The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 553 A Difficult Decision

A perplexed Sheryl started to read the information about Pigeon Double Fish Kindergarten. According to its brochure, the school had full facilities, a comfortable environment, and excellent teachers. And while its admission fees were quite expensive, the kindergarten's location was favorable - Y City.

She laid down the document and with a confused look asked, "Mr. Han, why are you showing me this?"

In her mind, Sheryl was trying to figure out what the man's motive was. 'Why is he concerned about a kindergarten for my child?' she wondered.

"Please don't get me wrong. You were not present in yesterday's ball, so I wanted to discuss with you this matter in private," George started to explain. Smiling, he continued, "I made an official statement before all the models present yesterday that BM Corporation is planning to establish a modeling agency here in Y City. Most of the models agreed to stay in Y City and sighed contracts, including your good friend, Sue."

He further continued, "After signing contracts, they're eligible for long-term opportunities with the company."

Sheryl didn't feel comfortable talking to George about this and decided to be very careful to avoid any sinister plans.

Without uttering a single word, she looked at George suspiciously. However, the man sensed this and proceeded to reassure Sheryl.

"Please, there is no need to be suspicious. You were all selected based on merit, with Director Ang giving his input. As you can see, the director was first hard on you, but eventually treated you fairly." He smiled broadly and declared, "You're going to make me a huge fortune."

"Mr. Han, you're kidding me. But I am greatly flattered," she said, taken aback. She composed herself before continuing,"I am fully aware of my status as a single mother, so I didn't expect to be selected. I also thought my age would be to my disadvantage. That's why I am in your debt for accepting me as a temporary model."

George shook his head in disbelief. "Miss Xia, you are more elegant and well-rounded than the rest of the models."

He then quickly added, "You know why? Because you're older and you've been married."

The woman was quite embarrassed by the man's remark. Sheryl suddenly felt the statement reduced her to an object of flirtation.

Sensing her discomfort, George quickly apologized. "Miss Xia, I do not speak English very fluently. Please, do not take my casual remarks to heart."

He offered a smile and then continued, "All I want is to express how impressed I am by you and to convince you to accept my offer.

The kindergarten was intended to sweeten the offer. If you accept, your daughter will be admitted to the school immediately." George paused, waiting for a reaction. "Of course, there is room for negotiations with regards to your annual salary."

Sheryl was overwhelmed by everything he said. "Mr. Han, I am a single mother and I don't deserve all the effort and time you're giving me!"

Still, she was aware, having been on her own for a while, that there could be something deceitful behind the man's enthusiasm to hire her.

"Oh, you deserve it. Definitely, you do," he said, flashing his smile again. "My long business experience tells me your potential success will be to my advantage. I am ready to invest in you, give you the salary you desire, and provide you with an eighty-square meter flat for you and your daughter. So, I hope you will accept my offer."

The impassioned speech made Sheryl think.

"Mr. Han, please give me time to consider the offer," she requested.

"Of course! Think about it, please," he agreed. Nodding in approval, he admitted, "Miss Xia, I know you may decline my offer. But I am hoping you accept it. I will do everything to convince you to be my contract model."

Before leaving, he offered her a smile again. "Miss Xia, I will wait for your answer. Think it over very well," he advised. This time, Sheryl smiled in response.

"Of course I will give it the due consideration," she promised. Hesitantly, she asked if she could bring the kindergarten information for review. He pushed it towards her enthusiastically.

"Please feel free to do that!" he urged. She stood up and bowed slightly in gratitude.

"I will go ahead now. Thank you again," she said. On her way back to the hotel, Sheryl kept thinking about the offer. For her, the most appealing part was the opportunity for Shirley to study in that kindergarten. She wanted her daughter to go to school in China, for she didn't want Shirley to know nothing about her country.

They were Chinese and they should be proud of it.

"Sheryl! You're back!" Sue cried out enthusiastically. After doing her daily exercise, Sue arrived to replace her friend sitting by the window, looking worried while holding a document in her hand.

She peered at the paper in Sheryl's hand and frowned. Her friend said nothing, so she finally asked, "Sheryl, do you want to resettle in Y City?"

"Definitely not!" the young mother blurted out. Sheryl had to talk some sense into Sue and said, "I was just looking over the information Mr. Han gave me."

"Oh yeah?" Sue said, with a hint of curiosity. She took the papers from Sheryl and examined them. "Wow, Mr. Han seems to be doing everything to convince you to work here in Y City."

"What are you talking about?" Sheryl asked. Sheryl still had her doubts.

"That's what you get for missing the ball," Sue admonished her.

"You missed out on the details. Mr. Han's fiancee showed up that night asking about your condition. Fortunately, I was able to appease her. Then, she requested Mr. Han to interview you for the modeling contract."

Sue wrinkled her brows before continuing, "It seemed to me Mr. Han's fiancee has these strange ideas about you."

Sue had her doubts but let it pass.

But Sheryl found it strange for Holley to ask about her condition or to be close to her.

'We hardly knew each other, ' Sheryl thought.

In fact, Holley was a stranger to her.

Sue broke into her thoughts. "Sheryl, do you want to accept the offer?"

She heard the concern in her friend's tone.

"I haven't made a decision yet," Sheryl admitted. Shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders as a gesture of uncertainty, she groaned a little. "Now, I am torn by indecision."

Sheryl told Sue about the preferential treatment George promised. She paused to consider. "I know nothing good comes easily. But I'm replaceing it hard to decline his offer," she admitted.

Sue did her best to convince her friend to accept the offer. "There is no harm in accepting, once you consider all his favorable conditions and terms. Besides, that means Shirley will study in a comfortable and healthy environment."

She continued to argue,"And she will learn Chinese culture. That's what you want, right?"

Sue then took Sheryl's hand and squeezed it. "But best of all, if you settle in Y City, you, Shirley and I will be living here together happily!" she said excitedly.

"You really want me to settle down here?"

Sheryl wasn't very sure about Sue's real intentions.

"Of course, I do. We're best friends and we deserve to live and work together."

Somehow, Sue sensed Sheryl's uneasiness.

But then her friend's face lit up with Sue's honesty and sincerity.