The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1537 Sheryl’s Reaction

The moment Sheryl stepped into the room, Nancy rushed to her.

"There you are! They said that Mrs. Lu was kidnapped. Is this true? I am glad you and the kids are safe and sound!" she uttered, sounding a little out of breath. Nancy had her hands crossed in front of her chest, so as to show her relief. She was truly relieved to spot that Shirley and Clark were home with their mother.

"Thank God! Thank God!" she repeated again and again.

Sheryl wanted to smile at Nancy's concern but she couldn't bring herself to do it. The people around couldn't see the turmoil her mind was going through, but her heart was still upset.

It was true that she didn't get along well with Melissa, but at the end of the day, Melissa was Charles' mother. It wasn't right for her to turn a deaf ear at her safety. If something bad had happened to Melissa, it would definitely kill Charles. No one could accept their own mother's tragic death. If Charles couldn't get over it, she and her kids would suffer as well.

"Charles is trying to see what he can do. So please don't worry yourself. Everything will be fine. The only thing we can do is wait patiently." And then, Sheryl patted Nancy on her shoulder so as to calm her. With her eyes, she instructed Clark to take his sister upstairs.

"Nancy, please make something for the kids to eat. I have no appetite so don't bother cooking for me," Sheryl advised and then took a seat on the sofa, losing herself with her miserable thoughts. 'They are asking Charles to arrange ten million in three hours! I bet that is not going to be easy for him. How are we going to get out of this mess?' she thought, with gloom falling upon her face. Swiftly, she dug into her jean pocket and took out her phone. She clicked on Isla's number but changed her mind before Isla attended it.

Cloud Advertising Company was the fruit of painstaking labor for both Isa and her. It wasn't right for her to draw upon its operating fund for personal reasons. This thought had made her change her mind. However, her phone rang and Isla's name flashed on the screen.

"Sher, I just saw your missed call. May I know why you called? Did you have something important to say?" Isla's concerned voice asked Sheryl.

A crimson red formed on Sheryl's face from embarrassment. But deep down, she also appreciated that her best friend had called back. "I just called to tell you that I'm home now. But Charles' mother is taken away and he's trying to figure out a way to get her back," she replied with some hesitancy.

"What? Are you serious? Someone is finally reaping what she has sown!" Isla exclaimed from the other side of the line. She was a straightforward person and had the tendency to blurt things out without considering the other person's feelings.

Sheryl, however, kept silent for a moment. She had no idea how she should respond to this remark.

Judging from Sheryl's silence, Isla realized she had made a mistake. Internally, she admonished herself for being so inconsiderable. Quickly, she said, "I didn't mean anything, Sher. Please don't be mad at me."

"No, it's not you. It's just that I'm a little distracted, Isla. I'm still wondering who kidnapped Melissa. Look, the whole thing looks weird to me. I am finding it hard to think!" Sheryl said as she rubbed her temple subconsciously.

Even Isla could sense her anxiety from the other end of the phone. She shook her head for Sheryl's softheartedness and then comforted, "Please take it easy, Sher. Mr. Lu is looking into it and I believe that he's more capable than you when it comes to dealing with things like this. Just take care of yourself and the kids."

Listening to her friend's concern-filled voice, she replied, "I know, I get it. Thank you, Isla," She was about to withdraw the phone from her ear to hang up, but once again pressed it closer as something came into her mind. "Go and see how Nick is doing when you're free. I can't spare any time for him with everything that is happening," she pleaded.

"Oh, I almost forgot that he is in the hospital now!" Isla shouted as she reprimanded herself for her forgetfulness. She couldn't understand how this had slipped out of her mind.

"There is no need to panic. Cassie is taking care of him and I believe that they don't want to be interrupted. Please don't mention what happened to Melissa to them. They got their own worries to think about," Sheryl reminded and hung up.

Leaning back on the sofa, she took a deep breath. It seemed that she got nothing to do except waiting.

Nancy took a cup of tea from the kitchen and placed it on the table beside Sheryl. She cast a worrying glance at Sheryl and went back to the kitchen to prepare a meal for the kids.

At the hospital, Cassie was sitting beside Nick's bed.

"Cassie, I'm hungry," Nick suddenly blurted and looked at her. There was an aggrieved look on his face.

Cassie was taken aback by his request. She looked around embarrassingly and replied in a subdued voice, "What do you want to eat? I'll go and get it for you. Also, remember not to talk in that manner. We're in the hospital now, and it is not your house!" She was puzzled seeing how dependent Nick had become.

"Anything will do. I actually don't think I can dislike something that you bring with your hands!" Nick said and flashed a smile. This innocent smile came out as flirtatious.

Cassie went a little red and cast him an annoying glance before standing up and leaving.

"Okay then, please wait for a moment. I'll go and grab something for you," she murmured and turned to the door.

Nick couldn't help but let out a loud laugh seeing her shy reaction. For a long time, he looked at the door where Cassie had disappeared.

In less than half an hour, Cassie came back with several lunch boxes.

"What did you get? It smells great! In fact, I could smell it even before you came into the room!" Nick exclaimed, swallowing, which aroused Cassie's laughter.

"All your favorites! You are going to love it!" Cassie replied enthusiastically and put the boxes on the table. One by one, she began to open them.

Nick admired her as she busily lay the table for him. A feeling of contentment was rising deep within his heart. He had never felt the warmth of a family when he was little, but now, he felt secure because of Cassie's presence. He had been contemplating over everything that had happened between the two of them in the past few days. All the time he had to himself was spent with these thoughts. He recollected al the stupid things he had done. There was a part of him that wanted to talk to Cassie about it but his pride always got in the way. Now he was trying his best to be nice to her.

He took the chopsticks Cassie passed to him and dug into the meal without any more words. Before he could enjoy his meal completely, he began to choke because of his wolfing down.

He coughed without a pause and Cassie stood beside him to pat on his back. She grumbled, half complaining and half worried, "What is all that about? Are you in a competition or something? Slow down!" "No, I can't help it! It tastes so good. This is the best food ever!" Nick managed to speak, his face flushed.

Cassie had to pat him even harder to make him feel better.

"Cassie, time to redo your boyfriend's dressing!" a nurse shouted as she pulled a medical cart into the ward.

She looked at them teasingly. All the colleagues had learned how concerned Cassie was about Nick. In fact, she had asked for three days' leave just to take care of him which prompted them to believe she loved him dearly. Although Cassie refused to admit that Nick was her boyfriend, all the other nurses didn't care to believe her.

They had made it their hobby to tease her. "Stop pulling my legs! Please focus on your job!" Cassie urged, pretending to be pissed off.

The nurse got Nick's wound redressed with a smile.

"The wound is getting better. And now I'm leaving so the room is all yours!" she added with a naughty smile as she waved her hands at them before leaving and closing the door.

As Nick watched the spectacle before him, he became more happier. He couldn't help but smile from ear to ear, despite Cassie's embarrassment.

"Why are you laughing?" Cassie asked and began to beat him on the shoulder.

"Ouch!" Nick shouted.

"Did I hurt you? I am so sorry! Let me take a look!" Cassie hurriedly reached to inspect it.

Watching how caring she was, Nick decided to take full advantage of his luck. He feigned pain and covered his chest with both the hands. Faintly, he said, "Cassie, I'm afraid that I can't eat by myself now. Would you please help me?"

"Ah stupid! If you want me to feed you, just ask me. There is no need to scare me!" Cassie said looking annoyed. She then moved forward and took his chopsticks. With her gentle hands, she fed him beef. All the while she shook her head, hopelessly.

Suddenly, their eyes caught each other and they burst into laughter.

It was true that the best moment for a couple was when they made each other laugh.

"Are we done with this? Now shall we go for the fruits?" Cassie asked and put down the chopsticks, turning her face to the bag of fruits she had bought.

Nick let out a sigh of content. He felt that his life was finally complete. If someone asked him to name a moment that made him the happiest, then he would undoubtedly mention today.

Cassie peeled an apple, cut it into slices and picked one to feed Nick, but she spotted that Nick was smiling at her like an idiot. Cassie knitted her brows and looked at herself in the mirror. 'There is nothing wrong with my face!' she thought confusedly.

"What are you laughing at, Nick? Do you spot anything funny on my face?" she asked curiously.

"No, you look fabulous!" Nick replied playfully and rubbed his head.