The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1106 Charles’ Apology

Charles empathized with Melissa. For a woman, there is nothing more devastating than having to withstand the man of her life betraying her for another woman. At the same time, it was equally awkward for him as a son to confront this truth that had been a part of his parent's life.

"How did Dad and that woman ..." Charles wanted to know more about his father's affair back then.

"As a wife, I always believed in your father. But at that time, I had a very strong intuition that something wasn't right between them. When I decided to look into the matter, I was shocked to replace out that they had been staying with each other for more than a year. Then I decided to do whatever was needful to save my marriage. I tried my best to make the woman stay away from your father, but all my efforts fell flat on their faces. I could see my world falling apart. I had never felt so incredibly helpless in my life. At last, when all other attempts failed, I made a last yet bold choice. I asked for a divorce from your father. I gave him a clear choice. It was either her or me. And then, your father finally broke up with that woman and came back to me." Charles gazed at his mother's face as she spoke. Myriads of emotions played on her face as she went into each and every detail of that time as if the moments were still alive in her heart.

"However, that woman was not willing to end her relationship with your dad. To get your dad back, she rushed back to Dream Garden time and time again, and argued with your dad, accusing him of abandoning her so ruthlessly. Luckily, your dad realized that it was a mistake to get involved with that woman, so every time the woman came back to look for him, he showed himself to be absolutely over with her."

"Even then, she still didn't give up. To make the situation worse, that woman held me accountable for everything. She held a grudge against me. To punish me, she tried hard to set me up many times, even ruir my reputation. Though she could not make it, what she had done left a deep mark on my mind. And that's the reason why I can't bring myself to be nice to Sher no matter how much I try. I admit that I have been extremely unfair to her."

Melissa paused to watch Charles' reaction. Her face was filled with remorse as she continued, "Charles, Sher looks so much identical with that woman. Every time I look at her face, all those moments of despair come alive in front of my eyes. I replace it really odd. In fact, at one point in time, I even felt..."

"You mean Sheryl may be related to that woman by blood? And that is why they look identical?" Charles interrupted his mother. He was rather dubious about the whole idea.

"Earlier, I thought so," Melissa explained. "So, after I came back to Dream Garden, I secretly investigated the woman involved with your dad before. I followed where the woman had gone. In the end, I found out that the woman has been married to another man, and they only have a son. Then I became assured that Sher has nothing to do with that woman. It is a mere coincidence that she looks like her!" Charles let out a gasp of relief in silence. Then he nodded and commented, "So, they have nothing to do with each other, right?"

"Yes, it was my fault. I have thought too much into it. So much that I started to misbehave with Sher." Melissa admitted her fault in front of Charles. She looked extremely remorseful as she explained, "It was all because of a mistake. I regret how I have treated Sher." She looked at Charles' face to gauge his reaction.

Melissa further implied that she would never treat Sheryl in that way ever again.

Charles settled Melissa in her bedroom and walked back to his own. He believed in what Melissa told him and hoped that the relationship between his mother and his wife would improve for the better. When he entered the bedroom, Sheryl was lying in the bed, awake. She realized that he entered, but didn't look at him; instead, she stared blankly towards the ceiling. Charles was at a loss for words. He didn't know how to start the discussion. After a few moments of hesitation, he finally spoke to Sheryl.

"Sher," Charles called out to turn her attention towards him.

"Charles, if you are going to say something that I don't want to hear, please hold it back. I need to get a peaceful sleep. Tomorrow morning, I have to get up early and head for Cloud Advertising Company. I have a very important client to meet. I have to present the first draft for the case I have been working on lately." Sheryl interrupted him. She did not turn towards Charles even for once as she spoke. "Sher, I am sorry," Charles said politely. Since Melissa came into Dream Garden, Sheryl had heard the same apology from Charles so many times that she didn't even want to reply to it anymore. She ignored Charles' apology once again and just kept her eyes closed, trying to avoid a conversation.

"Sher, I know you don't want to hear my excuse. I know you are tired of it. But I still want you to hear me this one last time. Please, I beg you. Just give Mom another chance. She promises that she will not meddle in our affairs anymore. Please give her another chance." Charles' voice trembled as he spoke. Somehow he did not have enough confidence in what he had said.

He had no idea why he didn't feel confident enough when he said this to Sheryl. Clearly, he had some doubts deep down. However, he wanted to believe in what Melissa told him and earnestly wanted everything to be sorted between Sheryl and Melissa.

Sheryl did not reply. In fact, she did not have complete faith in his words. She knew that no matter how much ever Charles tried to make peace between her and his mother, it was a farfetched dream. Hence, she remained quiet.

"It's late. You should go to sleep now." Sheryl turned her back and then added, "To tell the truth, Dream Garden is our home. It doesn't matter whether we stay or leave. What really matters is what kind of life we are going to lead?"

Sheryl finally broke the silence and was willing to say something more. Charles seized this opportunity and understood what Sheryl meant by saying that. He fixed his eyes on her. The earnestness in his eyes melted Sheryl's heart. After all, how long could she be angry at him? He promised at once, "Sher, please rest assured. If Mom picks on you again, I will stand by your side and won't let her misbehave with you anymore!"

Sheryl gave him a meaningful smile. She was willing to trust him. However, she couldn't stop her doubt that Charles would still not be able to fulfill his promise. He would end up surrendering to Melissa again next time. She could feel the helplessness that Charles faced every time there was a discord between her and his mother.

"Go to sleep," said Sheryl politely. She didn't want to say anything anymore.

The next day when Sheryl came into Cloud Advertising Company, she was in a foul mood. With one look at her face, Isla understood the state of her mind. She came closer to her and asked with a lot of concern, "Sher, what's going on between you and Melissa? And about what Aron had taught you, have you got it done?"

Sheryl carried a frown on her face. She looked too rigid and unapproachable to talk. Evidently, she didn't want to talk about it. She replied maintaining the same frown on her face, "Isla, this is not the right moment for us to discuss that. We should head towards Tarsan Corporation without delay, and finish our first draft at the earliest. After that, we can sit around and chat as much as we want."

"I know it's important to handle Tarsan Corporation, but Sher, you get to understand that what has been troubling you is also as important. To tell the truth, you look bad today. I don't know what's happening between you and Melissa, but you are not supposed to let your own stuff affect your work!" In fact, even Isla couldn't put her mind at rest at all because of Sheryl. Sheryl had been so energetic and focused towards her work when she had joined back. Her positivity had filled the office environment with renewed vigor and motivation. But since Melissa stepped into Dream Garden, everything had changed. It seemed as if someone had taken the peace and happiness out of Sheryl's life.

"I got it. Rest assured. Let's plan how to demonstrate our first draft to our client and win over their trust. It will be soon time for us to go to Tarsan Corporation. We have to hurry up and strategize how to pitch for the deal." Sheryl managed to drag Isla's attention back to what she was concerned about right now.

"Okay. After we get this done, I will pay my full attention to you. I will help you solve your family issues," Isla said with a smirk as if she was threatening Sheryl. However, all her attempts to make Sheryl open up fell flat on the face. Clearly, she was defeated by Sheryl's solemn and no-nonsense attitude.

"Okay. After we get this done, you can give your full attention to me. You can even move into Dream Garden and live with me," Sheryl joked, but her face betrayed her words. "Spare me for the time being!" Isla rolled her eyes at Sheryl, with a mischievous smile on her face.

It wasn't until ten o'clock in the morning that they arrived in Tarsan Corporation. "Hello, I am Sheryl from Cloud Advertising Company. I have made an appointment with Irene."

Sheryl greeted the receptionist. She shared a cordial smile with the receptionist as their eyes met. It was quite evident that they had met before. Sheryl was speculating whether the girl remembered her or not. Indeed, when the young woman raised her eyes towards Sheryl, a clear beam flashed over her eyes. She replied at once, smilingly, "Of course. Ms. Xia, Irene is waiting for you. Please come with me." Sheryl was a little overwhelmed by the receptionist's heartiness. She nodded with a smile and followed right behind her. Sheryl took deep breathes to calm herself as she walked behind the receptionist. She closed her eyes once and opened it with a sigh, muttering a prayer.

The inner dilemma that Sheryl was going through did not evade the receptionist's eyes. She let out a laugh and explained, "Ms. Xia, I bet you are not even aware of this. You have done me a big favor. In fact, I was always looking forward to a chance in order to show my gratitude to you."

"Oh! Are you? But what is it for?" Sheryl looked bewildered as she said. Her already crowded mind struggled to process the new information, and it came out absolutely clear on her face.

"I don't know whether you still remember me. The last time when you came to Tarsan Corporation, you were received by me. At that time, I was instructed not to allow you to enter. But you forced your way, and then a series of unhappy things happened. Mr. Qiu got furious, and tried to blame all of it on me. In fact, he went to the extent of firing me!"

Hearing this, Sheryl got completely perplexed. She asked, "So, my last visit almost took you to the verge of losing your job. Then what is it exactly that makes you be thankful to me?"

The receptionist smiled once again and tried to pacify Sheryl's growing inquisitiveness. "Let me finish, please. When Ms. Qiu fired me, it felt like the most cursed moment of my life. It was a moment of despair, and I was packing my stuff. Right at that moment, I was informed that our CEO fired Mr. Qiu. So my job was saved. Moreover, to my surprise, the CEO decided to raise my salary to comfort me. I could never thank you enough for that." There was a spark in the receptionist's eyes and a humble smile on her face as she related the whole incident to Sheryl. She further revealed to Sheryl that her life was changed for better ever since she met Sheryl.

"Oh, I got it." Sheryl smiled heartily as she finally understood why the receptionist had changed her attitude toward her so abruptly.

It took them a long walk from the front desk to the conference room. Evidently, enough time to have a hearty recapitulation of Sheryl's last visit and even a complete account of what followed after that. Somehow, talking to the receptionist made Sheryl feel better, and a genuine smile appeared on her face. Good vibes come from absolutely unexpected quarters at the time when you are not even expecting them. As they reached the conference room, the receptionist turned towards Sheryl once again and said, "Ms. Xia, please allow me a moment. Let me inform Irene, and she will be right here." "Please do. Thank you," Sheryl nodded.

"Not at all. It is my duty. Please wait here." The receptionist gave Sheryl a big smile and left.

After a short span of waiting, a woman in uniform approached them. Seeing Sheryl and Isla, she greeted them, "Nice to meet you. I am Irene, assistant to the CEO. Ten minutes ago, the CEO had to leave for a meeting held at our headquarters. So I have been instructed to meet you. I hope you will not mind it."