ENCHANTED LOVE, VOLUME 2 - Season 9 Episode 50

The easy money from Mr. Hall was good news to the receptionist. She subtly rejoiced, knowing that the money was more than enough to squander, and there was no need for her to work as hard as her other colleagues to make a living. The change was rather difficult to get used to, but as time went by, she began to get used to the comfort and even began enjoying the life she had at the company.

This easy and comfortable life she had just gotten accustomed to after all this time, however, was interrupted by a certain woman.

“What on earth do you want?” the receptionist questioned Sheryl furiously as if she could make her melt with a mere fiery glare. There weren’t any other ways to dodge the trouble Sheryl brought, so she figured she should deal with it right there and then.

“I could ask you the same thing. What do you want?” Sheryl threw the question back at her. “If you leave this place now and promise to stay away, I’ll let you off and pretend you were never here in the first place. I don’t know, and I don’t want to know what’s going on between you and Mr. Hall, but if you don’t take this good chance I’m giving you right now, I’ll have no choice but to bring this up to Mrs. Hall. I can assure you, the next person who you’ll have to answer to won’t be as nice as me. By then… do you really think that Mr. Hall will spare any effort to protect you, a liability? You don’t think he’ll kick you away as soon as he can?”

When the receptionist heard Sheryl’s threatening words, her face darkened with concern. She was well aware that Mr. Hall would not have ended up as who he was at present without the loyal support and help from Mrs. Hall’s family.
The receptionist wasn’t completely foolish. If he was ever even suspected to be disloyal to his wife because of her, she knew she’d be canned on the spot without warning. After all, what was she to him, compared to his money, status, and fame? It was incomparable, in reality. Once their relationship was put under a spotlight, she would be the one to suffer.

Mr. Hall had let the relationship last as long as it did because she was more clever than most when it came to knowing her boundaries. She knew what she should and shouldn’t do, how she should behave, and what lines she shouldn’t cross.

When Mr. Hall needed her close, she was attached to him as the perfect little kitten. When he needed his space, she was well capable of making herself scarce and keeping a safe distance from him.

It was almost a talent in his eyes, and this quality of hers was what won her his affections.

At that moment, however, it seemed that she had no chance of escaping from Mrs. Hall’s suspicions if she ignored Sheryl’s advice. If Mr. Hall found out that she revealed her existence to Mrs. Hall, any little affection he had for her would be wiped away in an instant, and he would show no mercy, no matter how many years they had shared together. If she was thrown away, how would she find another sugar daddy as good as Mr. Hall, who was as generous as they came?

Weighing the possible outcomes of the options she had before her, she knew she had to give in. With a reluctant nod, she agreed to Sheryl’s offer, “Alright, I will leave right away.”

Sheryl smiled in satisfaction. “Smart move.

You should go now.” After the whole episode, Sheryl was led by Isla into the room by her hand. She handed the freshly bought desserts to Suse. “Can you do me a favor and share these to everyone, please?”

“Sure, no problem.” Suse simply nodded. After all the cakes were distributed, Suse couldn’t push away her curiosity. She had to ask what had happened to Sheryl.

After practically bursting into Isla’s office, she immediately asked, “Autumn, what happened to you? You were gone for three years. Why?”

“Suse, I’m back now. Oh, by the way, call me Sheryl instead of Autumn, alright?” she replied with a warm grin. “Suse, I didn’t expect that you would be still in the company.”

“Oh please don’t,” Suse interrupted, her eyes turning glassy with tears threatening to fall. “When you left, I cried for what seemed like forever. I prayed for you every day. I hoped to see you safe and back with us again. I was so worried, I could barely do my work properly.

Luckily, Isla was there. She helped me get on with things. And now after all that time… you’re here! You just appeared again. I’m really glad you’re back, Sheryl. What happened to you? Everyone was saying you were dead.”

Sheryl tried to smile, albeit bitterly. “It’s a really long story…” She then gave Suse a short rundown of all that happened to her, and it wasn’t enough to explain everything. Even with the summary of the past three years, though, Suse was stunned by all the miseries Sheryl had suffered, and she couldn’t help but let the tears fall.

“Oh no… why are you crying?” Sheryl asked, feeling somewhat helpless.

“I just feel sorry for all that has happened to you. I can’t even believe… It must have been terribly difficult,” she said in between sobs.

“It’s all in the past, Suse. Let’s keep it there, yeah?” she consoled her friend. “Look at me. I’m perfectly fine now. You don’t have to worry so much about me.”

Then, they heard a sigh from someone. “In the end, she’s still really all yours,” Isla complained in her jealousy. “She’s been working under me for three whole years, and she didn’t cry even once. This is the first time I’m seeing her shed any tears, and they’re all for you, Sheryl.”

“Isla…” Sensing Isla’s discontent in her words, Suse felt embarrassment creeping up her cheeks. Afraid that she had offended Isla, Suse hurried to explain herself, “Please don’t get me wrong. I really, truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me when things were tough. It’s just that… I mean Sheryl…”

She trailed off when Sheryl began to laugh. Suse’s reaction was hilarious, she thought. “Suse, you’ve always been a clever girl. You’ve been in this industry for quite some time. Can’t you tell when a superior is just kidding?”

Darting a short glance at Isla, she saw that she was also holding in a laugh. Suse sighed in relief.

“She is a clever girl indeed, especially when she crafts plans and negotiates on tables. I have to admit, sometimes even I have to learn from her. Outside of work, though, she’s still got a long way to go,” Isla praised Suse with a smile on her face. “I was so lucky to have her working with me while you were away. She gave me a great deal of support. Without her, I wouldn’t have survived the heavy workload.”

“Isla, I’m flattered. You don’t have to say that,” Suse said, feeling much more relaxed, enough to even crack a joke.

“You’ve given me such a high rank and salary. I have to do the work its worth, right? If I don’t contribute enough, it’s better for me to just pack my stuff and leave. Otherwise, it’s a shame for both of us.”

“Ok, now I know you’re kidding.” Isla smiled and kindly sent her back to work. “Suse, you can return to your desk and get back to work now. I need to settle something with Sheryl.”

“Alright then.” She nodded in agreement. “Sheryl, I’ll be off now. I’ll see you again soon, okay?”

“Of course,” Sheryl smiled and bid her goodbye. When she was out of reach, she said to Isla, “I didn’t expect her to become someone who can handle things so well. Three years ago she seemed so naive. You’ve really made an impression on her.”

“Well, this isn’t the only thing that’ll surprise you.” Isla smiled coyly. “A number of people came in and left. Many of the old faces were replaced. Most of those who have chosen to stay are either sticking to their own work and doing an average job, just muddling along, or trying to take advantage of the company however they can. But Suse is different. I can see she really wants to work hard.

She’s got that desire to genuinely devote herself to the company so it can change for the better. That’s why I want her to have all the opportunities to experience and grow.”

Isla kept smiling as she continued complimenting her dear mentee. “Suse is now someone who can accomplish complex tasks on her own. I’ve heard a lot of positive comments from our customers. She has truly done an amazing job.”

“Thanks to your coaching.” Sheryl showed her sincere appreciation. “She wouldn’t have been who she is today without all your help.” Sheryl knew it was a monumental task to teach a girl from knowing almost nothing to pretty much everything with regards to work.

“Isla,” she suddenly called her name.

Isla raised her face gently, with the sunlight shining on her face. It was such a familiar sight that seemed far away, but in reality, it was only from three years before the very moment. There didn’t seem to be any big changes over time. It gave Sheryl the urge to recollect all the memories she had from that time. Life seemed so pure and sweet back then. “Why, Sheryl?” Isla was a bit puzzled.

Sheryl looked like she was in a kind of daze, and she couldn’t tell what was going on in her head.

“Thank you, Isla. Really.” Sheryl genuinely appreciated Isla for saving Cloud Advertising Corp. from its declining situation. Its healthy development it was enjoying at present wouldn’t have been possible without Isla’s help. Her decisiveness made her a good shot for making the tough choices that were life and death for the company.

And no one but Sheryl knew better of Isla’s financial capabilities. In fact, the salary that the company could offer her was nowhere near enough for all that she did. She could’ve stayed at home and devoted herself to being a housewife, taking care of her husband and child, as she was inherently blessed with such an opportunity to enjoy a light-hearted life.

If not for Sheryl, who wished to have the company prosper, why else would she join? Taking up such a job was not a fun activity after all. It was exhausting.

“Hey, what are you saying?” Isla was flattered. She could feel the blush creeping up her cheeks as she realized how highly Sheryl thought of her, and how much she recognized and admired her work. Feeling flushed made her divert the topic of conversation to something else. “Do you think that I’m here just for you? Come on, did you forget about the promise you made to me regarding the share of the company? I’m one of the holders, so I have the responsibility to do so. Don’t forget to pay me what I’m owed.”

“Of course, I will keep my promise. You’ll receive a great percentage of financial benefit in return,” promised Sheryl. She knew that Isla had reminded her simply to shift her attention, and assure her that she shouldn’t feel guilty in any sense.

Their strong friendship put her at awe. How could she ever truly repay her? It would take a long time to really find out.

“Oh! I have something to show you. Come with me.” Isla suddenly remembered and stood up, ready to lead Sheryl somewhere else. What kind of surprise would it be?