"Here, see if there's anything you want to eat." Ernest handed the menu to her. "I remember you loved desserts. Do you want one?" "No, thanks." Yulia shook her head. "I don't eat desserts now." Desserts could indeed boost one's mood.
However, it could be harmful too. Having too much would cause obesity or diabetes.
Yulia let herself be in the past because her parents would always remind her every tshe ate too many desserts. But at present... She had nothing. No one was there to look after her, nor would anyone care if she slept or not.
She could only learn to take care of herself and stay away from things she should not do.
In the end, Yulia only ordered a cup of black coffee.
Ernest did not know what to say when she ordered the black coffee.
She did not go for something she used to like, but... What she liked...
Looking at Yulia, Ernest actually had a strong sense of empathy. When he lost his wife back then, he experienced a period of despair like Yulia.
Even now, he dared not say he had cout of it, let alone back then.
After the coffee was served, Yulia took a few sips. The bitter taste filled her mouth, spreading gradually, and finally flowed to the bottom of her heart.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtShe didn't know whether the bitterness was from the coffee or her heart.
Yulia drank half a cup before raising her head to gaze at Ernest.
"Just say it, Ernest. There must be something you want to say, callingout so suddenly," she asked.
Ernest remained silent.
This girl sure was clever. He had only asked her to cout, and she had already guessed his intention. "What's wrong? Can't I just invite you for a casual chat? I can only meet you when I have something to say to you?" Ernest said.
Yulia smiled faintly.
"I'm sure it's not that simple. Seeing you hesitant to speak that day in the company, I'm sure you have something to ask. It's just that you probably had something else to deal with, so you didn't clooking for me. It happened not long ago, and here you have ctoagain, so it's almost impossible that you have nothing to say to me," Yulia analyzed.
"Alright, you caught me. You're as smart as ever." "Go on, what is it you want to tell me, Ernest?" Yulia asked straight away.
"It's nothing. We used to hang out together when we were young. We didn't have a chance to gather when you were abroad, but now you are back, so I want to take this opportunity to invite Quill too. The three of us should sit together and have a talk," Ernest suggested.
Hearing this, Yulia frowned and thought, "Is he going to invite Quill?" "Yulia, if you agree, I can call Quill now, and we can meet at..." "No!" Before Ernest could continue, Yulia interrupted him quickly and refused his proposal.
"Look atnow. I'm no longer the Yulia I used to be. The past is in the past. There's no need to reminisce about that." After that, Yulia stood up abruptly and strode out.
Ernest shot her a sharp gaze and got up to stop her instantly.
"Ernest?" Yulia looked up at him, probably not expecting that he would suddenly stop her. "What on earth do you want? Your true goal is forto meet Quill and let him know I'm working in his company, isn't it?" He had to hand it to her; she was right.
Ernest did want Quill to know about this.
Yulia's smile becmiserable, and disappointment showed in her eyes. "Who would've thought my big brother would schagainstlike that." "Yulia, how can this be called a scheme? There's no need for you to put up a brave front with your current situation," Ernest spoke.
"Are you pitying me, Ernest?" Yulia approached Ernest and pressed her hand on her chest. "Do you think I'm hitting a low in my career? Do you think I'm miserable? Or do you think I am pitiful because my parent & are dead, so you want to help me? Do you think I'm a beggar?" Her words becharsher and harsher. Ernest, who wanted to persuade her initially, becfurious. "Yulia!" Yulia stood still.
"If you still remember our relationship, you should know that we are friends and we grew up together. It is very normal for friends to help each other. But what about you? What on earth are you thinking? Why do you keep shutting us out?" It was normal for friends to help each other.
That was right, and Yulia used to think so too, but why couldn't she accept it now? Seeing that she did not speak, Ernest continued, "No, maybe I should correct myself. You're not shutting us out." Yulia's heart skipped a beat; she seemed to have guessed what he was going to say next.
She wanted to interrupt him, but it was too late.
"Perhaps the person you're truly shutting out is Quill!" Ernest said.
Yulia's eyes suddenly widened, staring at Ernest.
After a long time, she burst out laughing.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"What right do you have to say that?"
"Am I wrong?" Ernest pursed his lips and sat down on the chair at the side.
He drummed his index finger lightly Ο on the table. "You're willing to cto seeand talk tohere. However, as soon as I mention Quill, you act as if I've stepped on your toes. If this isn't shutting out, I don't know what is? Now, letguess the reason for it." "Stop it!" Yulia interrupted him again.
"You don't want to hear it, or you don't dare to hear it?" "Ernest Lowell!" "Actually, you've been in love with him since you were young. I have always known this." Ernest still spoke his mind in the end. Yulia was frozen in place and stared at him blankly. To her surprise, he still said it out loud.
Her inner thoughts were out in the open. Yulia didn't know whether she should cry or laugh.
"So? What's your point in saying this, Ernest?" Ernest remained silent.
Step by step, Yulia approached him. "Why don't I say it for you then? You think the reason deliberately snuck into his company is that I like him, don't you?" Her words made Ernest frown.
"Do I not even have the right to decide which company I work in? Ernest, why are you interfering in my business? The Hanover Corporation NO is one of the many companies sent my resto. It's their HR who recruited me. I don't see a problem forto work there. Besides, I didn't let Quill notice my existence. Am I not allowed to merely work there?" Yulia, who had always been calm and gentle, was a bit out of control even in front of her big brother, whom she had grown up with and had taken care of her.
Ernest walked up to her, bowed his head, and stared at her keenly.
"Just work there? But are you sure that's what your heart is telling you too?" Ernest asked.