ENCHANTED LOVE - Season 8 Episode 20

Anthony laughed bitterly. Though his eyes were seething with anger and resentment, he still spoke in a low voice, “Yes, you’re right. I wasn’t man enough to defend her! At that time, I knew she needed me the most, but what did I do? I let her down. I should’ve said something. She was terribly hurt, and she looked helpless.” He shook his head in total disgust, feeling dejected.

“I broke her heart. And I think she would absolutely hate me now,” he added.

Anthony was regretful. His voice was cracking with emotions. He despised himself for having been such a coward.

“Anthony, please don’t be so hard on yourself.” Junia gingerly reached out her hand to pat him consolingly on the shoulder. It took her time to utter those words; she feared that he might detect the underlying concern behind them.

“Under that awkward situation, Sheryl also had to regard Mrs. Clark’s feelings, considering that the things between you and Sheryl were so complicated. And I didn’t see anything wrong in the way you acted. It’s only natural for you, as a son, to also care about how your mother would feel,” Junia continued.

Junia paused for a moment and gazed at Anthony’s face, still etched with worry. “I believe Sheryl is an understanding and a reasonable person. You can talk with her later about this. Trust me, she will understand and forgive you,” she added.
“Really?” Anthony had managed to croak after some time. He sounded still skeptical, but he seemed to have found hope from Junia’s words. He tilted his head to cast a glance at Junia as if seeing her for the first time. He studied her, and he suddenly realized that she was less disturbing than how she used to be. Soon, his heart felt better. He was at ease. The corners of his mouth then slightly turned up, he raised his eyebrows and tentatively asked her, “You really believe that she will forgive me?”

Junia was openly staring at him that she was able to catch up on the eager expression spreading slowly on his face. She suddenly felt uncomfortable. She immediately calmed herself. She gave him a gentle smile and said, “Of course I do. I’m sure she will forgive you.”

When Anthony heard Junia’s reassuring words, the trace of bitterness in his face had disappeared. And it was immediately replaced with relief. He was feeling better now. He continued to look at her in a different light. He may found it inexplicable, but he was truly grateful for her.

Junia hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. Then a sudden thought occurred in her mind. ‘He just got a better impression about me, I should grab this chance.’ Then Junia added softly, “But, Anthony, there’s something I need to remind you.”

“What is it?” he replied instinctively, snapping out of his musings. Anthony couldn’t hide his annoyance and he slightly frowned after hearing the underlying tone of warning. He immediately straightened himself up in his seat as if he was bracing himself to take the blow. Cursing himself mentally, he tried to calm down the feeling of restlessness that was slowly gripping his heart again. He then threw her a questioning look prodding her to go on.

Junia deliberately put on a knowing smile which eased up his mood. “I’m also a girl, and I can fully understand how Miss Courtenay might be feeling right now. I just want to warn you that with all these unspeakable things that happened, getting through will be hard for her. She might need some time to be alone. So, if you will see her right now, it will not be very helpful for her. I mean, why don’t you just…” Junia paused for a moment. “Why don’t you wait for some time before you apologize? Besides, Mrs. Clark is still in the hospital. She will be disappointed if she learns about it. You better wait for the right opportunity to reach out and to apologize to Miss Courtenay.”

“I see. Alright!” Anthony nodded. He seemed to be detached and thinking of something when he said, “Thank you, Junia.”

“What for?” she responded casually. Junia smiled tenderly and said, “Look, I didn’t do anything, so there’s no need to thank me. Our families were close and we practically grew up together. You don’t have to keep your distance from me. I’m just doing what I should do as a close friend.”

Then she looked sheepishly at Anthony. “I just gave you some pieces of advice which couldn’t be said to be very helpful at all.”

“No, your words are very helpful.” Anthony laughed. He found her amusing. Finally, they arrived at the hotel where Junia was staying. Anthony parked the car near the entrance but he didn’t step off. Sighing deeply, he closed his eyes momentarily and began weighing the thoughts running in his mind. Feeling a little embarrassed, he opened his mouth and said, “To be honest, at first, I thought you were…”

“You originally thought I was here to cause some troubles. You didn’t know that I would help you?” Junia blurted out cutting his words off. Seeing Anthony nodding his head apologetically, Junia showed an exasperated look and said, “Are you serious, Anthony? In your eyes, I’m just nothing but a jealous and bad woman like that?”

“No! I didn’t mean it that way.” Anthony was so regretful. He looked at Junia awkwardly. Shame and guilt were clearly evident on his face and he said gently, “I was not nice to you before. My mother wanted to pair us up because she thought we’ll make a perfect match. And I didn’t want her to decide for me. But honestly, I was surprised that at this low moment of my life, you came and reached out for me. I just can’t help thinking about it in that way.”

Junia glanced at Anthony. “So, you are now seeing me on the lighter side? That I’m not here to give you troubles.”

“I apologize. I have gotten the wrong impression,” Anthony said ruefully.

“It’s all right. If I were you, I might have also misconstrued myself.” Junia burst into laughter and continued speaking, “Because I really did love you before and I shamelessly asked you out for a movie.”

Her last sentence hit him hard. Suddenly remembering the incident, Anthony felt more guilty. He was so embarrassed with the way he had behaved at the time. And he deeply regretted that he made a fool of her. “Junia, about that movie,” he countered apologetically, “I was out of line. I was wrong, and I shouldn’t have done that. I’m so sorry about the whole thing. Please forgive me.”

“Don’t worry, it’s all right.” Junia laughed. “It was Mr. Clark who asked me to come this time. I’m not here to blame you for anything.”

“My father?” he asked in disbelief. Anthony was puzzled.

“Yes, your father,” Junia confirmed as she nodded her head lightly. “You know about Mrs. Clark’s temper, and so does Mr. Clark. He was worried about her and asked me to come here with her.

Coincidentally, I also wanted to pay a visit to Ylanbu. So, here I am. It is such a good thing though, that nothing serious happened, or else I don’t know how am I supposed to break the news to Mr. Clark.”

“It would be so much bothered for you to do all these things for us.” Anthony believed her. Then after a brief moment, he asked her hesitantly, “It occurs to me that you haven’t had the chance to look around and explore Ylanbu, have you?”

“No, I haven’t yet,” Junia answered in a small voice as she shrugged her shoulders. “All of these events happened right after I arrived. And I felt like I have so much in my plate that I didn’t even have a slight chance to relax. Besides, I don’t know this place that much and I’m not sure where to visit the best scenic spots around the area. I am certainly clueless. I should have made my own research before coming over. But I was too excited to even think about it,” she admitted helplessly.

“How about you let me be your tourist guide?” he suggested inquisitively. Anthony wanted to make it up for her and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He stared at her searching her face for affirmation.

“You? As my tourist guide?” she retorted back in disbelief. Junia was overwhelmed with the happiness and excitement swelling within her. She could feel her heart racing in delight. But she was adept in concealing her emotions; she maintained her composure. She remained calm and collected. “Can you be a responsible tourist guide?” she teased while slightly raising her brow.

“Hey, don’t look down upon me.” Anthony started laughing and he was looking very pleased with himself. “I’ve worked here for a quite some time three years ago.

And I know Ylanbu very well. You don’t have to worry at all. I am quite familiar with every nook and cranny of this city and that makes me eligible to be your perfect guide.”

“Wouldn’t it bother you?” Junia seemed to be reluctant.

“Not at all,” Anthony answered. “I plan to take my mother for a visit in Ylanbu after she gets out of hospital tomorrow. You can just come along. So, it’s settled then. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”

“All right, then.” Junia smiled. “Let me give you my thanks in advance.”

He watched Junia closely as she alighted herself from his car. And after seeing her retreating figure enter the hotel, Anthony drove away. He initially wanted to go back to the hospital, but for some reason, he drove directly to Sheryl’s place. The light of her apartment was still on. Anthony silently stayed in the car, wrapped in his own thoughts.

When the lights went off, he then hastily put out the last cigarette on his hand. Only then did he notice, that he had almost smoked a couple of packs of his cigarettes. He started his car and drove back to the hospital.

As soon as he stepped into the room, he heard Laura saying, “What took you so long? I’ve called Junia, and she said she arrived at the hotel a few hours ago. Why did you come back so late?” she snorted.

Realizing that Anthony refused to respond, Laura frowned and said, “Did you go to that bitch’s place again?”

“Mom, aren’t you tired?” he said dismissively as he approached her. Anthony ignored her questioning glare and in a weary tone, he prompted, “Please go to bed early. We will go out tomorrow.”

Laura kept nagging, hoping she could extract an answer. But after noticing the slight annoyance in Anthony’s gentle face, she refrained herself.

Anthony quickly made his way towards the side of the room and lay on the couch, wanting to get some sleep. Restless as he was, he didn’t get a night of decent sleep the whole night.

On the following morning, Anthony showered and changed his clothes. He decided to buy breakfast for his mother. Heading towards the door, he saw Junia standing at the doorway.