A Moment in Destiny

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, “Take a seat, please.”

Leila walked over, but she didn’t sit down. She just said, “Professor Hall, how may I improve my thesis?”

“You’ve done a good job with your thesis. The argument is novel, the evidence is sufficient, and the writing is fluent. It’s a rare good thesis this year.”

Leila was a bit surprised. “But why did you call me over?”

Since her thesis was good, why did other classmates need to modify their theses?

“Let’s have lunch together. You said you’ll treat me for a meal,” he said.

Leila was startled, standing there calmed. She never expected that Theodore would be like this. “Is it really that my thesis has no problem? Don’t I need to modify it, Professor Hall?”

“Please call me Theodore. I still prefer you to call me Theodore.” Theodore didn’t want her to distance herself from him.

“But now you are my professor!” Leila answered politely and distantly. “I should obey the rules.”

“The, can’t we have lunch together?” He looked up at her without a blink, his eyes full of expectation. Seeing her keep silent, he added, “There’s a small part of your thesis that needs to be modified. Now it’s lunchtime. We can discuss while eating. I remembered that you said you would treat me to a meal. It’s just been three days. Have you already forgotten?”

“Oh!” Leila couldn’t say anything else since he had said so. It was indeed her who promised that. She just said that at random because she didn’t 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. “All right. Professor Hall, I’ll treat you for lunch.”

Upon hearing Leila’s agreement, Theodore seemed to be stunned. Then he looked at her meaningfully and said, “OK. Let’s eat out.”

Leila had never expected that Theodore would take her to HJ Hotel. She was sitting in his car. They hadn’t 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 Vincent’s back. Although she had done nothing and wouldn’t do anything, she felt guilty for some reason.

“Can we change to another restaurant?” asked Leila after the car stopped steadily.

“Why? Do you want to break your promise and skip this lunch?” He raised his eyebrows.

“No--”

“This place is fine. The Japanese cuisine and Russian dishes served here are all quite nice. Let’s eat the Japanese cuisine today.”

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. “Was that man on the phone that day your husband?”

quite gingerly and even didn’t want to believe that she had got

Leila nodded without speaking

was not willing to discuss

this sensitive topic. I was quite surprised when knowing that you’re married. I didn’t expect that it would happen so soon. Since you’re married, I hope we could still be friends.

with self-mockery made Leila a bit upset. Her feeling was indescribable. Indeed, she couldn’t break up with a good friend just because she

at Theodore, she said, “Since you said we’re friends, I’ll say it directly. I might haven’t brought enough money. If I couldn’t pay for

her motionlessly. Suddenly, he smiled, “Leila, you are still unchanged, straightforward, and direct. I thought you’ve changed. But how dare you treat me for

used to be. However, would there be any difference if she reminded the same or changed? She had to endure everything right now. “How

a thing!” said Theodore with a smile. “Well, if you promise that you wouldn’t break up with me after having

money in the bag, but she had a credit card given by Vincent. She didn’t want to spend his money, because she didn’t spend a penny of his

you, and you are my senior. You just set me up!” Leila curled her lips and acted more casually as

well. He added, “This lunch is on me then. Stop feeling

didn’t want to owe others’ favors. “If I don’t have enough money, I’ll give it to you after back to university. Anyway, we’ve agreed it’ll be my treat and I

draw a

is a hedge between keeps friendship green,” Leila answered in a

don’t want to be in that way?” His eyes became darkened,

was startled. Twitching the corners of her mouth, she answered, “Then we couldn’t be friends anymore. But I know you are

added, “Leila, I haven’t seen you for three years. You

indeed. “I’m not

she indeed had a strong personality,

quite easygoing, but when you are

Horrible?

didn’t think so. Otherwise, how could she do nothing when Vincent bullied her

territory. She wondered if he was also having lunch at this time. On Saturday night, he went out looking for her

about? Focus!” Theodore blinked. “Show some

Leila shook her

on him. Immediately, he looked up, only to find a tall

was talking towards them. She turned around and followed Theodore’s gaze. Then

is this?” Vincent walked directly to Leila, his lips curling

is my thesis tutor Theodore. He

this man hated him very much. Glancing at

to explain her relationship

White,” Vincent answered arrogantly with a

meet you,” Theodore said politely after being taken

looked at Vincent up and down -- he was in a black high-end tailored suit,

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