Mr. CEO's Young Mistress novel Chapter 34

A male voice came from the other end of the phone. "Sharon..."

Sharon removed the phone to glance at the caller ID. It was a foreign caller, but they must be acquaintances if he knew her name. 

She returned the phone to her ear and asked, "And you are?"

"Sharon, are you all right? Why haven't you been coming to school lately? Did something happen?" he bombarded. 

Sharon was startled. "Do I know you? And why do you have my number?" 

Sharon cheekily responded with more questions instead. 

"Ahem." An awkward cough came from the other end of the phone. "I'm sorry. I was too nervous."

Sharon heard him taking a deep breath before speaking. "I'm Simon."

...

Erm... 

She couldn't really say that she hadn't recognized it was him.

Pressing her lips together, she asked. "Is something the matter?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering why you hadn't been coming to classes lately. Are you sick?" Simon's voice was full of worry.

"Oh, I had a minor surgery." Worried that Simon would overwhelm her with his concerns, Sharon quickly added, "It was only an appendectomy, and I'm almost fine now."

Simon remained silent on the other end of the phone. 

Sharon lowered her phone and glanced at it uncertainly. Seeing that it was still connected, she returned it to her ear to hear Simon reply in a low voice, "It hurt a lot, didn't it?"

Sharon let out a small sigh and changed the subject. "It was alright. By the way, how did you get my phone number?"

...

"I-I asked your friend for it." Simon stammered, worried about exposing Melanie.

Sharon instantly understood. She merely replied, "I see."

"Please don't blame her! I was the one who pestered her to give me your number." Simon stuttered nervously. 

"Why would I blame her?" Sharon laughed.

Simon sighed in relief. "Alright, then."

"Simon, I, um, I'm in the middle of something. So..." Sharon said apologetically.

"Oh, sure! T-Then, take care." Simon responded. 

"Thank you." Sharon was just about to hang up when she heard him speak again.

"Sharon..."

Sharon's movements halted, and she brought the phone back to her ear. "Yes?"

"May I visit you?" Simon asked softly, his voice hoarse with nervousness. 

Sharon's hand tightened around her phone, and she bit into her lip, silent. 

"I guess you must be busy." The disappointment in his voice was unmistakable. 

"Thank you, Simon." Sharon hung up.

She laid back onto the bench and watched the clouds floating in the blue sky. After some time, she released a gentle sigh. 

She reached out to pick up her papers, but she was no longer in the mood to study.

......

It was afternoon. Leonard had rushed back to the villa only to have lunch with Sharon. 

Clad in a dark grey wool sweater, he suddenly appeared at the entryway, bringing along a gust of chilly wind. 

Kelley had been preparing lunch when she heard the noise coming from the front entrance. She quickly walked out of the dining area to see Leonard removing his leather gloves and heading upstairs. 

"Sir, are you looking for Miss?" Kelley asked.

Leonard responded without even turning his head. "Mm-hmm."

"She's not upstairs," Kelley told him.

Leonard stopped in his track and turned to look at Kelley questioningly. 

Kelley pointed to the garden and said, "She's studying in the garden."

"Studying?" Leonard repeated in his head, stunned. 

Leonard's eyebrows raised slightly. "When has she ever been so hardworking?" he wondered. 

The corners of his mouth lifted as he turned around and walked towards the garden. 

Kelley watched his retreating back and called out, "Sir, please tell her that lunch is ready."

"Alright." Leonard acknowledged.

......

Sharon was asleep on the bench. Suddenly, she felt a slight itch on her cheek. Her brows furrowed, and she slowly blinked her eyes open.

She was bleary-eyed from sleep and laid in a daze. 

Vaguely, Sharon made out a blurry face above her before something clamped down on her nose roughly. 

...

Running out of oxygen, Sharon quickly opened her mouth for some fresh air. 

Her vision cleared, and she finally saw who it was.

...

Her eyes immediate widened, and she sprung up into a sitting position. 

Unfortunately, her sudden moments had tugged on her wound. She shrank back in pain, covering her abdomen with a hand.