ENCHANTED LOVE, VOLUME 2 - Season 9 Episode 97

“No, you can’t!” Laura completely opposed to Sue’s proposal. She patted her and said, “The only thing that you need to do is rest. So why don’t you sit right here while I make up the room for you.”

Laura started to unpack Sue’s luggage. She carefully took each item and busied herself around the room, making sure everything was in its right place. Sue offered to help but she refused. Even though Laura belonged to an upper class family, she made it a point to do housekeeping for her husband and her son. Her willingness to serve them had made her a fast and skilled worker.

Unsure on what more she could do, Sue had no choice but to stay aside while she watched Laura work on her stuff. Sue was unable to hide the embarrassment on her face. “Take it easy,” Anthony commented with a smile, trying to ease her anxiety. “Just leave it to her. She has been looking forward to having you around. You don’t know how happy she is now that you’ve finally moved in.”

Since Anthony mentioned it, Sue just stared as Laura continued moving around the room. Laura was busy with what she was doing, unaware of what they talked about. Finally, when she was done, Laura stopped and looked around for the last check. She patted her hands with satisfaction as she exclaimed, “All is done! Perfect!” Sue took another sweeping look on the room and she had to agree. It now looked like it had always been hers.

Laura went to the restroom and washed her hands. It was already time for lunch and she was excited to share one with Sue. She took her hands intimately and invited her to dine, “Let’s go down to have lunch!”

Anthony watched his mom as she treated Sue like her own daughter. He didn’t know how he should feel about being left out, when he was her true-born son.

Carlson seldom dined at home, but when he knew that Sue had moved in, he made sure he wouldn’t miss today’s family meal. Sue remained to be the focus of Laura’s attention during lunchtime. She kept offering her dishes even after her plate was already full. Carlson frowned at this sight and he could not help but comment, “What are you doing? Look at her plate. It’s already full! You are making her uncomfortable!”

Carlson’s comments had made Laura feeling awkward. “I just think she is too thin, so I want her to eat more,” she reasoned out. “Don’t you think so?”

Carlson didn’t reply. They continued with lunch quietly.

Meanwhile, in the Murphy family house, Charles somehow got the news that Sue had already moved out, therefore, he hurried to Sheryl’s place to bring her home.

He also brought Clark to back him up.

“Why are you here?” Sheryl was unable to hide her surprise the moment she saw Charles at her house. He was grinning as he approached her and announced, “I’m here to bring you home, of course! Now that Sue has moved out, you can’t stall me off any more!”

“Yes, mom. Daddy is right,” Clark echoed. “Let’s go home together. Okay?” His twinkling eyes were fixed at her as he waited for a response.

Sheryl could not help but smile when she heard Clark’s lovely voice. She squatted down and looked at him to acknowledge his request. “Clark, my dear. Don’t worry. Mom will return home for sure, but not now.”

She reached her hand out, stroke his cheek tenderly and continued, “You see, Auntie Sue just moved out. If mommy also moves out now, your great-grandparents would feel really sad and lonely. We don’t want that to happen because we also love them, right?” She looked at him intently and hoped he’d find what she just said reasonable enough.

“Well…” Clark paused. He was trying had to think of an answer but could not find the right words to express his thoughts. He looked up at Charles and hoped he could help him up.

In fact, he did not want to lobby his mother, but since Charles was generous to give him abundant rewards, he agreed with it.

He felt bad that he was unable to do more for his father. He looked at Charles and shrugged, showing that his hands were tied.

Sheryl who was watching Clark’s reaction noticed that he was sending distress signals to Charles. She didn’t want to disappoint him so she tried to sound optimistic, “Clark, mom knows that you are a good kid. Please don’t be upset. Give me a little more time, okay?

You know that you shouldn’t always listen to what your daddy says.” She knew Charles was behind this. It hurt her that she couldn’t just give the kid what he wanted, but she already made a decision.

“No problem, mom. I’m going to play with Shirley now.” Clark was so eager to leave since he had already tried to do what he could to help his dad.

Charles watched as Clark went away. He simply could not accept this result. He wore a long face and appealed to Sheryl, “Sher, you promised me that you would be back as soon as Sue’s problem gets resolved.”

“I did. But…” Sheryl sighed. She didn’t think Charles would just accept her decision. “My grandma is still sad since Sue moved out,” she started to reason out. “If I tell her that I’m going to move out now, she will be devastated. Give me some time, okay?”

“Then tell me, how long will you need?” Charles tried his best not to sound impatient nor demanding.

Sheryl didn’t expect his question but she had no choice but to respond, “A week probably.” That was the best random answer she could come up with right now. She just hoped Charles would just accept it.

“I’ll have a business trip next week. You have to move back after I return home, will you? No more excuses!” Charles demanded. He wanted her to know that stalling would not work anymore.

“You have my words,” Sheryl replied with a smile. She then confirmed, “It’s settled then.”

Charles was not satisfied with the results but he had to live with it. He decided to keep quiet. He knew how much Sheryl’s grandparents meant to her. He did not want to sound unreasonable if he insisted on getting her to leave them.

Early the next morning, Sheryl went to Kline Corp. for work. The sun shone brightly when she reached the entrance of the building. She stopped to take a better look around. She was recently engaged in her own business in Cloud Advertising Corp., hence, her current job was neglected. After careful consideration, she decided that she needed to end it with Kline Corp.

Just the thought of it made her felt guilty towards Holley and George, but she had to make this choice. After all, life was short. It would be best to make use of precious time on things that she really liked.

She went straight to Holley’s office when she entered the company. She found her sitting behind her desk reading through some paperwork. Holley immediately raised her head when she saw the door opened and welcomed her with a smile. She motioned for her to take a seat, and she did. “Sher, you are here. I was just thinking about calling you!”

“Call me?” she asked to confirm if she heard it right. Holley was still smiling. Sheryl wondered what it was that she required. “You need anything?” she finally asked.

“There is one thing,” Holley responded. “Our company recently got a new deal. We need to send a delegate to their city for a few days, and we think you are the best candidate. As for the reward, I must say, it will be very satisfying. What do you think of it?”

It sounded like a good offer, Sheryl thought, but she needed to turn it down. She couldn’t help but feel a little sad as she decided to tell Holley the truth. “Miss Myers, in fact I need to tell you something today. That’s why I’m here.”

Even if she stayed in Kline Corp., she could not consider going on a business trip since she had two kids now. She didn’t want to leave them behind even for a while.

“I’m sorry. But I don’t think I would be able to accept your offer to go on a business trip because of my kids. I don’t think that can be negotiated no matter how much you are willing to pay me,” Sheryl replied as calmly as possible.

“Yes, I understand,” Holly acknowledged with a bitter smile. “To be honest, I don’t want to send you there either, but, I’m sure you are aware on what happened previously. We fired some employees because of Mr. Taylor, so we are already short-staffed.” Holly could not help but sigh. She didn’t want to mention it but she had to get Sheryl to agree at all cost. She continued with her case, “If Sue didn’t turn out pregnant all of a sudden, we won’t be having this discussion. You know that I can’t find anyone more suitable than you. So I want you to do me this favor.”

Holly came close to her and patted her shoulder. “Sher, I really have no choice now. Could you help me this time? Please?” she pleaded.

Could you help me this time? Please?” she pleaded.

“Miss Myers, I’m really sorry. I can’t help you.” Sheryl made sure that her voice sounded firm. “In fact, the reason why I’m here today is because I want to submit my resignation. I would like to terminate my contract with Kline Corp.”

“Terminate your contract?” Holley was stunned by her message. She anxiously fired her questions away, “What happened? Why do you want to resign all of a sudden? Are you not satisfied with your compensation? Has anyone treated you wrongly? No matter what the problem is, we can solve it through consultation. How can you just quit all of a sudden?”

“Miss Myers, it has nothing to do with the company. I need to attend to some personal issues,” Sheryl explained. “You also understand my condition now, so…” she tried to persuade Holley.

“Sher, I understand your condition exactly,” Holley interrupted. “But you need to know that a woman needs to be economically independent. You can’t rely on your husband’s grace! You need to have your own job! Moreover…” Holley’s attitude turned tough. “We are in short of hands now. How can you choose to leave at such a bad timing? Don’t you think that you are being ungrateful?” She looked at Sheryl coldly.

“Sheryl, Mr. Patel and I have always treated you very well. When you joined the company, we welcomed you with open arms and accepted all of your proposals with a big heart. How can you forget our kindness now?”