ENCHANTED LOVE, VOLUME 2 - Season 9 Episode 51

“Where are we going?” At first, Sheryl was unsure where Isla would take her at the outset. A little while later, Isla stopped abruptly. Now Sheryl’s eyes glittered at the unexpected familiarity of the place they had just arrived. Without further thought, she deduced Isla’s intention.

“Isla, I…” Sheryl’s voice trailed off as she was a little scared. She was standing right in front of the office. Somehow she couldn’t muster the courage to open the door.

“Open the door!” Standing behind Sheryl, Isla tried to encourage her.

“I think I’d refrain from doing that. Perhaps, that’s what’s right for me.”

Somehow, Sheryl’s courage vanished into thin air in a moment’s notice. All she felt was grief-stricken while she stood in front of her own office. She whispered hesitantly, “Isla, I have been here for a long time. I guess… it’s time for me to take my leave.”

“Sheryl!” Isla felt faintly annoyed as she noticed Sheryl’s skittish behavior. She raised her eyebrows to an exquisite furrow and asked, “What on earth are you scared of?”

“I don’t know. I really don’t.” Sheryl flashed a wry smile toward Isla and blurted, “It seems as if my gut is asking me not to open that door.”

Sheryl didn’t budge her eyes from Isla and continued, “Isla, maybe I’m just… not ready yet.”

“Not ready? What is that supposed to mean?” Isla shot a rage filled glance at Sheryl and continued to speak, “This is your own company. You needn’t worry about anything. You belong here.”

Sheryl chose to remain silent as Isla went on, “To be frank, I wasn’t ready to take this up out of the blue when you went missing three years ago. I learned to outgrow my fear. You too should do the same.”

“Isla…” Sheryl looked at Isla and frowned. “I know you did that out of kindness. But… I’m not ready to take over the company yet. It’s not so easy. I don’t think I can do it.”

The real reason behind her hesitation to push open the door to her own office had just been exposed by her.

“I understand.” Isla nodded helplessly and said, “Sher, I won’t force you to take over the company if you’re not comfortable with it. But be assured that I will always keep your office vacant and wait for you. I’m eagerly expecting your return.”

Suddenly Isla opened the door before Sheryl realized what was happening. Not knowing what to do, Sherly looked inside. Upon seeing the familiar scene, Sheryl felt all her fear and worry vanish.

“Come in and have a look.” Sheryl eventually stepped into the office as a result of being persuaded by Isla. It had been maintained in the exact manner as it used to be when it had been last occupied.

The scindapsus aureus beside the window had grown thicker than three years ago. The desk and the furniture looked spotlessly clean. Clearly, someone had taken an enormous effort to tidy up this room.

Sheryl was astonished at this gesture. Despite being unaware of her existence throughout these years, Isla had taken good care of her office.

“The office has been vacant ever since you left. The rest of the offices were redesigned two years ago. In fact, the designer suggested decorating your office too, but I refused immediately.” Isla looked into Sheryl’s eyes and said, “I was worried whether you would feel unaccustomed and alienated to see your office redecorated hence I decided to maintain status quo. Sher, now that you are here, you may decide how to decorate your office.”

“Isla…” Sheryl frowned slightly and said, “I know you have dedicated a lot of time for this company. I really appreciate what you have done for me.”

Sheryl gave a weak smile and added, “But I really can’t return here as of now. You very well know that I’ve signed a contract with Kline Corp. Hence, I can’t leave now. I can’t afford to pay the enormous penalty if I break the contract.”

“Sher…” Isla frowned slightly.

“I know you have my benefit at your heart. But I don’t want to depend on Charles. You know I always refused to accept his money. It felt like charity to me even when we were together several years ago,” finished Sheryl with a tone of finality.

“Sher, you misunderstand.” Isla smiled and asked Sheryl, “Have you forgotten? You are still the boss of this company.” Bewildered, Sheryl looked at Isla curiously, wondering what Isla meant.

“The company developed rapidly in the recent years and I have been keeping aside your salary for the position of our boss. It may total to about ten million right now. If you want to leave Kline Corp., you don’t have to ask Charles for help. The money I’ve saved for you will be more than enough.” Isla looked at Sheryl, with a ray of hope. “Whether you leave the company or not is now entirely your decision.”

Sheryl was visibly shocked. She had never expected the company to have scaled giant heights in a matter of few years. Moreover, she had become a millionaire unknowingly because of it.

“Sher…” Isla gripped Sheryl’s hand gently before speaking. “I am quite aware that many things are disturbing the peace of your mind. But you should remember that you are Autumn right now, not Sheryl. Do you really want to be a mere model for eternity?”

Isla glimpsed at Sheryl and continued, “I remember that you were joyful and content when all that you had to do was to write the program schedules. But needless to say, I’m not able to locate that joy in you when you walk down the aisle to earn your bread.”

Isla paused for a while and gave a bitter smile. “I know you are not in a position to make a decision now. Give it some time, I don’t mind. All I want to let you know is that no hurdle exists between you and your previous work.”

“I know, thank you,” Sheryl said with a smile. “Isla, give me some more time to think about it. I will make a decision soon.”

“Okay, I shall wait for your reply.” Isla knew it wouldn’t be right to force someone to go against their decisions and push them off their comfort zone. She just hoped Sheryl would make the right decision and return to her abode sooner than later.

“It’s gotten late. I should go home now.” Sheryl bid goodbye to Isla. Sue had come home unusually early today. Sue was still concerned about Anthony’s desire to come here and wished to consult Sheryl about it.

She hesitated for a long time because she didn’t know if it would be advisable for her to initiate the conversation. Eventually, she cooked up a question nervously, “Sher, where did you go today?”

“Why do you ask? You want to know why Anthony came today, right?” Sheryl exposed her rather easily.

Sue felt a little embarrassed and avoided Sheryl’s eyes immediately. In an attempt to defend herself, she said, “No no, I don’t care about him, not at all.”

“Oh, really?”

“Ye… Yes.”

“Fine then,” Sheryl said and nodded her head. “I am tired. I am going to rest now.” It was indeed an exhaustive day for her. Only fate knew what it had in its bag for her tomorrow.