The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 524 She Is Back

Isla broke the suspense and relieved Charles from the guessing game as she revealed the answer. "She said you were handsome. Aron got absolutely green with jealousy when he heard this," she said

cheekily.

Then the three adults burst into laughter. Although Amanda had no idea why they were laughing, she giggled innocently. Isla quickly picked her up and tickled her to get some more of her giggles. Truly, there is nothing so pure as a baby's laughter.

Soon the waitress served the food on their plates. Isla helped her daughter with the food while the two men started talking about their business. "I heard BM Corporation is planning a grand show for the Spring They have hired models from abroad to walk the ramp. Those wealthy and infuential figures in Y City are invited to be a part of the show."

"Yes, even I have heard about it." Charles nodded as he savored the food. "The news about their upcoming show has been widely broadcasted all across the Y City. I have even heard that BM Corporation's sales figures have gone up majorly after the news of their show being covered by the leading media houses."

"It needs to be taken seriously, Charles. Otherwise, it might affect the Autumn Fashion show that your company has organized." Aron said with a concerned look. Both Aron and Charles were seasoned businessmen of the current generation in Y City. They had a very strong grip on the market. BM Corporation was a new entrant in the business. Yet they came with a lot of freshness and spark that even the established players could not deny.

It was truly a concern for Charles. He looked up at Aron and said, "Yeah, it has some influence. But BM Corporation is just a newbie here, after all. And I still have many old clients. But..." With a frown, he continued, "If the reports on their show continue to spread like a wildfire, our company might lose some big clients. And it's certainly not good news for my company."

"I tried to investigate about this company, but could not replace much information about it," Aron said, furrowing his brows.

"Speaking of this BM Corporation, I learned something significant about them..." Isla cut in abruptly. Isla spoke while she fed her daughter. Then as she cast her glance on Aron and Charles, the two men were staring at her with curious eyes expecting her to give the complete information. Quickly she finished feeding Amanda and continued, "People from BM Corporation approached me a few days ago and invited me to help them organize their upcoming Spring Show.

Later..." She continued as the two men listened to her intently,"Later, even their boss came to me personally. He is a young handsome lad. He was not even well versed in Chinese. As far as I know, he is from Korea and he learned Chinese for his girlfriend."

Charles fell into a deep thought for a while. Isla's words raised a lot doubts in his mind. 'He is from Korean? Then why did he come to Y City suddenly?' he wondered with his eyebrows knitted into a frown.

"I saw his girlfriend," Isla continued. "She has an exquisite appearance as if she has gone through a plastic surgery. But I have to admit that she is hot. She told me she was a native in Y City. So I guess that's why this young man extended his business to Y City." Isla became silent for a moment as she spoke of that lady. There was a weird uncanny feeling that she experienced while interacting with her. 'That woman cast me an inexplicable glance before she left, as if she knew me.

But I'm sure that I never met her before,' she thought.

"Oh! Well, I almost forgot about it," Aron spoke abruptly, as he turned towards Charles. "The show will be held on the same day when Autumn disappeared three years ago. The BM Corporation sent me an invitation. It seems their show will be a grand one."

"Yes, I know," said Charles. "Even I have received an invitation from them." However, there was no way that he could attend the show on that day. Neither did he have any intention to do so.

In the past three years, he had spent the day visiting the warehouse where he found Autumn's blood. This year, there would be no exception.

Isla actually treated Charles to a meal today for this matter. She proposed to go that depot with him together this year.

Charles visited the spot where Autumn disappeared every year. It was a place that he wanted to visit all by himself perhaps with a hope that he would replace his love back from the same place. It was one of those several places that helped him to feel the presence of his estranged wife that he never wanted anyone else to be a part of. However, when Isla insisted, he could not say no to it. After a hesitation, Charles nodded in agreement.

In the United States

The preparation for the Spring and Summer Fashion show was on full swing at the BM Corporation. It was their first ever mega event in Y City and they just had to make a mark. Although there was over half a month left before the show, the models were summoned for practicing on a daily basis.

This was particularly unusual for any company requiring the models to prepare so much ahead of time for a show. This resulted in dissatisfaction among the models as they had to turn down all the shows they had signed.

BM Corporation had a very clear aim of getting the best out of each and every model. They were not ready to leave a stone unturned in order to make their show the biggest ever in Y City. The CEO of BM Corporation knew just how to take care of all the complaints of the models. He gave them some extra allowance that helped to manage their aspirations very effectively. Soon their dissatisfactions vanished and they were all back on the job.

"Sher, did you hear about the BM Corporation? Since I started my career in the show business, I have never met a boss who is as generous as him," Sue said to Sheryl after they walked out of BM Corporation It was indeed unusual for any company in the fashion event industry to be so liberal with money.

"I have no idea. Even I'm confused," Sheryl replied. However, she didn't have the luxury to think and analyze the strategies adopted by the BM Corporation. All she knew was that they offered a good salary. "We're leaving tomorrow, so we need to go home and pack our stuff," she changed the topic and said to Sue.

"What are you going to do with Shirley?" Sue asked with a lot of concern in her voice.

"I'll send her to Anthony's apartment for the time being," Sheryl replied. When Sheryl reached home, she saw Anthony cooking in the kitchen. He greeted her with a warm smile as she entered the house. "You're back? Go wash your hands. Dinner is ready," he said to her lovingly.

"Got it," Sheryl replied with a little nod as she proceeded to freshen up. After finishing dinner, she told Anthony about BM Corporation's plan to leave for Y City the very next day. It was definitely not good news for Anthony who just chose to remain silent with knitted brows.

Sheryl mapped his face and grew uneasy seeing the grim expression on his face. It took her a lot of efforts to make Anthony agree to let her travel to Y city. 'What if Anthony changed his mind?' His silence made her feel anxious.

"What's up? Don't you have anything to tell me?" Sheryl asked nervously.

"Nothing. I was just a little surprised," Anthony spoke maintaining the same grimness. He arched his eyebrows, and exclaimed, "What's going on? I never heard you mention this before. Like, this is just all of a sudden."

It was surprising for Sheryl as well. Moreover, the BM Corporation did not give any explanation to the models for this. "I don't know. Even the company told us that they made this decision recently. I have even received some allowance for this. After this show, I can rest for a long time," she replied cheekily. The peaceful smile on her face as she said 'rest for a long time' tugged at Anthony's heart string and his stern look disappeared into a loving smile. Both of them seemed to agree finally.

"Well, then how about I introduce you to my parents after this show?" Anthony suggested. He never tried to rush her into this relationship. He was extremely patient. He had planned to wait for her to accept him wholeheartedly. But since she was going to Y City, he became insecure with the fear to lose her. Hence, he planned to quicken his plan of action as well.

Upon hearing this, Sheryl blushed like a red rose. With a look at Anthony, she asked coyly,"Did your parents agree to meet me?"

"Yes, they did," Anthony replied maintaining a matter-of-fact expression on his face. The fact was just the opposite of what he just said. He had mentioned about bringing Sheryl home to his parents during his call, but his parents strongly opposed his decision and even scolded him for this.

However, given the situation, Anthony could not afford to waste any more time. He thought that his parents would accept Sheryl sooner or later.

"Well, then I'll go with you and visit your parents..." Sheryl said bashfully. 'Sue is right. Anthony is a good man and I am truly lucky to have him as a boyfriend. We have dated for long, and now, it's time to move on,' she told herself.

In the last three years Sheryl was completely accustomed with having Anthony around all the time. He was there for her at every point of time. Perhaps she just didn't know if she really loved this man. "Well, then I'll go get my stuff ready," Sheryl said and returned to her room. Little Shirley followed her mother into the room. Looking at Sheryl busy packing her belongings, she tilted her head and asked curiously,"Where are you going, mom?"

Sheryl lifted up her little cherub and gave her a loving nudge on cheeks and then explained to her, "I need to go for a business trip for a few days. You will stay with Tony till I come back and I'll bring you beautiful dresses. Okay?" Sheryl looked at her daughter's face lovingly. Shirley stared at her face as she spoke the words. Her face grew from a bleak smile when her mother spoke about being away to a bright smile at the mention of new dresses.

"Okay," Shirley exclaimed with delight. She was a blessing for Sheryl. You hardly found any kid of her age to be so sensitive and obedient. Unlike other kids, she never wailed when her mother left her for work. So accommodating she was even at such a tender age! This really helped and assured Sheryl to a great extent during her days of struggle.