The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 2023 Security Camera

Smiling, Sheryl caressed her children's heads. It was peaceful like this, with just her family. It seemed that the world's problems were a million miles away from them. However, every peaceful moment had to end. Her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts.

With one glance at her phone, she already knew who was calling without having to look at the Caller ID. Bringing it close to her ear, she shook her head. "What now, Isla?"

"You're still at home, aren't you?" Isla said exasperatedly.

"I..." Isla didn't even let Sheryl finish as she continued, "Get out of there and meet me, or you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Isla usually wasn't so anxious. Sheryl glanced at Shirley and Clark, who probably heard what Isla had said, already looking disappointed that their mom would go out. Sighing, she turned back to her phone. "Fine, I'll see you later."

She looked at her children once she hung up.

"Mom, are you going out?" Shirley frowned.

"It's Aunt Isla, Sweetie. I think it's something urgent," Sheryl said apologetically, running her fingers down her daughter's braids. "I should get going, but I'll be back soon. I promise." Shirley, however, didn't seem convinced.

"No! I don't want you to go, Mom. I want to sleep with you. What if I call Aunt Isla and ask her to change the time? Please, Mom!" Shirley pulled her mother's arm, begging as she continually jumped up and down on the carpet. Her eyes were already glistening from unshed tears.

At that point, Sheryl didn't even know what to say, feeling her guilt lodging in her throat.

"Shirley, stop. It must be an emergency, or else Aunt Isla wouldn't be calling Mom at this time. You need to stop and be a big girl, okay?" Clark said softly, taking over from his mother.

Sheryl glanced at her son, smiling gratefully. It was a good thing that she had a son old enough to understand the situation.

"But I want to stay with Mom. I don't want her to leave..." However, Shirley didn't listen to any of them. She lowered her head, pillow held close to her body, as she sniffled. Her voice was already thready, sounding as if she was about to cry.

Sheryl rubbed Shirley's back. "I'm sorry, Sweetie, but you know Aunt Isla. She must really need my help now." She leaned over, just long enough to tuck a stray hair behind Shirley's ear. "I promise I'll stay at home with you tomorrow. Is that okay?"

"No." The young girl was adamant.

"Shirley, do you still remember what our teacher told us?" Clark butted in before his sister could throw another fit.

Sheryl shot him a grateful look when he did so. Shirley slowly lifted her head to look at her brother. There were already tears running down her cheek, but she calmed herself.

"Yes." Shirley finally nodded, much to Sheryl's relief.

"Mom has her own problems to deal with, so we should support her, okay?" He held onto his sister's hand, slowly uttering his words. "Let's go to the bedroom, yeah? I'm sure Mom will make it up to us over the weekend." Slowly standing up, Clark kissed his mother on the cheek before assisting Shirley to do the same.

Although still a bit disgruntled, Shirley followed as she stood on tiptoes to kiss her mother on the cheek. Saying a soft 'goodbye,' she headed with Clark back to their bedroom.

When they were a few steps from the bedroom, Clark turned his head back and smiled when he saw the proud look on Sheryl's face.

He really had grown up to be more mature than people his age. Sheryl couldn't help but be reminded of Charles, seeing as how her son had inherited most of his traits.

Both of them were thoughtful and considerate, always putting others ahead of themselves.

"Good night," Sheryl murmured and left the apartment.

'Dark Night, huh?' Sheryl thought as she glanced at the location when she finally arrived.

The loud music boomed from different places so that it almost felt like the entire club was shaking. People were lounging outside, holding bottles of liquor. Sheryl wrinkled her nose as the tangy odor hit her. She cringed as she walked nearer, the sound getting louder and louder.

Shaking her head with hands covering both her ears, Sheryl walked in.

'I'm just going to replace Isla as fast as I can and get the hell out of here, Sheryl comforted herself as she pushed through the drunk crowd.

People around were already swaying their hips to the beat, singing under the flashing lights that made Sheryl more nauseous than excited. They were probably a few years younger than her, Sheryl noticed, and she couldn't help but look back at the days when she was also their age. 'How nice to be young.'

Sheryl made her way to the bar, looking at the few customers that crowded the area before finally locking in on her friend. Isla was sitting at the edge, far away from the crowd, and she held close to her glass. Even from a distance, Sheryl could make out her furrowed eyebrows and soundless sighs as she took a sip.

Quickening her pace, Sheryl walked over there.

Spotting Sheryl as she neared, Isla waved her hand before gesturing at the seat beside her.

"It's too noisy here," Isla whispered once the other sat down. "What do you think about going to the cafe next door? I've got something to tell you."

Isla had wanted to talk with Sheryl here, but after noticing her friend being uncomfortable for a good solid ten seconds, she couldn't help but suggest another place for them to talk about it.

"Great, I'm not a fan of bars." Sheryl stood up and walked out of the bar almost immediately after Isla's question, not even bothering to wait for her reply. Sheryl always hated the loud noise, especially the recurrence of PDA at every corner of the room.

In the café

Sheryl sat down at the table and ordered a cup of coffee. When they were finally alone and at peace, Isla burst into laughter before saying, "David came to the bar today." "David? What was he doing in the bar?" Sheryl asked Isla, raising her eyebrows as she leaned forward.

Isla knew Sheryl would be interested in this, fully aware that Sheryl was also interested in knowing what was up with Charles as well, though she didn't really plan on showing it. "What's so funny?" Sheryl snapped, as Isla couldn't stop giggling every now and then, failing to see the invested look she had on her face just a second ago.

"I know you still care about Charles, Sher. Don't try to lie to me," Isla rolled her eyes, the smile still painted on her face. "I swear, Charles is-"

"Why was David in the bar?" Sheryl interrupted before Isla could add anything more. The last thing she wanted to hear or talk about was Charles.

Isla cleared her throat. "David asked me for the bar's security footage, so I asked him why he needed it, but he just wouldn't tell me. In the end, I told him to leave."

"That's it?" Sheryl waved her hand exasperatedly when she finished. And here she was expecting ground breaking news, not something that could lull her to sleep.

"You don't get it, do you?" Isla nudged her arm. "I bet Charles asked him to do that because he still cares for you, just like you still care about him. What can I say? You're both as oblivious as you are perfect for each other."

"You're drunk, Isla. Charles wouldn't do that," Sheryl snorted at the incredulous thought.

"Who knows?" Isla shrugged, reeling back. "People can change. Why else would David be coming in for the security footage?" Isla was confident that she was right.

Sheryl rolled her eyes and looked out of the window. Maybe she should have stayed at home with the kids, instead of listening to this nonsense. She shook her head.