Never Too Far Novel

“Ruka, you’re so amazing for chasing Mia away. We’ll be best friends from now on, so let’s get along!” Michelle suddenly acted friendly to her.

“That’s because she has a powerful background, all right?” Inara scoffed.

“Can you tell us who is behind you?” Michelle asked boldly.

Ruka raised her head and said, “I don’t have anyone supporting me, so stop guessing.”

“We’re all just rookies. I don’t know how hard we have to work to get to Miss Parfait’s position one day!” Michelle ranted.

Ruka didn’t reply. Just then, her phone rang. When she took a look, she hurriedly reached out to pick up the call. “Hello?”

“Mr. Husson is going to the Translation Department soon. If you see him, please keep your distance, Miss Singed.” Elijah’s voice sounded from the other end.

Ruka’s heart throbbed suddenly. “Isn’t he having a fever?”

“It’s about work, so he has to come over personally.”

“All right, I understand. Please take good care of him.” Ruka nodded.

At the office, Victoria received a call as well, and a flash of happiness appeared in her originally moody eyes as she said in a low voice, “Really? He wants to take the guests on a tour around the Translation Department?”

“Victoria, you have to calm down. Don’t overreact,” Victoria’s superior instructed on the other end. Clearly, he knew about Victoria’s admiration for Ren.

“All right, I understand. I’ll do my job well.” When Victoria hung up and put down the phone, she opened her drawer and took out an exquisite cosmetic bag inside. When she saw her sleep-deprived eyes in the mirror, she hurriedly reapplied her makeup. She had to give Ren a good impression.

However, she suddenly recalled something, and her eyes turned downcast. Even if Ren was really just coming to work, and even if he looked forward to seeing Ruka more, she would greet him in her best condition.

In the office, Ruka was a little absent-minded. As they were still interns, everyone was lazing around. Michelle was reading novels, Inara was texting someone, and only Caspian was putting an effort to read something by the side.

Suddenly, her phone beeped with a notification from a text message. When she hurriedly took a look, she saw that it was sent by an unknown number.

‘Hey, Ruka. Are you free tonight? I’d like to treat you to a meal.’

Just when Ruka was wondering who the sender was, she looked up and saw Caspian quietly beckoning at her. She couldn’t help but chuckle. So, it’s him.

She gave it some thought. As she had to take care of Ren that night, she wasn’t free. She replied to Caspian, ‘Let’s leave it for next time! I happen to have something to do tonight.’

Caspian pursed his lips, obviously still unwilling to give up and replied, ‘Your birthday is tomorrow, so I’m thinking of treating you to dinner in advance.’

Ruka was taken aback. She had just remembered that her birthday was tomorrow. She had actually completely forgotten about it.

‘Thank you, but I really have an urgent matter to attend to tonight. After my birthday, I’ll treat you to dinner.’ Ruka was grateful that he remembered her birthday.

After Caspian read the message, a hint of disappointment flashed past his eyes, but he soon smiled slightly at her.

Ruka’s cell phone rang again. When she glanced at it, her heart pounded. It was a message from Ren that said, ‘I’m going to show some guests around the Translation Department. I’ll be reaching soon.’

Ruka’s breathing quickened slightly as her face flushed red, and even her hands turned a little sweaty from nervousness. She was a little flustered to meet him in a place with so many people, fearing that the others might notice something.

Ruka didn’t want to go out to see him at first, but when she recalled that he was working while being ill that day, she felt a little worried about him, so she decided to get up after a brief moment of hesitation. However, just then, Theodore rushed over from the outside and announced loudly, “Breaking news! Mr. Husson will be showing some guests around the Translation Department soon, and he’ll be here soon.”

“Ahh!” A scream could be heard as Inara stood up exaggeratedly, holding her head. “I forgot to wash my hair last night, and I forgot to put on makeup today. Ahh! I forgot to bring my makeup bag too. Michelle, hurry up and lend me yours!”

“I have to touch up my makeup! Hold on!” Saying that, Michelle hurriedly took her makeup bag out and carefully inspected her appearance in the mirror.

Just then, Inara turned to look at Ruka. “Ruka, did you bring any makeup? Lend me some.”

Ruka shook her head. “I didn’t.” She had never brought these things to work, and except for some lip balm, she was completely barefaced that day.

She hadn’t gotten enough sleep at all, so she had only gotten up after her alarm had rang three times this morning and left in a hurry after washing her face.

In the end, Inara borrowed Michelle’s makeup bag and set it on the table before she began to apply her makeup seriously. Theodore couldn’t help but comment disdainfully, “Girls really are troublesome. Besides, is there any difference even if you don’t put on makeup? Mr. Husson won’t spare you another glance!”

“What do you know about this? Even if he doesn’t, we have to look our prettiest when he walks past us,” Michelle rebuked.

“I’d be happy for an entire year if he looked at me even once,” Inara added while she was hurriedly drawing her eyeliner.

Ruka clasped her hand over her mouth, holding her laughter back.

“You have to learn from Ruka. Look, isn’t she still pretty without any makeup?”

Ruka had been covering her mouth to stifle her laughter in the first place, so the others instantly caught her smiling expression when they suddenly glared at her.

Michelle looked at her. “You think this is funny?”

Ruka pursed her lips and shook her head. “I’m not laughing at you guys.”

“Ruka looks really pretty even without makeup.” Caspian took advantage of the opportunity and praised her.

“I think Ruka has the highest possibility of catching Mr. Husson’s attention among the three of you. After all, she’s a natural beauty.” Theodore provoked the other two women on purpose.

Ruka jolted in surprise before she hurriedly waved her hands. “All right, stop talking about me.”

Finally, Inara was satisfied with her makeup. After she and Michelle inspected each other, she got up and asked, “Does anyone want to go and see Mr. Husson? Let’s go together!”

“I’m not going. You guys can go ahead.” Ruka raised her head and replied.

“All right, I’m not going as well. I’ll stay back with you,” Caspian said.

After the others eagerly left, Caspian furtively sized Ruka up, who was holding her chin in a daze. The sunshine trickled in from the window and shone on her face, causing her fair and delicate features to stand out even more. Her beauty truly was pure, natural, and immaculate.

Caspian couldn’t help but stare at her, his heart pounding hard as he secretly thought to himself that he must get his hands on Ruka.

Although Ruka said she didn’t want to go out to see Ren on the surface, she felt differently on the inside. She wanted to go. She wanted to rush into the crowd to see him now, to look at his handsome appearance, and to watch him receiving his guests calmly and gracefully.

Just then, around eight cars arrived in the parking lot, and Ren alighted from one of the cars. He walked up to two older foreign guests, communicating fluently with them while showing them the way in.

The group walked toward the main hall of the Translation Department, where Victoria was already beautifully dressed and was waiting with the other two heads of the department. When she looked at the man walking by, her chest throbbed violently. Whenever this man appeared, he would always make her go insane from admiration. People always said that one shouldn’t meet someone who was too outstanding as it would hurt one for a lifetime if one couldn’t be with them. Victoria was in this exact situation—the person she liked was just too outstanding.

When Ren walked over, the two superiors next to Victoria immediately stepped forward and shook hands with him respectfully, then shook hands with the guests one by one before entering the main hall.

In a garden nearby, Inara and Michelle could only look at him from afar, but they were already holding each other in excitement.

“He’s too handsome. It’s like he descended from heaven!” Inara gasped with a look of admiration.

“I really hope that I’d be lucky enough for him to look at me.” Michelle clasped her hands together. “Please give me some luck!”

Inara discreetly sized Michelle up and thought to herself that she would be the one scoring a glance from Ren, given she was the better-looking one.

entirely spellbound. Back in the office, Ruka couldn’t bear a second longer here, so she excused herself to go to the restroom. However, the direction she was heading was toward the main hall. Just as she entered the central garden, she came to a

heart raised, Ruka quickly hid behind a pillar. Then, with a behavior that could only be known as a fan girl, she poked her head out from the pillar and watched the tall man communicating with the guests from a dozen meters away. The man at work gave off a distinct quality, a riveting one. Even when standing next to the taller foreign guests, the

this moment that Ruka had a thought: Why did the man feel distant even though he was just mere meters away from her? But, she knew very well why. The distance she felt came from the difference in their identities, in their social status in society. With how dignified and distinguished the man was, he was in a far higher position than that of a common man. On the other hand, she was just part of the ordinary mass of society with nothing to her that was worth mentioning. Unwittingly, even at such a time, she remembered the incident last night and how he asked her to go out with him. She couldn’t

she was just a very ordinary person. Even now as she stood behind the pillar, having no notable achievements under her belt, her future remained blank. With all

even take care of them in the future. Unaware she was completely dazed, she came back to her senses to find that the group of people was already close to her. Panicked, as

the pillar. His eyes lingered on her and, as though her appearance had drowned out the voices of his guests, he smiled delightedly. Just then, she coincidentally raised her head to find he was smiling at

already become an uncontrollable one. In the end, Ruka was the first to lower her head,

like that, Ren passed Ruka by. Nonetheless, his gaze seemed to shake her heart to its very core, as though the man had filled her heart to the brim. She had never felt like this before. Even when she had a crush on other boys in the past, it wasn’t as strong as what she was feeling right now. What she felt right now was so strong that it touched the depths of her heart, so much so that she

a sharp glare at her. The moment she

empty corners. Gritting her

listening to Victoria, as the latter’s gaze indicated to her that

you? If you dare seduce him again, I wouldn’t mind dragging both of you through the mud.” Victoria’s voice was tinged with intimidation. “I will announce to the world about your relationship. By then, he will be subjected

just like a knife that had stabbed right at her

After Victoria gave her warning, she left Ruka and went

her breathing turning ragged, as though she just had a near-death experience. Momentarily losing the strength in her knees, she held onto the wall for support. She thought back on how cold and harsh Victoria’s words were, as though they were meant to rob her life with every word she said. Making him the subject of the public’s criticism? For him to be despised

of the cleaning ladies came over and asked

refresh herself. As she washed her face, she noticed droplets of water running down her cheeks. Though she was unsure if it was the water from the tap or tears from within, she pursed her lips and desperately suppressed her urge to cry. Just then, someone came out from the cubicle, which prompted

Department. After the guests were served tea, Ren

the said employee showed them to

this time that Ruka just came back from the restroom. Upon opening the door to the internship office, she found Caspian reading

dumbfounded, she casually took a seat by the door before she shook

brought her mug and gave it to her. “Here, drink some

to his desk and took out a beautifully wrapped box from the drawer before walking back to her. “Ruka, this is for

by the gift, she immediately stood up. “Caspian, what

sure if it’ll be to your liking,” Caspian explained while bashfully touching his

Ruka was both confused and grateful. However, as she had forgotten to close the office door, there was a tall attractive figure standing just outside. The man did not enter

appreciation, so just accept

eyes of the figure outside the office, Caspian and Ruka locked eyes with one another. Although Ruka hesitated slightly, she accepted the gift in the end. “Thank you. I’m sure I’ll like it, whatever it may

like a child.

her head on the man’s shoulder, he let her go and started his confession in a panicked

of left field for her. She had accepted his gift thinking that it

at this time that a shriek

shrieks of what seemed to belong to women coming through the door, both Ruka and Caspian turned toward the door and saw Ren standing outside through the

been standing by the door? Although there was a door between them, Ruka could feel Ren’s fervent gaze on her,

by the door. Just as he excitedly looked at him, he was met

second, Ren left. Following his departure, Inara and Michelle cried out in

up close! If we knew

can resist

Caspian confessing to me? Fraught with anxiety, she had the urge to run after Ren to explain the situation, but couldn’t move a muscle as Victoria’s threat came to mind. Conflicted, she was

in an authoritative tone with his low and magnetic voice before he ended the

wants an explanation from me. Then, she stood up

she found Elijah standing there with four other bodyguards standing in line. Elijah then gave her an implicit look that indicated her to go inside the room, to which she nodded and knocked on the third conference room door

anger in Ren’s expression, that indifferent demeanor of his was enough to cause others to hold their breath in front of

to me just what happened there.” Ren raised his head and gazed deeply at Ruka. His frown indicated

Ruka couldn’t help but feel aggrieved at how serious Ren’s expression was in questioning her. It’s not like I’ve made a huge mistake. Nevertheless, she reluctantly explained, “He’s Caspian Gibbons, a colleague of mine.

you reject him?” Ren

that Victoria’s words came back to her mind once more:

considering accepting his confession. Mr. Ren, I’m sorry, but I can’t reciprocate your feelings. Our age gap is just too big. Plus, I prefer someone around my age.”

man, who was left behind, had his lips tightly pressed together in a small frown. His Adam’s apple constantly moved up and down

to avoid her. “Miss Singed.” However, she couldn’t greet him back, as tears welled in her eyes. She was afraid of others seeing through her sadness, so she wanted to find a place to be alone for a while. Hence, she went to the restroom and

would disturb the man, he couldn’t enter the room and could only stew in anxiety. If I’m not mistaken,

stepped out with his usual

alright?” Elijah was worried, and he couldn’t help but continue, “Miss

tracks and turned his head to Elijah. “What about

look too

said, “Where’s Victoria’s office?

and led Ren

happy when she knew Ren was still around. However, she never thought that he would ignore her the entire time he was around. This made her heart grow cold, which was why she

in a hurry and said, “Mr. Husson is coming here. Miss Parfait, hurry

on her feet, Victoria excitedly asked,

think he’s here to see you.” Since this assistant of Victoria’s had been with her for many years, she

her makeup and doing some brief touch-ups, she heard footsteps coming from outside her office. Suppressing the intense excitement on her face, she put on a natural, charming smile. Why is he coming here so suddenly? Does he have something to say to me? No matter the reason, she wanted to present the best of herself to him.

her breathing turning slightly irregular and her heart beating faster, Victoria pointed

a few

realized that the man was here for another purpose, and not as a friend like she originally thought. “Go ahead.” She took a deep breath

Ren asked with his somber gaze on Victoria, his tone slightly

“Ren, just how inferior to Ruka do you think I am?” Her eyes welled with tears of

behind

only let out a pained choke as she held onto her desk. With a sorrowful gaze, she watched the man about to take his leave. Reluctant to give up, she cried

glare at Victoria and said coldly, “Just what exactly have you

told her to leave you alone. I told her not to ruin you. I said all that because I love you.” Victoria’s emotions grew intense. “You haven’t the slightest idea just how much I love you. Yet, you couldn’t even be bothered to look at me. Ren Husson, why do you think I would bother telling Ruka off like that? I just don’t want to see your shine

we’ve known each other for so long,

the assistant watched Ren and his men leave, she suddenly heard crying sounds coming from the office. Startled, she opened the door to find Victoria slumped on the floor, crying with a pained expression. “Miss Parfait,

to her office with her eyes slightly swollen, she heard Michelle say from outside the office, “Mr. Husson’s car is leaving with the guests! And here I wanted to take a few more

by what she heard, Ruka

be free to just stand around for you to steal glances at?” Inara rolled

I can get a copy of his autograph?”

you really think you’ll be able to get Mr. Husson to give you his autograph?” Then, Inara complained, “Is the

how are you so calm? Aren’t you excited that Mr. Husson has graced us with his presence?” Michelle couldn’t be bothered with Inara, so she turned her attention

replied, “I’m not. Didn’t he just pass by the office just

here just now? Strange.” Michelle had a puzzled

almost time for the employees to knock off. Ruka started to feel anxious. She thought she needed to find a different place to stay, as she couldn’t intrude on Ren’s place any longer. Thus, she called Rita and told her that she might stay the night at her place, to which the latter was very welcoming. When it was

tall bodyguard by the side called out to her. “Miss Singed, I am under

Ruka asked,

“Yes.”

moment of thought, Ruka waved her hand and said, “Thank you, but I’ll be staying at

please inform Mr. Husson personally. I’m just following orders here,” the bodyguard replied in a serious

the bodyguard, but she didn’t want to call Ren as well. Suddenly, she remembered she had previously gotten Elijah’s number, so she

The call got through rather

tell Mr. Husson that I won’t

have

Ruka

been admitted to

widened her eyes in shock

Elijah answered before he continued, “If you come and visit him, or maybe even take care of him for a while, I’m sure Sir would be very

“I…”

in a bad

afraid it’ll only worsen his mood if I do.” Like a child who had just done something wrong, she bit her lips and was

take his medicine. Is the

in hand, Ruka was stunned briefly before she raised her head and said to the bodyguard, “Please bring me to the hospital.” With a

worries. Why did his condition worsen? He still looked fine back in the conference

was anything but ordinary, so

the sixth floor. There, he knocked

Elijah continued in a whisper, “Miss Singed, Sir is in a bad mood now. Please try not to agitate him. Also, he hasn’t had much to