The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 681 Why Are You Here

She looked into the kitchen and asked Nancy,"Nancy, what are you still doing in the kitchen? Come out and let's have dinner now."

"No... thanks," Nancy stammered. Nancy was nervously pacing in the kitchen. She didn't know if she should come out or not. Sheryl had suffered so many miseries because of her, so she didn't know if Charles still hated her.

'He must surely hate me. It was because of me that Autumn suffered so much,' she thought.

"I'm not hungry yet and I'll eat later," she added. Alone in the kitchen, she became more and more nervous.

Charles frowned as he heard Sheryl call the familiar name 'Nancy'. He wondered whether this nanny was the same lady who had once worked in his house. He had driven her out and fired her from the job three years ago. When he heard Nancy's voice come from the kitchen, his guess was confirmed.

He was worried and confused. He wondered if Nancy had any special motive to be here.

He smiled and said to Sheryl,"Just ask her to come and eat with us. It is inappropriate not to invite her after she has prepared so many dishes."

"You are right," Sheryl agreed. But then she frowned slightly and said, "I have never seen her so nervous as she is now. Maybe she is just unaccustomed to strangers."

But Sheryl rejected her own assumption immediately. She reasoned Nancy didn't act like this when Anthony came.

Nancy was busy doing the dishes when Sheryl entered the kitchen. Sheryl gripped her hand and said, "Let's have dinner now. Shirley is hungry."

Nancy was dragged out of the kitchen before she could refuse and she finally faced Charles.

He stared at Nancy intently, trying to read her thoughts from her expression. Nancy, however, kept her head stubbornly lowered. She refused to meet Charles' eyes. After a while, Charles said with a smile, "Sit down, please."

Nancy had not dared to sit without Charles' permission. She just ate a little and began helping Shirley with her food. Sheryl scolded her, "Nancy, you don't have to bother about Shirley. She will manage. Just help yourself."

Sheryl heaved a sigh and told Nancy, "Shirley has become more naughtier since you have come. She knows how to eat by herself actually, but now she expects you to help her."

"I don't mind. I like taking care of Shirley. Don't worry about me." Nancy glanced at Charles cautiously and then lowered her head immediately as she met Charles' eyes. She sat quietly once again. Although Charles was suspicious of Nancy's purpose, he still was very happy that night and ate a lot.

Nacy was good in taking care of his house but she wasn't good at cooking like Nancy was. The dinner Nancy had served reminded him of many things from the past.

Nancy felt pleased to see Charles eat a lot. She peeled many fruits for them and went to the kitchen to do the dishes.

After about half an hour, Charles stood up and was ready to leave. He secretly signaled Nancy to come out. As soon as he left, she told Sheryl immediately, "I'll take out the garbage now."

"You don't have to do that. I will throw it out when I go to work tomorrow morning," Sheryl said with a smile.

But Nancy persisted, "I will do it. I am going for a walk now and it's convenient for me to throw it out now itself."

Charles had been waiting patiently for her for a while. As she threw the garbage into the dustbin, Charles rolled the car window down and said, "Get in now."

Nancy got in the car fearfully. She kept her head lowered, not knowing what to say. After a while, she stammered,"Mr. Lu, I..."

But she was interrupted by Charles, "Tell me why you are here." Charles' voice was cold and authoritative.

He was not sure whether Nancy was a friend or a foe. He didn't want to doubt Nancy's intention, but he worried that the past could repeat itself.

Nancy smiled bitterly and said, "I have been working in a domestic company since I left Dream Garden. The salary is not too much but enough to support myself."

She paused for a while and continued, "Several days ago, Mrs. Lu came to the domestic company to hire a nanny for Shirley and she chose me."

"So is that all? Is that a story or the truth?" Charles arched a brow and asked Nancy. "I gave you enough money when you left my house, right? Why didn't you leave Y City with it? Why are you still here looking for jobs?"

"That money... I didn't spend it," she said hesitantly. She gave a small and sad smile as she added, "Mr. Lu, I know I did many things wrong. And Brent... He should be held responsible for your separation from Mrs. Lu for so many years. I was just too embarrassed and guilt ridden to spend your money. I have kept that money safe and I intend to return it to you at a proper time."

Charles was moved by Nancy's words. "That money has become yours since I gave it to you. You don't have to return it to me."

"Mr. Lu," Nancy said emotionally, "I know you gave me that money to help me live a comfortable life. But I can't persuade myself to accept it. I feel so guilty about all that happened." She still felt so sorry for Charles as she recalled his sad expression when Sheryl had gone missing.

"All the hardships that Mrs. Lu suffered were caused by me. I even thought of committing suicide after she went missing. But I finally decided to remedy my mistake. I knew she would be back, so I didn't leave Y City. I was waiting for the day when she came back." Nancy paused for a while and continued, "I was so excited when I saw her in the domestic company and I thought that God has given me a chance for me to compensate for my mistakes. I was surprised and happy when she chose me."

She glanced at Charles. "Mr. Lu, I know you still doubt my loyalty. But I promise I have no devious intentions. I just want to help Mrs. Lu so that she doesn't get so tired every day. In this way, I hope I can atone for my mistake."

Her eyes got wet as she said this. Tears were about to drop from her eyes. "I just want to compensate her," she said in a broken voice.

Charles looked at Nancy speechlessly and she thought he might drive her away. But he glanced at her and said abruptly, "Now that you are here for some days now, just do as you said. Take care of her and Shirley and see to their comfort, please."

Charles had removed Nancy from his house and job not because he didn't trust her. Actually, he could not bear to see her because the sight of her had reminded him of his beloved wife.