ENCHANTED LOVE, VOLUME 2 - Season 9 Episode 12

Suddenly, Sheryl’s mind was plagued with worry. Just as she was about to head out and find Sue, Charles rushed towards her as he saw her in a hurry to leave. “What’s going on? Why are you in a hurry?”

“Something happened.” Sheryl’s face looked almost blank, but her voice was clearly anxious. “Sue hasn’t come yet. I’m afraid…”

The tension in Charles’ shoulders dropped in relief. He smiled and reassured her, “Oh… that. You don’t have to worry. Even if she doesn’t come, the press conference will push through.

Don’t go anywhere, okay? The press conference will start soon.”

“But…” She kept looking anxiously at the door. She was torn because, on the one hand, she was worried about Charles’ press conference, and on the other hand, she was worried about Sue’s safety.

“Don’t worry, everything will be okay,” Charles assured her and patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t think about it. You can go get your makeup done first.”

Since Charles asked, she figured she should get ready. As soon as she turned around, the director burst the door open and started yelling, “Do you have any idea what time it is? Do you know how important today’s event is? How can you be so relaxed? Don’t you care about this conference at all? And here I thought you were capable of being professional.

Where the hell have you been?”

Sheryl realized his eyes were trained on something behind her, so she turned around and found Sue apologizing to him. “I’m sorry director. something really important came up earlier. I didn’t mean to be late, really.”

“You’ve got better things to do?” he sneered in response. “So if everyone here tells me that they have something else to do, I’m just going to have to move the conference, is that it?” He was furious.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” Sue was still apologizing when Sheryl came to her side. “Director, we’re already pretty late. Why don’t you scold her after the press conference is over? Let’s have her go to makeup first.”

Sheryl had a point, and the director stopped himself. He knew the relationship between Sheryl and Sue, so he evened his tone, “Fine. Now that Sheryl has spoken for you, I’ll let the matter rest for now. Go get your makeup done. If the press conference is delayed because of you, you’re gonna face hell later.”

“Yes, director, I know.” Sue nodded her head vigorously.

Sheryl pulled Sue into the dressing room and got her changed. Sue looked a little dazed as she let Sheryl take care of everything.

When they were done, Sheryl sat her down and put her hand on her shoulder. “Sue, what happened to you? Why were you late today?”

“I’m fine.” Sue merely shook her head. She smiled weakly, looking fatigued. “It’s nearly starting. Why don’t you go prepare?”

“Sue…” Sheryl looked at her anxiously. She didn’t want to leave her in such a state. “If there’s something wrong, tell me, okay?”

“Yes, I will.” She curled her lips up into a smile, almost like she had to squeeze it out. When she put on her backless dress and saw herself in the mirror, her face turned melancholic.

The previous night when she returned, Peggy and Allen showed no mercy. They beat her up without warning, without a word. That morning, it took her everything to stand up and make it outside.

The dress did nothing to cover her bruised back. She was a model. If she walked out like that, the media wouldn’t let the matter go.

She didn’t expect Sheryl to come in that moment. The bruise was clear as day, and it made Sheryl frown. She walked over to her and handed her some kind of sheet.

“Paste this on.” “This is…” Sue knitted her eyebrows.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a tattoo sticker. It’ll come off after you wash it.” They were originally for Shirley, but Sheryl bought some extras because she thought they looked good and that they’d come in handy.

Sue looked at Sheryl, eyes glistening with gratitude. She didn’t know what she would’ve done if it hadn’t been for Sheryl’s thoughtful kindness.

“Thank you,” was all she could say.

The tattoo masked the bruise nicely. Relief washed over Sue, and she finally felt she could relax a bit. Showtime was close, and Sheryl couldn’t ask much more about the bruise. The press conference went on smoothly, and the orders came in flocks. The two girls could feel glad about it.

There was an evening cocktail party to celebrate the success of the conference. Sheryl wasn’t planning on going. Sue, who normally liked that kind of party, felt rather off that day and didn’t feel like attending it either.

She kept glancing at the door impatiently, as if she was in a hurry to go deal with something more important. Sheryl brought her a glass of wine. “Sue, what’s wrong? Did something happen to you?”

“No, I’m okay. Nothing happened.” She smiled at Sheryl. “Oh, I wasn’t able to properly thank you for today. If it hadn’t been for you, I would’ve made a fool of myself, so thank you. Really.”

“It was nothing.” Sheryl shook it off. “Anyone would’ve done it.” She smiled back at Sue. She knew that something must have happened, but wasn’t sure how she should approach the matter.

After a few more moments of hesitation, she decided that she just had to ask again. “Mimi, we used to be best friends.

I don’t want to see you like this. I don’t know what you’re going through, but if you’re in trouble, I want you to know that you can tell me. You can tell me anything, and I’ll do what I can to help you.”

“I…” Sue trailed off, her smile turning bitter. She felt deep regret about how things turned out, all because of a man. Luckily, Sheryl didn’t care about all that.

She could see that her old friend was being sincere, and considered telling her everything. After considering it, though, she was afraid that she would get Sheryl tangled up in the mess of her family.

“I’m fine, really.” With a gentle tone, she said, “Sher, I know you’re being kind, and you want to help. I really appreciate what you’ve done for me. I’ve wronged you too many times before, and I really don’t have the right to call myself your friend anymore.”

“Sue…” It only concerned her further. Sheryl still couldn’t read what was going on in Sue’s head, but she knew deep down that she was saying such things to keep her out of her business.

The thought made her angry, and she had to make something clear. “Sue, you don’t have to hide it from me. I overheard you on the phone yesterday. It was your family, wasn’t it?”

Her words made Sue’s face turn pale. She bowed her head low to hide the emotions surfacing. “No, it was not like that. Don’t worry about me, I’m okay.”

“What are you afraid of, Sue? Why are you still trying to hide it? Do you really think I’m clueless?” She looked at Sue pointedly. “Look at the wound on your back. What good is it for you to hide like this?”

“I…” Embarrassment started creeping up Sue’s face. She looked at Sheryl briefly. “That’s enough.”