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.

the restroom. However, the direction she was heading was toward the main hall. Just as she entered the central garden, she came to a complete stop, as she saw Ren and his group coming in

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 man still didn’t

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.

notable achievements under her belt, her future remained blank.

be able to work with her parents and 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 she couldn’t continue being sneaky behind the

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 her. The two made eye contact with one another among the crowd. One pair of eyes was captivating and had a deep gaze, while the other was filled with flustered nervousness.

two had for each other was caught on by Victoria, who had clenched her fists in jealousy. So, their relationship has already become an uncontrollable one. In the end, Ruka was the first to lower her head, as she didn’t dare to continue being frivolous with him, especially at such a time. The consequences should they were found to be doing so would

had filled her heart to the brim. She had never felt like this before. Even when she had a crush on other boys

Ruka wanted to peek at the man, she felt a sharp glare at her. The moment she turned her head in the direction of the glare, she found Victoria coming

to one of the empty corners. Gritting her teeth,

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

girl like 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 to the public’s malice. After all, who would protect a man who would even go after his sister’s goddaughter?

Victoria with tears in her eyes. Her words were just like a knife that had stabbed right at her heart, and she felt it could end

her warning, she

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 and

leaned against the wall for some time when one of the cleaning ladies came over and asked in concern, “Are you

the way back, so she decided to head into the restroom to 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,

of the lounges of the Translation Department. After the guests were served tea, Ren came out with his phone

asked one of the nearby employees, the said employee showed them to Ren’s desired destination, to which

door to the internship office, she found Caspian reading a book inside. The

seat by the door

good.” Caspian brought her mug and

with hints of shyness. He then went back to his desk and took out a beautifully wrapped box from the drawer before walking back to her. “Ruka, this

she immediately stood up. “Caspian,

your liking,” Caspian

attractive figure standing just outside. The man did not enter the office, but merely stood outside and watched Caspian shyly handing Ruka a

appreciation, so just accept it.” Caspian was determined

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

happy like a child.

react, as Caspian had already put his arms around her. After a brief moment where she rested her head on the man’s shoulder, he let her go and started his confession in a panicked tone. “Ruka, I like you. I’ve liked you ever since I first

as Caspian’s confession came out of left field for her. She had accepted

this time that a shriek came from outside the door.

both Ruka and Caspian turned toward the door

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

as well since he hadn’t expected the vice president to be standing by the door. Just as he excitedly looked at him, he was met with an authoritative gaze, one that gave him chills, as Ren looked

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

see him up close! If we knew that he would be here, why did we even bother to

resist such an

to her senses. Startled, she immediately picked it up from the floor and returned to her seat all the while in a panic. Does that mean he saw 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 at a loss for what to do. It was then that her phone rang. She choked a

to the third conference room,” said the man in an authoritative tone with his low and magnetic voice before

out a sigh. He probably wants an explanation from me. Then, she stood up and was about to walk out of

I’m going out to make a phone call,” Ruka replied with hints of nervousness in her tone before she left posthaste. Upon entering the conference room, 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 before entering the room. There, Ren was sitting with a strange expression on his face; his handsome face was slightly harder to look at than usual. Afraid of thinking that the man’s expression was because of her, she greeted him as usual. “Mr. Ren, do you need something from me?” Her eyes, however, were looking down

breath in front of him. Ruka was doing so at the moment. With her eyes, as big as a puppy was when it did something wrong, tinged with panic, she held her breath as she

what happened there.” Ren raised his head and gazed deeply

It’s not like I’ve made a huge mistake. Nevertheless, she reluctantly explained,

him?” Ren continued his

It was then that Victoria’s words came back to her mind once more: “I

but I can’t reciprocate your feelings. Our age gap is just too big. Plus, I prefer someone around my age.” When she finished

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

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 hid in one of the compartments. Whenever she lifted her head, her small face was full of tears as an inexplicable sadness

kept glancing at his watch, as they had plans to accompany the guests to their next destination. However, the man he was waiting for inside hadn’t left the room. Afraid that he would disturb the man,

stepped out with his usual indifferent expression.

are you alright?” Elijah was worried, and he

frown, Ren stopped in his tracks and turned his head to Elijah. “What

didn’t look too good,” replied

faint sigh, Ren said, “Where’s Victoria’s office? Bring me

nodded as a response and led Ren

office. She was originally happy when she knew Ren was still around. However, she never thought that he would ignore her the entire time he was around. This

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

excitedly asked, “Really? Is he really coming

of Victoria’s had been with her for many years, she naturally knew

outside her office. Suppressing the intense excitement on her face, she put on a natural, charming smile.

irregular and her heart beating faster, Victoria pointed at

be leaving after a

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

say something to Ruka recently?” Ren asked with his somber gaze on

about what Ren was going to say. Once she confirmed her hunch was true, her excitement instantly turned into bitterness and sorrow. “Ren, just how inferior to Ruka do you think I am?” Her eyes welled

Outsiders have no right to meddle in the affairs between me and Ruka. If you fill her mind with nonsense behind my back, then you better be ready for the consequences.” Ren warned Victoria

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 out to him. “Ren, Ruka is your sister’s goddaughter. Just

Victoria

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.

we’ve known each other for so long, I’m

she opened the door to find Victoria slumped on the floor, crying with a pained expression. “Miss Parfait, what happened?” She was completely taken aback, as she thought Victoria had a chance to get together with Ren. However,

Michelle say from outside the office, “Mr. Husson’s car

what she heard,

stand around for you

you think I can get a copy of his autograph?” Michelle actually did have such thoughts

give you his autograph?” Then, Inara complained, “Is the powder you’re using expired? Just look at

Husson has graced us with his presence?” Michelle couldn’t be bothered with Inara, so she turned her attention toward

eyes lowered, Ruka replied, “I’m not. Didn’t he just pass by

was he here just now? Strange.”

evening came and it was 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 time for Ruka to leave, she decided to spend the night at Rita’s place before finding

Ruka left the lobby with her bag in tow, a tall bodyguard by the side

asked, “Bring

“Yes.”

thought, Ruka waved her hand and said, “Thank you, but

following orders here,” the

want to call Ren as well. Suddenly, she remembered she had previously gotten Elijah’s number, so she decided to have him

Miss Singed.” The call got through rather

Mr. Husson that I won’t be going home tonight,” Ruka said

also have some

it?” Ruka was slightly

admitted to

eyes in shock

answered before he continued, “If you come and visit him, or maybe even take care of him for a while,

“I…”

in a bad

had just done something

you, he would immediately become better even if he didn’t take his medicine. Is the bodyguard with you now? Tell

Ruka was stunned briefly before she raised her head and said to the bodyguard, “Please bring me to the hospital.” With a nod from the bodyguard, he then gestured for

was filled with worries. Why did his condition worsen? He still looked fine back in the conference room just

was admitted to was anything but ordinary, so much so that even she had to register several times just

sixth floor. There, he knocked on the door before he said to her, “Sir is inside here.

to turn the door handle when Elijah continued in a whisper, “Miss Singed, Sir is in a bad mood now. Please