The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 664 Be There Or Be Square

"Okay, whatever you say, Mom," George concluded. He no longer wanted to debate with her.

Donna continued trying his patience, "George, I need you to drive us to a local restaurant right now. We've been starving ever since we arrived in Y City." Donna knew George was waiting for Holley but she had other plans.

He frowned and said, "Mom, let's just wait a few more minutes. I'm sure Holley won't be much longer."

"I don't see any reason for me to wait for her right here!" Donna complained. "We can just as easily do it at a restaurant, while we're eating. Now, stop wasting my time and let's go!"

"But she..." George intended to argue. His words ended up trailing away, though. He wanted to take Holley's side but her lack of punctuality was frustrating him too. He decided to wait for Holley a bit longer, bu Donna was growing more and more impatient.

"No more waiting, I said! Sula and I need to go eat something right now. So let's go!" Donna's demanding and condescending tone, however, was only making George more stubborn.

Seeing that, she grabbed him by the wrist and urged him on a calmer note, "We can no longer wait. Let's get to a restaurant. You can send her our location by phone afterward." Eventually, George had to give in to her pleadings; otherwise, she would have not stopped nagging.

That wasn't enough for Donna, however. Out of nowhere she began suggesting that Sula sit in the front and beside George so she could take the backseat. According to her, that lessened her carsickness. "Mom, since when do you get carsick?" George expressed his surprise. He knew she was lying. She had never mentioned something like that to him before. Also, the way to handle motion sickness is by sitting in the front of a vehicle, not the back. He then came to realize that perhaps Holley was right in disliking Donna, after all. She would say and do anything to get him to go after other girls. "George, are you calling me a liar?!" she revolted. She continued putting on an act as she sat herself down in the backseat, with exaggerated gestures and taking as much space as possible. George did not want any more drama. So he asked Sula to sit next to him.

As they were driving, Sula noticed the girly accessories all around the car: stickers, velvet cover for his steering wheel, bling air freshener and many more knick-knacks that were laying around. She slowly leaned in quite close to him to observe the gold trim on his side-view mirror and asked, "George, help me elucidate this mystery? Did you get all these... unusual objects around your car as gifts that you feel obligated to use?"

George sensed her sarcasm. He threw her a glance and began explaining,"These accessories... are of top quality. They are Holley's touch; I am not an expert of car decorations, so she offered to help me style my car."

"I hope she appreciates having the honor to take care of your image," commented Sula. She looked confident, on top of her game, while saying those words.

She had wanted George for a long time but Holley got to him first.

The fact that Sula came from an eminent family that matched George's family status made her a prime candidate as a daughter-in-law for Donna.

So she encouraged Sula to win her son's heart.

Sula took the challenge without thinking twice. She liked George and she thought herself capable of winning him over.

George was fully aware of Donna's intentions of pushing Sula onto him.

So he decided to clarify matters once and for all.

He gathered his words and, in a subtle but skillful manner, let them strike a chord,"Sula, true love doesn't come from compliments. It grows, unforced, from mutual understanding and compromise." He paused for a few seconds before continuing, "You are too young to understand that right now. What Holley and I have is a good example of true love and I hope you too will get to live it out one day." Seemingly unfazed by his comments, Sula replied, "Is that so?" She looked at his hand on the gear stick and, cool as a cucumber, rested her palm over it. She then smiled and added, "George, your words show that you are truly a gentleman. Holley is quite lucky to have you. I hope she knows that."

"Actually, I am the lucky one," George emphasized while pulling his hand away. As if Holley could hear him, he began praising her,"My girlfriend's value doesn't lie in her status or flirting skills. Rather, it comes out through her kindness, competency, and ethical standards. That is why I love her."

George made sure his words were loud enough for Donna to also hear them from the backseat.

He hoped that by showing her his devotion toward Holley, she would stop with her games and give Holley a chance. However, Donna kept an unimpressed expression on her face, proving that his words did nothing for her.

Seeing her lack of reaction, George felt deflated. His hopes of improving his mother's relationship with Holley were getting slimmer.

"Sula, where do you want to eat?" George asked to escape the awkward silence that had settled in the car. Sula had studied in Y City before, as an exchange student. So she was familiar with the best food spots in the city.

She confidently recommended a nearby hot pot restaurant.

She then looked back for Donna's consent.

Nodding, Donna agreed, "It sounds great!" She got really excited at the suggestion and began discussing food options.

Once they arrived, Sula directed George where to park nearby the restaurant's entrance. He remained in the car after Donna and Sula got out.

Confused, Sula looked at him asking for a clarification.

George mentioned having to make a phone call. He encouraged Sula and Donna to go ahead and order their food, without waiting for him. Reluctantly, the ladies went inside and left him to himself. George immediately called Holley. He could no longer handle the pressure by himself.

"I am on my way to the hotel," said Holley upon answering the phone. She didn't even wait for him to say any word before beginning to excuse herself sincerely. George interrupted her, explaining that they were already at the restaurant and that he would send her the location. Totally stressed out, he urged her to come there as soon as possible. "I'm driving as fast as I can," Holley replied reassuringly. With a loving tone, she also added, "I will make sure to offer my apologies to Donna as soon as I'm there."

Her words brought him some comfort. He sighed and reiterated,"Ok, we are waiting for you at the restaurant. I'll go ahead and send you the location. Please hurry up!"