The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1013 An Uncomfortable Feeling

"I..." George faltered, not knowing how to reply. He was dying to take his revenge that he ignored how important a marriage was to a girl.

He had already broken Sula's heart in the process. And if that was not enough, he still tried to use her to achieve his goal. He was not even sure how he could bear causing her this much pain and trouble. Sula's eyes remained glued onto him. A bitter smile flashed on her face as she clarified his motives, "You proposed to me because you want to get even with Holley, right?"

"Sula, I can explain," George tried to defend himself. But the heartbroken girl refused to hear his explanation. 'What was even there to explain?' she thought to herself. Eyes simmering with bitterness, she interrupted him, "I know how much you love her. I was too naive and wayward. I thought that as long as I stay with you, you would pay more attention to me. So I treated you well and waited patiently. I supposed you would be touched and, eventually, you would fall in love with me.

But I have changed, George. I am no longer the girl who would be too excited to sleep at night just because of your praising words."

She continued calmly, "After so many things that had happened these past few days, I realized that your love towards Holley is well-founded and I can never win your heart.

Even after you learnt about all the terrible things that she had done behind your back, you still have no heart to expose her lies. You only wanted to get even and see her suffer. Your love for her is too strong." "No, Sula, you've misunderstood," George retorted weakly. He couldn't deny that Sula saw through him.

A self-mocking smile emerged on his face. He kept his head down and swallowed what he had intended to say. He could feel the weight of her stare on his shoulder even without looking.

"I have reflected a lot and as much as I want to, I know that I can't force you to love me," Sula began soberly. She paused to give him time to oppose her thoughts, but he never did. "I am going back to Korea," she finally announced. "I am done getting in between you and Holley. If you really feel sorry for me, please let me go after the meal.

I don't want to be used as a tool for your schemes."

"Sula," George called out hesitantly. He halted for a moment to regain his composure and to collect himself. Resting his eyes on Sula, he earnestly confessed, "I know that I hurt your feelings and disappointed you. I admit that I proposed to you mainly because I want to take revenge on Holley. But I also said that I wanted to compensate you, and I mean it.

It's true that I love Holley very much. We have been together for three years. It's not that easy to just let her go." He smiled miserably and then continued, "But after she has done so many bad things and made a fool of me, how could I not hate her? Anyone in my shoes will love to see her reap what she sowed.

I know I haven't taken your feelings into consideration. I thought that you would always be there no matter what I did to you. Turns out I was wrong." Frowning, he said frankly, "So I mustered up all my courage before I came here."

Gazing into Sula's eyes, he blurted out his thoughts, "You are right, I am not in love with you now. But if you can give me a chance, I promise that I will stay and take good care of you. I will not hurt you again. Can you please give me a chance?"

Meeting his earnest gaze, Sula responded, "Love cannot be forced, George. No matter how hard you try, you can't force yourself to fall in love with someone you don't love. Look at me. I did everything I could but I still failed to win your heart."

With a resigned smile, George tried to still push his luck. "I know you will not believe me no matter what I say. I will prove myself with my actions. I will try to love you. I only hope you can give me a chance." When Sula didn't respond, he changed the subject. He caught up on their childhood memories to the ones while they were in the university. He reminded her on the days they spent playing at the beach during summer when they were kids. Then he mentioned how they played a trick on a teacher in high school. And how he used to wait for her at the cafeteria every Tuesday during college just because she asked him to. To Sula's surprise, most of their pleasant memories that he remembered were the ones which she thought he had long forgotten.

She gaped at George, at a loss.

"I know you can't trust me now. But I would like to spend the rest of my life with you. I hope you can think it over." Noticing the troubled look on her face, he added, "You don't need to give me your answer right now. I'm giving you two days to consider it. During these days, I would try my best to persuade you. Once you come up with a decision, please let me know immediately, okay?"

The sincere look on his face made it harder for Sula to turn him down. With a wry smile, she nodded, "Okay. I will think about it."

"I will wait for your answer," George said with a hint of optimism in his voice. He felt relieved that Sula didn't turn him down immediately. He poured a bowl of fish soup and placed it in front of her. "Try this. It's delicious. If you like it, I will take you here next time," he said gallantly.

"Thank you," she replied. Sula felt kind of awkward to be receiving such treatment. In the past, she used to watch and admire Holley whenever George treated her nicely like this. She dreamt of being in her place one day but never really expected it to come true.

During the meal, George kept adding food onto her plate. His sweet acts drove Sula's concerns away. For the first time, she felt comfortable in being with him again. The meal was going very well.

The fish soup was tasty and Sula decided to take another serving. She picked up the bowl of soup and lifted it near her lips. Out of the blue, she felt uncomfortable. She felt a sudden pain in her stomach that was urging her to throw up. Covering her mouth with her hand, she hurriedly left her seat and ran to a corner. She bent over and retched.

"What's wrong?" George was taken by surprise as she sped past him. As he recovered, he jumped to his feet and sprinted towards Sula. Patting her back gently, he asked worriedly, "How you feeling?"

"I am fine," she replied. Sula kept vomiting but nothing came up. It took her a few more minutes before she could compose herself again. George escorted her back to her seat and poured a glass of hot water for her. She took a sip and felt much better.

Noticing that she no longer looked nauseous, he tenderly asked, "How do you feel?" "I feel much better," Sula replied softly.

Staring at the fish soup, she already lost her appetite. "Let's go!"

Watching her pale face, he felt worried that she might get collapse any moment. He held her arm and led her to the exit. "I am taking you to the hospital for some check-ups," he offered. "There is no need," she refused.

But no matter what she said, George insisted on driving her to the hospital. With no other choice, she succumbed to him.

As they were leaving, Tim followed them with a confused look. He asked, "What's going on, George? Why are you leaving now? You barely touched your food. Don't you like the food here?"