The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 770 A Strange Dream

Sheryl and Isla burst into joyous laughter even as tears streamed down their faces. They lovingly blamed each other for their happy tears.

Recovering, they immediately began to catch up on all the news with each other. Looking at Shirley, who had been very silent throughout, Isla asked worriedly, "Sheryl, I have heard all that happened with Anthony and how Shirley has been affected by that. Are you okay?"

Sheryl answered her with a bitter smile, "I do not have the luxury of analyzing my emotions. I do not care about how I feel now. Shirley is way more important and life goes on."

Glancing at Shirley, she continued, "Moreover, I believe the situation is going to get better soon. Shirley is undergoing treatment under a good doctor."

"Sure, things will definitely improve," Isla agreed. "If you need any help, do not hesitate to ask me. I am always here for you."

"I know you love me and will always help me." Sheryl smiled back and said, "How can I hide anything from you? You will be the first to know if anything comes up."

She then brought the topic back to Isla. "How are you? How have you been doing all these years? Is everything fine with Aron?"

"I am fine and doing well," Isla replied with a feigned smile. Sheryl immediately sensed bitterness behind the smile as she had known Isla for many years. She persisted, "You don't look like you are fine. What is the matter, Isla? Is it Aron? Is there some tension with him?"

Staring at Aron who was playing with the children, she continued, "If he ever dares bully you, you must let me know. I will handle him."

"Sheryl, what are you talking about?" Isla replied. It was then that she truly felt that her reckless friend was back.

"If that is not the case, then what is the matter with you? What has happened?" Sheryl was insistent. "Why don't you come clean with whatever is troubling you. I can't bear your unhappiness."

"I am upset on account of Colin," Isla replied helplessly. Sheryl remembered that Colin was a family member of Aron's uncle. She had met him in the past. Frowning in bewilderment, she proceeded to ask, "What about Colin? What has he done? Is he bullying you again?"

"He... He is flirting with Becky." Sheryl was stunned at Isla's words. "How... how can that be? Isn't Becky..."

"Exactly," Isla sighed. "How can I not feel disgusted?"

Isla gave a wry smile and replied, "I am not sure if Colin is behaving intentionally like this or not. He appears together with Becky in front of me every day. Seeing them like that saddens me a lot." Isla turned angrier as she dwelt on Colin's misconduct. "I have talked to Aron and we have decided to move out. Then, Colin will have no excuse to come to my place, right?"

Sheryl cautioned her, "It may not work. I do not want to discourage you, but I think a person like Colin will not give up so easily. He has no morals nor limits."

"Then let the future take care of this matter." Isla sighed and continued, "That is the only solution we could think of. Move out and then if trouble still follows us, we will worry about it then."

As they chatted on, Charles came with Charlie. The two girls saw Charlie and quickly ran to welcome him. Aron felt abandoned. Seeing his daughter rush to greet Charlie with so much of enthusiasm, Aron felt so jealous.

Unhappily he complained to Charles in a sarcastic tone, "Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence finally."

"I am so sorry," Charles replied with a smile. "There was a heavy traffic jam on the main road so we got delayed. Why didn't you all start eating?"

"How could we start without you, the big man, joining us at the table." Isla also joined Aron in mocking Charles.

Then, they all went in for dinner. As they ate, Charles and Aron discussed business, while Sheryl and Isla were just shooting the breeze as they had been doing several years ago.

They had three years worth of news to catch up on. It seemed they had so much to talk about.

Isla invited Sheryl to come to the company the next day. At first Sheryl wanted to say "no". It had been three years and she almost forgot that she had been involved with project planning. Now she felt scared to return to her earlier work.

But Isla insisted. Looking at Sheryl, she said, "Sher, it is your company. You're not planning to make me run the company for you for the rest of my life, are you?"

"Is there anything wrong if I plan to do that?" Sheryl replied with a smile, "You're doing a great job. I feel very reassured that the company is in your hands."

"She cannot. I will not allow it!" Aron entered their conversation. "We are still planning for a second child."

"Go away." Isla pushed Aron away and turned to Sheryl. "Sher, I know it will be hard for you to return to your old life so quickly. Don't worry. There is no rush. It is just that it has been three years. All the old employees miss you a lot. You can just drop in to say hello to them. As to when exactly you want to rejoin work, I won't force you. I'll always be there for you and support you."

Sheryl felt Isla was right. It had been three years. Indeed, she had to go back to the company to take a look. She couldn't just leave Isla to manage everything alone.

She remembered she had promised Charles that she would take good care of the company when he had entrusted the company to her. She had never anticipated then that she would be away for three years. Looking into Isla's eyes, Sheryl said, "Fine, I will drop in tomorrow just to have a look and spend only a few hours there. I'm still not ready for work."

"Okay." Isla nodded. She understood that Sheryl was just getting adjusted and would need more time to come to terms with everything that was transpiring.

Sheryl was also worried for she had just signed a contract with George's company. They might not let her go so easily.

After dinner, Isla handed Sheryl over to Charles and said, "I'll leave Sher to you. You must make sure that she gets home safe and sound. Alright?"

"Rest assured." Charles replied with a smile, "Take care of yourself and reach home safe."

As they looked down, they saw Amanda holding Charlie's hand, reluctant to let go. She spoke to Charlie in a tearful voice, "Charlie, I will miss you. I don't want to leave you and go."

This scene upset Aron deeply. He wondered if he would be able to accept it when his daughter fell in love when she became older. He would definitely break down, wouldn't he?

After seeing their friends off, Charles and Sheryl didn't return home but took a walk in a nearby park.

The two kids were walking hand in hand in the middle, while Charles and Sheryl were on either side of them. It was a pleasant summer evening and many people were walking around or sitting on the benches Sheryl thought of her strange dream just then, so she asked Charles, "Charles, how old is Charlie now? When is his birthday?"