ENCHANTED LOVE, VOLUME 2 - Season 9 Episode 42

Sheryl gave a smile at Isla and said that she trusted Charles too well to fall a prey to her false alarms. Then she said, “That day will never come Isla. Charles is not that kind of person. I believe in him.”

Sheryl’s confidence in Charles reassured Chris and Isla. They felt that even if she was taking time, she was still on the right track.

However, they were a little disheartened that their combined effort to get Sheryl back with Charles had failed. Since she was so stubborn, Isla couldn’t do anything with her, but changed the topic of discussion to work. Isla stared at Sheryl and said, “It’s up to you. Nobody can make a decision for you. But Sher, don’t you think that as a boss, you should take more responsibilities in your company now?”

Isla raised her voice. “Recently, the company is going through a good phase. Everybody works around the clock, including me. I work overtime every night, while you are working at some other company and that too as an employee! What do you take me for? This is so unfair!”

Isla pretended to be angry. “Sheryl, I tell you. If you don’t return to the company as soon as possible, I will quit! I will put it all behind just like you! I have helped you for three years, for which I have even postponed my plans to have a second child.”

Isla continued in the same angry tone, “You are so lucky to have twins, a son and a daughter and that too at one go. I really admire you. Though I have Amanda already, I also want to have a son. Aron also feels that we should have both son and daughter to complete the family. We want a second child so much! So you can imagine how much I have sacrificed for you!”

“Yes, yes! I know! You have sacrificed and contributed a lot to the company.

Thank you so much! Are you satisfied now?” Sheryl joked with her, thinking that Isla was more eloquent than three years ago. She could connect different things together to make up for a reasonable excuse.

Sheryl took Isla’s hands and said sincerely, “I know you helped me a lot during my absence. Without your efforts, our company could not have developed so fast, or even worse it might have closed down already. Charles told me that the company has grown much bigger than before. I will always remember your devotion. I can never deny that.”

“Beautiful words don’t work for me.” Isla took a glance at Sheryl. “How are you going to thank me?”

Sheryl smiled. “Okay. How about this? You tell me what you want.”

Isla’s eyes went bright. “My daughter Amanda likes your son Clark very much. So I think, maybe they can make a good couple in the future! Why not we get them married to each other after they grow up? How do you think of this idea?”
“Well…” Sheryl frowned. Isla’s proposal was acceptable for her. However, she could not promise her right now because nobody knew what future had in store for them.

She stared at Isla and hesitated. “Isla, I think this is a good idea. Even I like Amanda. But I can’t make such an important decision for Clark at this moment. Who knows what will happen in the future? So I think it’s still too early to arrange a marriage for the kids. As long as they love each other after they grow up, I will surely support their marriage!”

“I’m just joking! Look at your serious face. Ha-ha!” Isla chuckled. Then she heaved a sigh. “In fact, I just want to be Clark’s sworn mother. You also know how much I am desperate to have a son. It’s like a cherished wish for me that I will have my own son soon.”

“No problem. Of course you can. Do you need my permission for that?” Sheryl agreed to her request immediately and smiled with a sigh of relief.

As the ladies continued with their talk, the guests arrived and everybody took their seat. The atmosphere was joyful and happy.

It felt like happy days had returned for the Murphy and Taylor families. Charles and Sheryl had gone through some of the most roughest patch of their lives. But fortunately everything was getting better slowly. They had come together once again. Moreover, they had a pair of lovely kids, which was comforting enough for the people who cared about them.

The thought of all this nearly made Gary cry. As an old man, he was more sentimental than before.

The ups and downs through these years had taken a toll on his health. He didn’t know how many years he had ahead of him. His only hope now was to see Sheryl move back to Dream Garden and the whole family live together happily again.

“Grandpa, are you okay?” Sheryl moved towards Gary and spoke to him with concern. Sheryl kept looking at Gary constantly because she was aware of his poor health. Tears in his eyes made her worry.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry,” Gary denied, shook his head and smiled in a reassuring manner to Sheryl. It was a happy gathering among families and friends.

He didn’t want to bother anyone because of his ill health. He then assured her, “I just feel a little sleepy since I’m already old. I’m just so happy to see all of you together. Don’t worry about me! Go ahead. Help yourself with some food.”

His words reassured Sheryl. She filled a bowl of soup for him and then continued to listen to Charles talking with other people.

The feast continued. Charles was in a good mood and he drunk more wine than usual. At last, except a few gentlemen who were drinking, nearly all of them finished eating. Chris sent Gary home while Abby left with Arthur and Amy. Isla and Sheryl stayed, chatting with each other to their hearts’ content.

“Sher, I invited you to take a look at our company last time, but you cancelled it because of the kids. How about now?

You can’t find an excuse to refuse me this time!” Isla complained to her, “To be honest, it’s really busy and hectic in the company these days. I can’t handle it all by myself anymore. Come back soon, okay?”

“I know it, Isla.” Sheryl nodded. She sighed and continued, “But I signed the labor contract with my current company. I need to go through procedures if I want to resign. I can’t just leave as per my wish. How about this? I’ll go to the company tomorrow and figure out how much I can contribute at the moment. I’ll try my best to help. As for my current job, I’ll find an appropriate time to inform the company. It will take some time. How do you think of it?”

“No problem.” Isla breathed a sigh of relief. She said to Sheryl, “I am relived as long as you promise to come back. I’m looking forward to it!”

“But you should also be prepared for the new and upcoming problems that I will create for you.” Sheryl smiled and confessed, “I haven’t done the management for three years. There must be a lot of things that I will not be familiar with. And surely I’m not as good as three years ago. If I make mistakes, you must point it out to me and be prepared to guide me. And also reprimand me if needed.”

“Are you kidding me? You are the boss! Who would dare to reprimand you! Spare me!” Isla teased and pretended to be surprised. Her funny reaction made both of them laugh out loud. When they finally recovered, Isla hugged Sheryl and said, “Sher, I’m so happy you are back. I missed you so much!”

“I know, really,” Sheryl replied sincerely. “I will stay here forever. I will never leave my dear ones ever again in my life. It’s all past!”

Sheryl felt so happy and content to have a friend like Isla and a lover like Charles who both loved her and cared about her so much. They were the best gifts that God had given her. What else could she ask for? She just could not stop herself from counting her blessings.

Charles went overboard with wine during the feast. This was the first time that Sheryl had seen him drunken. He was no longer the prominent Mr. President who made people to be in owe of him. He was like an ordinary young man, who talked a lot and cared about no manners or etiquettes. But this side of him was cute and lovely. The more Sheryl watched him to be so casual, her heart melted towards him.

Then all of them left. Abby returned to pick up Andy, while Isla drove drunken Aron home. Sam called a taxi and took his leave. Sheryl planned to send Charles to Dream Garden. He was so much drunk that he needed rest.

However, when they walked out of the restaurant, Charles recovered like he was totally sober. He pleaded Sheryl, “I don’t want to go home now. Stay with me, please. How about taking a walk?”

“I’m okay if you want,” Sheryl agreed. But she kept glancing at Charles, not knowing whether he was really sober now or he pretended to be drunken all this while.