The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1530 Overwhelmed By Leila’s Thoughtfulness

Leila's face looked sincere and worried when she spoke. Thus, Melissa believed her. Besides, Leila was her only hope at that moment. Melissa felt blessed. Seeing Leila touched her deeply. She was

overwhelmed by her old cellmate's assistance.

"But Leila, why are you here? How did you find me?" Melissa couldn't help asking. She greatly appreciated that Leila came to help her, but she was a cautious woman who always wanted to take control of any given situation.

Leila slightly turned her head away to conceal the disgust in her eyes and replied calmly, "A friend of mine happened to be in the same room as you when it happened and called me afterward. That's how I knew in the first place. I immediately booked a ticket for the earliest possible flight. Before I even arrived, I had already asked my friend to find out where you were being kept. Finally, I succeeded! I found you. I gave those guys the money and they set you free. That's the story, Melissa. Thank God you're safe and sound. Otherwise, I would blame myself for the rest of my life."

Melissa smiled at her with gratitude and believed every word she said. Tears formed in her eyes as what happened the previous day played in her mind. She grabbed Leila's hand, but she couldn't utter a single word. Instead, she sobbed quietly.

Leila patted her hand to calm her down and took a bottle of water from her bag. "It's okay, Melissa. It's over. Have some water, please," she said as she handed Melissa the bottle. The concern in her voice sounded so genuine that Melissa thought Leila was the only person in the world who cared about her.

She took the bottle, opened it, and took a few sips. The coolness of the water eased her nerves and made her temporarily forget the brutality she had just experienced.

"How do you feel now? If you feel anything wrong, please tell me. I'll talk to the doctor," Leila said.

Her thoughtfulness and attention overwhelmed Melissa.

She sighed. 'A friend in need is a friend indeed,' she thought. She never imagined that Leila would be saving her from a group of gangsters. The incident reminded her of how they met. She thought back to the days they spent together in their dingy prison cell. There, they got to know each other and helped each other survive prison life. They had promised that they would be friends forever and that they would help each other should the need arise. But when they were set free and she began living a decent life with her son once again, she gradually grew tired of Leila. Eventually, she kicked her out.

Melissa's guilt began to show on her face. She lowered her head to keep Leila from seeing her pained expression.

But she didn't know that Leila had seen through her. In fact, Leila was amused. Who knew that a woman as shameless and selfish as Melissa would feel guilt one day. It was the funniest joke she had heard he entire life.

At that moment, she felt more appreciative of Holley. She admired her efforts in devising the very plan she was carrying out right then and there. If not for Holley, things would not have gone so smoothly. As far as Leila could tell, it wouldn't be long before she would be moving back in with the Lu family.

She decided to let go of her grudge against Holley. She would forget their disputes and cooperate with her. As long as they had similar plans, they would soon get what they wanted.

Her face revealed none of the surging waves of emotion and thought inside her.

"I'm fine, Leila. Thank you for everything. I'll never forget this. I don't know what they would have done to me if you hadn't come," Melissa replied emotionally.

"Please. Never mention it again, Melissa. You should have known I've always treated you like family. I'm glad you're safe and sound now," Leila said with tears in her eyes.

"Oh, how I wish I could have been kinder to you!" Melissa exclaimed, tears falling down along her cheeks. She held Leila's hands in hers tightly, as if she wanted Leila to feel what she was feeling right then. Leila waited until Melissa had calmed down. Then, she helped her stand up and led her to the exit.

"Leila, I think I'd better go home right away," Melissa said. She hadn't told anyone she was in Macao. The plan was to return before anyone could even find out. Now, one day and one night had passed. She was worried that Charles and Sheryl might already be looking for her.

But Leila thought differently. She patted Melissa's hand and said, "Relax. You look exhausted. If you go back now, they're going to wonder about where you were and what happened to you. I'll take you to the hotel so you can catch up on some sleep. As soon as you look like your old self again, I'll get you home."

Her concerning words and how softly she spoke calmed Melissa down. She nodded her agreement. She owed Leila such a huge favor that she would agree with just any of Leila's ideas now. They left immediately. Soon, they were at a five-star hotel.

Leila checked in and brought Melissa to the room. When they got in, she softly told her, "Go ahead. Take a shower first. I'm going to find us something to eat. You must be starving after such a night. After eating, you should take a nap."

Melissa was overwhelmed once more and a little embarrassed. Her stomach grumbled the whole time and Leila must have heard. She felt a bit relieved that she did not have to ask for food. "Thank you, Leila. You're so sweet and considerate," she said before going to the bathroom.

The warm water seemed to wash off the exhaustion and the panic that Melissa had been feeling since the night before. She tried to recall how she got through the long night, but it seemed impossible. Her mind was blank. All she remembered was the trembling of her body.

If Leila hadn't come in time, they would have tortured her until she gave them Charles' number. However, if she had obliged and given them what they wanted, she would later suffer. Charles might kick her out of the house and stop supporting her financially. She would be doomed. Joy from having survived the previous night's ordeal overcame her. She began to enjoy her bath.

Being enveloped in the steam made her feel at home. She was safe now. It was as if nothing had happened. At that moment, she felt as though she was in the shower of her own bedroom. Nancy was cooking downstairs. And soon, she was going to have dinner with her son and her grandchildren.

She took a long shower and only left the bathroom when she heard her stomach grumbling loudly. She needed to eat.

"Let me dry your hair for you," Leila said the moment Melissa stepped out of the shower. She had been patiently waiting outside for this moment.

Melissa didn't refuse, but she remained standing in front of the mirror, seemingly waiting.

Leila was slightly annoyed at Melissa's reaction. She wondered about the change in the woman's demeanor after her shower, but she reminded herself to be patient. Playing her cards right would pay off eventually. Once she had moved back into Dream Garden and made up with Charles, she could forget all about Melissa.

After eating the meal which Leila bought for her, Melissa went to bed to catch up on some sleep. Leila, in the meantime, gathered Melissa's clothes and took them to the cleaners.

Melissa fell asleep quickly and soundly, and she dreamed she was taking a walk in the warm sunshine.

When Leila came back with her clean clothes, Melissa had already gotten up and was standing in front of the window, looking out of it while holding a cup of tea.

She smiled at Leila before changing in the bathroom. When she came out, Leila noted that her face had a noticeably healthy glow. She looked nothing like she did when she was locked up in the dark the previous night.

"You look fabulous, Aunt Melissa," Leila exclaimed with delight. Her smiling face shone over Melissa like the golden rays of the sun.

"Thank you, Leila. It's all because of you. I mean it," Melissa replied.

"You're talking like that again. I wish you all the best, Melissa. You are more like family than a friend. I'll always be there for you. It's a pity we can't see each other every day," she said earnestly, which revived Melissa's guilt. She began suspecting whether she was right to have asked Leila to move out of their house, and what Charles would say if she insisted on taking Leila back.