Chapter 303 Why Didn’t You Say So Earlier?

“There’s something on your head,” Charles said softly with a vague expression on his face before stopping the car in front of a seafood restaurant. Sophia loved seafood but was slow when it came to peeling the shells off shrimps and crabs. Charles sneaked a look at her and put all the ones he had already peeled on her plate. “Have your share too. You don’t have to peel them for me,” Sophia said. Charles lifted his wrist to look at the time. “I have to rush back to the office later, and you eat too slowly.” “You can go after you’re finished eating, then.” Sophia looked down and frowned when she saw the shrimp and crabmeat that was gradually increasing on her plate. Charles was indeed much quicker than her in peeling the shells. “And leave you alone?” Charles took out a napkin and wiped his hands elegantly. “I wouldn’t even do that to a business partner, let alone my girlfriend.” After the two finished eating, they left the restaurant together. “I know you’re in a rush, so just go back to the office first. I can grab a taxi.” Sophia did not like troubling people, no matter who they were. Oblivious to Sophia’s words, Charles opened the passenger seat door, grabbed her hand, and pushed her into the car. “It’s a convenient spot to hail a taxi here.” Sophia grabbed the car door to stop herself from being pushed inside. Charles put his hands on the roof of the car with both arms conveniently circled around her and leaned forward. “Lunchtime is over soon, and I’m sure Maisie doesn’t like people who give up halfway, so let me ask you again, are you sure you want me to go?” “Why didn’t you say so earlier?!” Taken aback, Sophia stared at his handsome face and exclaimed exasperatedly. Charles gave her a light laugh, and the smile was wiped away from his face as quickly as it had appeared. He pushed her into the car and closed the door. Then, he got into the driver’s seat and started the car. “If I told you this earlier, would you still have agreed to go out for lunch with me?” Sophia bit her lip in thought. If she had known, she would have certainly gone back to the office. “I bought you a few books and had them delivered to your office. Have a look through them and ask Maisie if there’s anything you’re unsure of. I know she can be hard on you, but she has a soft heart. Ask her more questions and maybe you’ll be able to get closer to her.” The air-conditioning in the car was switched on, but it was still quite hot. Charles left the top two buttons of his shirt unbuttoned, revealing his very nicely shaped collarbone. Sophia paused for a bit before replying, “... Thank you.” “Instead of thanking me verbally, I prefer a more realistic thank you.” Charles turned to her and flashed her a teasing look. Sophia froze as she stared into his eyes. He was truly… getting more and more different as she remembered him to be. However, she did not think that his kind and caring side was romantic or blissful. It just made her anxious. He was at two extremes when he loved someone and when he fell out of love. She was afraid that she would lose herself with this good side of him and not be able to keep his heart. After all, they were only in their 20s. The future was filled with change and uncertainty, and the human heart was the most fickle thing. Sophia licked her dry lips and turned to look out the window at the scenery flying behind her. In comparison to relying on a man’s love to survive, she would much rather prefer to be independent and strong. The car ride continued in silence. Charles stole glances at Sophia through the rearview mirror and frowned slightly. He kept his eyes on the road, but when he tried making talk, she would merely reply vaguely with curt responses. She sounded much more distant than she had been recently. The car finally came to a stop before White Industries. The moment the car stopped, Sophia opened the door and got out. “I have dealt with Maisie before. Do you want me to come in with you?” Charles followed her down the car and stood before her with his hands in his pockets. Sophia took a small step back from him and replied coolly, “It’s alright, I can deal with this myself. You should go now, goodbye.” With that, she turned and entered the building. Charles stared at her figure, his long, thick lashes covering the look in his eyes. All the past wrongs still lay between the two of them, and they were not that easy to be forgotten and wiped away…