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?”

even didn’t want to believe

Leila nodded without speaking

was not willing to

“All right. I’ll change 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. I hope we wouldn’t be so restraint

Indeed, she couldn’t break up with a

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, “Since you said

“Leila, you are still unchanged, straightforward, and direct. I thought you’ve changed. But

to laugh or cry. She had indeed changed, not the Leila she used to be. However, would there be

you promise that you wouldn’t break up with

much 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

up!” 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

well. He added, “This lunch is on

to owe others’ favors. “If I don’t have enough money, I’ll give it to you after back to university.

to draw a clear distinction

statement of the friendship, which is a hedge between keeps friendship green,” Leila answered in a low

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

corners of her mouth, she answered, “Then we couldn’t be friends anymore.

said so, I had to keep my integrity.” Theodore smiled and added, “Leila, I haven’t seen you

more relaxed indeed. “I’m not

she indeed had a strong personality, she wouldn’t be bullied by

easygoing, but when you

Horrible?

how could she do nothing when

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 couldn’t help but

about? Focus!” Theodore blinked. “Show

Leila shook

to take a bite of the food, he felt a sharp gaze on him. Immediately, he looked up, only

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

to Leila, his lips

startled so suddenly. “This, this is my thesis tutor

sensed that this man hated him very much. Glancing at Leila, he asked,

to explain her relationship with Vincent

White,” Vincent answered arrogantly with a

you,” Theodore said politely

and down -- he was in a black high-end tailored suit, making

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