Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Leia guessed that Chris would ask about his, but she did not expect him to cdirectly to the company to confront her. Indeed, as he had said, his personality was straightforward. 'Well... indeed. He is quite straightforward," thought Leia.

As Chris's words fell, tseemed to freeze again. The air around them solidified, the wind ceased to circulate, and they could hear each other's breathing. Leia adjusted her emotions and said, "Our..." Chris, a straight-talking man, started to beca bit overbearing, not giving Leia a chance to find reasons. He directly cut off any possibility by saying, "I know you want to mention our family backgrounds are not compatible. But I'm just a doctor, skilled with a scalpel. If my mom kicksoff from our family, my bank balance won't be more than yours. Besides, my instincts have always been accurate. I think you liketoo." Leia seemed to want to speak, but before she could continue, Chris interrupted, "If you are so concerned about my family business, | can choose not to inherit it in this lifetime. Then, I'll just be a doctor. Besides, | never intended to take over." Under the table, Leia's fingers stirred together, her thoughts a bit chaotic. Chris's sudden arrival caught her off guard, and she had not prepared her lines to respond. "Can you givesmore tto think about it?" she asked.

"I'm afraid not. The more you think, the more confused you'll become. It's like surgery. Once | open someone up, | have to act right away. Overthinking can be life-threatening if the patient is left hanging for too long," Chris replied, using the concept of surgery to discuss with Leia. He believed she should not take too much tto think it over. When someone was sick, it was important to seek medical treatment early. The longer one waited, the higher the likelihood of complications.

Leia found his statement amusing and thought, 'Why does love becrelated to surgery?’ She smiled helplessly, finding him quite adorable. His mind was filled with medical concepts, and even when expressing his feelings, he could relate them to performing surgery. Luckily, she also had a fondness for the medical profession.

If a timid girl heard him comparing love and surgery, she would probably be scared off.

Suddenly, Leia felt relieved. She remembered what Quinn had said last night, "In life, how many people you like and who also like you can you encounter? We are not little girls anymore, and you are almost thirty. Although your parents are not urging you to find a boyfriend, deep down, they must be thinking about it. They also wish for a good man to take care of you, so they can feel reassured when they are gone. If you also like him, give it a try. How would you know if it's suitable or not without trying? You can't just leave a pair of shoes there, not try them on, and then directly say they don't fit, right? Allocate sof the courage you have in your work to your emotions, and everything will be solved." Quinn's words echoed in her mind, and as she thought about it, Leia smiled. She stood up, looked directly at Chris, and for a minute, neither of them spoke. From his eyes, she could see determination, expectation, and nervousness. It seemed like if she did not agree to be his girlfriend today, he would not leave, displaying a somewhat stubborn demeanor. It was amusing to think about.

After a while, Leia boldly took the first step, extending her hand with a gentle smile. "Dr. Yamin, how about we give this relationship a try?" With these words, Chris could not suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth, and his heart was so excited that he was on the verge of jumping in place. His hand quickly moved faster than his brain, grabbing the back of Leia's head and pulling her towards him. His thin lips sealed her tender lips and the sweetness of lipstick spread between their lips and teeth. He used concrete actions to convey the answer to her.

Chris didn't engage in a deep kiss; it was just a light peck. After all, she was a manager at the company, and maintaining a professional image was essential. The excitement from a moment ago had been a bit overwhelming. "Sorry, | could not help it. It was irresistible," he apologized. Leia's heart was pounding. She licked her lips, her cheeks blushing. She smiled lightly as she said, "It's okay. It suits your straightforwardness." At this moment, Chris felt that his straightforward personality was quite useful; it allowed him to do many things.

It was the first kiss for Chris, and his ears were slightly red from the experience. He wanted to continue, but seeing Leia shy away, he restrained himself from further impulses. As the kiss ended, the office fell silent again.

Both of them did not know what to say. Chris was afraid Leia might change her mind, so he said, "Once you agree, you can't go back on it." With these words, Leia's awkward mood dissipated. She looked up at the serious man, with concern in her eyes, saying, "Dr. Yamin, as a team leader in the company, | usually keep my word. However, there's something I'd like to discuss with you." She was not sure if she could go all the way with Chris. She had a basic understanding of his mother's warm and friendly personality from Christina. As for Stella, she could never keep secrets.

Considering Chris's special status, Leia did not want Angie and Stella to know to affect her work.

Leaning against Leia's office desk, Chris could not help but reach out and remove a strand of hair from her cheek. His expression was serious. "Just say it. | will accept anything as long as it's not a breakup." His words always managed to touch Leia's sense of humor. She said, "We're both adults. How can anyone regret their decision right after agreeing? It's not a child's game. I'm just thinking can we keep our relationship a secret from Stella and your mom for now?" He was confused, replying, "Are you planning to break up?" Otherwise, why would she consider all this? Leia was speechless. She rested her elbows on the desk, her hands crossed, and her chin on the back of her hands. She looked at Chris, tilting her head, asking, "Do | look insecure to you?" Chris shook his head, and Leia continued, "We haven't tried, and there's always a possibility it might not work. I..." Chris did not like where this conversation was going and interrupted her, "My instincts have always been accurate. Don't worry about breaking up; it won't happen. If you don't want Stella and my mom to know, | won't say anything for now." Just as Leia was about to say something, there was a knock on the door. To avoid causing any trouble for Leia, Chris quickly grabbed a chair and sat across from her. She answered to the door, "Cin." The person who entered was Leia's secretary, Mona Colin. Seeing Chris, she was surprised for a moment but quickly regained composure, reporting, "Ms. March, the meeting scheduled in 10 minutes is ready." Leia raised her hand to check her watch and nodded. "Okay, I'll be right there. Please distribute the documents for everyone to review in advance." Mona nodded as she replied, "Sure, Ms. March." The door closed, and Leia withdrew her gaze from Chris. "I might be busy for a while; there's a meeting later. Will you attend?" Chris did not want to participate. Not at all. "What tdo you get off work tonight?" Leia opened a folder, pondering for a few seconds. She said, "It might be a bit late, probably after 11 p.m. Sorry, my work hours are not fixed. Do you mind?" "The one who should apologize is me." The reason Leia had to work late was because Chris did not want to take over the company. She understood the implied meaning in his words, with a hint of guilt. She smiled in response, her eyes reflecting both tenderness and determination. "I like doctors." The two exchanged a smile. Leia had initially hoped that Chris, the heir of the Yamin Group, would inherit the business, but at this moment, she did not want to force him. It wasn't just because he was now her boyfriend but because she knew about his dreams.

Ten minutes later, Chris cout of Leia's office, went to his father's, and cout within five minutes.

Watching Chris cout of their father's office, Stella grabbed his arm, eager to know the outcome. "How was it? Did you succeed?" "Succeed in what?" asked Chris.

"My future sister-in-law. Did you win her over?" said Stella.

"What are you talking about? Just focus on your work and stay out of adult matters. I'm leaving." With that, Chris walked away swiftly, leaving Stella bewildered and wondering, 'Is he crazy? Wasn't he here to confess his feelings? Then why did he spend so much tin the office? Was he just having a chitchat with her? Goodness.

He is makingpanicked." Stella was so irritated that she went to the break room with a glass to offer herself swater.

"Stella, is that your brother? He's so handsome. Why doesn't he work in the company?" When Leia entered the break room, she overheard this comment. The employees, seeing their leader, straightened up, and said, "Ms.

March. We are here for swater." 'It turns out that when someone praises your boyfriend's good looks, you feel proud and happy.’ thought Leia as she spoke up, "Well, talk less then." Watching Leia leave, a colleague seemed puzzled. "Wait, what did Ms. March say just now? We weren't scolded, and she only asked us to talk less. Could it be that she is in love?" 'That is absolutely impossible. If Chris is in a relationship with Ms. March, he would definitely tell me. Even if he did not tell me, he would tell Mom. This is the best chance for him to say goodbye to his single life,’ Stella thought in her heart and replied firmly, "Absolutely impossible. When was the last tyou saw flowers in Ms.

March's office? If they were just starting a romantic relationship, there should be at least a bouquet of flowers, right?" Now that Stella mentioned that, it seemed to make sense. She continued, "Anyway, forget it. Let's not make wild guesses anymore. Perhaps Ms. March is in a good mood today." At Yamin Hospital.

After leaving the company, Chris went straight to the hospital. Upon arrival, he immediately informed Leia that he was at the hospital, waiting for her after work. During the honeymoon phase, couples tend to be clingy, sending messages frequently, afraid the other might not know what they were up to, and wanting to share even the smallest details.

Chris texted, [I'm at the hospital now.] While in a meeting, Leia did not reply to Chris's message. However, the sound of the vibrating phone hidden in the pocket caused her, who was conducting the meeting, to pause for a moment, lost in thought for a few seconds.

"Goodness, what's with you recently? Didn't you take a day off today? Why are you here again? Is this another case of hormonal imbalance?" Kimble trailed behind, muttering like an old lady, observing Chris with a smirk and a face adorned with joy. Pulling out a chair for himself, he remarked, "Why do you look so strange? You're not in love, are you?" In a good mood, Chris's mind was filled with the sweet kiss earlier. His lips unconsciously curled upward. "Well, | guess | am." At this revelation, Kimble seemed to have heard something extraordinary. He almost fell off his chair. "Wait, are you in love?" Proudly glancing at Kimble, Chris said, "Why can't | be in love? I'm a normal human being." "I know. | mean, when did you fall in love? Why didn't | know?" Kimble said.

"Why should I inform you when I'm in love? I'm not dating you," Chris replied. After all, even his family did not know at the moment.

‘Well, that makes sense,’ thought Kimble. Knowing that Chris had been single for so many years, with a curious and gossiping demeanor, he was eager to know more. "Tell me, how did you find her? Through a blind date?" After a moment of thought, Chris replied, "Not exactly. It developed naturally. We just liked each other." "You're good at keeping secrets. No rumors at all. When will you introduce her to us Rest assured. | won't do anything to a friend's girlfriend. I still have that principle of mine," Kimble teased.

Ignoring Kimble, Chris did not respond. After all, he just started dating Leia, and he did not know if she was willing to meet his friends, especially since their relationship was currently kept secret. However, what Kimble said next made Chris throw a folder directly at him. "Now that you've found a girlfriend, you can't leavesingle. Have Stella find out that lady's phone number for me." Accustomed to being hit by Chris, Kimble reflexively caught the folder, looking confused. "What the fuck?" Seeing the frosty glare from Chris, and the visible anger in his eyes, Kimble quickly restrained his smile. "Alright, | won't ask. | was just making a joke. You really protect your employees, huh? It's a good thing I'm quick on my feet." Kimble tidied up his disheveled hair, muttering complaints under his breath.

Chris murmured in his mind, 'We agreed not to trifle with a friend's girlfriend." Kimble did not grasp the underlying meaning in Chris's eyes, thinking it was merely Chris protecting the employees of the Yamin Group.