The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 599 A Chat With Amy

"Dad, did you quarrel with Sher?" Charlie was confused so he asked Charles on their way home. "Why?" Charles asked back. He was holding Charlie's hand while thinking on how to comfort Sheryl.

"Sher seemed not in a good mood when we came," Charlie answered. After thinking for a while, he continued, "She didn't respond to me when I greeted her. Then she told me not to visit the hospital because she was afraid that I might get infected by Shirley. But from her expression, I could tell that it was not what she meant.

So I guessed you two must have quarreled. Am I right?" Charlie asked.

Charles couldn't help but smile bitterly. Even a kid could tell there was something wrong between them. It seemed that Sheryl's annoyance was really obvious.

When Charles didn't answer, Charlie continued, "In soap operas, when two people fought, the man always apologizes first. So dad, I think you should behave like a gentleman and apologize to Sher. After all, she is a woman."

"Okay," Charles agreed with a smile while patting Charlie's head. "Don't worry. I promise, I will apologize to her."

Hearing Charles's words, Charlie flashed a wide grin. Children's way of thinking is simple. In their minds, every problem will have a solution. Quarreling is not a big deal and can easily be solved by an apology. Back in the ward, Sheryl sat beside Shirley's sickbed absentmindedly. Sensing that something was wrong, Shirley asked cautiously,"Sher, you look unhappy. What's wrong?" Pulling her mind back, Sheryl smiled and said, "Nothing. I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me," Shirley said, unconvinced. "I called your name several times, but you didn't respond. It seemed like your mind was wandering somewhere else. Did you quarrel with Uncle Charles?" she continued.

"Why are you suddenly asking me that question?" Sheryl didn't expect such a question from a little girl. She felt embarrassed.

"I only guessed," Shirley said. "You've been acting weird recently. I found you always hiding yourself from Uncle Charles." Sheryl was surprised that even Shirley had already noticed it. She replied with a smile, "It's adults' business, don't meddle in it." Then she tucked Shirley to bed.

"I'm not a little kid anymore," Shirley protested with a frown. "I really couldn't understand why you adults are so moody. Couldn't you be more patient and just explain things clearly to each other?" she complained.

Sheryl couldn't help laughing when she heard Shirley. A little girl was teaching an adult like her.

"When you grow up, you will understand it," she said. "Apologies can't simply solve all problems," she added.

Since Shirley was just a child, she didn't really take the matter seriously. She soon forgot about it and asked Amy to tell her some stories. So after feeding her, Amy began to tell her stories.

It was a long but beautiful fairy tale that even Sheryl enjoyed listening to it while having some snacks.

After a while, Shirley fell asleep so Amy found an opportunity to chat with Sheryl.

Sheryl was clearing the table and was about to clean the utensils but Amy stopped her. "Don't bother Sher, I'd take them home."

"Forget it," Sheryl said, frowning. "You already brought so much food for Shirley and I. I shouldn't bother you anymore."

"Come on! Don't mention it," Amy said with a smile, tucking the quilt for Shirley. Then she turned to Sheryl and asked, "Could we go out and have a chat?"

Sheryl was a little surprised. She had no idea what Amy was going to talk to her about. But, she still nodded in agreement.

Afraid that they might awaken Shirley, they quietly walked out and sat on the bench near the door. "You seem to be in a bad mood," Amy started.

"No, it was nothing," Sheryl denied. As much as possible, she didn't want to talk about Charles to Amy.

Amy was not convinced so she continued, "Even Shirley could tell that you're unhappy. I might be old, but not blind."

"I..." Sheryl smiled awkwardly. She couldn't say anything because she didn't know how to reply.

"Was it because of the man who came earlier?" Amy pried. Amy didn't mind being straightforward. She really wanted to know how Sheryl felt about Charles so she could take the next step.

Sheryl looked at Amy in surprise. Looking through her eyes, Amy could tell that she was right. But she still couldn't guess what Sheryl was thinking at the moment.

"You have feelings for him, right?" Amy asked.

"No, that would never happen!" Sheryl sounded very defensive. She lowered her head. She was afraid that Amy might see something different from her eyes. "Then, why have you been in a bad mood after he showed up?" Amy continued to ask.

"I don't know," Sheryl answered honestly. Even she was also confused so she shook her head slightly. "I couldn't understand my feelings for him. It was weird. Whenever I saw him, my heart would beat so fast. It felt like I have already known him before but I couldn't really remember when, where, and how."

She paused for a moment and then continued, "I don't know what's wrong with me but I felt like I always want to hide from him."

Amy frowned deeply. She could tell that Sheryl was still fascinated with Charles but she had been suppressing her feeling all along.

Amy was afraid that Sheryl would be hurt by Charles again so she decided to persuade her to forget Charles.

"Amy, I..." Sheryl hesitated for a moment. "I shouldn't have talked about this with you." Sheryl couldn't understand why she was able to open up to Amy like this. She didn't even mention this matter to Sue. Did she really trust Amy this much?

Sheryl didn't mean to hide things from Sue. She was just afraid that Sue would put the blame on her.

"My silly girl, don't worry. Your secret is safe with me," Amy assured her. Amy then looked at Sheryl with loving eyes. "Treat me as your own grandma. You could tell me everything," she continued. Sheryl smiled. She felt moved by Amy's words.

"In fact..." Amy continued,"I also knew Charles. I think it would be better if you stay away from him." Sheryl was stunned upon hearing Amy's words. "Why? Is there something wrong with his character?"