The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1593 Helping In The Kitchen

"My friend's company is short-handed. I can introduce Leila to him," Charles said without hesitation. He wanted to help both Leila and his friend.

Leila had spent a reasonable amount of time and exceptional effort in taking care of Melissa lately. Because of such kindness and compassion, Charles was beyond grateful to her and helping her land on a decent job would be the least he could do to repay her. Besides, he had reputable connections and finding Leila a job would be as easy as lifting a finger.

"I highly doubt that would be good. I mean, I don't even know this friend of yours. What if he treats Leila badly?" Melissa objected anxiously. She was worried for Leila.

Charles was speechless and in utter disbelief at his mother's violent reaction toward his idea. Why would his friend treat Leila badly in the first place?

"Mom, my friend won't do that. Don't you trust me?" Charles was ready to find Leila a well-paid and decent job. Melissa's suspicion toward his friend disappointed him a little.

"But Leila has a criminal record and she even went to jail once. I am afraid that your friend, regardless of his stature in life, will discriminate against her," Melissa said, expressing pure concern. Melissa didn't want to disappoint Leila, nor did she want to vex Charles. So, she came up with an excuse before she brought up her real proposal to Charles.

"So what can I do? Tell me." Charles was already grumpy because of Sheryl, hence, he didn't have much patience. Happily agreeing to find Leila a job was already stressing him out, even if he first thought it would be an easy fix. Melissa's disagreement was taking toll on his patience, which was about to wear out.

"Wasn't Leila your secretary before? She must be very familiar with your company already. How about you ask Leila to be your secretary again?" Melissa finally laid her plan before him as she shared her real idea.

"What? No!" Charles rejected the idea immediately.

"Why not?" Melissa almost cried in defeat when she saw the determined look on Charles' face.

Despite the awkward situation, he didn't bother to explain to Melissa why he wouldn't allow Leila to go back to the company and become his secretary once again.

As she observed how Charles remained silent despite her tantrums, Melissa sobbed out loud to look more vulnerable. She said to Charles, "I'm so helpless. Leila is the only person who cares about me and would do anything for me. I couldn't have survived in jail without her. Now, I can't help but feel bad because she is in trouble and I can't do anything."

Melissa brought up the old days in jail and persisted with the drama, which annoyed Charles even more. He pursed his lips, silent and ready to stand firm against her incoming tantrums.

Even though Melissa already knew that Charles wouldn't answer her, she continued to bawl like a child deprived of her favorite toy. Just as she expected, Charles didn't utter a single word. She knew what she had to do now. She had to appeal to his guilt and force him to make a compromise.

Melissa started to cough severely and put her hand on her chest. She acted like she was in tremendous pain and unable to catch her breath, as if she was going to pass out.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Charles asked his mother in worry, caught off guard.

Melissa took the glass of water that hurriedly grabbed for her. As she took a sip, a long deep sigh escaped her lips as she shook her head. "I'm fine. I just feel upset."

Charles furrowed his brows, worried that Melissa would do something to hurt herself if he didn't agree. Running out of options and tired of further discussions, Charles finally said yes to his dramatic mother. "Okay, fine, Mom. I agree," Charles said, sighing in low spirits.

"Charles, really?" Melissa's face glowed with happiness, replacing her disbelief. She looked at her son.

Charles nodded, even though his disappointment was clearly reflected on his face.

"That's great! I am so relieved now that Leila can be around to look after you." Melissa said this so meaningfully that it sounded to Charles like it was her last ardent wish.

Wrinkling his perfectly-shaped brows, Charles asked in curiosity and annoyance, "Mom, what are you talking about? You're talking too much and you sound tired as well. It's late now. You should get some rest."

Charles couldn't help but interrupt her. He was too upset to listen to more of her drama.

"Okay, good night," Melissa said, satisfied about her win this night.

Charles watched his mother as she went to bed. Then he found himself hurriedly leaving her bedroom.

Once he was back in his study by himself, Charles was like an ant on a hot pan.

He knew it would be improper to let Leila work with him at Shining Company again, but he was worried about Melissa's degenerating health. It was such a dilemma for him. He was in conflict. He'd better say yes to her request, even if it was against his will.

The only thing he could do for his mother now was to meet all her needs, even the most irrational ones, and make sure she was happy.

Charles walked into his bedroom after spending ample time in the shower, looking forward to a promising night's rest. However, despite his efforts to have sound sleep, he ended up just tossing and turning. He really couldn't fall asleep. Every corner in the bedroom reminded him of Sheryl and the passionate nights they had spent together.

Accepting the fact that he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, he chose to get up and preferred to sit by the bedside. He stared at the framed portrait on the wall and sighed.

'Sheryl, why are you torturing me like this?' Charles murmured to himself. It seemed to be just another night where he could not go to sleep because of her.

The balcony was the next place he found his sleepless self. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered the memorable days he had spent with his love. The smile was elusive and only showed up when he was around Sheryl.

Apparently, this Sheryl-induced insomnia couldn't leave him alone. On the other side of the house, Leila and Melissa couldn't sleep because of excitement.

"Aunt Melissa, is that true? Did Charles really agree to it?" Leila asked Melissa in total disbelief as she gazed at her.

She didn't expect things to go so smoothly because she knew how Charles' mind was programmed. This was the first time Melissa brought the idea up to Charles and he just said yes.

"Why would I lie to you, my dear? Charles is my son. Of course, he has to do whatever I ask him to do," Melissa said cheerfully, showing off her confidence in her ability to control Charles into doing whatever she wanted, without actually forcing him.

"Aunt Melissa, I love you so much!" Leila couldn't contain her excitement. The happiness that flooded her the moment she was informed of this decision was beyond description.

Of course, Melissa celebrated this moment with Leila. She knew that once Leila stepped into Shining Company, success would only be half a step away.

"Leila, remember you won't be in the company just to work. You have a more important mission there, okay?" Melissa reminded Leila seriously.

Leila's face transitioned from excitement to seriousness. She extended her arms and said sincerely, "Aunt Melissa, please rest assured. I will take care of Charles and will never let Sheryl come back to Dream Garden."

This had been both Melissa's and Leila's wish for the longest time.

Leila would do anything to become the desired wife of the Shining Company's CEO. There was no way in hell that she would let Sheryl return and steal the throne.

Walking out of Melissa's bedroom, Leila couldn't contain her astounding joy. She grinned from ear to ear. She was so thrilled of what was yet to come that she almost jumped as she suppressed her giggles. Her excitement brought confusion to Nancy. She wondered what had made Leila so happy.

As she saw Leila trod gracefully to her bedroom, Nancy decided to proceed to her room as well. She did not want to waste time on pondering why it was that Leila was filled with such unexplained joy. Leila was brimming with happiness. She hoped this would send her to sleep. All she thought about was reporting at Shining Company in the morning and working with her dream man, Charles.

Leila wasn't the only one wide awake at such wee hours. The idea of Leila working in the company made Charles anxious and upset. It was the last thing he wanted. But what else could he do, considering his mother's current health condition?

The next day, Leila got up earlier than usual morning. It surprised Nancy, especially when Leila helped her prepare breakfast. She was behaving so differently than before! It befuddled Nancy. She never helped Nancy in the kitchen, but today was an exception. Leila must have lost her mind.

"Miss Zhang, you seem to be in a good mood today," Nancy said to Leila in an attempt to find out what had happened.

Leila just smiled and didn't utter a word as she glanced at Nancy.

Leila knew that Sheryl and Nancy were as close as sisters, so she tried her best not to converse much with Nancy. In any case, Leila was going to be the wife of the famous Shining Company's CEO soon, and it would be very improper for her to rub elbows with a servant.

Nancy finally quit nudging her and decided to remain silent. She continued to finish her task, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Moments later, the mother and son duo, Melissa and Charles, woke up, stretching themselves to welcome another day.