Ice and Fire

Chapter 914 An Unexpected Encounter (Part Two)

Upon hearing this, Charlotte couldn't keep her excitement and exclaimed, "That's me! I want to eat in a

western restaurant!"

Aria didn't say a word, pretended that she didn't hear her and kept her eyes on the road.

"Hey, I was just kidding. Don't take it seriously. Okay?" Charlotte apologized for she thought that Aria

got angry. The thought of a well-done steak made her mouth water and she didn't want to ruin this

bountiful lunch date.

Aria smiled upon hearing Charlotte's plea. She was not mad at Charlotte. She was just playing with her.

Aria smiled and said, "I'm sorry, I was just playing with you. How can I get annoyed with my only best

friend? Buckle up because I'm going to take you to the best western restaurant in the city!"

"Let's go!" Charlotte exclaimed excitedly, a big smile crossed her small face.

Lawrence arrived at the western restaurant. It was said to serve the best western cuisine in the city. He

was not a fan of fancy western restaurants but it wasn't his idea so here he was. He stepped out of the

car and handed the key to the valet.

As soon as he stepped out of the car, a waitress recognized him and waited for him at the door. When

Lawrence stepped in, the waitress approached him and greeted, "Welcome, sir."

"I'm Anna Dou's friend," Lawrence introduced himself.

"Yes, sir. Please follow me," the waitress courteously replied. She led Lawrence to the table reserved

for Anna Dou.

When Anna saw Lawrence approaching, she stood up.

"I'm sorry for making you wait. I got caught up in traffic," Lawrence began and took a seat opposite

Anna's. He didn't bother to shake her hand.

"I don't mind," Anna reassured Lawrence and smiled. She then turned to the waitress and said, "You

may now serve the food I ordered."

"Yes, Miss," the waitress politely replied. The waitress respectfully dismissed herself and left.

Lawrence noticed that it was a public table and not the usual private room he was accustomed to. He

glanced around and saw not too many guests at the restaurant at that time. He then turned his glance

at Anna and asked, "So, why aren't we in a private room?"

He assumed that a high-class woman like Anna would prefer to eat in a private room of any restaurant.

But to his surprise, she reserved a place right in the middle of the floor. This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

"Well, this place is the best. We can enjoy the street view from this place while eating," Anna simply

replied. She was not comfortable in enclosed places and that was why she preferred the public table.

"I see," Lawrence nodded. "Well, I'm fine with whatever pleases you."

Anna was almost certain that Lawrence would insist on getting a private room but was surprised that he

respected her choice. She looked at Lawrence and earnestly said, "Thank you for being so

considerate."

But Lawrence didn't say a word. He just simply glanced at her and nodded.

Anna wanted to break the silence that Lawrence started so she brought up the topic of their childhood.

"Do you remember when we were in kindergarten? You and I were in the same class. I followed you,

but you were always with Mike and you two seemed to get along very well," Anna recalled. It was in

kindergarten when she first laid eyes on Lawrence.

Lawrence didn't mind the topic which Anna started. He politely added, "Yes, you're right. We get along

quite well. We shared many memories together and he's like a brother to me."

"So, you and Mike remained friends since kindergarten, right? I heard you guys went abroad together

and came back at the same time. You still frequently get in touch with each other," Anna continued,

with a sweet smile on her face. "I actually saw Mike yesterday, but I didn't say hi. I got a bit shy."

"He saw you too," Lawrence abruptly said. He glanced away from Anna and continued broodingly,

"We've been friends since kindergarten. We were childhood buddies. We actually just returned together

from our last vacation abroad."

Anna didn't continue with the topic after what Lawrence said. Out of the blue, Anna asked, "So, are

your parents abroad?"

"Actually, my Dad came back for business the other day and stayed here for two weeks. My Mom, on

the other hand, has been staying in Hong Kong. I often go there to visit them when I am free,"

Lawrence answered frankly. He didn't see the need to hide anything from Anna. The lady he was

speaking to had known his family since childhood.

"You're blessed to have a happy family," Anna said, admiring Lawrence's family. "You must be missing

your mother since she's not living with you, right?"

Anna knew that Lawrence loved his mother so much. She was his favorite person. Ever since

Lawrence was a child, he saw his mother as the most important person in his life.

Lawrence smiled at the thought of his mother. There was always a special place in his heart for her. He

sighed and said, "Yes. I sometimes wish I could stay with her so I can take care of her. But then I

realized that she is happy being with my Dad, so I gave up the idea of asking her to live here instead."

Anna smiled again. She was happy to bring this family subject on the table to get Lawrence's interest.

"So," Anna said, blushing like a tomato, "Have your parents talked to you about settling down? You

know, getting married?" She brushed her hair to her ear and glanced at Lawrence.

'In the eyes of our elders, we're both at the right age to marry. I'm sure his parents have already asked

him to settle down, ' she thought to herself.

"Well, they actually brought up the topic a few months ago. But they haven't mentioned it recently. To

be honest, they would never force any of their children to marry," Lawrence replied. He tried to avoid

eye contact with Anna. He noticed that she's blushing while talking about marriage.

"Lawrence," Anna said abruptly. She paused and Lawrence could sense her hesitation. But then she

continued, "I hope you have forgiven me for what I did to you in the past."

Lawrence kept silent. His gaze was somewhere else.

Anna, not minding Lawrence's lack of interest, went on and said, "I know what I did hurt you. I felt guilty

for taking you for granted. But now I'm back. I intend to work in this city to be with you. I want to stay

with you. I'm ready now."

"Anna," Lawrence cooed as he turned his glance back to her. Anna could feel the softness in

Lawrence's voice when he spoke her name.

"Please give me a chance, Lawrence. I know how you felt. I know how you're feeling right now. But

please don't push me away. Give me one more chance to prove to you how I feel. I have already turned

down opportunities abroad just to be with you," Anna was pleading. She was desperate to win

Lawrence back.

Aria and Charlotte finally arrived at the restaurant. They walked inside arm in arm, giggling like high

school girls. While waiting for the waitress to give them a table, they talked about the food they would

like to order.

"I want two filet mignons, Aria. Don't forget that," Charlotte reminded, squeezing her friend's hand in

excitement.

"Did you skip breakfast? How can you eat so much?" Aria asked with a helpless expression but was

glad to see her friend so excited about their lunch date. 'Well, I didn't eat breakfast, too. But I don't

know how I can eat that much, ' Aria thought to herself.

"I researched last night and found out that the filet mignon here is the best!" Charlotte said, giving Aria

a cute expression.

"Of course. As I said, I will treat you to the best western restaurant in the city, so here we are," Aria

reassured her friend. She glanced around and saw a vacant table not far from where they were

standing. Aria pointed to that direction and said, "I can see a vacant table. Let's go and seat over

there."