The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 2020 It’s Time For Both Of You To Pay!

After finishing with her work, Sheryl allowed Phoebe to get off duty earlier than usual. And alone, she went to the appointed place. Sheryl and Belinda had made an appointment in advance to have dinner. Thanks to Melissa's dramas, Sheryl had gotten acquainted with Belinda. They got along well and enjoyed each other's company.

Since the day Sheryl had gone to Belinda and apologized to her, Belinda's impression of Sheryl took a drastic turn. She used to look down upon Sheryl, but now, Belinda admired Sheryl's honesty and sincerity. Everything about Sheryl made her a trustworthy friend.

"Sheryl, I am sad I met you so late in life. It is so rare to replace people like you these days. You made me realize what a real friend should be. I have many friends, but none of them are as genuine as you. I know most of them are sticking around just because of my status. They are obedient, but behind my back, they speak ill of me. I just pretend that I don't know..."

Sheryl realized Belinda was opening up her heart to her, so she felt touched. But there was a part of Sheryl that was truly shocked. Belinda's personal troubles raised Sheryl's compassion.

They had met like this on several occasions. Belinda had asked Sheryl to attend her marriage as her bridesmaid. She had thought that she would receive a positive reply from Sheryl, but to her dismay, Sheryl refused her request.

Belinda and Jackson had booked a table in a large restaurant, and they happily waited there for Sheryl to arrive. When Sheryl reached the restaurant, she quickly spotted the couple from a distance. Sheryl felt apologetic when she found herself late for dinner. She quickened her pace. Before she took a seat beside Belinda and sat down, she smiled and apologized, "Sorry, I hope I haven't kept you waiting for too long!"

"Come on, Sheryl! Don't be so courteous. We are friends after all!" Belinda taunted since she didn't appreciate it when Sheryl behaved so formally. After all, they were friends, and Sheryl was supposed to be comfortable instead of apologetic.

"Well, then I promise to never behave in this manner with you. I take back my apology!" Sheryl replied with a meaningful smile.

The atmosphere was livened up by such an amusing conversation, and Jackson couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't forget about me. I don't know why, but I am starting to feel ignored," Jackson cut in, trying to get the attention of the two girls.

Seeing how desperately Jackson was trying to fit in, Sheryl and Belinda exchanged a smile and burst into laughter.

Soon, the waiter came up with a menu. Belinda immediately took it and turned her head toward Jackson, saying, "Now, Jackson, I have always told you that Sheryl and I think alike. It's time to witness it!" Then Belinda handed the menu to Sheryl, allowing her to pick the food.

Sheryl had no idea what Belinda was trying to say. Still, she took the menu and began to scan through the dishes. Slowly, she picked the ones she liked.

Once Sheryl presented the list, Jackson felt astonished to see her taste. He exclaimed with surprise and said, "Sheryl, I can't believe that you and Belinda enjoy exactly the same food! This is unbelievable! Belinda will be ordering the same!"

"Really?" Sheryl asked, with a smile that said she didn't believe it.

She began to look at Belinda, trying to decipher if it was some kind of a joke.

"See, Jackson, do you believe me now? I keep telling you that Sheryl and I have the same preferences. She and I are meant to be friends!" Belinda smirked, with her eyebrows raised.

"Okay, since I have seen it with my own eyes, I have no other choice. So yes, you win. Now I believe it one hundred percent!"

The dinner continued as Jackson and Belinda shared their romantic relationship. They even consulted Sheryl about their wedding. As a listener, Sheryl was reminded of how things used to be between her and Charles.

But all of her good days were in the past. None of it would return. Now Sheryl could only admire this new couple and wish the best for them.

"Sheryl, are you okay?" Belinda questioned, snapping Sheryl back to reality. She had noticed that Sheryl was in some other world, so she waved her hand in front of her.

Sheryl looked at them, her face cherry red. Awkwardly, she said, "I'm fine. I was just admiring the two of you!"

"Oh, Sheryl, you don't have to admire us! You are such a wonderful woman. I bet you must have many pursuers already. I am looking forward to the day when you will replace your true happiness!" Belinda said while holding Sheryl's hand and flashing a genuine smile.

Listening to Belinda talking about her love life, Sheryl felt a bit awkward. She nodded her head slightly and then lowered her reddened face. Feeling too shy to talk, she decided to content herself with being a good listener.

After the meal, Jackson drove Sheryl back to her company.

Sheryl proceeded to wrap up her daily business. Suddenly, she remembered there was still some important work that needed completion. Since her mind was relieved from earlier distress, she was able to bury herself into work without any difficulty. But she was unaware that someone was worrying about her at this moment.

"What did you just say?" Charles shot David a puzzled look and asked.

David was shocked to see Charles' response. For a moment, he stood dumbstruck.

"Speak up, David! Answer my question!" Charles' anxiety intensified as he continued to look at David.

"Jackson and Belinda invited Mrs. Xia for dinner. They had an enjoyable conversation. That's all the information I've got. I just thought I had to inform you about it since I found it a bit odd!" David had filled Charles in on everything he knew. Charles had listened to it with rapt attention.

David's instinct had told him this meeting was important, so he had asked some of his men to keep an eye on Sheryl.

He thought it necessary considering how concerned his boss was about Sheryl.

It was only after giving this matter a lot of thought that he finally decided to report it to Charles.

As David had expected, Charles' reaction was that of shock. Once he listened to the whole thing, Charles remained silent for a long while.

"Are you trying to say that Sheryl has developed a good friendship with Jackson's fiancée, Belinda? How is that possible?" Charles quickly pulled himself out of his thoughts and put forth this question. It took him a while to believe the whole thing. Then Charles sighed in his heart, 'That's my girl! Only she is capable of turning the worst enemy into her best friend!'

"Yes, as far as I am informed!" David replied at once.

Then they exchanged a knowing smile.

"Okay, now you should get back to work!" Charles was overcome by a surging impulse that made him want to get back to Sheryl.

Since it had been so long that he hadn't met Sheryl, Charles missed Sheryl immensely. Just by listening to David mention her name, he felt a vacant feeling in his heart. Nothing could stop him from meeting her.

The smile that crept across Charles' face brought some relief to David's mind. He couldn't remember the last time he saw such an expression on his boss' face.

"Mr. Lu, I have men who promised to keep a close eye on Vicky. Once we replace something useful, you will be the first one to be notified. I am sure it is only a matter of days before you and Mrs. Xia can get back together!" David promised.

David couldn't leave without reminding his boss to give his mind a rest.

However, no matter what David had said, Charles had an uneasy feeling in his heart.

'Vicky? Don't be scared of her!

Why are you so intimidated by her? Don't be! Be a man and get rid of this trouble! Or else it will be too late!' Charles told himself, wanting to take action.

Suddenly, Charles heard someone knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Charles called. He frowned as he knew it was his secretary who was knocking. He quickly cleared his mind and then gestured for her to report.

"Mr. Lu, I am here to remind you of the meeting you have at 3 p.m. Do you want me to reschedule it?" the secretary asked in a very cautious tone at seeing the trace of anxiety over her boss' face.

"No, I will be attending it. You can leave now!" Charles slightly nodded his head, and then he asked her to leave.

At the same time, in the villa where Vicky stayed, it was eerily silent.

Vicky sat alone in front of the dresser, looking into the mirror. Her delicate and beautiful face was engulfed in sorrow. A surge of rage began to grow in her heart.

Her thoughts took a different turn. Unable to control it, she let out a sneer and narrowed her eyes.

'Charles and Sheryl, it's time for both of you to pay! As long as I am alive, you guys can't live a peaceful life. I take an oath to destroy you both!'

A sudden knock of the door brought Vicky back to reality.

She immediately composed herself. Quickly, she gazed at the door and answered, "Come in, please!"