The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1078 A Reunion

"Honey, sleep as long as you want. I want you to have a good rest. Recently, you have been exhausted. Don't worry with the kids. I'll drive Clark and Shirley to the kindergarten. As for your breakfast, Nancy prepared it already. Just remember to eat it when you get up. I told Nancy to warm it as soon as you go down. Oh, and don't leave. Wait for me here. When I return, we'll pick Mom up." Charles told these things to Sheryl without stopping. He did not even look at her. His gaze was fixed on the mirror to make sure his tie was perfectly tied.

Sheryl was still in the bed savoring the precious moments. Upon hearing his litany, she answered lazily, "Hmm...So, I will just give myself a break and go back to sleep. When you return, let's pick Mom up. I will go to the company in the afternoon."

"Great! It's good to be on the same page. Go back to sleep now. I will check if Shirley and Clark are all ready. They should be finished with breakfast by now," Charles replied. Charles approached Sheryl, leaned down and kissed her lovingly on her forehead. Then, he went out of the room and down to the dining room.

His kisses, just like this one, were the support Sheryl had in all the difficulties she faced and would face in the future. Those made her strong and fearless enough to face everything in life. After a couple of minutes, Sheryl heard the car start and drive away. Then she fell asleep.

What made Sheryl exhausted lately? The case she was working on was too tiresome. It demanded lots of effort. Because of her reputation of being strict and rigorous, a client personally requested her to handle it. Therefore, she needed to work hard. And since she did not go to the office this morning, she knew she had to work until midnight to make up for the time she missed. Otherwise she would fail to give her client a perfect business plan on time.

Since they were picking Charles' mother later this morning, she might as well take the advantage to sleep later than usual. Anyway, this opportunity rarely came and she was very fortunate to have this moment at the right time.

It was already past 8 in the morning when she woke up again. Charles was already by her bedside looking at her. She smiled, "Why didn't you wake me up upon your return?"

"I don't have the heart, honey. You were sleeping like a baby. And you needed it. We're not in a hurry. Any time to pick Mom is okay," Charles responded, smiling. The room was filled with sunshine, and it reflected on Charles' hair making it golden. It also made him look like an angel with the golden rays behind him. Sheryl felt like she was the happiest wife in the world for having a husband so loving and beautiful inside and out..

Remembering her mother-in-law, she asked, "Have you called her already?"

"Not yet. I was thinking about giving her a call. But when I already held the phone, I started to worry what I would tell her. After all, we haven't seen nor contacted each other for so many years. I don't even know how to start a conversation with her," Charles explained. He looked pretty distressed. Then he continued, "I decided to wait for you to wake up. Any suggestion?"

Sheryl totally understood Charles' worries. People changed a lot in just a short period of time, more so in fifteen years. Fifteen years of separation was literally long. Honestly speaking, they could be considered as strangers to each other. It would be getting-to-know-each-other stage for the mother and son.

"Don't worry too much. If you don't know what to tell her, don't make the call yet. There's plenty of time for that later."

Sheryl got up and sat beside him. She put her hands around his waist. She placed her chin on his shoulder, her mouth near his ear. In a soft voice, she continued comfortingly, "Later, when you call her and she answers, simply ask her where she lives. From there, you can make small talk. You can ask her about other things when she's here already. You have years ahead of you to get to know one another."

Charles felt relieved after listening to Sheryl. There was wisdom in her words. Though he thought exactly the same, he didn't feel confident enough to decide what was best to do. He needed Sheryl whom he trusted and loved to reassure and encourage him.

It was very rare nowadays to replace couples who knew what the other thought and felt, who would give each other the support and encouragement needed, who would share the joys and bear the burdens with, who would understand each other. Luckily, Sheryl and Charles were one of those rare couples.

Though they had gone through so many hardships before, they knew that there would be more ahead of them. They believed and were confident enough that they would overcome these difficulties as long as they were together.

As soon as she finished her bath, she readied herself. She chose a simple yet classy dress that emphasized her long legs. She put on her make-up and brushed her hair. Since she would be meeting her mother-in-law for the first time, she wanted to impress her somehow. First impressions lasted, as the saying went. After giving herself a last look at the mirror, she went down for breakfast.

Meanwhile, Charles finally gathered enough courage to dial the number his grandfather gave him. 'This is it!' he thought as he heard the ringing of the phone at the other end. When a woman answered, remembering Sheryl's suggestion, he made the call as simple as he could.

On the other line, the woman introduced herself as Melissa. Inside, she was happy to learn that the caller was her son. After a few exchanges, she gave Charles her hotel's address.

Melissa couldn't contain her excitement after the call. She had been waiting for a call from any of her relatives. When the phone rang, she wished it would be the call she was waiting for. She even thought it might be Gary calling. Oh God! This was her lucky day! She was granted her wish! Much, much more actually... The caller turned out to be her son!

Even though they didn't talk long enough, Melissa could tell that her son still cared for her just by listening to his voice. She wondered how he looked in person. Though she saw his pictures in the business sections of the newspapers once in a while, she knew it would still be different up close and personal.

The hotel where Melissa was staying was close to Dream Garden. Soon, Charles and Sheryl arrived. As they approached the elevator, Sheryl felt that Charles was a little bit nervous. She looked at him and squeezed his hand. Charles felt grateful for her support. Inside, he pulled Sheryl towards him and gave her a peck on the lips.

When the door bell rang, Melissa stood up and checked herself one more time in the mirror. Then she said, "Coming!" Taking a deep breath, she walked towards the door to open it.

She saw a young couple standing in her doorway. She looked at the woman. Apparently, she was surprised to see Sheryl. Then, she moved her gaze to the young man. Melissa looked him up and down, seeing her son for the first time in fifteen years. Then, she suddenly burst into tears. She cried, "Charles?! My son..."

"Yes Mom, it's me!" Charles' eyes turned red. Except for some strands of white hair and more wrinkles, Melissa hadn't changed much from fifteen years ago.

The signs of aging...

Melissa was just fifty. She knew she looked older than her age. What could she do? It was impossible for her to take care of her appearance. It was so hard in prison for fifteen years, but she endured it all. Still, anyone who saw her could tell that she was a beauty in her younger years. Oh, and the elegance was still there, visible in her poise and movement.

The grace of a person had nothing to do with their clothes, make-up or age. It was part of the inner beauty. It radiated from within.

After the exchange between mother and son, Sheryl thought it would be okay to introduce herself. "Mom, nice to meet you. I'm Sheryl Xia, Charles' wife," Sheryl greeted her politely. She wanted Melissa to have a good impression of her on their first day of meeting up. She believed that there was nothing wrong in introducing oneself first as long as it was in a polite and respectful manner.

However good an intention was, there would always be instances that it would be misinterpreted especially by a malicious soul. For Charles, Sheryl's behavior was respectful. And it was just right for the young ones to take the initiative to greet the elderlies. But for Melissa, it was an offense. She thought that Sheryl was a cunning girl trying to gain her attention.

Melissa simply gave her a nod, and once again turned her attention to Charles. She took his hand, saying apologetically, "Oh! Look at me! I even forgot to invite you in. I'm sorry for letting you stand here for so long. Let's talk inside. Come in! Come in!"

"Okay Mom," Charles replied. Then, he was pulled by Melissa inside. Sheryl was left alone at the doorway.

Melissa ignored her as if she didn't exist. All her attention was focused only on Charles. She invited Charles to sit down. Then busied herself to serve Charles tea and snacks. Melissa smilingly said, "Charles, have a seat. You must try this tea. This is your father's favorite." After seeing Charles taking a sip of the tea, she asked, "Do you like it?"

Sheryl felt an outsider as she looked at them. It was a perfect picture! As an excuse to ease her discomfort, she just thought that Melissa was so happy to see Charles after fifteen long years. That it was norma for a mother to behave like that.

Therefore, she invited herself silently and walked in. She tried her best to continue smiling. She remained standing at the side watching the happy Melissa.

Charles noticed how awkward the situation was. He wanted his mother to reciprocate the respect his wife showed her. He put down the tea cup on the table. Then, he stood up, walked to Sheryl, and put an arm around her shoulders. "Mom, this is my wife, Sher, your daughter-in-law. We have been married for several years now."

Charles and Sheryl exchanged brief glances. It was Sheryl's turn to be grateful to Charles. She thought Charles forgot her. Once again, Sheryl introduced herself. "Mom, my name is..." But she didn't finish her introduction.

Melissa interrupted her rudely, "Yes! Yes! I know who you are!" Facing her son, she said, "I see her already. And I know you are old enough to get married. It's not really surprising. I should be rather worried if you weren't married at this age!" But she didn't stop. Looking again at Sheryl, Melissa continued her tirade. "Moreover, my son is an outstanding young man to marry any girl of his desire. It's her honor to marry you, Charles! She should have realized that by now!"

Melissa trampled on Sheryl's worth and feelings.

"Mom! What are you talking about?!" Charles asked his mother in disbelief. For a brief encounter, Charles saw through his mother for what she really was. And he would not tolerate her, even if she was his mother! Hugging Sheryl, he knew how heartbroken she was now. Disappointed, he looked at his mother. "You know," he started explaining, "you should not have judged her without knowing her. Sher is an exceptional lady. It's actually my honor to marry her!"