The Substitute Bride

"Don't worry about that." Burke gave a gentle smile. He had never told Leila all about his family circumstances, but today he was determined to tell her everything. "Leila, try this. It tastes very good," he said affectionately.

He put the sakura jelly in front of Leila which was crystal-clear with a beautiful and bright cherry blossom inside. In doing so, it was easy for Leila to find the diamond ring in the middle of the translucent jelly.

"What is this, Burke?" Leila was shocked. Even though she could somehow sense what Burke was about to do, she was still feeling weak in her knees and flushed when she saw the diamond ring in the jelly.

When she was a little girl, she always imagined the scene when a man would proposal to her someday. It should be romantic, touching and she would nod her agreement with tearful eyes glistening with love and hope.

Now the man sitting across from her not only had a respectable job but was also handsome. Moreover, he also came from a good family. It seemed that from every aspect, he was the perfect husband, but in comparison, Burke and Charles were as different as chalk and cheese.

Leila was surprised as Burke smiled softly at her, taking out the diamond ring from the jelly. After wiping it with a tissue carefully, he stood up abruptly and knelt over which startled Leila. It all seemed like a dream, a beautiful dream.

Even though there were only two of them in the restaurant, Leila still felt a pinch of embarrassment on all the attention she was receiving. Therefore, she reached out, in a bid to stop him. "Burke, please don't do this. Just stand up."

"Leila, don't stop me please. Let me finish what I am saying or I will not stand up," Burke said firmly. He looked at Leila with his sincere eyes optimistic of their future.

In fact, Burke was handsome and the most important thing was that he was a dignified man. He was pursuing Leila for so many years and he never gave up hope. Leila might have accepted his proposal if she was not such a wavering girl.

However, she was still not content with him.

Upon seeing this, Leila's eyebrows knitted into a frown and had no idea how to respond.

Staring at Leila, Burke was so eager to take their relationship forward since he courted Leila for many years. This was a big leap into their future.

"Leila, we may not have been together for a long time but we have known each other for so many years. And I am sure that you know me well and know what kind of person I have become." Burke said in a soft tone, as his eyes filled with affection and admiration for her.

d enough for you. I am sorry."

"What do you mean by that, Leila?" Gripped by shock and a wave of confusion, Burke blurted out in a hurry,"Why did you say that you are not good enough for me? You are a kind girl and I love you for all that you are. So why are you saying this now?"

"Don't ask anymore questions please. Burke, I request you with all my heart." Leila stood up, grabbed her bag and turned around to leave. She was unable to stay there a moment longer or she would die out of guilt and shame of hurting him the way she did.

For others it may seem ridiculous that she would feel so immensely burdened by guilt.

"Burke, I am so sorry. Please forget me. I know there are many wonderful women who would love to be with a man as kind, gentle and considerate as you. I can't be with you," said Leila as she choked back on her tears.She then took one last glance at Burke, as her eyes turned red with gushing tears.

"Leila, stop. Don't leave me alone here. Leila, please wait." Burke got up from the floor, but his legs were now numb as he was kneeling over for quite a long time. But between all of that he did not realize it and leaped ahead to stop Leila who was going to leave.

He had too many questions to ask her as she had left him quite dumbfounded.

He was afraid that he would lose the chance to get answers if Leila left today. He needed these answers for clarity, for peace and more importantly to accept what had happened before he can move on.

"Leila, please tell me why you didn't say yes. I know what you said just now wasn't true. If you aren't good enough for me, I don't know who is." He looked distressed while Leila kept looking at the ground to avoid looking into his pitiful eyes.