The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 767 I Promise You

Sheryl realized she had not been to the company for a long while. She didn't try to make small talk with Sue, and the elevator ride felt endless.

Sue stood behind her in the left, and stayed noticeably quiet. Sheryl could tell she had something to say. Before she could step out of the lift with her daughter, Sue's voice stopped them. "Sheryl!" It came out a bit louder than Sue wanted. "Are you... Are you free right now?" Her voice was uncertain. "I want to talk to you... if that's okay."

Sheryl sighed. She was tired, having just dealt with Anthony the day before. Now, she had to deal with another one who brought her trouble. She looked back at Sue for a moment, not very willing to speak to her, but she knew that she would have to do so, sooner or later.

She crouched down until she and Shirley were eye level. "I need to have a chat with Sue. Would you mind wait a little while?"

Shirley didn't seem happy about having to wait, but she listened to her mother anyway.

They headed towards a cafe in silence. It was still morning, so not many people were around, and they easily found themselves a table. After their orders arrived, Shirley busied herself with her cake, not paying any mind to the other two. Sue noticed how different she behaved from before, and voiced it out, "Sheryl, how is Shirley? She seems..." Sue didn't quite know how to word it.

"She has autism," Sheryl explained with a wry smile. "She's getting treatment now."

The news had Sue stunned. "What? What happened? How did she end up like this?"

Sheryl just looked at her daughter, and didn't respond. She didn't want to bring up the reason why. The words describing that night might trigger something bad in the young girl.

Understanding Sheryl's lack of response, Sue didn't prod any further. She knew that it was a troubling time for the woman, and she didn't want to add to her burdens. At that time, though, she had no choice but to face Sheryl directly.

Sue wanted to be sure that Sheryl had already broken up with Anthony or not.

"Mimi, just ask what you need to ask. I'll answer whatever I can." Sheryl wanted to get it over and done with, so she had to get rid of Sue's hesitation. It did nothing to make Sue speak faster, though, so Sheryl sighed in frustration. "Look, I have other things to do, so please be quick about it," she urged her on.

Sue's face dimmed, and her embarrassment surfaced. At that moment, she wondered when their friendship had taken such a bad turn.

After taking a deep breath, she finally spoke. "I asked you here because..." She paused for a moment. "I want to talk about Anthony."

All the while, Sheryl was watching her daughter as she played with her food, and she didn't quite catch Sue's words. Anthony's name, though, made her head perk up. Her eyebrows furrowed. "I have nothing to do with him anymore. I have nothing to say if you want to talk about him."

She fought the urge to roll her eyes when she saw that Sue wasn't satisfied with her answer. "Don't you think it's a bit ridiculous to talk about your current boyfriend with his ex-girlfriend?" Sheryl leaned back and sighed. "This isn't necessary, you know."

"Sheryl, I..." An embarrassed flush crept up Sue's face. Anthony had still been with Sheryl when Sue had an affair with him. All she cared about was her chance with Anthony, and she did it without any hesitation. Now that she was sitting in front of Sheryl, she couldn't help but feel terribly awkward.

It was frustrating how easily emotions could fluctuate, she thought, now that she had to own up to her actions.

"Look, my relationship with Anthony..." She didn't quite know how to continue. "I'm just so sorry, Sheryl." She lowered her head in shame. "I know that I hurt you... I knew that it would hurt you at the time and I did it anyway. I'm so..."

"You don't need to say sorry to me," Sheryl stopped her. She shrugged, like it was nothing, and added, "When it comes to love I guess there's no real right or wrong. To be honest, after everything, I'm glad that you found some happiness with him." Sheryl leaned forward and looked Sue in the eyes. "Sue, I sincerely hope that you live a happy life with Anthony."

Sue felt an ache in her throat, and before she knew it she was holding back tears. "R-really? You want that for me?" She was taken aback by how genuine Sheryl sounded. She didn't expect such kindness. Sheryl simply nodded her head. Sue didn't know what to say. It was a terrible thing, what she had done, because she knew there would be consequences. She could only smile in gratitude.

Suddenly, Sue remembered what Anthony had told her when he was drunk. After a moment, she said, "Sheryl, Anthony's been getting drunk often lately. He would ramble on about old stories... and I think... I think I might know where Shirley's biological father is, if you want to find out who he is."

Sue wasn't sure why she said it, but she found some desire within to help Sheryl as much as she could.

It was a surprise, though, to see Sheryl shake her head. "I haven't told you. I've regained my memory."

Sue was dumbfounded, but Sheryl had no intention of elaborating further. "If there's nothing else you need, I'll be off."

"Please wait a moment." Sue hastily stood up and stopped her. She hesitated, but continued, "Sheryl, I know what I did was awful, but I still hope that..." Her eyes turned determined. "You can promise me one thing."

"Just say it." Sheryl's voice was faint when she urged her on, tired from all that had happened. Since they were once good friends, Sheryl decided she could give Sue what she wanted, as long as the promise didn't cross any lines.

"I've already been with Anthony. You know how long I've been in love with him." She smiled wryly before continuing, "But I know that Anthony only really gets eyes for you."

Sheryl shook her head. "You shouldn't say that. It is some kind of blind infatuation, you must know this by now. Since you're the one who's been with him, you two can grow together. Have more confidence in yourself."

"Let me say this..." Sue forced half a smile. "I know more than anyone, how much Anthony loves you. But I'm sure that if I stay beside him he'll grow more fond of me."

Sheryl smiled at that. "I'm glad to hear you won't give him up." She looked at Sue curiously as the other smiled dryly.

"So... I ask that you not to see him from now on. Whenever you appear in front of him he just... he'll do anything to have you, I know it. I can only win his affections if he's able to move on from you. You get what I mean, right?"

The request made Sheryl raise a brow. She never would've expected Sue to go through all this just to have her promise such a thing. "You really asked me here just to make sure I stay away from Anthony?" It was true, but it left Sue embarrassed. She nodded anyway. "I know it sounds unreasonable, ridiculous, even." She looked up at Sheryl in earnest. "But this is all I can do, Sheryl. Could you grant me this request, as an old friend?"

Sheryl's expression hardened as she stared at Sue. "If this is really what you ask of me, then I'll promise you."

Sue began to smile, but Sheryl abruptly stood up and took Shirley's hand.

"If that's all you have to say, I'm leaving." As she walked away from the table, she heard Sue murmuring soft apologies, but Sheryl did not let herself look back at the woman.

After all that had happened, she knew that she could not move on from all the drama without letting go of Sue and Anthony. She was sure that her life would be peaceful if they both left her alone.

Sue, on the other hand, felt terrible. Watching Sheryl walk away made the tears finally stream down her cheeks. She could not quite accept that their friendship was ruined over a man. She got what she wanted, but let go of so much more. She smiled wryly as she sobbed.