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!"

room again. Evelyn sat back in her seat, her mind full of

Sheffield closed his eyes and leaned back 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 after more than half an

call from the IT department. "Miss Huo, we've figured it out. There was a zero-day vulnerability that the makers of the security suite hadn't prepared for. The virus is gone, so my best guess is

hear the good news. "I see. Thank

process. Eventually, the desktop came up and her laptop returned to normal. Evelyn took out the files and continued

documents down and scooped some cake into her mouth with a spoon. The desserts that

usual, she ate all the

heard the ring, he raised his head and looked at the

laptop and

opened the door and was surprised to see the woman standing

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

at her playfully, he 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

a red face, Evelyn glared at him. The embarrassment in her eyes vanished

out. I know, you're shy, right? The bedroom's just down

like this and I will." Although she had an overnight stay in mind before she came here, she

hand gently to his lips, kissed it, and said, "Okay, I won't tease you anymore. What did you want to ask me?" He took out a

day before, Sheffield spent the evening shopping. He'd bought all the things a woman might need. He hoped she'd drop by anytime, so

Evelyn held his shoulder with one hand and raised his chin with

to see how he

that, Sheffield was stunned, but after a short pause, he only said, "Okay."

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