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?”

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

nodded without speaking anything

she was not willing to discuss such a question

hope we could still be friends. I hope we wouldn’t be so restraint or break up completely because of it. We are both living in the modern

upset. Her feeling was indescribable. Indeed, she couldn’t break up with a good friend just because she

looked around the luxurious restaurant in HJ Hotel, then touched her bag subconsciously. Glancing at Theodore, she said, “Since you said we’re friends, I’ll say it directly. I might haven’t brought enough

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

here forcibly.” 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. “How about you lend me

you promise that you wouldn’t break up with me after

want to spend his money,

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 me then. Stop feeling so upset! Seeing you like this, I feel quite

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 should keep my

have to draw a

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

if I don’t want to be in that way?” His eyes became darkened, and he stared at her

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

added, “Leila, I haven’t seen you for three years. You are still so unique and have a strong personality as

smiled, feeling more relaxed indeed. “I’m not unique.

she indeed had a strong personality, she

“You looked quite easygoing, but

Horrible?

didn’t think so. Otherwise, how could she do

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

you thinking about? Focus!” Theodore blinked. “Show some respect on

shook her

he felt a sharp gaze on him. Immediately, he looked up, only

didn’t know that Vincent was talking towards them. She turned around and followed Theodore’s gaze. Then she gaped in

to Leila, his lips curling up

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

this man hated him very much.

to explain

White,” Vincent answered

to meet you,” Theodore said politely after being taken aback

at Vincent up and down -- he was in a black

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