The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1331 Open The Door

Nancy knew what her absence would do to Sheryl once she left the Lu family. Melissa would surely bully Sheryl, who couldn't even replace anymore a friend whom she could share her personal dilemmas with. Just by thinking about this, Nancy couldn't help feeling sorry for Sheryl. So after a moment's silence, she didn't protest anymore. Instead, she started sweeping the floor.

For Melissa, she was glad to see Nancy not contradicting her any more. It made her feel as if Sheryl was groveling before her.

Putting down her teacup, Leila took Melissa's hand and examined it. She saw there was no swelling, but only a little red spot on the skin.

"Aunt Melissa, save your breath. She's not worth it. Instead, let's run your burn under the cold water in the washroom. Then, I'll apply burn ointment. I don't want to see your burn untreated. It might turn worse!" When Leila raised her head to look at Melissa, her eyes were red, tears ready to flow. She looked as if she wished she had been burnt instead of Melissa.

In the washroom, Leila did first aid on Melissa's burnt hand. She ran it under the cold water and applied the ointment. She even blew her breath on the affected area as she treated it so that Melissa wouldn't feel the pain it caused.

Looking at Leila attending to her, Melissa felt her heart warm and light, like there was a breeze. She felt so comfortable and moved, like being on the clouds.

"Aunt Melissa, are you feeling better?" Leila asked.

"Thank you, dear. I feel much better now. You're so sweet!" Melissa looked at Leila with satisfaction.

'She's such a nice lady! Oh, I don't understand why my son doesn't like her and insists on being with Sheryl. What does Sheryl have that Leila doesn't have?' With each passing day, Melissa grew fonder of Leila. She couldn't help sighing inwardly as she thought of the situation.

She gently removed her hand from Leila's touch and said, "Thank you, Leila. Wait here for a moment. I'll go upstairs to check why Charles hasn't come down yet." Melissa was trying so hard to manipulate the situation, preventing Sheryl from replaceing a chance to win Charles back.

Top on Melissa's list was to keep Charles and Sheryl from being alone together and add the conflict between the two of them and the presence of Leila as spices. She believed that the lesser time Charles and Sheryl had for each other, the better chance of separating them. And, rating her efforts in putting her plans into action, she could say that she was highly successful. All she was waiting for was for Charles to eventually shift his attention to Leila.

Returning from her reverie, Melissa left Leila and went upstairs.

Leila's eyes were sparkling. She was as determined as Melissa.

All she had to do was always be in the good side of Melissa. She knew once Melissa succeeded in breaking Charles and Sheryl apart, she would land the spot in the Lu family. She could see herself as the future wife of Charles under the support of Melissa.

Meanwhile, moans filled the room at the other side of the door. Sheryl and Charles were making out in the bedroom when someone suddenly knocked on the door.

The knock made Sheryl froze. Her face turned bright red. It woke her up from the dreamy reality. Then, she tried to push Charles away, but her efforts were wasted.

For Charles, the moment was so amazing. He was enjoying every bit of the moment that made him so reluctant to stop whatever he was doing to the soft body underneath him. He definitely heard the knock but decided to turn a deaf ear. Seeing his expression, Sheryl knew that he wouldn't stop unless being forced to.

"Charles! Stop! There's someone outside!"

Starting to get nervous, Sheryl worried that they could be heard by the person outside.

"I don't care. Just let the person wait outside.

I'm busy anyway. With you..."

Charles mumbled as he trailed feathery kisses along Sheryl's neck.

Outside, Melissa was determined to get Charles downstairs. This time, she knocked harder.

Still, the door wasn't opened yet. When she thought that Sheryl was inside pestering her son again, her impatience suddenly turned to rage.

"Charles! Open the door!" Making sure Charles would hear her, Melissa shouted as she pounded on the door harder.

When Sheryl heard Melissa's voice, her face darkened. She turned her head away as Charles was about to kiss her. Then, she pushed Charles off her with all her might. She stood up, picked up her dress and put it on.

Also annoyed by the knocks, Charles looked at the door and cursed silently. To soothe Sheryl, he kissed her on the hair. He quickly stood up, picked up his clothes which were scattered on the floor and put them on.

Several minutes had passed. Melissa was now sure that Charles and Sheryl were making out, not talking about business.

'She's really a bitch! How dare she seduce Charles! Just wait until I get my hands on you, bitch!'

Melissa furiously thought. Trying to control her anger, she clenched and unclenched her hands. The marks on her palms left by her fingers were already black and blue. Couldn't wait any longer, she placed her ear on the door and tried to listen hard.

Just then, the door opened! Melissa was so surprised she was caught in the act! She took a step back and straightened her posture. Not looking Charles in the eye, she cast her look everywhere around them. It was so improper for a lady to be caught eavesdropping.

In a foul mood, Charles stared at his mother. He remained standing by the doorway, blocking the entrance, while holding the door. It was obvious he didn't want Melissa to enter the room. Meanwhile, Melissa became nervous when she saw her son's poker face. But being his mother, she knew that Charles wouldn't do anything bad to her. So she kept up her arrogant facade.

"What is it, Mom?" Charles asked briefly. Looking at his mother, he knew that Melissa would not speak first especially after he caught her. Moreover, he wished that whatever agenda Melissa had would be finished soon. He wanted her to leave as soon as possible.

Not detecting any impatience in Charles' voice, Melissa still felt that Charles was questioning her.

"What is that supposed to mean?! I am your mother. Don't I have any right to call on you even if there's nothing special?" counter-attacked Melissa. This time, she stared at Charles. She was looking on his face for clues to confirm her suspicions.

"Mom, what exactly do you want from me?" After hearing his mother's excuse, Charles felt suddenly tired. He chose to ignore her question, and asked her what she wanted instead.

"I... I..."

Not knowing what to reply, she stammered. She couldn't tell him the truth-that she came up to check if he was making out with Sheryl.

"I just want to check if you are finished with your business engagement. And, I am inviting you to join me downstairs for some snacks. If you're not done yet, at least have a quick bite before you continue with your business."

Melissa invited Charles pretending that she came up because she was concerned for his well-being.