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?”

want to believe

nodded without speaking

his head, knowing that she was not willing to discuss such a question with

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 or break up completely because of it. We are both living in the

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

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 money.

staring at her motionlessly. Suddenly, he smiled, “Leila, you are still unchanged, straightforward, and direct. I thought

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

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

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

you, and you are my senior. You just set me 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

Theodore was delighted as well. He added, “This lunch is on me

treat!” Leila 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 should keep my

to draw a clear distinction between

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

be in that way?” His

Twitching the corners of her mouth, she answered, “Then we couldn’t

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

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

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

“You looked quite easygoing, but when you are

Horrible?

she do nothing when Vincent

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

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

shook

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

towards them. She turned around and followed

Leila. Who is this?” Vincent walked directly to Leila, his lips curling up into evil

this is my thesis tutor Theodore. He used to be my senior

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

know how to explain her relationship with

answered

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

and looked at Vincent up and down -- he was in

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,