Chapter 519 One Step Closer


    "I see," Charles said. Autumn''s disappearance was a big blow for I. Three years had passed, but


    she still had not gotten over the loss of her best friend. Apart from Charles, I was the only other


    person who could not let Autumn go.


    And because they felt the same way, Charles was always hesitant to see I.


    He feared that he might slip into endless sorrow once again if he met I.


    "Has David sorted the documents?" he asked Alice. He told himself to focus on business.


    "I''ll go and check it now," Alice replied. Since they''d been discussing business, Le was left alone. As


    she stood outside Charles'' office, she suddenly felt awkward. Charles realized he had kept his guest


    waiting for a long time. So he told his assistant,"That''s all for now. I need to see your ns as soon as


    possible. You may go now," he told Alice.


    Alice nodded, and then turned to leave. She noticed Le and reminded her boss,"Mr. Lu, Le has


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    been waiting outside. Will I tell her toe in now?"


    "Yes, ask her in. And by the way, bring me some coffee," he requested. Charles settled in his chair and


    waited.


    Le entered hesitantly, approached Charles'' desk and stood stiffly. When she worked there, she could


    handle anything. Now, she dreaded the changes. Even looking at Alice, she couldn''t help but cast an


    envious nce at the woman.


    Then the doubts started to creep in. ''What if I no longer qualify as a secretary?'' she asked herself.


    "What are you doing standing there?" Charles broke into her thoughts. "Have a seat," he offered. She


    gave an embarrassed smile and took the seat opposite her former boss. In spite of her nerves, she


    couldn''t stop thinking how handsome he still looked.


    "So, how does it feel to be back here?" Charles inquired. "There hasn''t been any big change. What can


    you say?" he prodded.


    Le nodded, and then shook her head. Realizing how confusing her actions were, she hurriedly


    exined to Charles,"Yes, the ce feels familiar, but the environment seems different. And it''s


    somehow strange. When I worked here, I don''t remember it being this intense. I look around now and


    notice how busy people like Alice and David are. It seems like no one has time for a break."


    Charlesughed at her description and exined,"After incorporating Sun Company into Shining


    Company, there''s more work to do. Recently, we''ve been nning to enter the fashion industry."


    And this made him think. ''Women are now considered a main consumer group. The board members all


    agree it is a promising industry. We have to carry out our ns soon.''


    "That only means you''ll be even busier, Mr. Lu," Le pointed out. The woman felt her patience running


    thin. They had been talking for a while, but so far, Charles had not offered her a job. But as impatient


    as she felt, she couldn''t bring it up herself.


    "Not only me. You''ll be busy as well," Charles corrected her. Le lifted her head to see if she heard


    him right.


    He was smiling, and the words finally sank in. Le''s eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean, Mr.


    Lu?" she aked, wanting to be sure.


    "Haven''t I made myself clear enough?" Charles inquired pleasantly. "With thepany growing so fast,


    we need more hands on deck. We''ve been hiring people. But I still haven''t found a proper secretary.


    When we spoke on the phone, I thought you could handle the job," Charles expounded.


    "You must be kidding, Mr. Lu," Le smiled nervously. She wanted to test if Charles really wanted to


    hire her. So Le pretended to refuse the offer. "It''s been so long since I''ve done something like this.


    It''s far different from being a housewife. I might not bepetent enough for this job," she said.


    Putting on a bitter smile, she continued,"Mr. Lu, I wish I could help you." Hesitating for effect, Le


    added,"But I''m not sure if I can handle the work. And as you mentioned, this is a critical time for the


    Charles stared at her in disbelief. "What happened to you?" He couldn''t believe what he was hearing.


    "Are you the Le I knew? From what I saw before, you were a determined and fearless girl. Where did


    all that confidence go?" he asked.


    Le blushed in embarrassment. "Mr. Lu, you tter me," she said. "But it''s been a long time since I


    worked in apany. My fear is failing to meet your expectations," Le argued.


    "I believe you," Charles said, hoping to convince Le. "Do you remember when you first worked here?


    You knew nothing. But you learned very quickly and did your job well. Have you forgotten that?" he


    encouraged her. "There is nothing you can''t do as long as you''re willing to learn," Charles reminded


    Le.


    She remained hesitant, and frowned a little. Le asked herself,"Should I give in now?"


    The man was persistent. "Just agree," he said. Charles had invited Le to give her a job, but not to


    persuade her to ept his offer. At her hesitancy, he was running out of patience, so he said coolly,"If


    you want to work here, you can go to the HR Department and finish your entry procedures. But I won''t


    force you."


    Le shut her eyes briefly, and then finally nodded. "Since you put it that way, I won''t decline the offer.


    But I need to make one thing clear. I''m here to work. If you''re not satisfied with my performance, tell me


    and treat me like the other employees," she dered.


    "I will do that," Charles replied as he gave a smile of satisfaction. Then he added,"As for your sry,


    you can talk to the people in the HR Department. I am sure you will receive more than enough for your


    needs." She mumbled her gratitude. "As for your working hours..." Charles paused.


    He knitted his brows while giving it considerable thought. "I know you have a child who is too young to


    take care of himself. So, I am allowing you to leave the office, if necessary. There is only one thing I


    hope you can guarantee: you finish your work every day. You can bring it home and get it done after


    you''ve put your son to sleep. Are you agreeable to these conditions?" he asked. "Can you do that?" he


    asked Le again.


    "That will not be a problem," she responded with a confident smile. "Once I ept your offer, I promise


    to work hard and perform my duties faithfully. I will live up to all your expectations. You have my word


    on that," Le vowed.


    "I''m very d to hear that!" Charles said, bursting intoughter. "Why don''t you go straight to the HR


    Department andplete all the entry formalities?" he suggested. "And by the way, when can you


    start?"


    "Tomorrow!" Le answered immediately, eager to get back to work.


    "Well then, I''ll see you tomorrow." He smiled as Le left his office.


    Things went so smoothly she could hardly believe what was happening. When she finally signed her


    contract at the HR Department, Le realized it wasn''t a dream.


    And in her mind, she was screaming, ''Now, I am a step closer to getting Charles!''