It'll Come Naturally novel Chapter 1414

"Have dinner with you? May I know why I have the honor?" Leena stopped, turned to look at Dorothy in bewilderment, and wondered what on earth this woman was up to.

Dorothy burst into laughter at Leena's uncertainty. "It's just a meal, and a welcome opportunity for conversation. I hold nothing against you, I promise. There's no need to worry, I'm not an enemy. I'm working for the FX International Group now, remember? I heard that you and our boss are good friends, so it's only natural that we connect. I have hoped that having a meal and a chat, might start our friendship." Dorothy assured her. Her carefully chosen words were aimed at making refusal impossible, and she watched Leena enquiringly.

"Seems that you know a lot about me, Miss Lu. Let me guess: You are aware that I am Kevin's wife?" Dorothy nodded, and Leena continued, "In that case, I should get to know you too." Leena's reply was laced with an ironic smile. It was a cunning woman who stood in front of her, she thought to herself. Strategically, Dorothy had mentioned the FX International Group to cotton up to Leena. If Leena declined her offer, she would seem most ungracious.

"I see that I can hide nothing from you. I know that Major General Gu is your husband, but only became aware of this fact after I signed with the FX International Group. Someone mentioned it, and then I understood why you had been so hostile to me. Please don't misunderstand, there's nothing between Major General Gu and I. I visited him that day to express my gratitude, and that was all. I never expected that the paparazzi would snap a shot of us together, and cook up a story which could provoke so much discussion." Dorothy explained with fake innocence. She would never confess that she was behind all of this, or that it had been she who had leaked their whereabouts to the press. Hungry for stories, they had helped her start the rumor. Gossip had been her goal after all.

"I'm afraid that you have misunderstood me. I have never believed the press lies, nor did I ever hold hostility towards you. It's just that ... I'm introverted and not very good at socializing. If I happened to offend you, I apologize." Leena said casually, relaxing now. Graciously, she acknowledged that she had already known of Dorothy's link to Kevin, and that she didn't take the media hype to heart at all.

"I'm relieved to hear that. In fact, I am thinking about also inviting your husband. What do you say? I really want the opportunity to thank him for saving my life, I would feel bad if I can't, you understand?" Dorothy sweetly set the trap. Through her best play at sincerity, she studied Leena in anticipation.

"Sorry, I can't ask him out for you, that's not my place. You do know that as a soldier, it's his duty to save people, so you don't have to worry about thanking him." Leena refused, without a second thought this time. She wouldn't make decisions for Kevin, so, she couldn't say 'yes' for him now.

"You are right, of course. But, consciously, I would still feel a twinge of regret, if I don't thank him properly." Dorothy said with a pinched frown. Leena's outright rejection had surprised her. Could it be that Leena had actually guessed her plan?

"There's really no need. You are a taxpayer, and it's this country's commitment to you, that you will be offered help when in need." Leena stated. 'This is the public view, especially on the Internet, isn't it?' Leena thought to herself with a wry smile. Everyone believed that soldiers should do whatever was required by the public, by their duty; because that was what they were paid for with the taxpayers' buck. This idea, at first logical and accepted, now shot a strange pang through Leena's heart, especially after she married Kevin. Only those who were close to soldiers knew how devoted they were, and how much they did daily to earn their money. It was a feeling which observers would never feel, standing on the outside as they did.

"Err... I have never thought of it in that way. You offer a unique perspective, Mrs. Gu. No wonder you have achieved so much in the fashion world." Dorothy forced a smile, she didn't push her agenda, lest Leena would get annoyed.