The Apple of My Eye

"No, don't bother. I'll have my lunch out today," Vicky replied impatiently and waved her hand as if Stella was an annoyance. She then headed for the door without even looking at Stella.

As Stella watched her leave, she quietly grabbed her phone and started dialing a number.

"Hello? It's Stella. She just left," she reported matter-of-factly.

"Copy that," the other side of the line replied.

Stella then hung up, not wanting to waste another minute. A knowing smile appeared on her face as she headed back to her room.

The only reason why Stella was working for Vicky was so that Charles could monitor her. It was Stella's job to report to Charles whatever Vicky did, especially whenever she went out. Charles had cornered Vicky from all sides.

However, the minute Vicky stepped out of the house, she became the responsibility of those assigned outside. Charles made sure to cover all the areas that Vicky could possibly go. He wanted to be sure that he was entrapping Vicky into a corner.

Vicky stood by the road and hailed a taxi. "Shining Company, please," she said coldly.

"Okay," the taxi driver nodded, casting a glance at Vicky, who was getting into the back seat.

As the car hummed along the road, Vicky leaned back on her seat and closed her eyes in an attempt to clear her mind.

Upon noticing that Vicky had closed her eyes, the taxi driver didn't hold back in staring at her as he found her to be quite attractive.

The driver gasped in admiration as she had a nice hour-glass figure, delicate skin, rosy lips, and a pointed nose. She was also wearing designer clothes, and she had donned a designer handbag. The taxi driver figured that Vicky was probably a mistress to some rich man.

The driver had enjoyed staring at Vicky so much that he almost forgot to turn. He then nervously returned his attention back to the road.

Meanwhile, Vicky seemed to have no idea what was happening as she was trying to clear her mind. But it was not the fact.

She hated how fate had been so unfair to her. If this had been years ago, she probably would've exploded and shouted at the driver and gotten out of the car, but she wasn't like that anymore. She was no longer the woman who feared no one. Life had been unfair to her that way.

Tears were welling up in her eyes as she had thought of what she'd been through these past few days.

Forcing her tears back, she swore inwardly that she would never go back to this kind of life again, and she was going to do whatever it took to change her circumstances.

"Stop," she shouted abruptly.

The driver then slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden stop much to his nervousness.

"Please don't do that again. You scared me to death, Madam!" the drive said anxiously.

Vicky merely opened the door and left-she didn't even look at him or say anything. She was now standing in front of a bakery. She eyed it carefully as her heart overflowed with emotions.

She used to go to this bakery every day because they had the best blueberry cake in town. This was the only dessert that the man she loved ate. He didn't like any other dessert, but this particular blueberry cake.

Vicky was a bit surprised to find that this bakery was still here after all these years.

She couldn't help but feel as if fate was playing a trick on her.

Cracking an ironic smile, Vicky stepped forward to push the door open and went inside.

A few minutes later, she came outside with a cake box in her hands.

The taxi was still there, waiting for her. "I'll give you an extra 100 bucks for the delay. Let's go," she said coldly.

"Thank you!" the driver shouted in excitement. He was smiling from ear to ear now. It turned out to be a great day for him after all-getting extra pay and having a pretty woman as a passenger. Unable to suppress his feelings, he gulped several times, feeling that it was a pity that he wouldn't have the chance to talk to this woman more. He'd like nothing more than to spend a night with her. He chuckled as he imagined it happening.

"Focus on your driving please. If you stare at me one more time, I'll make sure you regret it," Vicky warned him coldly from behind.

Her words sent a shiver down the driver's spine. Taken aback, he almost hit the curb. The driver then hurriedly returned his focus to his driving, making sure his mind was clear. Meanwhile, Charles had just returned to his office.

After a long, thorough summit meeting, he was sort of exhausted.

Sitting in the chair behind his desk, he rubbed his forehead, an overwhelmed feeling welling up in his heart.

Charles was always tough-he'd never felt fatigued before, but recently, things were changing. He could feel his energy dwindling and exhaustion overtaking him even before noon came.

David had advised him to go to the doctor, but he refused. He had so many things to do, and he was confident in his body that he would make it. However, at this moment, he could already feel his body giving up on him. He couldn't even open his computer. 'Maybe I should go to the doctor later,' he thought.

Leaning back on his chair, Charles closed his eyes to take a little nap. Things quickly went awry much to his displeasure. Not a minute had passed since he'd closed his eyes when a sudden knock came at the door.

"Come in," Charles said. He opened his eyes to see who it was.

"Boss..." David called as he entered the room. He quickly noticed the displeasure on Charles's face. As a response, he looked down at the floor and became more hesitant.

"What's the matter?" Charles asked, sitting up straight. He would never let his personal affairs affect the business.

David took a gulp before he spoke, "Vicky's here. She wants to see you."

"Who?" A glimpse of disgust flashed across Charles' eyes. "What does she want?"

"She said she was just dropping by and wanted to visit you," David said bravely under Charles's cold glare.

"Tell her I'm not available!" said Charles, frowning.

"But she's right outside the door right now, and she..." David wanted to say something more but was interrupted by a sudden bang from behind.

"Surprise! Thank you, David!" Vicky said in a sweet voice and walked inside, beaming. She'd been waiting outside for all of two minutes; however, she knew that this was her chance-it was now or never. If she waited for David to come out, he'd just make her leave, and her efforts would all be in vain.

On the other side of the room, Charles looked absolutely displeased. David lowered his head, holding his breath in, not wanting to make a sound.

The room was so quiet that anyone could hear a pin drop in it.

"Get out," Charles said, fixing his eyes on Vicky but apparently, directing it toward David.

David bowed and retreated to the door. He felt as if his shirt was dripping wet from all his sweat.

"I brought you something yummy! I know you're going to love it!" Vicky said, completely ignoring the fact that she was unwanted here. She walked toward Charles with the cake in her hands. Charles didn't respond. He just watched her emotionlessly.

Stopping right in front of his desk, Vicky lightly placed the box on the table. She smiled at him, hoping to hit his soft spot.

Charles coldly cast a glance at the box, still not saying a word.

"I bought it from this famous bakery. They sell all kinds of delicious cakes, but this is the best! It's their blueberry cake. You should try it. I promise it's good!" Vicky blabbered on. Charles remembered this cake. It was a long time ago, but he remembered this girl who brought him this cake every day.

However, this wasn't a pleasant memory, as it only reminded him of cheating. Back then, he thought that this girl had cared for him and thus had made him happy. Later on, he found out that it was all just fake. Charles wasn't a nostalgic man, as he always believed that the past was in the past. He'd completely moved on from it, and he'd even forgotten all about it. If it weren't for this cake, he'd never think about her again. Even if he did, it didn't mean anything to him anymore.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked matter-of-factly.

Still smiling sweetly, Vicky responded, "No, I just dropped by so I could see you!"

"You're disturbing my work. Please leave," Charles said.

"Sorry to bother you," Vicky said, biting her lips and looking remorseful. "But I just won't be able to relax until I see you. Don't get mad at me for that. I really can't live without you. I feel my breath catching if I don't see you in a day. Please don't make me sleep alone at night. I'm scared..."

Charles remained where he sat, finding this all ridiculous. 'Stop it! I'm not stupid!' he thought inwardly.

"Stop it. Get to the point, please. What do you want from me?" Charles cut in impatiently, having had enough.