The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1594 Were You Trying To Run Away From Me

"Charles, Aunt Melissa, you're up! Have a taste of what I have prepared for you." Leila grabbed Melissa's hand and walked her to the dining table, proud of what she had made. She was like a child showing off an artwork to her teacher. She was not yet done with bragging as she said proudly, "I learned to make this a few days ago. Aunt Melissa, have a try and if there is anything you'd like, just let me know." Playing along, Melissa took a bite and gave her compliments generously. She even said that it was the best food she had ever tasted, and that Leila was as good as a chef in any five-star restaurant. Charles, knowing what his mother was trying to do, ignored Leila and sat down to have breakfast.

"As long as Aunt Melissa likes it!"

"Charles, what about you? Do you like it?" Leila asked him with full enthusiasm, looking forward to hearing his feedback.

However, he was unamused to see the food plated fancily on the table. For him, in spite of the presentation, it was too oily for breakfast. His face revealed his frustration for this was far from his preferred plain and simple bowls as the first meal. His brows furrowed and he unapologetically exclaimed, "It's too oily."

Charles gave Leila a cold shoulder, which embarrassed her a little. Melissa could see the budding vexation on Leila's face. Feeling sorry for her, she nudged Charles' arm and taunted, "Charles, Leila got up early to do this for us. Give her a little credit. Have a taste. Maybe it isn't as bad as you think."

"I am full!" Charles was annoyed, like a toddler being forced to eat something that he found distasteful. He put down his chopsticks and left without finishing his breakfast.

Melissa and Leila looked at each other with sheer embarrassment. This was awkward, especially for Leila. She was sad that her work wasn't appreciated even in the least regard. Melissa, still embarrassed because of her son's demeanor, asked Leila to sit with her and enjoy the breakfast prepared.

"Leila, don't be sad. Charles is busy with the divorce these days. He must be very upset. We should try to understand him." Melissa tried to find an excuse for Charles to ease Leila.

Moved by her consideration, Leila smiled at her and assured her, "Aunt Melissa, I will never blame Charles. I'm more than happy to stay with him. As long as I can be around and he doesn't kick me out, I don't care whether or not he treats me well, really."

Because of Leila's humility, Melissa felt more sorry. She knew how tough it had been for her. Leila was too sensitive to show her sadness. Melissa swore to herself that she would do whatever it takes to make Leila her daughter-in-law.

Leila swore to herself that one day she would make Charles pay for all the embarrassment he had caused her. She wasn't going through this for no reason.

"Leila, you're so thoughtful. Please believe me. Rest assured I will never do that to you," Melissa promised Leila.

She held Leila's hand and constantly petted it as a sign of her assurance.

Leila nodded at her good friend, then stepped out of the dining area after breakfast.

Today was her first day as the CEO's secretary in Shining Company. She wanted to doll up and leave a good impression on the new people she was bound to meet, so she went out to shop for the perfect outfit. For this reason, no one stopped Leila as she stepped out the door.

If only Melissa wasn't pretending that she was sick, she could have gone with Leila too.

Meanwhile, at the Cloud Advertising Company

"Sher, I heard from Clark that Lewis went to the kindergarten yesterday? Are you trying to make Lewis replace Charles? You want him to be Clark's father and take care of the kid?" Isla barged into Sheryl's office uninvited, not even caring to knock.

This was typical of Isla. Sheryl was so used to her that she would find it weird if Isla actually knocked on her door.

"What are you talking about?" Sheryl rolled her eyes at Isla and ignored her condescending question. She continued to scan her pile of files.

"I'm not joking with you, Sher! When I dropped off my kid today, I saw Joan dropping off Clark and Shirley. Clark told me about it in person. Tell me what exactly happened, please. What are you thinking? Are you considering dating Lewis?" Isla pounded Sheryl's desk in frustration and looked into her eyes, wanting to see through her.

Receiving such a stare from Isla, Sheryl knew that her friend wouldn't leave until she got her answer.

So Sheryl put down her files and put back the cap on her signing pen. She looked into Isla's eyes sharply and said seriously, "First, I ran into Lewis. Second, even if I divorce Charles, I won't date Lewis. Third, you're distracting me. I have work to do, Isla. What else do you want to hear?"

"Why won't you date Lewis? Can't you see he likes you?" Isla asked her friend anxiously. She recalled how Charles treated Sheryl badly. She had always believed that a woman of such character deserved better. Sheryl had been through so much pain and sadness while she was with Charles. Now that another man who could give her the treatment she deserved had finally showed up, it was obvious to her that Sheryl should be with him. It puzzled Isla as to why Sheryl still refused to date a promising guy.

Sheryl sighed. She was speechless at Isla's question. "Who told you that Lewis likes me?"

"I am not a fool. I can tell from the way he treats you! And I am sure you can discern his feelings toward you, too!" Isla wanted nothing more for her friend than a fulfilling married life. Since her life with Charles was meant to be tragic, Isla would rather that Sheryl spend the rest of her days with Lewis.

Isla grew more and more excited as she continued to fantasize about this perfect love story. Sheryl gestured for her to calm down and said, "For one, Lewis never told me that he liked me. Another, Charles and I aren't divorced yet. I would technically be cheating on Charles if I date Lewis. Do you really think I could do such a thing?

"Then you can ask Lewis to wait for you instead," Isla insisted as she held her friend's hand. She really wanted Sheryl and Lewis to be together, which made Sheryl speechless, like someone who had just received a coveted award.

Sheryl spread her hands and said, "You're so stubborn, Isla. Let's say that what you say is true. But even if Lewis really likes me, it doesn't mean that I have to be with him."

Isla could see how Sheryl was starting to get annoyed, so she smiled at her charmingly and said, "I'm just saying it's an option. Don't get mad, Sher."

"I don't have time to be mad at you, Isla. If you really don't have work to do, just help me check these files. I'm going to buy Shirley some clothes. Last night, I promised I would buy her a princess dress." Sheryl's focus had been diverted by Isla. She was no longer in work mode. She thought about plans after office, such as dropping by the shopping mall for Shirley.

Isla didn't pay heed to Sheryl when she was asked to stay in the office and check the files left behind. Instead, she rushed through the door about to close and followed Sheryl. "I want to go shopping with you!" Sheryl, left with no choice, just smiled and shook her head. Isla then held her friend's arm, ready to leave any time. The two walked out of the building together.

Isla took Sheryl's silence as an agreement to what she believed was the best plan. She hurriedly followed Sheryl.

Isla volunteered to take the wheel and asked Sheryl to just sit back and relax in the passenger seat. The traffic was fast and they arrived at the mall in no time.

However, just as they arrived, Isla's excitement was superseded with a bout of stomach pain, so she rushed to the bathroom on the first floor.

Sheryl was too excited to wait for Isla, so she immediately went to the children's clothing store on the same floor while Isla was in the ladies room.

To her surprise, Sheryl came across Ferry. What were the odds!

She thought Ferry was stalking her the moment they crossed paths.

When their eyes met, Sheryl's flight response kicked in. Her first reaction was to run away from him, but Ferry didn't give her the chance. Without second thought, he walked toward her to stop her in her footsteps.

"Hey! Are you trying to run away from me?" Ferry snickered, which annoyed Sheryl. She expressed her disgust and said, "Could I do that? Is that even possible?"

"Well, you know who the boss is." Ferry bragged as he looked Sheryl from head to toe, as if she was some kind of well-dressed mannequin.

Almost vexed, Sheryl ignored Ferry and turned around, ready to leave.