The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 710 Meet With Anthony's Mother

Shirley was watching cartoon while Nancy was folding clothes. Suddenly her phone rang. Nancy quietly walked out of the room and gently closed the door behind her. She walked to the other end of the balcony before she answered the call. It was Charles on the other side. Nancy told him the story between Sheryl and Anthony in detail. Hearing the entire thing, Charles felt relieved. Now he was finally clear about it.

"Do you know why Sheryl asked for a leave today?" Charles asked Nancy.

Nancy thought for a while and said, "I heard something when they quarreled with each other yesterday. I heard that Anthony's mother would come here today, so I think Sheryl is going to pick her up today." Charles's face turned solemn as he heard this from Nancy. As soon as he hung up the phone, he rushed out of his office to replace Sheryl. He opened the door and took a few steps before he was stopped by Judith.

"Mr. Lu, I am sorry. I couldn't stop her," David spoke helplessly as he stood right behind her. "She insisted on coming in. I could do nothing to stop her," added David with a sigh.

"Okay, I get it. Go back to your work. I will handle this," Charles replied gesturing his hands indicating David to leave. And then just as David had turned back, he called him again and said, "David, wait. Go and check out if Anthony has ordered dinner at any restaurant today. Try to replace out as soon as possible."

David took his instruction and took a while before saying, "Okay, I will check it right now." He hastened towards his seat to follow Charles' order while his head was spinning around. There were countless restaurants in Y City and Charles just asked him to replace the restaurant where Anthony had booked a table as if it were just a file lying on his table. David felt so helpless as he had to dredge for a needle in the

sea.

"Charles." Judith called him in a soft voice. Judith had just turned twenty-three. She was arrogant and had her head always up in the space. Although there were men who admired and pursued her, she never paid any heed towards them. She had her eyes fixed on Charles. Though Charles had a son, he was much more brilliant than other men who sought her attention.

She stood in front of Charles and said, "Are you free tonight? I have made reservation at Hong Fu Restaurant. Let's have a meal together." After finishing her sentence, Judith looked into Charles' eyes and waited for his reply with great expectation.

"Judith, you see that I am busy. I don't have time to act the giddy goat with you," replied Charles in a polite yet cold voice. He glared at Judith without any mood swings. Charles just wanted purchase Archer Jiang's company, but he didn't expect that Archer Jiang would want his daughter to get married to him. Although Charles had refused Judith for several times, she just refused to give up. And then there were rumors about them which was really unnerving for Charles.

Charles was irritated and felt unpleased to be get involved into this trouble.

"What's wrong with you, Charles? Why are you so impatient today?" asked Judith. Charles' coldly turning down her offer broke her heart. She was not the one to take no for an answer. Her eyes were filled with tears out of insult caused by the dejection. "My dad has said that if you are willing to get married to me, he would give his company to me. As long as we could make concerted effort, I am sure the company..." But before she could finish her sentence, Charles stopped her, "Judith, I have told you for several times. I won't marry you. Don't you understand me?" Charles gazed at Judith helplessly. Though he had explained to Archer Jiang and Judith for several times, they acted as if they never understood him.

"I know. I know," replied Judith in a choked voice. She kept looking at Charles with her eyes brimming with tears. Then she smiled bitterly and said to Charles, "You were married before and you have a son, but I am young and never get married. I can understand you. I know you think you are not worthy of me."

After hearing this, Charles rolled his eyes. He had never seen such a narcissistic woman.

After a small pause, Judith continued, "But trust me. Your past does not even matter to me. There is nothing to worry about. I would never turn a cold shoulder at you." As she finished her sentence, Judith showed a soft smile as if she was an understanding woman. "I have never cared about the fact that you were married before and have a son. I only care about you. I only want to live a peaceful life with you, Charles," added Judith.

She stepped forward and tried to hold his hands. Charles anticipated the gesture and quickly removed his hand. It was so awkward for him to deal with this, especially when his mind was occupied with thought of Sheryl probable meeting Anthony's mother.

"Charles, I am ready to be a stepmother. I promise you that I would love your son and take care of him. I..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the door burst open and David barged in. He looked at Charles cheerfully and said, "Mr. Lu, I have found it."

David's face was lit up. He felt so relieved that he could replace out the restaurant where Anthony had made the reservation and that too in such less time.

David's words made Charles literally jump in his seat. "Which restaurant?" he asked. He stared at David, waiting for his good news.

"Hong Fu Restaurant," replied David. Charles was taken aback by David's words. He remained quiet for a while and closed his eyes as if in a deep thought. Both Judith and David stared at him waiting for his next reaction. Then as he opened his eyes, he turned to Judith and asked, "Where did you make a reservation?"

"Hong Fu Restaurant. What's wrong?" asked Judith. Judith looked into Charles' eyes, trying to replace out what happened.

Charles looked at her with his face lit up like a 1, 000 watt bulb and said, "Okay. Let's go." Judith was just too surprised in the beginning but then she was really pleased to see that Charles had changed his mind.

She became hopeful about winning his heart. Besides, how long can a man reject a young and beautiful girl like her? Thoughts about her beautiful future with Charles filled her heart. 'After I get married to Charles, I would cope with his son first. I am not a fool. I would never be a stepmother, ' Judith thought in her mind.

Anthony and Sheryl headed for the airport to pick up his mother. As they arrived there and were about to get off the car, Anthony stopped Sheryl.

"What's wrong?" asked Sheryl, staring at Anthony with confusion. "Didn't you tell me that your mother is almost there? Hurry up," Sheryl said as she reached out to open the door.

"Sheryl, I am really sorry for what I did yesterday. I know I was rude. I..." stammered Anthony. Anthony hesitated for a while and said, "I don't know what's wrong with me. I just can't control my emotion whenever it comes to Charles."

Sheryl took a quick glance at Anthony and said calmly, "Let it go."

"Well... Sheryl, can you forgive me?" asked Anthony. He looked into Sheryl's eyes, anxious yet worried. Sheryl could see the earnestness in his eyes.

She just smiled softly and responded, "Anthony, I never blamed you for that.

I just feel a little bit depressed. But now let's forget it."

Her word came as a big relief for Anthony. He grinned, held her hands and said, "Okay, let's forget it. We are going to meet my mom soon. If you are still mad at me, you can punish me when we get home. But please save my face in front of my mom, okay?" Sheryl saw the childlike excitement on Anthony's face. How much he had been looking forward to this meeting!

"Well, let's go. We must not keep her waiting," replied Sheryl briefly. A faint smile crept over her face.

They were waiting at the gate and soon Laura came out. And just when Anthony was about to greet his mother, he suddenly found that Junia was walking out right behind her. His eye brows were knitted into a tight frown.

"What happened son? Have you forgotten your own mother in just a matter of few days?" joked Laura as she patted on her son's shoulder. She stepped forward with a big smile eyeing Sheryl from the corner of her eyes as she looked lovingly at her son.

"Hello, mom," Anthony greeted Laura with a hug. He then looked around and asked, "Where is my dad? Why are you here alone?"

"Your father is busy with his work, so I came here with Junia," replied Laura with an all-knowing smile. She held Junia's hands cheerfully, staring at Anthony. Anthony's face became a little somber at this gesture of his mom.

Junia stood in front of Anthony and greeted indifferently, "Hello, Anthony."

Anthony shared a glance at her and turned towards his mother. "Mom, let me introduce Sheryl to you." Anthony held Sheryl's hand and brought her in front of Laura. "This is Sheryl Xia, my girlfriend." Then he turned to Sheryl and said, "Sheryl, this is my mom, Laura Ding."

"Nice to meet you, Aunt Laura," Sheryl greeted Laura with a smile. However, Laura didn't even spare a glance at Sheryl. She kept looking at Anthony and said, "I am hungry. Let's go. The food in the airport tasted so terrible. I am famished."

Laura interrupted Sheryl's words directly as if she didn't want to talk to her. Laura's indifferent attitude towards Sheryl was so prominent that neither Sheryl nor Anthony could ignore it. Sheryl looked at Anthony with a puzzled face as Anthony had reassured her earlier that his parents were willing to meet her.

Both Sheryl and Anthony could not help but feel awkward. He took a look at his mother and said, "Well, let's go. I have made a reservation at Hong Fu Restaurant."

Sheryl took a few steps and stood at a distance. Anthony walked to Sheryl and held her hands so as to give her comfort. And just as he was about to console Sheryl, Laura stepped up again. "Sheryl, could you please take my luggage for me? I have something to talk to my son."