The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1019 Apologize

Cary, who was on the other end of the line, smiled, "So, what you're telling me is that Susan complained to you about me? Am I right?"

"Exactly," Sheryl also smiled as she responded to him. "We were talking and somehow your name came up. She just left. She seemed really startled this time around."

"You know, Sheryl, it was not all my fault," Cary sighed. Then he started explaining himself, "I had to lie about Susan. I told everyone that she was my fiancee, just to help her get out of BM Corporation. Other than that reason, I don't have an excuse for interfering in any manner. However...who knew things would develop like that. My grandfather heard the rumor and insisted that I take Susan home and introduce them to one another. I didn't have a choice. That is why I have to take her to see my family this evening."

"What? You didn't have a choice? Well, it seems to me that you aren't reluctant to introduce her to your family at all. Instead, you want to do it, right?" Sheryl was making fun of Cary intentionally. She then switched her tone suddenly and became very serious. "Cary...I don't know whether I should be saying this to you, but I feel like I have to remind you that she is, after all, a girl. She is bashful. So, I think you..." "Sheryl, stop. You can rest assured. I know what I feel and where to draw the line. I won't embarrass her. I wouldn't feel right to do so," Cary interrupted Sheryl. He then reassured her about his intentions,"I have to tell you. After spending time with Susan, I really did fall in love with her and I'm serious about starting a relationship with her. However, I'm not going to push her before I am sure about how she feels. So, that's why I prefer to just... I prefer to tease her. At least for now...I want to let her know how strong my feeling is towards her. I want her to be my woman for life, and I will remind her to stay away from other men every single day! You can count on that."

Hmm! Sheryl couldn't help but let out a chuckle. She commented, "Well, if you really like her and you are sincere about it, then I can rest assured that you'll do the right thing. Cary, I am well aware that even though Susan doesn't admit it, I know she has feelings for you. There's no need to ever doubt her in that regard."

Sheryl hung up the phone and smiled once more. She then decided to visit Sue. She recalled that she hadn't seen Sue in a long time. Sheryl bought some fruit along with her during her lunch break and then headed over to Anthony's house.

"Who is it?" Laura asked after hearing the doorbell ring.

Hearing Laura's voice, Sheryl felt a bit scared, even though Laura had been quite friendly to her the last time they met. Regardless of how Laura treated her now, Sheryl remembered how much Laura hated her in the past.

"It's me, Sheryl," Sheryl answered after hesitating for a moment. The door opened and Sheryl saw Laura standing in the doorway with a smile on her face. She then greeted, "Hello, Sheryl. What brings you here? Have you come to pay a visit to Sue?"

"Uh...yes." Sheryl nodded. She felt weird talking with Laura like they were friends. She added, "I haven't seen her for a long time and that's why I came to visit. I also wanted to know how she's been lately. I've brought some fruit for her."

"You don't need to buy her any gifts. Sue will be happy to merely just see you," Laura smiled politely. She leaned to the one side of the door and in a friendly manner, invited Sheryl to come inside. "Please, come in. Sue is upstairs."

"Thank you, Aunt Laura." This time around, Sheryl noticed that Laura seemed different and that she might have changed her attitude towards her.

"You are welcome," Laura smiled. They walked inside together and Laura continued speaking. "I know that you are Sue's best friend. I know that she will be very happy to see you. So, make yourself at home. You are welcome to visit here at any time, but don't bring any gifts next time. It's unnecessary.

Since Sue has fallen pregnant, I have prepared a lot of food for her at home. The refrigerator is packed at the moment."

"It's just a small gift," Sheryl smiled. As she was about to go upstairs to see Sue, she said to Laura, "Aunt Laura, I'll see you later then. I'll just go visit Sue first."

"Sher, wait... Before you go, I want to tell you something," Laura called Sheryl back after a moment of hesitation. She stared at Sheryl's surprised face, took a deep breath and bowed to Sheryl. "Aunt Laura, what are you doing? Please, don't do that!" Sheryl was shocked by Laura's unexpected behavior. She quickly dashed over to help her up. She felt the perspiration increase on her back.

"Sher, I owe you this at least," Laura lowered her head with shame and smiled bitterly. She then proceeded to speak. "I was so wrong to have done all of those things to you. I was mean and treated you very badly. I know I've hurt you with my words and behavior. You are so generous to forget about everything I've done, but I can't just forgive myself like that. I cannot pretend as though nothing ever happened between us. Even though I can't go back to change what I did, I will try my best to make it up to you! I promise you that."

She breathed a sigh of relief after finally speaking out. Then she continued, "Honestly, I feel quite ashamed of all of the things I've ever done wrong in the past. I was supposed to be an elder of your mother's generation. However, my actions have failed to ever match the responsibility that came with being an elder. I have cursed you with words in the worst way, and harassed you so senselessly, just to separate you and Anthony. I was really mad before, and quite crazy! Now when I think about the things I have done to you, I really don't understand why I was so crazy at that time. It's really not who I am and I know that it was shameful!"

"Aunt Laura, it's all in the past now. You don't need to mind it at all," Sheryl smiled. She recalled that she had been mad at Laura in the past, especially after what Laura had done to her. However, now she decided to let everything go. After all, it had happened a long time ago.

Even though she and Anthony had separated, she was pleased that they had both found happiness apart from one another. Charles was her dear husband, whom she adored and Anthony was going to marry Sue. It all worked out perfectly in the end, regardless of what had happened.

She comforted Laura, "Please, Aunt Laura...just let it go."

"No! I cannot!" Laura shook her head and sighed, "I'm abundantly grateful that you are so kind to me, but Sher, I have been a decent person my entire life, except for my misbehavior towards you, of course. I have done so much wrong!

I recall when you and Anthony were together, I cursed you out so viciously and treated you as though you were my mortal enemy. I feel ashamed even to think about it now. I can't even make sense of why you tolerated me for such a long time... You have a kind heart...I mean you even helped Anthony's father with his work. When I compare myself with you, I realize that I truly am a horrible person." Her voice trembled as she spoke. Analyzing her words, she continued, "You and Anthony... Both of you loved each other very deeply. However, I... I felt the need to use dirty tricks to separate the two of you. In fact, I nearly succeeded in making the two of you become enemies. I really regret it!"

Laura started walking closer to Sheryl. She then took her hands and tried to explain,"Sheryl, you are a really good person, and I've known it from the first moment we met. Nevertheless... I was too selfish to accept how good you were. I didn't want Anthony to marry you because of your kids. I admit that you were good enough, but... I still hope that you can understand my selfish motives as a mother somehow. Not that it can be justified, of course."

"Aunt Laura, I have already told you not to mind the matter, as it is in the past." Sheryl didn't know how to persuade Laura to forget about what happened.

"I'm sure you're over it, but I'm not," Laura insisted. She stared at Sheryl and continued, "This matter has been troubling me for a while now. I really believe that I owe you an apology. So... I'm truly sorry, Sher." Noticing that she was ready to bow again, Sheryl stopped her immediately. She placed her hand on Laura's shoulder, in a means to comfort her,"I really don't mind it at all. So please, Aunt Laura, don't..." Laura continued, "You are Sue's bestie and you used to be the dearest lover of Anthony. I really messed up your relationship, didn't I? I really feel sorry about it.

I must apologize to you today to untie the knot between our overbearing minds. I hope that everything that's past wouldn't damage or affect your friendship in the future."