The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 893 Promised

"Come on now, please don't get mad at me..." Sheryl pleaded gently when she saw that Charles was frustrated. In consolation, she said, "I know I promised that I would move back when Sue's issue was settled, but... now something new popped up, and it's completely beyond anyone's expectations."

Still not receiving a response from Charles, Sue dragged out a sigh. "Sue's condition isn't very stable these days. Because of what happened, I'm afraid she won't be able to cope... I'm really worried about her right now. As her friend, I need to give her my support. Do you understand?"

"So..." Charles turned slowly to meet Sheryl's eyes. "When Sue's issue is settled, you won't have any excuse to not move back. Do you promise that?"

"Yes, dear. I promise you." With a tender smile, Sheryl confirmed it without hesitation. "I've also promised Grandma that I will change my name back to my original one in a couple days."

The news shocked Charles for a moment, but a genuinely happy and sweet smile replaced his startled expression.

"Good. I'm really glad to hear that. We should celebrate." Charles was delighted.

At noon, he took Sheryl out for lunch. After the meal, he wanted to have a leisurely walk with her to relax them both. Unluckily for him, he received a business call, which he answered begrudgingly. He had to cut their time together short and head back to work.

Sheryl went straight back to the Zhao family house when Charles left.

Meanwhile, Anthony took Sue to dine out as well. Knowing that Sue was in low spirits, he thought to take her to an area in the surrounding countryside for some fresh air. They drove out for over an hour before arriving at the spot, and Anthony finally spoke.

"Here we are."

"What is this place?" Sue asked. It seemed like a farm, with beautiful rustic scenery around them, but she wasn't in the best mood to appreciate the environment. What was on her mind still plagued her. "This is my favorite place. I used to come here often, way back. The place always helped me clear my head." Anthony took her hand in his. "I'll take you to a good spot. I'm sure you'll like it. Come on." He tugged her gently.

Sue had no idea what Anthony was up to, but as he pulled her along, she somehow felt that the tension was leaving her bit by bit. Staring at his back, she thought she could relax and just trust in him, allowing him to lead her wherever he was going.

On the way there, Anthony was afraid that Sue wouldn't be able to keep up because of her physical condition, so he walked at a slower pace so that she would feel more comfortable.

They walked through a long, dry stretch of land and it took them about ten minutes before they arrived at a vast lake where Anthony finally stopped his steps.

"Here it is." He gestured towards the lake.

"Why did you bring me here?" Sue asked doubtfully as she stared at the placid lake.

"You'll know in a minute," he replied, adding to the mystery of it all. He headed towards a cabin nearby and went inside to fetch a box. Inside the container were fishing tools. It seemed as though he had done all that hundreds of times.

Sue gave him a blank look. "You drove us all the way out here so you can go fishing?"

"Yes, that's right." He simply nodded his head in earnest. He handed Sue a fishing rod after preparing the bait. "Wanna have a go?"

Sue sighed. Since they were already all the way out there, she thought that she might as well take the opportunity to put herself at ease and go fishing.

Anthony took his own rod and sat beside Sue on the dock. Neither of them spoke. After a while, Sue's rod began shaking as she felt something tug at the string. A fish had taken the bait.

Seeing the line moving, Sue didn't know what to do. "Antho... Anthony," she asked unsurely, "what... what should I do now?"

"I'll help you." Anthony pulled up the fishing rod for her. When she saw a big fish hanging on the other end of the line, a bright smile finally replaced the frown she had been wearing all day. At that moment, she could see why Anthony took her fishing.

As she sat and stared at the fish line, her attention was on nothing but the water. All the negative thoughts just drifted away for a while.

When the fish was hooked and caught, her chest was filled with satisfaction.

After the pair stayed for a while, Sue was able to fill up her bucket far more than Anthony did, much to her delight.

At the end of their little fishing session, Anthony let the fish go back into the lake. He took Sue's hand and pulled her up. "We should head back now. Let's go."

"Why did you pour the fish back into the lake?" Sue asked, puzzled.

"Because I don't want to separate them from their families. They would be sad and lonely," he replied softly.

Sue observed the distinct outline of Anthony's face glowing in the afternoon sun. At that moment, she felt that there was something different about him.

On the drive back, Sue felt the tiredness of the day overcome her. Anthony adjusted her seat so she could sleep comfortably. When the car got back home, he gently woke her up. "Sue, we're here, wake up."

"Oh, are we?" she asked, still a little groggy from just having woken up. She idly rubbed her eyes and yawned. "I had a great day today. Thank you," she said with affection.

She knew that Anthony had spent the day just trying to make her happy, even if he didn't say it outright. It was clear to her that he wanted to help in his own way, and she was truly grateful for it.

"Sue..." He looked at her, a little unsure. "A lot of things have happened recently, and they've made me more aware about...about my feelings for you. I really like you and I want to keep taking care of you. Would you give me a chance?" It was such a genuine and tender request.

"Why are you telling me this?" A little uncomfortable with this topic, Sue turned her head away, not knowing what to say or how to respond.

"You're avoiding my question. Sue, please look at me." Anthony put his hands on her shoulders and gently shifted her around so she would face him. "I know you're not completely ready to accept me, but a lot of things have happened, Sue. I'm worried about you... I'm afraid you won't be taken enough care of, so... would you move to my place and let me take care of you instead?" he asked in earnest.

"Anthony, you don't have to do this..." Sue was at a loss for what to do about his request. She shrugged off his hands with her eyebrows knitted in uncertainty. "I've told you before. I need time to think about all this..."

"I understand," he interrupted her. "If nothing had happened since then, I'd give you time to consider it, but that's not the case anymore. What if... what if they go to you at this time? I'm so afraid that they'll hurt you. Sue, I can't let them do you any harm. I can't allow them to hurt you even in the slightest way."

A bitter smile found its way to his expression as he spoke his mind. "I know Sher is your good friend and that she's very kind to you, but she's only a girl after all. She can't protect you all the time. Besides, aren't you worried about bringing danger and trouble to her as well? Do you want something bad to happen before it's too late?"

After Sue heard his words, her brows furrowed as she considered it. As a matter of fact, it had indeed been worrying her. She was afraid to get Sheryl involved again and was starting to plan to move out. He brought up her concern again.

Because she knew Sheryl's character of always being considerate of others and putting others' needs first, Sue knew that Sheryl wouldn't agree if she proposed to move into a hotel by herself. But if she moved to Anthony's place...

"Please give me more time to think about it," she finally said with a frown.

"There is no need to think about it," Anthony insisted. "Sue, listen to me. They are desperate now. They'll try any means to get what they want from you. I don't believe they're above attacking and hurting you. It's better and safer for you to move to my place. If you're with me, they won't be so quick to go after you. I promise I'll do my best to protect you and your child. And if you move in with me, Sheryl won't be in danger either and she won't have to worry about you too much. Isn't that good for both of you? What do you think?"

It was still concerning for Sue. No matter how true Anthony's words were, it was a complicated situation. "You should at least give me some time to talk to Sheryl, okay?"