True Love Waits

Without even raising her head, Evelyn refused Sheffield bluntly. "Get real. You're a doctor, so that would be great if I were sick. This is a computer, a completely different thing. Quit bugging me and chill for a bit."

After staring at the busy woman for a long time, Sheffield said, "Don't count me out yet. Maybe I am a doctor, but I know a fair bit about computers, too."

Evelyn didn't have the time or mood to bicker with him. She called the IT department and said, "Look. I can't get to my control panel, and I get an 'access denied' error when I try to open my browser. All my icons keep changing. When are you going to fix this? You don't know? Call Mr. Huo and ask him for the security suite's tech support number. Just call him. Star Anise? I don't understand what you're talking about. Just get ahold of him and ask him to repair my Internet as soon as possible! There are important things on my computer. Just handle it!"

After hanging up, Evelyn looked at Sheffield, who was unwrapping the desserts for her. Somehow, she felt annoyed and said in a harsh voice, "I'm not hungry. I don't think you get how stressed out I am. The documents are pretty important."

Sheffield gave her a soothing smile and tried to coax her. "Did you forget what I said? A few sweets will turn that frown upside down. You can't do anything but wait, so grab a bite."

The screen of her laptop kept changing. Each time it refreshed, the icons were re-arranged, and even the names were misspelled. Evelyn got more and more annoyed. "I said no, Sheffield Tang. I'm not in the mood to eat! Find something to do. Play on your phone, sleep, anything! Leave me alone, or go away!" she spat impatiently.

He lowered his head and said in a soft voice, "Okay. I have some work to finish up in the research lab. The food's here if you get hungry. Don't forget the milk-it's still warm. It's cold outside. You should bundle up-"

"Cut it out. If you're going, just go," she interrupted him. Her head was about to explode. If she couldn't get to her data, the loss would be unpredictable.

As usual, the smile on Sheffield's face didn't fade away though his heart stung at her words. "Yes ma'am! I'm outies."

He turned and walked to the door. Looking at his back, Evelyn felt guilty all of a sudden. She stood up and said, "Sheffield..."

He stopped, but he didn't turn around, waiting for her to continue.

"I'm sorry... I guess this is getting to me. I didn't mean that. I'm sorry..." She didn't know how to express her feelings properly.

Then Sheffield turned around and gave her a gentle smile. "No worries. I'll let you go back to work. Bye!"

Evelyn sat back in her

in the driver's seat for a bit before he grabbed the laptop on the passenger seat. His hands moved swiftly over the keyboard, and

"Miss Huo, we've figured it out. There was a zero-day vulnerability

was relieved to hear the good

her off, and then went through the boot process. Eventually, the desktop came up and her laptop returned to normal.

some cake into her mouth with a spoon. The

ate all the desserts while

apartment twice. He was working on his laptop. When he heard the ring,

closed the laptop and walked out of the

the door and was surprised to see the woman

embarrassed by what she had said to him earlier. She smoothed her hair awkwardly and said, "Um, I have

said, "You came here late at night to ask me something? Like when we're going to bed? After all, we haven't seen each other in so long. How about we stay up all

With a red face, Evelyn glared at him. The embarrassment

wear it out. I know, you're

his hand and warned him, "Do you want me to leave? Keep acting like this and I will." Although she had an overnight stay in mind before she came

What did you want to ask me?" He took out a pair of new slippers and changed them for her, being the kind, thoughtful boyfriend she

He'd bought all the things a woman might need. He hoped she'd drop by anytime, so they could make the beast with

Evelyn held his shoulder with one hand and raised his chin with the other.

see how he would react. She watched his

Sheffield was stunned, but after a short pause, he only said, "Okay." He seemed to be waiting

kid!" Evelyn wanted to hear an explanation. Something. Anything. Maybe he'd even