ENCHANTED LOVE - SEASON 7 EPISODE 35

Worried that Anthony would refuse, she added immediately, “I know that you have given more than me in our relationship. I will try my best to compensate for this. I will try to be a good wife and cook nice dishes for you every day. I will spare no effort to take care of you and Shirley. Maybe one day we will have our own child. Let us live happily together in the future.”

Sheryl felt a little nervous because Anthony had still not said yes. Still she persisted, “Anthony, let us get married as soon as your parents meet me and approve of me. What do you say?”

“Idiot!” Anthony said lovingly. He teased, “Are you proposing to me? Let me do it! It’s a man’s privilege to propose to the woman he loves!”

“It does not matter as long as I can be with you,” said Sheryl. Then she asked eagerly, “So do you agree or not?”

Anthony was in a rapture. He wanted to fly to Sheryl and tell her he agreed. He knew he had to persuade his parents even more strongly now. He was aware that they were selecting some eligible girls for him to date.

Anthony smiled and said, “Sher, please give me a chance to propose to you. I will go down on my knee and ask you to marry me. Please say yes on that day, okay?”

The final call for boarding was announced as he spoke these words. He told Sheryl, “I have to board now. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay, wish you a safe and happy flight.” Sheryl hung up the phone with a happy smile. She felt her troubles had just fallen away from her shoulders. But she did not feel a great sense of elation or excitement.

‘Maybe it’s because we have been together for too long. It does not feel any different to me,’

Sheryl consoled herself.

When she fell asleep that night she dreamed of Charles. In the dream, she was married to Charles and he was running his hands over every part of her body with passionate love. They were in a white house by the seaside.

Sheryl woke up with a start. She patted her cheeks and rubbed her eyes in bewilderment. She wondered, ‘What’s wrong with you, Sheryl? What strange dreams you have!’

During the three years she had been with Anthony, she had always rejected Anthony’s attempts at intimacy. She had assumed that she lacked passion and sex drive. But in her dream, she had passionately and actively responded to Charles’ touch and kiss. She felt embarrassed even as she thought about it.

Sheryl slapped her head with annoyance as she tried to drive the unreal scenes of her lovemaking out of her mind.

Anthony reached his parents’ home. He had hardly visited this house since Craig died. Also because he had become involved with Sheryl and had to take care of her. He had already informed his parents of his arrival and they were waiting to have dinner with him.

He didn’t really get along well with his parents. More so since Sheryl had entered his life. His mother, Laura Ding, was totally going to oppose his marriage to Sheryl.

Laura was cooking dinner in the kitchen when Anthony arrived. Although there was some unpleasantness between them, she still wanted to make some delicious food for her son. It had been a long time since he had come home. She began dinner preparations from one o’clock in the afternoon. The dishes she made covered the whole dining table. Anthony’s father, Carlson Xiao, kept waiting for his son at the gate.

“Has our son come?” Laura anxiously asked the same question every few minutes. She felt disappointed every time she got a negative answer.

“Why are you standing here, Dad?” Anthony asked as he got out of his cab. He scolded, “I told you not to wait for me to join you for dinner. You should have eaten earlier. A late dinner is not good at your age.”

“Never mind, we wanted to have dinner with you.” Carlson flashed a broad smile at his son. He had been once very proud of his son as Anthony had been an excellent doctor and respected in his field. However, both Carlson and Laura could not accept the fact that he should give up his career for a woman with a child. They hated Sheryl for this reason.

“Your mom has been cooking up a storm. She has been preparing all your favourite dishes for you. You go in and rest for sometime. I will call you in for dinner when it is fully ready.” Carlson didn’t know how to express his love for Anthony. He just awkwardly patted Anthony’s shoulder and said, “You look much thinner than before.”

“No, I don’t.” Anthony smiled. He added, “I have been very busy lately. I am sorry I could not come and visit you and mom. Here are some gifts I bought in America for both of you.”

He pointed at two boxes filled with gifts.
Laura heard their voices and came out to investigate. She was wearing an apron and carrying a ladle in her hand. As soon as she saw Anthony she said happily, “Welcome home, Son!”

“Mom…” Anthony called out to her with tears in his eyes. He walked up to her and hugged her tightly. Then he scolded her with concern, “Why didn’t you listen to me and order dinner from outside. It is too much work to prepare all this by yourself.”

“The food made in restaurants is expensive and tastes terrible. I think you will be happy to have my home cooked food.” Laura looked at her son with a smile and continued, “Moreover, you are coming back home after a long time. I had to cook your favorite dishes for you.”

“Mom…” Anthony frowned and said, “I have earned enough money now. You don’t have to tire yourself out only to save money.”

“No, I didn’t do that to save money.” Laura explained, “You were once a doctor and I think you know that restaurant food is unhealthy.”

Eyeing Anthony’s suit, Laura heaved a sigh and said, “I know you earn enough money in your present job. But you know that generations of our family are all doctors. I think you will look more handsome in a doctor’s white gown.”

“Mom…” Anthony arched a brow and said seriously, “Please don’t say that any more. Every time I come back you say it and I can’t bear it any more. Can you change the topic?”

Being a doctor was better than his present job and he had liked his career. But as a doctor, he had to work nights and had no time to take care of Sheryl. Therefore, he had given up his career as a doctor.

“Whatever I say is only for your benefit but you never listen to my words,” Laura said with sadness. She heaved a sigh and said to Anthony, “You will regret your decision to give up your career as a doctor for a woman. Mark my words!”