The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 719 Her Chance

Laura knew that if Anthony went to see Sheryl, she would be likely to forgive him. She had to prevent that at all cost. Therefore, she decided to look and act like her condition was getting worse. Seeing Laura's pained expression, Anthony sat beside her and asked, "What's the matter? Are you not feeling well?"

"You don't need to act like you're concerned," commented Laura. She knew that guilt-tripping would work with him, so she continued complaining, "There's no more room for your mother in your heart. Your entire attention is just for that bitch, isn't it?"

"Mom, that's not true. Please don't say such a thing," Anthony requested. With a defeated look, he mentioned, "Now that you've burned your bridges with Sheryl, I will not go see her again."

"Really?" exclaimed Laura excitedly. Her eyes were gleaming with joy at Anthony's words and all of a sudden, she was no longer showing any pain. Pleading innocent, she tried to solidify her point of view, "My son, please don't blame me for my actions. I did so for your sake. You should know... Sheryl doesn't deserve you. You would only suffer by being with her."

"I know that," muttered Anthony staring at a fixed point on the floor. He lifted his head to look at Laura in the eyes and forced one corner of his mouth into a half-smile.

She felt his indecisiveness and reiterated, "Remember what I told you. She isn't right for you. You can't see her anymore, okay? You promised me." Anthony turned his face, unable to keep listening to her. He stared into the void, tuning his mother out. Seeing that he wasn't responding, Laura decided to push the matter onto him, "My love, you should know that everything I do is for you. I wouldn't do anything to harm you. However, when it comes to those other women, they don't have your best interest at heart. They only care about themselves."

Laura grabbed Anthony's hand and continued, "I know you are sad now. But trust me, before long, you will forget about her and realize that what I'm saying is true. You have also seen what kind of person that woman is. Better to end it sooner rather than later..."

Irritated, Anthony interrupted her words, "Mom, I got it." He slipped his hand out of her grip and stood up abruptly. He paused for a second, and then told Laura, "I'll be right back. I'm just going out for a cigarette."

Just as Anthony left the room, Junia came back with some water for Laura. Seeing that Anthony was absent, she inquired, "Aunt Laura, where did Anthony go?"

"He went for a cigarette just now," replied Laura with a triumphant look on her face. She then widened her eyes, staring right at Junia, and mentioned enthusiastically, "Junia, this is your opportunity now. Anthony is feeling down and willing to stop seeing Sheryl. You must step in and be there for him. I know you are a shy girl, but do it for me and Anthony; be proactive."

"Aunt Laura..." Junia began saying. Her timidity was impeding her from being as straightforward as her aunt. Seeing Junia's reaction, Laura chuckled.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Junia expressed her concern, "Aunt Laura, Anthony might not want to see Sheryl now, but later on, he might change his mind."

"Don't you worry," Laura advised her. With an arrogant smile, she argued, "I know the kind of person Sheryl is. A proud woman like her won't close her eyes to my humiliations. If anything, she will realize that being with Anthony is not a walk in the park, and will not want to continue dating him. Even if Anthony goes to see her, he would only be replaceing rejection."

Apprehensively, Junia began saying, "Aunt Laura, I think that in spite of everything, Sheryl is a good person. If we were not competing for Anthony's heart, I would probably get along with her easily." Touched by Junia's confession, Laura had to state her observation, "You have such a big heart, Junia." She then sighed heavily and added, "However, you must remember that she is not your friend. In other circumstances, perhaps you could be, but right now you are not on the same team. You can't forget this. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Aunt Laura. I won't forget," affirmed Junia. She smiled and went on contemplating her next move.

A few minutes later, Anthony came back reeking like tobacco and looking all disheartened. Laura took a quick look at him and immediately urged him, "It's late. Anthony, could you please take Junia back to the hotel?"

"Don't worry about it, Aunt Laura," insisted Junia. She didn't want to bother Anthony, so she added, "I can keep you company in the hospital tonight. Anthony needs to rest, so he should go straight home. He had a long day."

"No, no, no," Laura instantly disagreed. She believed that it was a good chance for them to be together. So she was determined to make it happen. "Why stay here when you can be resting at home? My son is already here and besides, I will not feel comfortable seeing you uncomfortable. I care about you, and you're like family to me. Perhaps you will even be my daughter-in-law one day, who knows? But for now..." "Aunt Laura!" replied Junia with completely blushed cheeks. However, Anthony was not paying much attention to their conversation. He was sitting farther away, lost in his thoughts.

Laura smiled and changed the subject, "Okay, okay. I won't say it out loud anymore."

When she realized Anthony hadn't heard anything, she addressed him directly, "Anthony, can you just drive Junia back for me? It's late and she is not familiar with the streets here. I will feel extremely worried if she goes home alone."

"Sure." Anthony nodded in agreement. He then proceeded to say his temporary goodbyes to Laura, "Okay then, you just rest. I will come back here and keep you company after I take her back home." "Okay, go ahead," Laura replied happily. She was quite satisfied that her plan was finally working.

Anthony went out of the room first before Junia was ready. Laura winked at Junia, signaling her to grasp the opportunity.

Realizing her intention, Junia nodded and rushed out to catch up with Anthony. Once she got in the car, he began driving right away and kept silent throughout the entire ride. When they were approaching the hotel, she couldn't keep quiet any longer and asked, "Anthony, are you okay?'

"What?" Anthony replied as if awakening from a reverie. His mind was rummaging over Sheryl and the day's incidents. However, Junia's words brought him back to the present.

Seeing he hadn't heard her, she rephrased, "I am asking... Since today has been a rough day for you, are you feeling okay?" Anthony found it too hard to explain the multitude of feelings that were taking over him. So he just shook his head lightly and answered shortly, "I am fine."

"Okay, if you say so..." Junia replied. It was obvious he was not well but she didn't know how to comfort him. Eventually, though, she decided to try, "Today Aunt Laura may have crossed the line. Although I know it is not my business, but her words really hurt Sheryl. In spite of that, she has held her temper, choosing not to make things worse. To be frank, I respect her for that."

"Do you also think my mom was going too far?" Anthony wondered after a short pause. He was surprised that Junia was not taking Laura's side. He thought she would rejoice at the thought of him and Sheryl breaking up.

However, if that was the case, her comments didn't make any sense.

Seeing Anthony's surprised look, Junia knew she had made the right move.

So she continued explaining, "Of course I do. I am a woman, too. In Sheryl's place, I may not have held it in as well as her. Perhaps I may have said some mean words back. But Sheryl has excellent manners; or maybe she respects you too much to say anything." Junia spoke calmly, pondering upon each word.

She knew that speaking ill of Sheryl would really upset Anthony. He might even turn against her.

So she chose not to blame Sheryl, but just told Anthony exactly what he wanted to hear. Even though it seemed like she was defending Sheryl, she was actually trying to gain Anthony's favor by demonstrating her kindness.