The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 516 Anthony Agreed

As Anthony remained silent, Sheryl went on, "It doesn't matter what happened in the past. And nothing is more important to me now than you and Shirley. I lost my memory and you're the only one who was with me when I needed someone to depend on. That man, he means nothing to me. Not even once have I mentioned his name in my letters. It must've been because my past with him was full of unpleasant things. This is why I don't want to associate myself with him in any way I can."

Then, Sheryl slowly placed both her hands in Anthony's cheeks, gently brushed them and said, "I only care about you now. So please, have more faith in yourself, in me and our relationship. Can you do that, fo me?" Her words came in a gush of wind that was filled with love, enough to rekindle her boyfriend's hope for their relationship.

He stared at Sheryl who was doing her best to comfort him, his dull expression slowly lit up and a ray of hope was seen in his eyes.

Thinking how ridiculous he was for worrying about such things, Anthony thought to himself, 'Three years have passed, and a lot of things have changed. She is Sheryl now, different from the Autumn before. Moreover, she is my woman now.

I'm the one who kept her company when she needed someone to depend on. As for Charles, he's long been gone from her memory. He no longer exists.

Sheryl has even forgotten his name, his existence. So, what else do I have to worry? We get along just fine. I understand her needs, including Shirley's. We have shared and gone through a lot together for the past years.

Maybe I was being too sensitive. Maybe I was just worrying for nothing.

This woman, she worked so hard for our future. I shouldn't put her down nor let her give up the chance for us to be together.'

After persuading himself, he grabbed Sheryl's hand and said tenderly,"Sher, if you are already so sure of your decision and have already made up your mind, then I won't stop you anymore. You can go there and fulfill your dream for that fashion show." "As for Shirley, I'll help you look after her so you can rest your mind and focus on what you want to achieve. We'll wait for you," Anthony added in a calm and promising tone.

When she heard him say those words, a smile lit up on her face. She said in relief, "Thank you, Anthony. I won't let you down." Sheryl might have gained Anthony's approval, but a sense of guilt was slowly filling her heart. She could only lower her head to keep him from noticing the inexplicable anxiety in her eyes.

What she confided to Anthony was just a trivial reason for her decision to visit Y City. The real reason behind her decision was because of a voice. A voice kept on resounding in her mind, telling her to return to her hometown.

This familiar voice piqued her interest to have a look at the city where she had lived, but forgotten completely.

The desire to know why someone kept calling her name and who it was kept growing in her. If she could run into some former acquaintances, maybe she would gain the answers to her questions. In Y City

Charles' life was in turmoil and his daily life became a rerun. After getting off from work, he would directly head to the bar for a drink. One day, Chris and Gary stayed at home and had lunch together. After their meal, the old man let out a sigh,"Autumn has left for three years now. But look at your brother, he hasn't gone any better. He's been burying himself in work and alcohol. I just don't know when he can let her go."

Gary kept on worrying for his grandson's welfare. After learning about Autumn and her twins' disappearance, he became seriously ill and his health started to slowly deteriorate.

As for the Zhao family, they decided to leave the city after Autumn disappeared. They initially decided to settle here for her, but when they couldn't replace her after looking everywhere, they decided to desert the place and forget all the painful memories they had here.

Also, it was said that Abby's son was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. The poor mother had wept so many times for her child. Knowing that she would never be happy staying in this place, her husband decided to elope with her family and leave the city behind.

Noticing the sorrowful and worried look on the old man's face, Chris comforted him, "Don't worry about Charles, Grandpa. He will soon get through all this." With a frown, she continued,"He's no longer a kid. He could handle himself now, better than anyone else could."

"Just how could he handle himself without..." Gary mumbled lightly, as he gave a bitter smile. "How could I not worry about your brother? It has already been a long time since his wife's death. Yet, he still couldn't move on, let alone trying to move on. He's only known work and alcohol every day. Tell me, how could I not worry about him?" the old man exclaimed with a pained look all over his face.

Hearing this, Chris didn't know how to console his beloved grandpa. After a long pause of thinking, she knitted her eyebrows and said in an assuring tone, "Don't worry. Charles loved Autumn deeply, so it's normal for him to act like this. But if he gets to go out on a date with another woman, he'll get over her and the pain for sure. He could then start afresh."

"See another woman? Do you think he could replace another one?" Gary responded with his mouth agape. Despite being rich and a hunk, Charles had never entertained other women despite Autumn's disappearance. No other girl could match her, he thought. Instead of dealing with them to help him forget her, he kept ignoring them and attacking them with mean words. Soon enough, those women decided to stop upon realizing how deep his love was for his wife.

Chris' thoughts weren't something new to Gary. And every time he thought about this, he would have a headache. He could only shake his head in disappointment and voiced his opinion,"I'm afraid that will never happen. No other woman is any better than Autumn for your brother, not even if she is a celestial maid."

Not even once did Gary blame Charles for behaving that way, and for not being able to forget his wife. He just hated to see his beloved grandson live in pain.

"We never know, Grandpa. We can only wait and see," Chris said in a comforting tone with her lips curling into a mysterious smile. "I'll help him get things back together and make him pull himself up. Someday he'll be okay," she further added.

Gary couldn't believe Chris' words, and he thought she was just joking. But looking at the concerned look on the old man's face, Chris was already planning how she could bring Charles and Leila together. After having her lunch, Chris made a call to Leila and asked her to meet up in a desert shop.

Leila was overjoyed at the thought that she could get Charles soon. While Andy had been looking for Autumn's son back then, she had made great efforts to hide the boy and even returned to her hometown. Andy had stopped tracing her later. Leila didn't return to Y City until she learned the news of Andy's family's departure from the city.

With Chris' help, Leila believed that she would get married to Charles soon.

At the desert shop, while Leila was approaching Chris' table, Chris could no longer stop herself from saying, "Leila, now's the time. Don't just sit while waiting, you need to make a move. Please, hurry up!" Chris concern for her brother was obvious by the way she furrowed her brows while saying her words.

Leila, stunned by the urgency from Chris' words, said with a wry smile, "I know. I know I need to hurry up. However..." Chris interrupted, "However?" "You know your brother, he's wary of me. If I make some moves quickly, he would easily learn my intentions. And when that happens, I know he will push me further away," Leila replied as if she was about to be in tears.

"Stop hesitating. I have an idea," Chris said while frowning. After a long pause of thinking, she suggested, "You used to be Charles' secretary, right? Perhaps you can handle the work in Shining Company. I heard he needs a secretary and you are a perfect fit. After taking over Sun Company, he's become a lot busier. Go ahead and apply for that post."

Despite seeing Leila's puzzled face, she went on, "This way, you can help Charles with his work. At the same time, you can replace a chance to get closer to him and cultivate your feelings. And oh, you can take of him as an incentive. He has a lot of things to do in a daily basis that he could no longer take care of his own. As long as you work for him, you can show him how much you love and care for him." "This is a good opportunity for you to be closer to him, you shouldn't let this slip," she added with a sense of urgency.

"Do you think that'll work?" Leila asked hesitantly. Leila couldn't help but feel uneasy about Chris' plan. She knew that it would fail easily, given Charles' sharp intuition. But it might go well too, and she would like to hold on to this little hope.

"Of course, it will!" Chris replied immediately. The look on Leila's face was full of doubts. Her hesitant expression made Charles' sister wrinkle her forehead. Chris impatiently asked, "Do you want to marry my brother or not?"

Shocked by Chris' sudden question, Leila was rendered speechless. "I... Of course I do!" Leila admitted with a blush. 'Now is not the time to hesitate. I should grab this chance before I lose him again,' she told herself.

"I see. If you want to get married to him, stop hesitating and start taking actions as soon as possible. If you keep on acting slow, soon enough, he'll grow farther away. If that happens, when can you get him?" Chris lectured while pouting, with her arms crossed. "And even if you can wait, haven't you considered your son's situation?" Chris continued as he seriously asked Leila.