The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 881 Giving Back

"The answer is so obvious that I don't even need to say it out loud," Sue remarked. She smiled encouragingly toward Sheryl, relieved that they had finally sorted it out.

However, Sheryl's frown remained glued to her forehead. With a defeated glance, she disagreed, "That may be what I want Sue, but the reality is more complicated. Uh! Why did I sign that annoying contract with BM Corporation?"

A light bulb went off in Sue's mind and she asked Sheryl to confirm her realization, "So, you are just concerned about all the money you owe them if you break your contract early?" She kept her eyes locked onto Sheryl's waiting for her reply.

"Yes," Sheryl confirmed with a demoralized tone. It was obvious she had lost all hope.

Sue hesitated to let Sheryl know her idea, afraid that she would replace it insulting or annoying. After a few silent moments, she finally mustered the courage to advise her, "Sher, maybe it's not my place to tell you this, but... I think Charles would be more than happy to pay for you."

"You know I am not that kind of person," asserted Sheryl in rejection of her advice. That was the reaction Sue expected anyway, so she didn't take it personally.

She took a few more moments to think of how to best put it.

Sue was aware that Sheryl was not that type of woman who would rely on a man to rescue her. She had no princess aspirations. In fact, she was an independent, confident woman who would not compromise her values regardless of the circumstances. Sue wanted to help her out somehow, to pay her back for everything Sheryl had done for her.

Her mind began taking detours onto memory lane, where she recalled some of the bad things she had done to Sheryl; all the troubles, the tears put even more pressure on her.

"But Sher..." she tried persuading her. In Sue's mind, this was the only way to help Sheryl out. "Charles is the closest person to you," she continued.

"Even so, I still don't want his money," Sheryl argued. She was getting irritated by Sue's persistence. So she had to set the record straight once and for all. "This is my own problem. I'll fix it on my own. I won't trouble anyone else."

Sue let out a deep breath and calmly talked to Sheryl, "I have always felt that you have so much passion for your work for Cloud Advertising Company. Even when you work overtime, you are still so energetic and excited, especially when you get a difficult task assigned. Remember the time you prepared breakfast for me when I was in the hospital? You didn't sleep the entire night before. Though you looked tired physically, you were so alive and positive that morning. Your passion, your zeal, and your dedication came out in everything you did. You are born to follow your dreams. You can't be constricted by logistics and paperwork. As for BM Corporation, why don't you just cross that bridge when you get there?"

Sheryl was speechless for a minute. Seeing that she was getting through to her, Sue continued, "Remember what you told me? If you replace a person you like or a thing that you enjoy, seize it and don't let it slip by. These are your words. Now the chance is right in front of your eyes. Why don't you seize it?"

"I..." mumbled Sheryl. Sue's hope was contagious; it was starting to spread through Sheryl's veins too. She was right and it was finally clear for Sheryl as well. Nodding, she replied, "Yes, that's true! I have to do what I feel is right."

Being courageous, brave, and bold was her prerogative.

That was what she had been doing from the moment she stepped her feet in Y City. Once she regained her memories and her life, she began putting back together all the scattered pieces and this decision was one of those pieces.

Along her way, there was love, work and identity change. But all these had been her past, which she couldn't do anything about. Now she had the chance to decide for herself, so she would do it.

"Sue, thank you so much. If not for you, I may still be trapped by my own insecurities," Sheryl gratefully stated. She was starting to regain her excitement about the future. It felt like a veil was lifted from her eyes.

Smiling, Sue replied, "Thank me for what? I should be the one to say 'thank you'. What you have done for me... I really don't know how to pay you back."

"I did not help you for your appreciation," Sheryl explained. She then rushed to send Isla a message saying that she would attend the upcoming meeting.

After Sheryl thought everything through, her mood changed to a more relaxed, optimistic one. It was as if a heavy weight were taken off her chest. She wanted to ask Holley for a day off but was stopped by Sue.

"It's already late. She is probably asleep now. I'm going to the company to apply for a leave of absence myself. I can help you apply too," Sue said encouragingly. She was happy to be able to help her in any way.

"Alright, thanks," replied Sheryl in agreement. It was getting quite late, so they decided to catch some sleep. Once Sheryl closed her eyes, however, she couldn't help but think about the meeting all night long; so she had no chance of falling asleep. The next morning, she got up with some deep, dark circles around her eyes, betraying her anxiety. She had no choice but to cover them up with some makeup as best as she could.

"Sher, good luck!" Sue cheered her up. After walking Sheryl to the door, she started getting herself ready for work. It was then when she realized that only Abby was left in the living room.

Amy came in and invited Sue to have breakfast with them, but Sue didn't want to stay in the same room with Abby; so she delcined the invitation politely, "Thank you, Grandma Amy. I don't want it now. I'll have some food on my way to work."

"How can you do that!" Amy exclaimed. "The food outside is not as healthy and nutritious as home-cooked food. Don't forget that you are pregnant now. You must take care of the baby and refrain from eating any junk food."

"But," Sue began arguing.

However Amy did not give her a chance to continue, "Stop saying 'but'; come." Holding Sue's hands, she pulled her down on the chair and insisted, "I have already prepared your breakfast. Just eat some before you go."

Sue couldn't keep refusing Amy's repeated invitations, so she had to accept eventually. Thinking of how to get rid of Abby as soon as possible, she decided to rush. After just a few bites, she stood up and was ready to go. Unfortunately, Abby got up at the same time too. She got her purse ready and mentioned, "I am done as well. Miss Wang, are you going to the company? If so, I am driving in the same direction. I can give you a ride."

"No need," Sue speedily refused. "Thank you, Miss Zhao. I appreciate it but I am used to taking the subway. It is quite convenient for me.

So I will just go there on my own." Glancing at Sue's belly, Abby insisted, "You are pregnant. It is rather crowded on the subway, which may affect your wellbeing. It's okay. I have no problem dropping you off at work."

"Yeah, exactly," Amy commented as well. With a concerned look on her face, she added, "The most important thing right now is your baby. Just go and sit in Abby's car. It is in the same direction anyway." Amy then turned to Abby and reminded her, "Please drive slowly. Make sure Sue reaches her company safely. Okay?"

"For sure," stated Abby. Without any more debate, she addressed Sue, "Let's go."

Sue had no choice but to follow Abby to her car.

After getting inside the car, she remained silent as she knew that Abby invited her for a reason. Sue felt she had something to tell her, so she just waited patiently. Indeed, her feeling was right. As soon as Abby drove out of the parking area, she started speaking, "Miss Wang, you are a very close friend of Sher's, right?"

"Yes," Sue confirmed. Wanting to further clarify, she added, "We have been good friends since we lived overseas. It has been quite a lot of years."

"Really?" Abby asked skeptically. With her eyebrows cocked, she went on inquiring, "But why do I feel that the relationship between you and her is not as strong as you are making it seem?"

Sue tilted her head inching closer to Abby and asked, "Miss Zhao, what are you implying? Please be straightforward. There is no need to hide."

Abby took advantage of the moment and, without hesitation, started threatening Sue, "Alright, since you gave me the green light, I will spell it out for you. I don't know what exactly you want from Sher, but I have to warn you. If you dare hurt her again, I will make sure you pay for it."

Hearing Abby's threat, Sue looked down and tried to hide her sarcastic smile. She had that coming. She then looked back at Abby and addressed her concerns. "Miss Zhao, I understand where you are coming from. I have done a lot of wrong things in the past but please, trust me when I say that I really have no intention of hurting Sheryl. I just want to pay her back for everything she has done for me and help her as much as I can. I am not a monster to still want to hurt her after everything that has happened."

Sue took a moment to regain her composure, as she was starting to take Abby's words to heart, and then reiterated, "I know better than anyone else how much Sher has done for me. All I want to do is repay her kindness. I really appreciate her presence in my life. How can you think that I am still trying to hurt her?"

Reluctant, Abby replied, "I don't know. Despite everything you're saying, I still can't trust you. After all, you have proven you can't be trusted. Actions speak louder than words, and yours have certainly resonated far."