Leila pushed the door open and walked in. Inhaling deeply, she saw Theodore sitting at the desk and typing something on his laptop. He raised his head and saw her coming in. Then he said, âTake a seat, please.â
Leila walked over, but she didnât sit down. She just said, âProfessor Hall, how may I improve my thesis?â
âYouâve done a good job with your thesis. The argument is novel, the evidence is sufficient, and the writing is fluent. Itâs a rare good thesis this year.â
Leila was a bit surprised. âBut why did you call me over?â
Since her thesis was good, why did other classmates need to modify their theses?
âLetâs have lunch together. You said youâll treat me for a meal,â he said.
Leila was startled, standing there calmed. She never expected that Theodore would be like this. âIs it really that my thesis has no problem? Donât I need to modify it, Professor Hall?â
âPlease call me Theodore. I still prefer you to call me Theodore.â Theodore didnât want her to distance herself from him.
âBut now you are my professor!â Leila answered politely and distantly. âI should obey the rules.â
âThe, canât we have lunch together?â He looked up at her without a blink, his eyes full of expectation. Seeing her keep silent, he added, âThereâs a small part of your thesis that needs to be modified. Now itâs lunchtime. We can discuss while eating. I remembered that you said you would treat me to a meal. Itâs just been three days. Have you already forgotten?â
âOh!â Leila couldnât say anything else since he had said so. It was indeed her who promised that. She just said that at random because she didnât think they would meet again. She had thought that the chance to meet him again would be quite limited. Much to her surprise, it was such a small world. He suddenly became her thesis tutor. âAll right. Professor Hall, Iâll treat you for lunch.â
Upon hearing Leilaâs agreement, Theodore seemed to be stunned. Then he looked at her meaningfully and said, âOK. Letâs eat out.â
Leila had never expected that Theodore would take her to HJ Hotel. She was sitting in his car. They hadnât seen each other for three years, and he got a car as soon as he came back from abroad. Leila heaved a sigh when noticing this changed, wondering if the university had provided him with a car.
When the car stopped in front of the HJ Hotel building, she was fully startled. She hesitated whether she should go in or not, as she always felt a sense of guilt. It felt like that she was dating another man at Vincentâs back. Although she had done nothing and wouldnât do anything, she felt guilty for some reason.
âCan we change to another restaurant?â asked Leila after the car stopped steadily.
âWhy? Do you want to break your promise and skip this lunch?â He raised his eyebrows.
âNo--â
âThis place is fine. The Japanese cuisine and Russian dishes served here are all quite nice. Letâs eat the Japanese cuisine today.â
Leila was dragged into the elevator of the building. They walked to the dining area.
After taking the seat, Theodore ordered dishes. Then he glanced at Leila. âWas that man on the phone that day your husband?â
He sounded quite gingerly and even didnât want to believe that she had got married already.
âYeah.â Leila nodded without speaking anything else.
Theodore shook his head, knowing that she was not willing to discuss such a question with him.
He faintly smiled. âAll right. Iâll change this sensitive topic. I was quite surprised when knowing that youâre married. I didnât expect that it would happen so soon. Since youâre married, I hope we could still be friends. I hope we wouldnât be so restraint or break up completely because of it. We are both living in the modern world, and I have quality. And you, would you please be more broad-minded?â
His words with self-mockery made Leila a bit upset. Her feeling was indescribable. Indeed, she couldnât break up with a good friend just because she was married.
However, she felt a little migraine when hearing his words. Leila looked around the luxurious restaurant in HJ Hotel, then touched her bag subconsciously. Glancing at Theodore, she said, âSince you said weâre friends, Iâll say it directly. I might havenât brought enough money. If I couldnât pay for the bills, please donât blame me.â
Upon hearing it, Theodore was a bit surprised, staring at her motionlessly. Suddenly, he smiled, âLeila, you are still unchanged, straightforward, and direct. I thought youâve changed. But how dare you treat me for lunch if you donât have money?â
âI didnât say I would treat you for a meal today. You dragged me here forcibly.â Leila was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. She had indeed changed, not the Leila she used to be. However, would there be any difference if she reminded the same or changed? She had to endure everything right now.
âHow about you lend me some money? Iâll give you back after back to school.â
âHo! Iâve never heard such a thing!â said Theodore with a smile. âWell, if you promise that you wouldnât break up with me after having lunch today, I wouldnât embarrass you.â
Leila didnât have much money in the bag, but she had a credit card given by Vincent. She didnât want to spend his money, because she didnât spend a penny of his except the things that Vincent insisted on buying for her.
âIâve never seen such a scheming professor like you, and you are my senior. You just set me up!â Leila curled her lips and acted more casually as if they had been back to a long time ago when he was still a year-four student in P University.
Seeing that her mood returned to normal, Theodore was delighted as well. He added, âThis lunch is on me then. Stop feeling so upset! Seeing you like this, I feel quite guilty.â
âNo! Itâs my treat!â Leila didnât want to owe othersâ favors. âIf I donât have enough money, Iâll give it to you after back to university. Anyway, weâve agreed itâll be my treat and I should keep my promise.â
âLeila, do you really have to draw a clear distinction between us?â asked Theodore.
âOf course. Thereâs a statement of the friendship, which is a hedge between keeps friendship green,â Leila answered in a low voice.
âWhat if I donât want to be in that way?â His eyes became darkened, and he stared at her without a blink.
Leila was startled. Twitching the corners of her mouth, she answered, âThen we couldnât be friends anymore. But I know you are a man of integrity.â
âWell, since you said so, I had to keep my integrity.â Theodore smiled and added, âLeila, I havenât seen you for three years. You are still so unique and have a strong personality as you were before.â
Leila also smiled, feeling more relaxed indeed. âIâm not unique. Iâm always easygoing.â
If she indeed had a strong personality, she wouldnât be bullied by Vincent.
Theodore couldnât help curling up his lips. âYou looked quite easygoing, but when you are stubborn, you will become quite horrible.â
Horrible?
Leila didnât think so. Otherwise, how could she do nothing when Vincent bullied her every time?
Recalling Vincent, Leila looked around the restaurant. They were in HJ Hotel now, which was his territory. She wondered if he was also having lunch at this time. On Saturday night, he went out looking for her in the downpour, got wet in the rain, and gave her embraces. Recalling the ice cream and popcorn he bought in the cinema, Leila couldnât help but get touched.
âWhat are you thinking about? Focus!â Theodore blinked. âShow some respect on me!â
âNothing!â Leila shook her head.
When Theodore was about to take a bite of the food, he felt a sharp gaze on him. Immediately, he looked up, only to find a tall and strong man coming towards their table.
Leila didnât know that Vincent was talking towards them. She turned around and followed Theodoreâs gaze. Then she gaped in fear.
âHey, Leila. Who is this?â Vincent walked directly to Leila, his lips curling up into evil and elegant smile.
Leila was startled so suddenly. âThis, this is my thesis tutor Theodore. He used to be my senior before.â
Theodore sensed that this man hated him very much. Glancing at Leila, he asked, âLeila, who is this?â
âWell--â Leila didnât know how to explain her relationship with Vincent indeed.
âIâm Vincent White,â Vincent answered arrogantly with a faint smile.
âNice to meet you,â Theodore said politely after being taken aback for a moment.
He raised his head and looked at Vincent up and down -- he was in a black high-end tailored suit, making his tall and strong figure more slender.
He had a handsome but cold face, perfect facial features as if they were carved in the face, thick eyebrows with the raised upward tip of the brows, deep and sharp black eyes, and an upright nose. On his face, there was a not-so-harmonious smile, emanating the cold and proud temperament of a king. In his elegance, there was a charisma that could make others bow at their feet, and he exalted above the living beings, like an overbearing empire standing on the far side.
Theodore released that this man was an outstanding one.
Vincent White?
He was the golden man in F City.
However, Theodore wondered what he had to do with Leila. His voice reminded Theodore about the man on the phone the other night. Was this Leilaâs husband?
Suddenly, he could understand why Leila treated him so coldly. Any woman could fall in love with this man. Theodore gradually calmed down from the excitement because of his confession just now. Comparing with this cold, elegant, and noble man, he couldnât have a chance.
âLeila, treat Professor Hall please. Iâll inform the manager of the restaurant that the lunch is on us. Remember to come to me after lunch.â His magnetic voice was full of calmness and hoarseness. Although he just said a simple sentence, his words had the stateliness that didnât allow anyone to reject. âProfessor Hall, enjoy your lunch, please.â
âSure. Thanks, Mr. White.â Theodore smiled politely.
Vincent walked away at a steady pace. At the moment when he turned around, he cast a cold glance at Leilaâs face as if there was a trace of warning.
âSo this is Theodore, the man who is Leilaâs only man friend and almost has become her boyfriend, isnât he?â he thought to himself.
Leila didnât have the guts to look at him, lowering her head all the time.
Suddenly--
âDaddy, here I am. You are truly here!â A childâs clear voice rang out.
Attracted by the childâs voice, Leila raised her head and looked over, only to see that Vincent bent over and held a five or six years old boy in his arms.
He asked the boy lovingly, âOwen, why are you here?â
It was like a loud rumbling in Leilaâs head.
Did that boy call him Daddy?
She was completely shocked by this title. Before she could come back to her senses, the blood drained from her face in an instant.
âHasnât Mommy come here too? My baby, shall I take you to eat KFC?â
âNo way! I want to ride the roller coaster. Mommy said you donât have time, so I didnât dare to disturb you. If it werenât that I got sick, Mommy would never want me to come to find you. Daddy, if you have time, could you please take me to ride the roller coaster? I want to ride it so much!â
âAre you sick?â Vincentâs tone became intense. âHow did you get sick? Are you not feeling well? Have you seen a doctor?â
âYes, I have. I got a cold and had a drip on. I didnât cry at all. Daddy, am I not brave?â
âMy son is certainly brave!â Vincent was quite proud. Leila could tell the pride in his tone.
âDaddy, when will you take me to ride the roller coaster?â In Vincentâs arms, the boy sneezed, his fair little face went reddened.
A Moment in Destiny ï¤Chapter 289 She Couldnât Resist The convenient Bride ï¤Chapter 414: There Is Nothing Happier Than This (Ending)
Predestined Marriage ï¤Chapter 1718: The End Leilaâs gaze fell on Vincent and Owen -- it was a little boy around five. With red lips and white teeth, he looked quite adorable. He was wearing a pair of suspender trousers with the Mickey Mouse pattern and a white t-shirt. She could tell that he was a boy with excellent genes.