The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 503 You Can't Go There

"You won't understand it." Sheryl felt awkward every time she had to give explanation to anyone regarding her relationship with Anthony. Why was it that except for her everyone thought that Anthony would make the perfect husband for her? Last night it was Shirley and now Sue. This was one question that she was being faced with everywhere. She always avoided discussing this with Sue, but today she felt like putting an end to this topic once and for all. It was the first time she talked about this issue with Sue. She gave a bitter smile and said, "Although we are together with each other these years, actually there is no attraction between us. The passion between couples has never existed in our relationship and I have no special feeling for him even when he holds my hand." Sheryl spoke in a point blank manner. Sue looked at Sheryl's face with utter disbelief. "So, how about sex?" Sue probed Sheryl out of curiosity.

"What are you talking about?" Sheryl blurted out. She was completely taken aback to be asked such a private question. She was almost on the verge of losing her cool. But then she remembered how supportive Sue had been for her. "We have never even kissed. Leave aside sex."

Sue was shocked. Her eyes almost popped out as she asked, "What? Are you kidding me? Do you mean that you and Anthony even haven't kissed in a three-year-relationship?" Sue had started to realize that it was just a one sided love from Anthony. What she still could not believe was that how a girl could be so indifferent to her boyfriend like Anthony.

'Are they really dating each other? That's incredible!' Sue thought to herself.

"Yes," Sheryl said with a firm voice hiding her embarrassment. From the way Anthony stayed with her like a shadow and took care of her and Shirley, it was obvious for others to assume them to be a couple. However, it was crystal clear in her mind that she had no sexual interest in Anthony. He was just a good family friend to her. Nothing more, nothing less.

"That's really unbelievable. I have never met a couple who can maintain their relationship in this way!" Her eyes wide open as she spoke to Sheryl. "Okay," Sue said, trying to bring herself back from state of shock and look calm. Then she shook her head gently and said in a convincing manner,"Sher, no matter what, I think Anthony is a good man to be your husband. And if you still don't love him, then, please let go of him."

Sheryl agreed with what Sue was saying. She had been with Anthony for three years now and it was indeed high time to consider whether they should move on or not. And not that Sheryl did not think about it before, but she could not even deny the fact that she did not want to lose Anthony as a friend either.

"Yes, I know. I will make a decision after I come back from Y City." Sheryl gave a smile and said, "I really should have a talk with Anthony on this issue."

No matter what decision they would make, Sheryl would always take Anthony as her best friend. Why couldn't a man and a woman be just good friends? Why was it necessary for them to get married? She found a lot of solace and support in Anthony. She could not think of a single day without him. But when it came to romance, she could never give that place to Anthony.

All of a sudden, Sheryl's phone rang, cutting through their conversation and Anthony's name flashed on the screen.

"Where are you?" Anthony asked. Sheryl told him about the Chinese Restaurant where they were dining in. Anthony arrived at the restaurant in a while.

He greeted Sue politely and said to Sheryl, "It's time to pick up Shirley. Do you want to come with me?"

"Oh! Okay, sorry I almost forgot about Shirley," Sheryl said as she hastened to arrange her handbag. Sheryl felt embarrassed as she checked the time. She didn't even realized how soon the time had passed. She excused herself from Sue and said, "I have to pick up Shirley now. See you."

"Okay, see you!" Sue smiled and wave at both of them. Sue then waved at the waiter to get the bill. Anthony stopped her politely and said that he had already paid the bill.

Sue expressed her gratitude with a polite smile. Then as soon as he turned his back to head towards the door, Sue turned to Sheryl and said, "Look! What a perfect man he is! Why don't you love him?" "Shut up!" Sheryl frowned as she yelled at Sue.

Then Sheryl and Anthony said good bye to Sue and drove to the kindergarten. Sue watched them from behind and thought to herself, 'They look like they are made for each other. What a silly girl Sheryl is that she can't see her love in Anthony!'

When they arrived home with Shirley, Sheryl headed straight to give Shirley a bath while Anthony took over the kitchen for preparing dinner. He gave Sheryl a big smile as she came out of the bathroom with Shirley wrapped cozily in the towel in her hand. Then he said, "Wait a minute. We can have dinner when the soup is ready."

He then said to Shirley, "Shirley, I made your favorite fried tomatoes with eggs. You can eat as much as you want."

Shirley's eyes brightened up instantly. "OK, thank you." Shirley was overjoyed to hear fried tomatoes with eggs. It's incredible how kids find joy in such trivial things.

Anthony finished cooking and set the table for the dinner. He put the soup on the table and summoned Sheryl and Shirley to join in. "Sorry, Sher. I was so busy recently and I had no time to take care of you and Shirley," Anthony said as Sheryl pulled the highchair to make Shirley sit down. "I hope I can compensate you with this dinner," he added.

"I really appreciate you for what you have done for us." Sheryl replied with a smile as she placed the bowl in front of Shirley and helped a spoon full into her mouth. "It's not your fault to be busy working. Shirley and I are not little babies and we don't need you to spend all your energy and time on us."

Sheryl smiled and added, "You have given Shirley and me a happy life all these years. Even I feel like a little girl like Shirley by not doing anything myself and depending on you for everything. I have no clue how I would survive if I have to live alone one day."

"That day will never come," Anthony said in a stern voice. Then he softened his voice and added, "We have such a happy life together. Why will you ever live alone?"

"That is what I'm going to talk to you about." Sheryl put her bowl down and broke the news to Anthony in a calm voice. "I went to BM Corporation for an interview today and I cleared it."

"Wow that sounds great," applauded Anthony. Then he looked at Shirley and said, "Yeah! Mom's got a new job. That calls for a party." Anthony knew Sheryl's nature very well. She never liked taking favor from Anthony for anything. Even though she had forgotten everything about her past life, she tried to live independently. However, Sheryl felt quiet indebted to Anthony for supporting her and staying by her side through thick and thin.

Sheryl tried her best to solve all the problems and bring up Shirley up all by herself. She could never thank Anthony enough for what he had done for her all these years.

Anthony had no other choice than to just be by her side as a true friend. Whenever he offered any kind of help to her, she refused it politely.

Anthony had rejected the idea when she told him that she wanted to be a model. But finally he had to give in to her determination and strong will to become independent.

"Sher, will you have enough money to buy me beautiful clothes?" Shirley raised her face and looked at Sheryl with an innocent look.

Sheryl lovingly touched Shirley's round face and answered, "Yes, Mom will buy many beautiful clothes and toys for you. Are you happy?" "Yes, I'm happy!" The little girl said with a lot of excitement and joy in her voice.

Anthony's heart melted as he watched the joyous vibes being shared between the mother and daughter. He observed both of them lovingly. One was the woman he had loved since as long as he could remember and the other was the little girl he cherished like his own daughter. He remembered holding Shirley the first time when she was born. He would give up anything as long as he could be with them.

"Anthony," Sheryl said abruptly bringing him back from his trance. "I want to ask you a favor." Sheryl added, "The spring and summer clothes fashion show would be held in another city. So I will have to leave for a few days. I want you to take care of Shirley during that time."

"No problem." Anthony nodded his head. Shirley was very comfortable with him even when Sheryl was not around. It would rather be good fun for both of them. Hence he agreed to her request immediately. "How long will you be away?" Anthony asked her.

"I am not sure yet." Sheryl shook her head and added, "The sponsor didn't tell me and I haven't asked him either."

"Then... where will you go?" Anthony just asked causally munching his food, but the answer came as shock to him from head to toe. "Where will you go?" he asked once again to make sure what he heard was right.

"Y City," Sheryl answered with a smile on her face. "Actually I really want to go there because it's my birthplace." Sheryl spoke with a lot of fondness in her voice. The mention of Y City brought a strange homely feeling to her heart. She could feel an innate bonding with that city though she did not remember much about it.

Albeit her mind was completely blank about everything that took place before Shirley's birth, she knew that she came from Y City. All she remembered was that she came from that city with Shirley when she was just an infant. And now that she got a chance to pay visit to her hometown, she was thoroughly excited.

"No, you can't go there!" Anthony uttered abruptly bringing Sheryl back from her trance. Sheryl stared at his face with disbelief. She had never seen him speaking in this way in the last three years. Suddenly, the jovial family environment changed in to a tensed and somber one. Even little Shirley could feel the heaviness in the room and started crying. Sheryl quickly shifted her attention towards her and tried to pacify her while watching Anthony from the corner of her eyes. Anthony's face had become firm and his eyebrows stitched into a tight frown. He looked angry for the first time. And for some unknown reason it sent a chill down Sheryl's spine.