Chapter 278 The Gate-crasher
Chapter 278 The Gate-crasher
Charles ate a lot since he was in a very good mood, even though he kept complaining about feeling
bloated afterwards. Autumn was amused by his words. She laughed at him and said, "Why did you eat
so much then? Your stomach must be aching, right? Charles, you can be very funny sometimes."
Charles smiled back at her, but said nothing. They walked downstairs to the company as Autumn was
about to go back to her office. "I am afraid that I won't have time to see my grandmother today because
of my workload, but if you have some time, please visit her and keep her company. I will have to work
an extra shift in the office today, " said Autumn.
She paused for a while and went on to add, "If I can manage to get off work earlier, I will meet up with
you, so we can pay her a visit together. Is that all right with you?"
"Sure. As you like it, " Charles nodded with a soft smile. ?Autumn spent the whole afternoon working
while her employees were all inspired by the meeting in the morning. They worked diligently and soon
completed planning the general structure of the proposal. Autumn was pleased by their hard work and
devotion so she decided to give everyone the rest of the day off. Autumn was in a good mood and she
looked forward to meeting Charles. When she went to the parking lot, she found Aron's car parked
there. She figured that Aron was probably waiting for Isla.
Autumn felt happy for Isla; seeing Aron's car there. She felt relieved knowing that Aron cared about Isla
so much. "Hey, Aron." Autumn stepped forward and asked, "Are you waiting for Isla here?"
"Hello, Autumn. Yes, I am waiting for her." However, instead of being cheerful, Aron looked upset. He'd
come here almost everyday to see Isla after she got off work, but she'd always avoid meeting him. To
add salt to his wound, he found out that she had been seeing other people and going on blind dates.
Autumn was quick to notice the sadness in his eyes. "What's up? You look sad, " Autumn asked him
curiously.
"It is difficult to put it all in a nutshell, " replied Aron. Aron took Autumn into his confidence since they
had been through a lot of hardships together during their childhood. Thus, when Autumn showed her
concern for him, he began to pour out his grievances to her. "Autumn, Isla is still mad at me. She is still
reluctant to talk to me, even though I have already apologized to her sincerely, many times. I am so
worried; I don't know what to do, I am at a loss here."
"What? She is still angry with you?" She assumed that they had cleared the air and that everything in
the past was just water under the bridge, but she did not expect to find that things between them were
still unresolved.
Turns out Isla was being very stubborn and perhaps it was because she felt greatly wronged this time.
"Why are you here? I have told you not to come here again." Isla's voice chimed in abruptly as they
were talking. She kept a straight face, and spoke with an impatient tone when she saw Aron. She
rushed up to him angrily and asked, "Why won't you listen to me? I have told you this before."
"Isla, please don't talk like that, " persuaded Autumn. She reached out, grabbed Isla's sleeve and tried
to calm her down. Autumn felt guilty since she helped Aron to keep the truth from Isla, she felt that she
should also be held responsible for that. "Calm down, Isla. Just talk to him."
"Autumn, I know that you care about me, but I can handle this on my own. Don't worry about me, " Isla
said while keeping a straight face. She turned to Aron, her eyes filled with apathy, and said "Aron, this
is the last time I will warn you. Don't ever come to see me again. I don't ever want to see you either. Do
you understand me now?"
"Isla..." ?Aron grew sadder upon hearing Isla. Every time he stepped closer to her, she would step
back, to keep a certain distance between them. Aron had no choice but to stop, then he said to her in a
gentle voice, "Okay, stop. I won't come closer to you, but Isla, you've been angry with me for so many
days, when can we sit down and have a real talk? Give me a chance to explain myself to you, " Aron
implored, sincerely.
"I think we don't need to have a talk at all. There is nothing for us to talk about. I have somewhere I
need to be right now. I've gotta go, " said Isla coldly. Isla forced herself to be impolite to him, but, as a
matter of fact, she also felt very frustrated.
She had suffered for a long time because of him, thus, she decided not to get close to him, because
she didn't want to get hurt by him again.
It's a basic part of human nature to avoid disadvantages, that have caused them to suffer a traumatic
experience. So when they expect something similar, they immediately choose to circumvent it rather
than confront it head on.
"Are you going on a blind date today?" Aron asked in a sad voice while his eye brows furrowed.
"That is none of your business. You don't need to worry about me." Isla responded in a cold voice. "You
are just a stranger to me now, " added Isla.
"Isla, you..." Autumn hastily stopped Aron who came close to breaking down and said, "Aron, calm
down."
Isla glowered at Aron, and then turned around to leave when Aron shook off Autumn's hands and said,
"Autumn, why are you trying to stop me? Look at her! She's going on a date with another man."
"Aron, you need to relax. Isla is still mad at you. She will only get angrier if you keep on pestering her
right now." Autumn was starting to get worried about the both of them. She figured it would be best to
have a talk with Isla and try to come up with a possible solution. Autumn persuaded Aron patiently,
"Aron, I will speak with Isla. You don't have to be so upset. Go back home first, I will help you persuade
her."
Aron was not in a good mood, so he agreed with Autumn and left without saying a word. After he left,
Autumn went to Shining Company. Everyone there greeted her warmly, ever since Charles disclosed
their relationship.
She even felt a little embarrassed when somebody pushed the elevator button for her.
She ran into David outside Charles's office. Nonetheless, David was shocked to see Autumn there.
"Mrs. Lu, are you here to see Mr. Lu?"
"Hello, David. Yes, you are right. I also bought some snacks on the way here. Please, have some, it's
really good." Autumn handed the snacks to David. She was not trying to win his support, but instead,
she was just showing her appreciation to him for helping Charles at work.
"Mrs. Lu, you are so kind. Thank you very much." David felt her kindness as he took the snacks from
Autumn, happily.
"Where is Charles? Is he still working inside?" Autumn asked while pointing at his office.
"He is inside, " replied David while nodding his head slightly. While they were talking, Alice, who was
recruited by Autumn, walked up to them. She greeted Autumn courteously with a smile; she did not act
in an adulatory manner which made Autumn appreciate her even more.
Her good manners put Autumn's mind at ease. Autumn could tell that Alice was a kind and honest girl,
just by her manners.
"David, please sign this document. Thanks." Alice handed the file to David. Autumn noticed that they
were busy with work so she left them and walked towards Charles's office. She stood in front of his
office and knocked the door.
"Come in, " said Charles.Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Autumn pushed the door open and walked in, but was soon shocked to find Leila sitting there, dressed
scantily. She even wore a sycophantic smile with an obsequious air. Autumn found Leila's sex appeal
highly inappropriate and irritating.
"Autumn, what are you doing here?" Charles was surprised to see Autumn. He stood up quickly,
stepped forward to Autumn and sat her down beside Leila. Leila seemed very indignant and kept
glaring at Autumn with a disdainful look.
Leila wasn't expecting to see Autumn today, and before Autumn had arrived, she was in a cheerful
mood because she found the chance to be with Charles alone even though they were just talking about
work. Leila cherished the beautiful moment she had with him, especially since no one had come to
bother them.
But now that Autumn was here, her happiness evaporated into thin air.
Autumn sensed a strange vibe come from Leila as she sneaked a glance at her.
It was easy to spot Leila's affection for Charles. Thus, she was starting to get a little concerned. After
all, just as the old saying goes, a water-front pavilion gets the moonlight first. Perhaps one day Charles
would fall in love with Leila after being closely associated with her.
"Hello, Autumn, long time no see, " Leila greeted her. Although Leila was unhappy to see Autumn, she
had to pretend to be a kind-hearted woman. Therefore, Leila held back her resentment and greeted
Autumn with a soft smile which made her look graceful.