The Apple of My Eye

Chapter 461 Madeline Zhou

"Please don't ask me why," Leila said as she turned her head away to avoid confronting him. "We're not

meant for each other, Burke. Since we got together, I have never truly felt happy. Today... I was

planning to tell you that I wanted to break up with you, but I didn't expect things to take such a turn..."

With a guilty smile, she continued,"I really appreciate what you have done and all that you said to me

today. But if I force myself to accept you and get married to you, I am sure both of us won't be happy.

And I don't want that for either of us. We both deserve happiness, love and a bright future. We should

stop seeing each other, Burke." All content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

"Now that you tell me you don't like me, why did you agree to date me in the first place?" Burke asked

as his anger began to build up. With a heart-broken expression, he stared at Leila while saying,"If you

refused me at first, I wouldn't have gone so ahead to propose, let alone expecting anything from you."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Leila's face. If Ferry hadn't urged her to find a fake boyfriend,

she would have never agreed to see Burke and lead him on the way she did.

"I'm sorry," Leila apologized sincerely again. She didn't know what else to say except that, her heart

ridden with guilt for treating Burke the way she did. He was like a pawn in her plan.

Burke looked at Leila thoughtfully. 'She still looks like what she did ten years ago, but I feel that she has

turned into someone else. Is she really the same girl I fell in love with almost ten years ago? It seems

not...'

He had finally picked up the courage to make this grand gesture of proposing her in such a romantic

manner.

Initially when he told his family his intention to marry Leila, no one took his side. But finally after much

persuasion they gave him their consent. They agreed to let him marry Leila as long as he proposed

successfully.

But much to his surprise and dismay, he had failed miserably.

Leila shook off Burke's hand and softly said,"I'm really sorry with all my heart, Burke. I strongly believe

that you will meet a better girl. But you and I are impossible. I give you my sincere blessing for your

future, the girl who marries you will be lucky and blessed."

After remaining silent for quite a while, Burke finally blurted out in anger,"That's enough of this charade!

You can leave now. From today on, I won't dote on you."

He had loved her with all his heart had to offer over the past decade. Today, he finally decided to put an

end to his unrequited love and move on. He had made up his mind to go on several blind dates and

also would see suitable girls his family would arrange for him.

This time he was resolute in his pursuit to get over Leila and move ahead in life.

Burke said to Leila coldly,"I will not drop you home. Please fend for yourself and have a safe journey."

Leila felt upset as she noticed the immediate change in Burke's attitude toward her. She moved

forward, held Burke's hand and said to him optimistically,"Even we can't be a couple, but at least we

are still classmates, and can be friends. We can still meet each other, can't we?"

"I think there is no need for that anymore," Burke declined her offer almost immediately. As he took a

glance at Leila, he went on,"I liked you for so many years. Now that time is gone and I cannot recover

it. So I don't want to waste anymore of my time or energy on you. From now on, I think it's better for us

not to keep in touch at all."

He feared that if he continued to meet her and have her around as a friend, he would never be able to

move forward.

Even though she had no feelings for Burke, Leila still enjoyed being the center of his universe where

she was showered with love, attention and care.

"Can't we be friends? It's the least I ask of you," Leila asked with a pitiful look.

Burke shook his head to indicate his choice. Realizing that he wouldn't change his mind and there was

nothing she could do about it, Leila decided to leave. She then tenderly said to him,"Well, I'm leaving

now. No matter who you date, I wish you live happily. And one last thing, please do return that diamond

ring. I'm sure you must have spent a big sum of money. If you run out of money, please come to me."

As soon as she finished these words, Leila turned around and was heading for the entrance. Noticing

that Burke had no intention of stopping her, she went to the lift with a disappointed expression. As the

doors opened, she saw a graceful and elegant lady walking out, followed by a well-dressed girl who

looked lovely and pretty.

More importantly, the two were evidently dressed in high-end designer clothes. Compared to them,

Leila looked like a country girl with no taste.

Overcome with inferiority, she hid her bag behind to avoid being judged for her appearance.

After a brief moment, Leila recognized that the older woman was the owner of this hotel. Although she

was around fifty, she still looked attractive and classy. When Leila was Charles' secretary, she met her

once. At that time also, she wondered if she would be as gracious and charming as that lady when she

was around that age.

"Hello, Mrs. Zhou," Leila greeted sweetly as she walked over to her. With a flattering smile, she asked

respectfully,"I hope you remember me..."

"Excuse me," Madeline Zhou responded with a bewildered look, as glanced at Leila. 'I meet many

people every day. It's nearly impossible for me to memorize all of their names.

I only pay attention to important figures. Now that I don't remember her, it clearly means that she is

nobody important enough to grab my attention, ' she thought to herself.

Madeline Zhou was a successful and sophisticated business woman. Even though she didn't

remember Leila, she still addressed Leila politely with a smile,"Beg your pardon. But I don't remember

making your acquaintance."

Her good manner never failed to please every one she met.

Hearing this, Leila didn't feel offended. Knowing that Madeline Zhou, for a fact, met many people daily,

she thought it was normal for her to forget her. She smiled at Madeline. "I was Charles Lu's secretary.

You may not recall but we had dinner together several months ago."

"Oh well, I see," Madeline Zhou smiled back. "I remember you. If I am not wrong your family name is

Zhang. Can you please tell me your full name?"

"I'm Leila Zhang," Leila replied cheerfully. Leila felt glad that Madeline Zhou still remembered her last

name. Now that she ran across her, she intended to impress her by engaging in a small chat.

Madeline Zhou gave a faint smile and asked,"Oh, yeah, you were Mr. Lu's secretary. What are you

doing here this fine day?"

"I came here for dinner and was just about to leave. How about you?" Leila answered cheekily, almost

like she had known Madeline Zhou for a long time.

"I have something to do here. Miss Zhang, could you help me and arrange a meeting with Mr. Lu? I

want to discuss business with him at the earliest," Madeline Zhou responded.

With an embarrassed smile, Leila faltered,"I... I don't work for Mr. Lu anymore. With that said I'm afraid

that I won't be able to help you with this favor."

"Really?" Madeline Zhou responded, after taking a surprised look at Leila. "It's a pity. You are a

competent and dedicated secretary. I noticed that during our last meeting and was quite impressed by

your work manners."