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 crowd, she stared at the man who was exuding attractiveness from every pore at every second, 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 complete stop, as she saw Ren and his group coming in

the guests from a dozen meters away. The man at work gave off a distinct quality, a riveting one.

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

she stood behind the pillar, having no notable achievements under her belt, her future remained blank. With all these facts, she wondered just why that man liked her. No matter how much she racked her brains

the Translation Department, as it would help her to get into the Public Relations Department. This way, she would 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 pillar, she walked out from behind the pillar and stood

had his eyes on Ruka the moment she appeared from behind 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 her. The two made eye contact with

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 be dire after

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 could

at the man, she felt a sharp glare at her. The moment she turned her head in

her teeth, she said, “Ruka, I’m warning you. Stay

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

Do you think he would renounce it in favor of a 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

Ruka stared at Victoria with tears in her eyes. Her words were just like a knife that had stabbed

her warning, she left Ruka and went back to Ren’s

heavily, 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

of the cleaning ladies came over and asked in concern,

wall, she stood up and bowed as thanks before heading in the office’s direction with her head hung. She couldn’t help but stumble on 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

of the Translation Department. After the guests were served tea, Ren came out with his phone and said to Elijah,

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

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

took a seat by the door before

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

hints of shyness. He then went back to his desk and took out a beautifully wrapped box from the drawer before

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

birthday present. I’m not sure if it’ll be to your liking,” Caspian explained

close the office door, there was a tall attractive figure standing just outside. The man did not enter the office, but merely stood outside and watched Caspian shyly handing

just a small token of appreciation, so just accept it.” Caspian was

the figure outside the office, Caspian and Ruka locked eyes with one another. Although Ruka hesitated

like a child. “Can I give

brief moment where she rested her head on the man’s shoulder, he let her go and started his confession in a panicked

dumbfounded by the man’s confession, as Caspian’s confession came out of left field for her. She had

time that a shriek came from outside the

the door, both Ruka and Caspian turned toward the door and saw Ren standing outside through the glass. Immediately, Ruka widened

there was a door between them, Ruka could feel Ren’s fervent gaze on her, as though he was displaying his

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 at

left. Following his departure,

knew that

handsome. Who can resist

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 little when she saw that the caller ID

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

let out a sigh. He probably wants an explanation from me. Then, she stood up and was about to walk out of the room when Michelle asked, “Ruka, where are you going? The

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

hold their breath in front of him.

there.” Ren raised his head

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. He prepared a birthday gift

reject him?” Ren continued

Caspian’s confession? It was then that Victoria’s words came back to her mind once more: “I will announce to the world about your relationship. By then, he will be subjected to the

before she took a deep breath and said, “I think I like him, so I’m 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.” When she finished

Adam’s apple constantly

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

However, the man he was waiting for inside hadn’t left the room. Afraid that he would disturb the man, he couldn’t enter the room and could only stew in anxiety. If I’m not mistaken, Miss Singed looked sad with

Ren stepped out with

alright?” Elijah was worried, and he

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

didn’t look too

Ren said, “Where’s Victoria’s

and led Ren toward

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 made her heart grow cold, which was why

entered in a hurry and said, “Mr.

excitedly asked, “Really? Is

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

put away. After carefully checking 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?

beating faster, Victoria pointed at the couch and said, “Ren! Come, have a

after a few words,” Ren said

briefly as she 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 as she waited for

recently?” Ren asked with his somber gaze on Victoria, his

instantly turned into bitterness and sorrow. “Ren, just how inferior to Ruka do you think I am?”

with nonsense behind my back, then you better be ready for the consequences.” Ren warned Victoria as he glared at her, as though he

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 look at the age gap between the two of you. If people find out about

a sharp glare at Victoria and said coldly, “Just what

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

gaze tinged with chills on Victoria. “Victoria, since we’ve known each other for so

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, what happened?” She was completely taken aback, as she thought Victoria had a chance to get together with Ren. However, looking at the situation, she knew there

returned 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

heard, Ruka thought,

with his schedule, do you think he’ll be free to just stand around for you to steal glances at?”

get a copy of his autograph?” Michelle actually did have such

Husson to give you his autograph?” Then, Inara complained, “Is

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

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

just now? Strange.” Michelle had a puzzled

her that she might stay the night at her place,

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

asked,

“Yes.”

Ruka waved her hand and said, “Thank

personally. I’m just following orders here,” the bodyguard replied

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

The call got through rather

that I won’t be going home

I also have some

is it?” Ruka was

been admitted

He did?” Ruka widened her eyes in shock and

you come and visit him, or maybe even take care

“I…”

a

I do.” Like a child who had just done something wrong, she

you think so? If Sir were to see you, he would immediately become better even if he didn’t take his medicine. Is the bodyguard with you now? Tell him

said to the bodyguard, “Please bring me to the hospital.” With a nod from the bodyguard, he then gestured for Ruka

still looked fine back in the conference room just now. Just like that, she stewed

but ordinary, so much so

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

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 eat today,