

He came here only to piss that little woman off. It was his way of making her understand the consequences of pushing him away, and... he also wanted to make things clear with Rachel, in case that little woman misunderstood again.

He knew he had to break Rachel's heart but he wouldn't deny in case Rachel made any demands. He would try fulfill all her demands so that they could part ways amicably.

"Don't you have something to tell me?" Charles asked lightly.

"Don't worry, have you had your dinner yet?" Rachel had some light makeup on. With that look of hers, she could attract any man, but it just didn't work with Charles this time.

"I have some off days, so I thought I should make a meal for you, but look at these... the dishes are getting cold." Rachel made a duck face and complained. She took this chance to not only show her affection for Charles but also complain for his changed behaviour.

"Let me heat the dishes up for you. Sit tight and wait. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Rachel took the dishes to the kitchen. Charles didn't refuse this time - he was indeed starving.

Rachel watched Charles eat. Her eyes were filled with smile. He ate very slowly, and his brows were knitted. She wondered what he was thinking.

"Drink some soup." She filled a bowl with soup. Charles shook his head, "No, thanks. I am full."

He reached for a tissue to wipe his mouth. Then he lifted his head to look at Rachel and said, "Rachel, I have been thinking about this for a long time, There are some things... that I should clear with you." Charles looked quite serious, Rachel somehow perceived what he wanted to say.

"Charles, there are some things I think you should know too." Rachel interrupted Charles, "It's about Mrs. Lu."

The room went silent all of a sudden. Charles gazed at Rachel and his voice turned a little bit hoarse, "About her?"

"Yes. About Mrs. Lu."