The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 682 Better Than Her

Charles reasoned, 'Since Nancy has already been Sheryl's housemaid and Shirley's babysitter for a long time, she must be doing a good job; perhaps she is trying to make up with Sheryl. They're obviously happy with her so I won't interfere with Sheryl's decision. It wouldn't help to let her know that Nancy was our cook at Dream Garden anyway.

Besides, she is generally considerate and careful. She can take good care of Sheryl and Shirley, in spite of her past mistakes. Though, it might help to let her know that if Sheryl needs anything, she can come to me.'

Nancy was shocked by Charles' reaction and his decision to not disclose her identity. She knew she had done terrible things to Sheryl before. Also, her son's greed and imprudence put Sheryl in danger and caused her disappearance. It was weird that Charles had let all that go, or that he didn't throw her out of Sheryl's house right then. She looked up at him and said in a surprised tone,"Mr. Lu, you..." Charles realized what Nancy was thinking. With a short wave of his hand, he cut her off, "Don't worry. I won't say anything. Sheryl needs a babysitter and you are the best choice. I am sure you can take good care of her and her daughter. Just remember, if Sheryl gets in trouble, you come to me as soon as possible."

It would have not been easy to persuade Sheryl into firing Nancy anyway. Sheryl had no memory of the past so Charles would have not had a good enough reason to give her. Moreover, Charles was quite certain that Nancy wouldn't do any more harm to Sheryl. In fact, she even promised so,"Don't worry, Mr. Lu. I will make sure she is okay and I will inform you of any changes in her condition. Whenever she is in trouble, I will go replace you for help." Nancy was grateful to him for that chance to look after Sheryl and Shirley. She also could not hold her excitement about the future. If Charles and Sheryl got back together, she would be over the moon.

Charles nodded appreciatively but still had to warn her, "Nancy, just remember... if you do anything to hurt Sheryl, though, I will not let it go. Do not mistake my kindness for weakness."

Nancy's memories of poisoning Sheryl a long time ago suddenly came back and caused her much remorse. She understood where Charles was coming from with that warning and made sure to remove any of his remaining worries,"I know what you mean, Mr. Lu. Trust me, I won't hurt her again. You have nothing to worry about." Nancy then went upstairs with slow, heavy steps. Her eyes were bloodshot and filled with tears of gratitude. Sheryl watched her suspiciously. Eventually, she decided to go over to her and ask, "Nancy, what's wrong with you? Why are your eyes red?"

"Nothing. I am fine," Nancy replied cautiously. Without any further explanation, she went directly to her bedroom leaving Sheryl totally confused.

The next morning, Charles came to Sheryl's apartment with Charlie as promised. Nancy cooked an exceedingly good lunch for Charlie and Shirley, making them lick all their fingers. The two kids had missed each other greatly and kept talking nonstop about absolutely everything. Charles and Sheryl had a good laugh watching them.

At Y Hospital

The doctors allowed Holley to be discharged from the hospital. After the acrimonious quarrel between George and Donna a few days earlier, George decided to stay at the hospital with Holley and didn't even mention Donna at all. He was still bitter about the hostility she had shown toward Holley.

After finishing all the discharge formalities, he said to Holley softly, "Let's go. Where would you like to eat for lunch? I'll take you there."

Holley smiled and replied, "Actually, I just made us a reservation. I am taking you to a place with some really delicious food." She then grabbed George's arm and guided him toward the exit.

George was impressed with her constant positivity, especially after all she had been through. Holley seemed to have moved on from Donna's insolence and all the physical pain she had caused her. He felt a huge relief about it.

Donna had called him several times during the past few days, but he didn't answer any of the calls.

After she had shown up at the hospital, several days earlier, to beat up Holley, George wanted nothing to do with her anymore. She had crossed the line and he could not forgive that. George was set to show Donna that he didn't want her in his life anymore, which was why he kept ignoring all her calls.

Donna, however, was not about to back away that easily. She decided to hire a private detective to investigate Holley's past, in hopes to replace something that would show George she wasn't as perfect as he thought.

In Downtown Y city, one could replace many Korean restaurants but one, in particular, had a large number of positive reviews online. Since George was Korean, Holley decided to surprise him and reserved a table at that restaurant. George hadn't had any authentic Korean food since he came to Y City. She was sure he would like the food there.

That wasn't the only reason for bringing him there, though. Earlier, while he wasn't looking, Holley snagged his phone and sent Donna a message inviting her to have lunch together at that restaurant. Holley had never confronted Donna before on purpose. It was always too draining for her. However, after getting discharged, she felt reenergized and able to properly deal with the situation. She wanted to prove herself to Donna and Sula, who kept seeing her as an unqualified partner for George.

George was completely oblivious to Holley's intentions. All he cared about was her welfare.

As the car stopped in front of the Korean restaurant, George winced and expressed his disappointment openly, "You brought us here? You said we were going to have some delicious food. Do you really think this is the best option?" He wasn't in the mood to enjoy Korean food, as it reminded him of Donna.

"Yes. Let's go. You will see; this restaurant serves the best traditional meals with a modern touch," Holley insisted. George gave in to her wishes. As they got out of the car, she latched onto his arm tightly and pulled him inside.

A waitress led them to a private room and handed them two menus. George ordered a small amount of food, but Holley added much more to it. She then folded the menu and concluded, "That's all. Thank you. We're quite hungry, so please try to hurry."

"Will do my best," the waitress replied and left. George did not comment at all while she was placing the order.

As soon as the waitress left, he cocked his eyebrow and inquired, "Why did you order so much food? We can't finish all those dishes."

"Who said they are all for the two of us? George, I have something to tell you," confessed Holley. She bit her lower lip anticipating an angry reaction and kept thinking of all the right words to say. She had to let George know about inviting Donna before she showed up; otherwise, the situation could really get out of control.

George wasn't sure what she meant about sharing the food. He didn't remember her mentioning any other guests. "What is it that you have to tell me?" he asked.

Holly eventually bit the bullet and spat out the news,"I invited Donna and Sula to join us... from your phone... while you weren't looking." "You did what?" shouted George furiously. He could not believe his ears. In a quieter, yet still aggravated tone, he continued, "Are you crazy? They insulted you; my mother even hit you. Why would you invite them? What are you thinking?" George was frustrated by her overly kind gesture. She had nothing to prove to them, nor to him for that matter. He was trying to make sense of the situation. 'I can't believe this! My mother hurt her and tried to humiliate her, and she answered back with respect and a peace offer? How can Donna not see how wonderful of a person Holley is? She'd better realize it because I love Holley and no one can separate us!'

George kept contemplating all the behaviors of Donna and Holley while Holley was talking his ears off, trying to convince him to be okay with his mother. Once he snapped out of his thoughts, he realized he had been tuning Holley out for a while. She was wasting her breath on him and he knew the only way to avoid any further arguments between her and his mother was to leave. So he grabbed Holley's hand and said sternly, interrupting her words, "Let's go. I don't want to have lunch with them. We're leaving right now."

George attempted to get up from the chair but Holley pinned him down with a firm hold of his arm, trying to explain once more, "George, calm down and just hear me out please."

She locked eyes with him continuing to plead, "We have already ordered our food; it is rude to leave now." She knew George would be angry, so she waited until after they ordered their meals to tell him. She wanted George to understand that it would be best for everyone if she succeeded to make peace with Donna. She was willing to give it her best shot.

"No, I won't have lunch with them," replied George assertively. "Look at your face! There are still bruises on it. Did you forget what they have done to you? She is my mother but her behavior has been completely unforgivable." George persisted staring intensely at Holley. He was ashamed and disturbed by what his mother had done.

"George, I know you care about me and I thank you for that. But she is your mother and you've always told me how much she has supported you throughout your whole life. When we'll have our wedding in the future, I want you to get her blessing too. I know it is important for you, isn't it?" pleaded Holley. Holley's innocent eyes and warm smile softened George's heart. Seeing that she had finally won George's full trust and affection made her suffering worthwhile.

So she was even more determined to have lunch with Donna and Sula.

In her mind, everything was coming together. 'Since I have won George's heart, Donna will see that the more she interferes, the closer George and I will become.

Sula will also realize that there is no place for her between George and me, and eventually, the situation will sort itself out.'

This was her chance to show up as a victor, in spite of them trying to make her look like a loser. She wanted them to get it, once and for all: their interference in her relationship would never work. Holley also wanted to show George that she cared about him and that she was willing to put her best foot forward in her relationship with Donna.

He was utterly impressed, but still didn't think her efforts were necessary. He argued, "Holley, you have seen her behavior. She is becoming unreasonable. If she continues to interfere in our relationship, I don't need her blessing." He used to respect his mother, but her actions had made him lose some of that respect. Also, he loved Holley and wouldn't give her up just because his mother wished so.

Holley urged him gently but insistently,"Don't talk like that. Try to understand her. She doesn't know me well and doesn't think I'm good enough for you. She is worried about you. Can't you see?" She paused and allowed her words to sink in.