The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1083 A Gift

After hearing Sheryl's story, Isla stared at her with her mouth open. She exclamied, "I didn't expect that the manager of Tarsan Corporation would flirt with his subordinate in public!" "The fish begins to rot from the head. It does us no good to work with that company!" Sheryl remarked.

"But you've worked so hard on th project these days. You are gonna give up this way?" Isla asked with a scowl. Since Sheryl put so much effort in this project, Isla was reluctant to terminate her cooperation with the company.

"Yes. I decided to let it go," Sheryl replied, unconcerned. All of a sudden, she thought of Melissa. During lunch, Charles had proposed to change rooms. She wondered whether or not he packed their stuff and moved to another room. "So what time is it?" she asked Isla.

"What's this? Is it just a decoration? It's almost half past five," Isla responded, as she pointed at Sheryl's watch, which was adorning her wrist. Sheryl wore a Longines' classic automatic chronograph model. This brown calfskin watch had caught her eye because her best friend had fair skin; the color of the watch looked really good against it.

"You know what? Your watch suits you very well," Isla said. She changed topics so quickly that Sheryl didn't have time to react. Sheryl raised her wrist and gestured to her watch. "You mean this?" She looked at Isla questioningly.

"Yep. This model is simple, but it doesn't fit everyone. Only some people like you can wear it properly and show its beauty and value," Isla said admiringly. "You are a rich lady, but you only wear a Longines. I have to admit that you really play a low profile!"

"You have a problem with Longines? What's wrong with my watch? Watches are only used to check the time," Sheryl argued, amused by Isla's tone.

"Most people from middle class favor Longines. But affluent people like you shoud choose Patek Philippe. This brand could match your status," Isla told her. 'Isla is crazy about luxury watches, but it doesn't mean she is mammonish, Sheryl thought. She knew her old friend better than anyone else, and knew that she never worshiped money.

People always couldn't resist the temptation of good things.

"To be honest, I am not keen on watches. I bought it for work and I only use it to check the time," Sheryl explained to her. "But your words inspired me. I should buy a Patek Philippe watch."

"Serously? When did you become so generous towards yourself?" Isla asked, shocked. She had only mentioned Patek Philippe to show appreciation of her favorite watch brand; she had no idea that Sheryl would actually buy such an expensive watch for herself. 'What's going on with her?' Isla wondered.

"You want to know the reason?" Sheryl asked, suddenly getting a mysterious air about her.

"Of course I do. I am dying to know why the frugal Mrs. CEO would become so generous and treat herself with such an expensive watch," Isla replied eagerly. To say the least, Sheryl had successfully piqued her curiosity. Rubbing her chin, Isla asked aloud, "Did you want to vent your emotions because your scheme for Tarsan Corporation failed?"

"You underestimated me. I don't give a damn about that, let alone being frustrated.. I just..." And there she stopped in order to keep her audience in suspense.

"Go ahead, Sher. I am listening. I can't stand the suspense. I am so curious!" Isla urged her to continue. 'It's so annoying that she left her sentence unfinished,' she whined internally.

"If you really want to know, I will let you know tomorrow," Sheryl said, winking at Isla playfully. "If there isn't anything else, I've got to go. You can pack your things and go home."

"Sher..." Isla called out. She intended to figure out why Sheryl wanted to buy a costly watch, but noticed that the latter already left the company.

When Sheryl had been on the way to pick up Melissa at the hotel this morning, she thought that she should buy her a gift. But she dropped the thought since she didn't know what Charles' mother liked.

After what had happened in the morning, she realized that her husband's mother was difficult to please. Remembering Isla's words, she decided to give Melissa a watch. Since the old lady emitted an elegant aura, she guessed that she might be fond of a Patek Philippe watch.

'I will buy Melissa a Patek Philippe watch, and I hope she wil like it,' she thought.

Instead of heading home, Sheryl went straight to the shopping center. As she didn't know much about watches, she turned to a shopping guide for help. She looked for a model with a simple, elegant yet fancy design and the assistant recommended one for her.

"Madam, you are a kind person. Nowadays, few young people buy precious gifts for their husbnad's mothers," the assistant commented as she packed the watch for her. She then handed the shopping bag to Sheryl with both hands.

Sheryl drew a polite smile in reply and took the bag. The instant she stepped out of the mall, she received a call from Charles. "Are you still working, Sher?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"No. I am on my way home," Sheryl replied, smiling brightly. Charles' voice and sweet words made her mood light up instantly.

"I see. Drive carefully. Would you like me to pick you up?" Charles asked.

"No. I can handle myself. Oh, I bought Mom a present. I don't know if she will like it," Sheryl added. Her initial plan was to tell him about it when she got home. But since he had called, she wanted to let him know.

"That's so sweet of you, Sher. I wanted to buy her a present. After all, she and I have been separated for so many years. You did it ahead of me," Charles told her. Knowing that his wife prepared a gift for his mother, he was so relieved and glad. He had already noticed that his mother didn't like Sheryl.

He hoped that Sheryl's gift could change Melissa's attitude towards her. Only when his wife had good rapport with his mother could he be engaged in work without misgivings.

"Well see you later. I will be home soon," Sheryl told him before hanging up. Hearing her husband's words was more than enough to lift her mood.

It was after six when she got home. Shirley and Clark were home from school already, and they stayed near Melissa, endlessly calling her grandma and sharing delight with her. Sheryl was basking in happiness as she saw Melissa being so good to her children.

She would be happier if her mother-in-law was friendlier towards her.

"I'm back, Mom!" Sheryl greeted. The first one she talked to was not her husband or her children but Melissa.

But the old lady didn't spare her a glance. Focusing her gaze on her lovely grandchildren, she picked up a toy and handed it to Clark. "This is for you, Clark. Do you like it?" she asked him in a doting voice. "Yes, I do. Thank you, Grandma!" Clark replied politely.

"Where is my present, Grandma?" Shirley asked, pursing her lips. She looked as cute as an angel.

"Be patient, sweetie. I got one for you," Mellissa said as she took out another doll, smiling.

Sheryl could sense that Charles' mother adored the kids very much. "Did you buy those presents for them? That's so kind of you!" she beamed.