Long Time, My Baby novel Chapter 2

A Chevrolet pulled up to the Paul Restaurant. The doorkeeper quickly walked to the car and respectfully opened the door for the guests.

A pair of shiny leather shoes hit the ground. Charlie stepped out, looking dapper in casual Armani suit. The arrogant expression in his face intimidated the man holding the door for him.

Leah stood next to Charlie, clad in a stunning white dress. Her eyes sparkled and the corners of her mouth raised in a beatific smile. There was overt joy on her face.

Charlie turned to Leah and signaled her to follow him.

The restaurant was owned by Charlie's family. The manager knew him very well. He walked up to them with a broad smile to welcome them. "Mr. Charlie, how come you are here today?" The waiter next to him bowed respectfully.

"To have a meal. What else do you think I can do in a restaurant?" Recovering from the sting, the manager said hurriedly,

"Yes, yes, of course. Forgive me. This way please, sir." The manager nodded and bowed obsequiously, and led Charlie to a table with the best view. Leah followed him obediently without uttering a single word.

Charlie sat down elegantly, while Leah sat opposite him.

"Mr. Charlie, what would you like to eat?" the manager asked with an ingratiating smile.

"Why don't you ask the lady what she would like to eat? Are you being disrespectful towards her?" Charlie snapped.

"No! No! Miss, what would you like to eat?" the manager stuttered nervously. He realized that Charlie was upset and looked at Leah.

"I'm fine with anything. It's up to Charlie," Leah said.

"Umm..." The manager was in a dilemma now.

"Wellington steak, goose liver paste, milk and corn soup, honey juice and salmon..." Charlie rattled off a few dishes casually and glanced at Leah, who looked clueless.

She watched in admiration as Charlie deftly chose the dishes. The way he said the names of the dishes was so classy and impressive.

"Certainly. It'll be ready shortly." The manager bustled into the kitchen and personally supervised the order.

Looking at the dreamy expression in Leah's face, Charlie was filled with contempt, but he didn't show it. "Leah, pay attention to your image. This is a high-end Western restaurant. I know I'm handsome, but don't act smitten like a fool, okay?"

"I'm sorry!" Leah blushed and lowered her head like a child, who had just been rebuked for doing something wrong.

"It's fine. Just look up and be careful from now on," Charlie ordered, looking at his phone casually.

The reason Leah didn't like Western food was that she didn't like going to Western restaurants. She felt like a clown and completely out of place. Charlie had grown up abroad and liked Western food. If it hadn't been for him, she would never have stepped into these snobbish restaurants.

Suddenly, Charlie's phone vibrated and a wicked smile appeared on his cold face. "Excuse me. I need to go to the bathroom."

'Why can't he take the call in front of me?' Leah wondered glumly.

In the bathroom, Charlie answered the phone. "You temptress!"

"Come over to my place tonight?" asked the coquettish voice from the other end of the line.

"Right now? Why are you in such a hurry?" Charlie narrowed his eyes.

"Aren't YOU in a hurry?"

"I'm afraid I can't make it. My grandfather has forced me to propose to my girlfriend tonight," he explained with disappointment.

"Why does your grandfather give your girlfriend so much importance?"

"I don't know! She is just an orphan. Does she really think that she can be my wife and enter the Rong family? What a joke!" He smirked.

"And what about me?" asked the female on the other end of the line.

"It depends on your behavior. I'll be there later."

"I'll be waiting for you."

Charlie hung up and read the message from his grandfather. "Convince Leah to be your wife. That is the only requirement for you to inherit the company."

He didn't understand why his grandfather was so hell-bent on making this orphan a part of their family. He couldn't stand the thought of having a wife with no reputable background.