ENCHANTED LOVE, VOLUME 2 - Season 9 Episode 16

Sue was lying on the ground. Her eyes glared with total defiance at Allen. Though she struggled for breath, she was invulnerable. She could no longer feel the excruciating pain that was tormenting her whole being. After taking her time to gather her thoughts, she then steeled herself; holding Allen’s gaze, she cried, “Why don’t you kill me? So we can end this entirely!”

“There is no use for you to challenge me!” Allen yelled at her. He tentatively took a step and turned his back away from her. He quickly retired into the couch. Leaning forward slightly, he glanced at Sue contemptuously and hissed menacingly, “This is not yet the perfect day to kill you! We will get there. Don’t worry!”

Sue, who was in a trance, slowly forced a smile as the cold realization set in. She knew that more suffering would come her way.

She continued to stare at the wall facing her till her eyes grew heavy. But how could she sleep when her mind was still fully awake? Thinking of the possible ordeal waiting for her the next day, she forced herself to get some sleep. She would need all the energy she could get to survive the day tomorrow.

Peggy was too absorbed in satisfying her vainglory. She was oblivious to what was happening outside Sue’s bedroom. She was stretching her whole body comfortably in Sue’s Simmons bed. Her face was bearing a smug look as her eyes carefully roam around the room afraid to miss even the slightest detail.

When her gaze landed on Sue’s closet, she began to rummage the neat pile of clothing. After finding a beautiful set of Sue’s pajamas, she hastily slipped it on and happily admired her reflection in the mirror. With a satisfying grin on her lips, she finally sprawled herself on the bed and slept soundly.

The next day, Peggy woke up with a start. She reluctantly got up. After relieving herself in the bathroom, she then headed out to find Sue still sleeping. Peggy deliberately roused her and demanded her to prepare some breakfast.

Sue was startled and bolted upright immediately when Peggy’s voice rang in her ears. She had to shrug off the lingering sleepiness in her head. Closing her eyes for a brief moment as if she was drawing in her inner strength, she then sluggishly made her way to the kitchen and started cooking with whatever available in her apartment’s refrigerator.

Several minutes passed when she had finally readied the table. When Allen walked in, his face showed annoyance. He was not satisfied with the meal that Sue had painstakingly prepared. He sharply criticized her, “Sue, how can you treat Mom and me like this? We have come a long way. And we endured so much of the difficulties of travel in going here. We deserve your hospitality!” “Then don’t eat and just leave!” Sue haughtily replied in a tone laced with displeasure.

“How rude! Try saying it again and I will certainly let you see what you are looking for!” Allen’s initial impulse was to argue with Sue. However, Peggy intervened when she sensed the trouble looming over. She immediately coaxed Allen to pacify him, “Stop quarreling! Let us share the meal, okay?”

Hearing his mother’s plea, Allen became lenient and relented easily. Peggy was so pleased to see Allen enjoying his meal. The food, after all, was not that bad at all.

Sue felt depressingly sad seeing the way Peggy and Allen interacted with each other. It only showed how much Peggy valued Allen over her.

Done with their breakfast, Sue took care of the housekeeping. Peggy and Allen were sitting on the couch. And They were too engrossed on watching TV, paying little attention to Sue.

Sue was exhausted after getting all the chores done by herself alone. When she caught a glimpse of the two lounging at her couch, Sue’s anger simmered. She marched angrily towards them. After turning off the TV, Sue confronted Peggy and Allen.

Realizing what Sue had done, Peggy approached Sue with curses and cried, “Sue, where are your manners? Why are you so disrespectful?”

Sue looked at Peggy squarely and indifferently and then said, “Peggy, what are you scheming about behind all this? What kind of trouble are you brewing for me this time?”

Sue watched the two of them closely while she appeared very calm and collected when she said, “Tell me your true intentions or leave this place right now!”

Sue wanted to know their ulterior motive. She wouldn’t hesitate to chase them out of her apartment even if they were blood-related.

“What are you saying? Do you want to throw us out of here?” Allen felt agitated and snapped at her. Then he took a step towards Sue threatening to beat her again.

“How dare you?” Sue hurled back harshly. And in a firm and steady voice, she continued, “I will make you suffer tenfold if you beat me again!”

A sudden fear gripped Allen’s guts when he saw Sue acting bold and determined. Her resolute demeanor intimidated him.
Peggy acted smart when she felt Sue’s hostility. She instinctively drew Allen back and mediated, “Allen, how can you challenge your elder sister like this? Calm down.”

Peggy acted smart when she felt Sue’s hostility. She instinctively drew Allen back and mediated, “Allen, how can you challenge your elder sister like this? Calm down.”

Peggy patted Allen’s back meaningfully and said, “Do not forget that it is your elder sister who supports us financially. She deserves our due respect!”

“Mom….” Allen stammered. Allen wore a baffling expression. He was confused about his mother’s unexpected change of attitude.

But Sue was not the least affected. She knew Peggy well. She was fully aware of Peggy’s old trick to soften her heart. She disdainfully detested such trick. It did nothing but weakened the family ties.

Peggy eyed Allen meaningfully and said calmly, “Allen, please go to your elder sister’s bedroom for a while and rest. I have something to talk over with her.”

“But Mom….” Allen mumbled as he protested indignantly. He was still hesitant to leave the scene. He kept glancing at his mother’s eyes searching for some hint.

“Go ahead! Get some sleep. It’s comfortable there.” Peggy looked at his son affectionately as she urged him to take a good rest on the comfortable and luxurious bed.

His mother’s gentle persuasion melted his resolve and Allen conceded. Seeing Allen heading towards the room, Peggy waved Sue to sit beside her.

Sue almost rolled her eyes out while she watched the way the duo acted. It irked her. But when Peggy motioned her to sit beside her, Sue was way more mentally prepared for Peggy’s trick disguised by tenderness.

Sue, who maintained her calm and collected composure, slowly steered herself towards the couch but chose to sit afar from Peggy.

She looked at Peggy indifferently and quickly said, “Blurt it out. Get down to business and quit beating around the bush!”

Peggy, sensing Sue’s irritation, edged her way toward Sue to facilitate the talk. She ignored the scowling expression plastered in Sue’s pretty face.

Sue was getting impatient. She immediately opened her mouth and talked to Peggy in a frank manner, “Peggy, spare yourself the trouble of this make-believe, which nearly drove me to marry that old wifeless man. Now… I won’t be taken in! Not anymore.”

Sue had recalled all the memories in her mind. But she had no slightest sadness in reviving her painful past.

She was a survivor. And she had been accustomed to living in pain.

“Sue, it is I who failed you…” Peggy gently said as she reached out grasping Sue’s hands. And then she succumbed to tears. Seeing Peggy in that state only aroused Sue’s sarcasm even more.

Sue knew if Peggy was to be an actress, she could be able to grab the best actress award.

“Stop your pretension! It only sickens me!” Sue cut in on Peggy’s impressive act. “I have seen through you. You prized Allen over me. And I am nothing short of a tool you leverage to serve your end. I least expect your maternal love and affection!”