ENCHANTED LOVE - Season 8 Episode 40

“Okay, okay, I get it,” Anthony spoke as he pressed his forehead with his index finger and thumb. Too much wine can make things really worse between two people. And that was what happened between Anthony and Sheryl. Anthony was drunk last night. If he had known that Sheryl’s memory had come back, Anthony would not have been so impulsive.

“Anthony, please wait for a second,” said Andy when Anthony was about to hang up the phone. “In fact, I know exactly what you have done for Sheryl during these years. Actually, I will be happy if you could be with each other. But if she still couldn’t forget Charles after all these years, then it’s of no use for you to wait for her. I think it’s better for you to give up. I am sure you could find a better girl,” added Andy.

“Andy, thank you. That’s very thoughtful on your part,” replied Anthony in a very casual yet polite tone. After that he hung up the phone.

Anthony turned around and took a glance at Sue who was still asleep. His face became grim and a heaviness hung on his chest. He tried to grip Sheryl with both his hands, but she was slipping away like a fistful of sand. He heaved a deep sigh and walked towards the kitchen.

He cooked some porridge and egg soup. In the last three years, cooking had almost become his second nature. When he used to cook for Sheryl, it was the only way for him to express his love as Sheryl was not much responsive in any other way.

Every time a thought of Sheryl came to his mind, it left him with a mild pain. He took the breakfast on a tray and was about to come out of the kitchen when Sue held him abruptly from behind.

“Good morning,” Sue spoke in a soft voice. Sue’s voice reflected a happiness and joy. However, Anthony could not reciprocate as heartily as she did. He looked expressionless which formed a sharp contrast with Sue.

“Go and wash up. The breakfast is ready,” said Anthony without showing any sign of mood swings.

“Okay, wait for me for a moment,” Sue replied in a cheerful voice. She really felt warm as she saw Anthony cook breakfast for her.

Every time over these years when she saw Anthony take care of Sheryl, Sue felt a void in her heart. Even she longed for someone to take care of her like this. But now it had finally come true. Sue felt as if the fondest wish of her life had been granted.

As they ate the breakfast, Anthony remained silent. Sue glanced at him once in a while and a smile appeared on her face each time. After finishing breakfast, Sue thought Anthony would leave. However, he just sat down quietly on the couch. Sue walked up to him and sat down by his side. She then asked him in a very soft voice, “Anthony, you are not going back?” She looked into Anthony’s eyes, and waited for his reply.

She could understand Anthony’s state of mind.

“Going back?” Anthony looked at her face with an absolutely blank expression. “Where shall I go back?” he asked.

“I mean going back to your house,” Sue replied in a very gentle voice. She was taken aback by Anthony’s question. After a small pause, she then added, “Didn’t you say that your mom is still at home? Are you not going back to accompany your mom?” Sue kept looking at Anthony’s face while she asked.

“Who told you my mom is at my house?” Anthony asked her with a frown. Sue could see the coldness in his eyes as he interrogated her. He stared at Sue, trying to read her face for the truth.

Sue became a little uncomfortable to sense such weird coldness in Anthony’s behavior. “I…” she muttered. She could feel chill run down her spine as she looked into Anthony’s cold eyes. She had never seen him in this way. It was true that he had never told her about his mother. It was Holley who gave this news to her. She kept quiet for a while and then replied putting a soft smile on her face, “Have you forgotten? You told me a few days ago.”

“Did I?” asked Anthony with his eyebrows still knitted in a tight frown. He looked confused as he tried to remember the instance when he spoke to Sue about his mother, but he still couldn’t remember if he had told her earlier.

“Of course you did or how would I know this?” replied Sue. She maintained the soft smile on her face as she spoke to him.

Though he could not remember distinctly, yet Anthony looked assured by Sue’s words. He said, “There is no need for me to go home. My mom has gone back.”

“Well, then…” Sue spoke with a bit of hesitation in her voice. She looked up at Anthony and asked, “Are you going to live here with me?”

“Is there anything wrong with that? Are you feeling uncomfortable about this?” Anthony asked looking straight at Sue, his eye brows furrowed. Anthony was at a loss at the moment. He didn’t know where to go and moreover, he did not even want to meet anyone. However, he only felt relaxed in this place with Sue.

“Anthony, I don’t mean that at all,” explained Sue. She gave a smile and asked, “Shall we go out to buy some clothes for you? We could also buy some household items as well.”

“No, I don’t want to go out. You can buy whatever you want to buy online,” Anthony said in an indifferent tone. “I want to be alone for some time,” Anthony added as he looked away from Sue.

Sue patted in his hands and left him alone as he desired. She walked away and bought some clothes and some fruits online.

Sue thought she would be happy as Anthony stayed at her place, but it was not how she had expected.

She looked at Anthony but could not find the Anthony she had known for the last three years. He seemed to have changed into a completely different person overnight. He sat silently on the couch and poured the drink down his throat.

Did he just need her on the bed? Apart from that, she hardly existed for him. Sue felt empty inside her heart.

Shirley was sitting still on the chair all the morning. She did not even respond when Sheryl called out her name.

When Sheryl put her down from the chair, Shirley could hardly take a step forward. Moreover, she even refused to eat which frightened Sheryl. Sheryl felt these symptoms to be alarming and decided to take her to the hospital. As she opened the door in one hand carrying Shirley on her shoulder, she found Charlie standing at the door with Charles.

Watching Shirley lying motionless on Sheryl’s shoulder scared the hell out of Charles. “Sheryl, what’s wrong with you?” he asked. The anxious look on Sheryl’s face frightened him all the more.

“Something is wrong with Shirley. I am going to take her to the hospital,” Sheryl replied in a trembling voice. “Did you drive here? Could you take me to the hospital?” Sheryl asked as she walked towards the elevator.

“Okay, let’s go,” Charles said as he followed her holding Charlie’s hand. The cold stare on Shirley’s face scared Charles. As many times as he glanced at her, he quickly removed his eyes and prayed that everything was alright with this little girl. Shirley sat motionless and didn’t even take a glance at Charlie, let alone to talking to him.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Charles and Sheryl rushed to the Pediatrics’ chamber. The doctor made a careful examination of Shirley and found that she had developed autism triggered by mental stimulation. Sheryl dropped into a nearby chair as she heard the doctor’s words. Charles and Charlie stood still for a while. Charlie slowly approached Shirley and stroked her hands gently even though she did not respond to him.

Charles rushed and held Sheryl trying to comforted her, “Don’t get so anxious. I will get the best doctor to treat Shirley no matter how much it will cost.”

“It is my fault. It is all my fault. Shirley, I am so sorry,” said Sheryl in a choky voice. She broke in an uncontrollable sob. What happened last night was probably the most terrible experience for Shirley. Had it not been for her, she wouldn’t have been like this.

“No, Sheryl, don’t say like this. Don’t blame yourself. It is not your fault. You are a good and loving mother,” Charles spoke in a soft voice. He asked Charlie to stay with them and went out to meet the doctor. Charlie sat beside Sheryl holding her hands. Even he was numb to see all this. Several questions came to his mind. And more than anything else, his heart sank every time he looked at Shirley.

“Doctor, what shall we do now? What shall we do for her?” asked Charles with a frown. Charles could feel his knees trembling. Small droplets of sweat appeared on his forehead. Although he was nervous, he had to remain strong as he knew that Sheryl would need his support.

The doctor looked at him and gave a reassuring smile. “In fact, you don’t have to be so anxious,” he said. He took a glimpse at Charles and then went on to continue, “Nowadays, autism is a common mental disease. As long as the girl gets proper psychological service timely, her condition will improve fast and soon we will be able to restore her mental health.”

“Thank you,” Charles replied heaving a sigh of relief. He felt relieved as he heard the doctor’s sentence.

As he just stepped out of the doctor’s office, he spotted a familiar figure. However, given the mental condition he was in, it took him several seconds to think about who it was. And the moment he could identify the familiar figure, he just could not help flaring up.

He rushed behind and finally caught Leila at the gate of the hospital.

To his surprise, she warped herself in a thick scarf and put on the sunglasses at such a hot day. Perhaps it was a camouflage she had put so that people could not recognize her in this way.

“Stop!” shouted Charles. He followed right behind her and held her arms. He turned her face towards him so that she could no longer hide her identity and asked in a very cold and intimidating voice, “What are you doing here?”

Leila felt that there was no need of any cover to hide her face since Charles had already recognized her. She freed her arm from Charles, removed her scarf and sunglasses, glared at Charles and sneered, “That is none of your business. Is this hospital owned by your family? Why can’t I come here?”

“Leila, you better not make a pretence in front of me,” said Charles with a serious look. “I have nothing to say if you have really come here to see a doctor, but then why did you run away when you saw me?” asked Charles in a grim voice.

“I…” Leila stammered as she was at a loss of words. After hesitating for a while, she finally said, “I have already seen the doctor. Why can’t I leave? Do I need your permission for that? Do you really think you are so important to me?”

“Really?” asked Charles with a sneer. Then where is your medical card? Show me,” Charles probed further.

“Charles, don’t cross your limits. You are going too far,” Leila roared impatiently. “What are you going to do to me?” she sneered at Charles like a wild cat.

“Are you serious, Leila?” Charles narrowed his eyes as he interrogated. “It is you who followed me to the hospital. And on the top of that you are asking me what I am doing here. Don’t you think it sounds ridiculous?

You better tell me why you have come here or I won’t let you go.” Charles was not surprised at her behavior. She had always been like this. He knew it for sure that she was following them and she also had some reason behind it. He kept glaring at Leila furiously and waited for her to reply.