Long Time, My Baby

Chapter 2 Little Girl, I'm Back!

A Chevrolet pulled up to the Paul Restaurant. The doorkeeper quickly walked to the car and respectfully opened the door for the guests.

A pair of shiny leather shoes hit the ground. Charlie stepped out, looking dapper in casual Armani suit. The arrogant expression in his face intimidated the man holding the door for him.

Leah stood next to Charlie, clad in a stunning white dress. Her eyes sparkled and the corners of her mouth raised in a beatific smile. There was overt joy on her face.

Charlie turned to Leah and signaled her to follow him.

The restaurant was owned by Charlie's family. The manager knew him very well. He walked up to them with a broad smile to welcome them. "Mr. Charlie, how come you are here today?" The waiter next to him bowed respectfully.

"To have a meal. What else do you think I can do in a restaurant?" Recovering from the sting, the manager said hurriedly,

"Yes, yes, of course. Forgive me. This way please, sir." The manager nodded and bowed obsequiously, and led Charlie to a table with the best view. Leah followed him obediently without uttering a single word.

Charlie sat down elegantly, while Leah sat opposite him.

"Mr. Charlie, what would you like to eat?" the manager asked with an ingratiating smile.

"Why don't you ask the lady what she would like to eat? Are you being disrespectful towards her?" Charlie snapped.

"No! No! Miss, what would you like to eat?" the manager stuttered nervously. He realized that Charlie was upset and looked at Leah.

"I'm fine with anything. It's up to Charlie," Leah said.

"Umm..." The manager was in a dilemma now.

"Wellington steak, goose liver paste, milk and corn soup, honey juice and salmon..." Charlie rattled off a few dishes casually and glanced at Leah, who looked clueless.

She watched in admiration as Charlie deftly chose the dishes. The way he said the names of the dishes was so classy and impressive.

"Certainly. It'll be ready shortly." The manager bustled into the kitchen and personally supervised the order.

Looking at the dreamy expression in Leah's face, Charlie was filled with contempt, but he didn't show it. "Leah, pay attention to your image. This is a high-end Western restaurant. I know I'm handsome, but don't act smitten like a fool, okay?"

"I'm sorry!" Leah blushed and lowered her head like a child, who had just been rebuked for doing something wrong.

"It's fine. Just look up and be careful from now on," Charlie ordered, looking at his phone casually.

The reason Leah didn't like Western food was that she didn't like going to Western restaurants. She felt like a clown and completely out of place. Charlie had grown up abroad and liked Western food. If it hadn't been for him, she would never have stepped into these snobbish restaurants.

Suddenly, Charlie's phone vibrated and a wicked smile appeared on his cold face. "Excuse me. I need to go to the bathroom."

'Why can't he take the call in front of me?' Leah wondered glumly.

In the bathroom, Charlie answered the phone. "You temptress!"

"Come over to my place tonight?" asked the coquettish voice from the other end of the line.

"Right now? Why are you in such a hurry?" Charlie narrowed his eyes.

"Aren't YOU in a hurry?"

"I'm afraid I can't make it. My grandfather has forced me to propose to my girlfriend tonight," he explained with disappointment.

"Why does your grandfather give your girlfriend so much importance?"

"I don't know! She is just an orphan. Does she really think that she can be my wife and enter the Rong family? What a joke!" He smirked.

"And what about me?" asked the female on the other end of the line.

"It depends on your behavior. I'll be there later."

"I'll be waiting for you."

Charlie hung up and read the message from his grandfather. "Convince Leah to be your wife. That is the only requirement for you to inherit the company."

He didn't understand why his grandfather was so hell-bent on making this orphan a part of their family. He couldn't stand the thought of having a wife with no reputable background.

Charlie was disgusted, but he quickly composed himself and hid his true emotions.

The delicacies had arrived on the table but Leah didn't begin eating.

"Why didn't you start?" Charlie sat down and placed his phone on the table.

"I was waiting for you." Leah smiled gently, glanced at the black screen, and back up at Charlie.

"Okay, let's eat." A look of derision appeared on his face.

Leah used the knife and fork gingerly, fearing that the cutlery would clang against the plate and make a noise.

Shooting an annoyed glance at the woman sitting opposite him, Charlie couldn't help but jeer inwardly, 'What an uncouth!'

He picked up the glass beside him with his elegant fingers and took a sip of the red wine. After hesitating a while, he said, "Leah, let's get engaged."

"What?" She was choked with emotion. Two years had passed since they started dating, and she could tell that his attitude had changed towards her. She thought that their relationship was still unstable, so she was taken aback with his sudden proposal.

"We have been together for two years now and I like you so we should be engaged," he stated, setting his glass down, and looked at her solemnly.

"Can I take some time to think about it?" Leah asked apprehensively, clenching the knife and fork in her hands.

"Why are you hesitating?" Charlie demanded, looking at her troubled face.

"I will definitely give you an answer soon. Please," she pleaded.

"Humph! Okay." He had originally planned to get engaged to her come what may but unexpectedly he agreed.

"Charlie, you are the best!" Leah said and her dismayed expression was replaced by a bright smile.

"Just finish your dinner and after that, I'll drive you back."

The Great Ravine was the poshest area of Wilson City. Every villa there was designed by famous architects.

The Great Garden was the largest villa in the Great Ravine. European and Chinese styles were married perfectly to create a gorgeous and ingenious structure.

The servants, security guards and bodyguards at the handsome villa had been busy all month long as the owner of the house was returning shortly and everything needed to be perfect. The staff consisted of more than 100 people in total. Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

A shiny Rolls-Royce stopped outside the gates of the Great Garden.

"Hurry! Open the gates! Mr. Lucian has arrived."

The gold-plated gates gently swung open. Inside, the security guards stood in attention with no expression on their faces, but the cold sweat on their foreheads gave away their nervousness.

The car rolled into the Great Garden. Hugh Pei, the butler, was waiting in front of the villa. As soon as he saw Lucian's car entering the gates, he immediately ordered the servants to welcome him.

The car stopped in the middle of the yard. Hugh Pei quickly walked up to the car and opened the door bowing. "Welcome back, sir."

"Hmm." Lucian nodded and stepped out of the car. He strode towards the main house with no expression.

The interiors were a combination of Chinese and Western styles. As soon as Lucian entered, the maids bowed subserviently.

"Sir..." Hugh Pei was about to say something, but was cut by Lucian.

"Not now. I'm tired." His dismissive voice made Hugh Pei and the maids shiver.

"Yes, sir." Hugh Pei immediately signaled the maids to leave.

Lucian went straight to the second floor to the main bedroom and peeled off his suit. He grabbed a bottle of red wine from the wine cabinet and slid into the cane chair on the balcony.

The room overlooked the lovely garden. Lucian drummed his slender fingers on the table. A gentle breeze blew and the flowers in the garden swayed delicately.

He pulled out the photo from his pocket and stared at the little girl in it. With a faint smile on his lips, he picked up the glass and took a sip of the warming liquid. His vision became more and more blurred.

The breeze carried the fragrance of flowers and the dim sunlight fell on the balcony, making the atmosphere more lonesome.

He opened his mouth and muttered warmly, "Little girl, I'm back."