The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 613 You Are Strange

Holley smiled wryly and thought, 'It seems that Sue truly loves Anthony. Maybe, I could use her sometime to do something.' In Zhao family house

The house was empty for years, but the housemaid kept cleaning it regularly. It was in such a clean condition that the Zhao family could move into the house, at any point of time.

Shirley felt a little tired after playing with Rick as she was just recovering from the severe illness. So Abby carried her to the room for a nap. Cindy and Rick kept silent for fear of waking her up. "Mom, will Autumn take Shirley away later?" Cindy asked Abby as she silently walked out of the room and closed the door gently. Abby smiled and softly replied, "Don't worry. Autumn will come here and check on Shirley."

As soon as Abby took Cindy downstairs, Andy came back.

"How come you are back so early today?" Abby enquired in surprise. Zhao family didn't live in Y City. However, Andy still had business here. For the last couple of days he had been so busy in his work that he came back very late every day. That was why Abby was surprised to see him back early.

Andy had intentionally come back earlier today. He hadn't been able to spend time with his wife and children for many days. He put an arm around Abby and said, "I finished my work earlier than expected. So I decided to come back home to spend time with you. Why don't we freshen up and go out for dinner?"

Saying this, Andy turned round and quickly moved to go upstairs. Abby hastily grabbed his arm and said, "Don't go upstairs. Shirley is sleeping now."

"Shirley?" Andy paused in puzzlement. He could not remember who Shirley was.

"Yes, Shirley. She is Autumn's daughter and is sleeping in our room. She will get disturbed if you go in there." Abby explained Shirley's identity to Andy in a soft voice.

She continued, "Shirley has just fallen asleep. I don't want her to wake up because of any noise."

"But why is she here?" Andy asked, still puzzled. Concerned, Andy thought that the matter was getting out of hand.

'Anthony brought Shirley to me once. At that time we did not know Sheryl would reunite with Charles again, so both of us spoke freely in front of Shirley. It is possible that Shirley will recognize me, 'Andy thought and was worried about it.

"As you know, Shirley was ill several days ago," Abby explained, not realizing Andy's predicament. "Mom delivered food for both Sheryl and Shirley in those days. This afternoon Autumn had to attend a meeting and couldn't take care of Shirley. So Mom brought her here," she added. Abby paused on seeing Andy's expression.

Andy's eyes narrowed. He asked Abby angrily,"What? How can you just take care of and be responsible for some other person's child?"

"Andy, what's wrong with you?" a puzzled Abby inquired. "You are really strange ever since we came back here. Why are you calling Shirley 'some other person's child'? She is Autumn's daughter." Looking at Andy, she continued, "There was no one to take care of Shirley. Mom couldn't just leave her helpless, could she? And why are you reacting in such a weird manner?"

"I just..." Andy didn't know how to explain it to Abby. Actually he was just very worried about facing Shirley when she awoke.

'If Shirley recognizes me, what will I do?' Andy felt increasingly worried.

"What's wrong with both of you? Why are you suddenly quarrelling with each other?" Amy quickly walked out of the kitchen on hearing them argue. She had been cooking several delicious dishes when she heard them fight. She asked Abby, "Where is Shirley?"

"She is sleeping upstairs," Abby politely replied. Still enraged at Andy, she said, "Mom, let me help you cook."

Ignoring Andy she went to the kitchen and seethed silently at Andy's unreasonable behaviour.

Catching a glimpse of Abby's angry face, Amy asked Abby,"What happened? Were you both quarreling just now?"

Andy was always so nice to Abby and never upset with her. They never had any fights. The small quarrel today left Amy confused.

"No, we were not fighting," Abby replied gloomily. "We just spoke a little louder than usual. Don't worry." She tried to reassure Amy.

Abby didn't reveal the reason of their arguement.

"As a couple you should resolve everything together. Later you must peacefully sort out whatever issue you have with Andy. Don't quarrel," Amy advised Abby. "Okay, I know what to do." Abby nodded. Even if Amy had said nothing, she knew she had to talk to Andy. He was behaving in a very weird manner these days.

"Mom, when is Autumn likely to come?" Abby attempted to change the topic.

Amy sliced a tomato and said, "She should be coming soon. She said she was on the way when I called her just now."

"That's great," Abby replied delightedly. Taking some fruits from the fridge, Abby washed and sliced them. She carried the fruits out to Andy and found him sitting on the sofa. He was staring blankly at the wall and seemed to be lost in his thoughts.

As she approached, Andy saw her and hastily grasped her hand. He tried to explain,"Abby, please don't be upset. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"So what was the meaning of your words?" Abby unhappily shook off Andy's hand. Angrily she questioned him, "What has happened to you? You have been so weird recently."

"I..." Andy struggled to give a satisfactory reply. His secret fear couldn't be told to Abby. So he had to bury it in his mind and heart and never reveal it to Abby.

"I am too stressed from doing too many things in the company. I am somewhat tired these days. Please bear with me." Andy tightly squeezed her arm.

"Are you really..." Just as Abby wanted to ask Andy more about this, the doorbell rang. Resigned, she glared at Andy and finally got up saying, "I will get to the bottom of this later on."

"Is it Autumn?" Amy walked out from the kitchen and asked excitedly.

"Let me open the door and replace out, Mom," Abby replied. Abby opened the door and found Sheryl standing on her doorstep with many gifts in her arms.

On seeing Abby, Sheryl paused for a moment. Then she remembered that they had met each other once before in front of a breakfast stall. Feeling shy, Sheryl said to Abby,"Excuse me, is Amy at home?" "Yes, yes, she is home. Please come in," Abby enthusiastically replied. She moved aside to let Sheryl enter.

Sheryl came in and looked around for Shirley. Amy walked up to her and smilingly complained on seeing the many gifts," There is really no need to bring so many gifts!"