The Substitute Bride

Leila sat quietly for a long time, carefully thinking what to do. She was still unable to make up her mind.

After Chris left, Leila kept thinking about her suggestion. Leila felt what Chris proposed sounded quite reasonable. Yes, she wanted to marry Charles, and the best way to get intimate with the man was to spend more time with him.

Love, she believed, would follow in time.

But Leila still had certain misgivings. Voluntarily applying for a position in the Shining Company was not a good move. Charles would easily see her real intention. She needed to figure out a plan. 'How can I make Charles ask me back to his company?' Leila thought.

As usual, Charles called Leila that evening to ask her out for drinks. She hesitated but then finally declined his invitation. "Mr. Lu, much as I also want to have a drink with you, I'm too tired to go out," she said with an excuse. "You know I have to work hard to raise my son. I've been at the supermarket the whole day, and I am exhausted, so I want to rest early tonight," Leila told Charles.

"You're working at a supermarket?" Charles couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice. He knew Leila was competent and highly educated but now she was just working as a salesperson to earn a living for her son. Her revelation shocked Charles, and he wanted to know why.

"Why are you working at the supermarket?" he inquired. Charles hoped his question did not offend her. He held the phone and couldn't help feeling baffled at Leila's current employment situation.

The woman he knew was arrogant, so it was difficult to imagine her accepting a job as lowly as a supermarket salesperson.

"Yes, I am working at a supermarket as a saleswoman now," Leila admitted. "You sound surprised. Why? Is it because you never expected me to be doing this?" she asked. He couldn't see her smiling bitterly. Leila drew in a breath before continuing,"You do know I am a single mom. So I need to make money to support our life, and take care of my son." Leila saw the opportunity to set her plan in motion. "I had offers from some companies before, but I had to refuse them because I had to take care of my son. When I tried applying again, I was told to stop working and look for another job when my son is big enough and doesn't need too much attention," she said lengthily.

There was a pause as she thought of what to say next. "Mr. Lu, you were born into a prominent family, and don't have to worry about such trivial matters. But, like most everybody else, I have to work hard to earn a living. If I don't work, I won't have a source of income," she wove her story smiling. Sighing, she ended with,"So, I'm a

mained passive, but he asked,"Really?" His tone aloof, Charlie mockingly said,"Well, congratulations!"

Charlie may be a young boy, but he was more mature than most children at his age. Though Leila always treated him well, he found it difficult to show affection for her. And he could never figure out why he never felt close to Leila, except that it was like instinct to stay away.

And this instinct told him to seek advantages but avoid disadvantages.

"So, what do you want for breakfast tomorrow?" she asked the boy. Smiling, Leila offered,"I will prepare it for you." While waiting for his response, she heaved a sigh of relief.

"Thanks, but there is no need to prepare breakfast especially for me," Charlie declined. His tone was cold, but Leila ignored this. He walked back to his bedroom.

Leila was grinning from ear to ear, as she leaned on the couch to rejoice over her victory.

The next day, Leila still cooked a hearty breakfast for Charlie and kept urging the boy to eat some more.

He stared at the egg Leila handed him, and then frowned. Charlie set it aside quietly and said,"I am already full."

After a few moments, he announced,"It's time to go to school." Charlie put his fork down, wiped his mouth gently and looked at Leila to signal he was ready. Today, there were no mood swings.

She was surprised by his desire to leave for school. Leila asked to be sure,"Have you finished eating breakfast? Please give me a moment so I can walk you to school." Leila quickly stood up to clear the dishes and got ready.

Unlike most children who held their parents' hands while walking, Charlie always walked by himself, with Leila by his side. He had never walked hand-in-hand with his mom.

He always looked like a young adult in a suit.