ENCHANTED LOVE - Season 8 Episode 44

“Junia,” Sue read the name flashing on Anthony’s cell phone screen. She gave Anthony a questioning look and asked, “Who’s Junia?”

Anthony dragged her into his arms and teased, “What? Are you jealous?”

“Yes, I am,” Sue admitted. She turned to look at him with serious eyes and added, “I can tell this is a woman, judging from her name. She calls you relentlessly, even when you’re here with me, at my house. Is she your mistress?”

Anthony looked at her incredulously.

“What utter nonsense are you talking about?” He frowned slightly. He hesitated for a moment and said, “She is the daughter of my mother’s friend. I came to Ylanbu with mom and her this time.

Even if I just consider her as my sister, my mom thinks she would be a perfect choice for my wife. My mom has probably caused new trouble for me. Maybe that’s why she’s calling.”

“Is she pretty?” Sue asked, ignoring his explanation. She put a slice of watermelon into his mouth while leaning against his chest, waiting for his answer.
“Yes,” Anthony replied honestly.

Sue couldn’t help but feel sour with his response. All along she thought that Sheryl was the only one trying to put a distance between Anthony and her, but now she realized, there was even another woman, Junia.

‘His mother doesn’t like Sheryl, so she might not like me either,’ Sue thought. “Anthony.” Sue raised her head and looked at Anthony. He hadn’t shaved for days and was now sporting a shadow on his chin.

“What’s up?” He lowered his head and looked at Sue.

“How do you…” she stammered. “How would you define our relationship?” Sue couldn’t quite believe she mustered the courage to ask Anthony that. But it had been bothering her for a while. What they had confused her and she just needed to know how he felt.

Anthony was stunned. To be honest, he often came to Sue’s place because he felt at ease here and he could do anything as he pleased.

He didn’t quite know how to answer her question because he had never thought about it. So he tried to dodge the question. “What kind of relationship do you think we have?”

“I…” Sue felt a little sad because she didn’t get the answer she wanted to hear.

But she understood that Anthony couldn’t possibly forget Sheryl in one night, so she tried to find peace with it again.

‘I can wait,’ she said to herself.

Tamping down her feelings, she smiled at Anthony and asked, “Do you mean you will agree if I want to take our relationship further?”

Anthony frowned but nodded reluctantly.
Sue smirked as she coyly slid her hand in his pants. Anthony groaned and held her by the waist, dragging her to the bedroom.

After they made love, they remained in bed, exhausted yet satiated. “How about we visit your mom together?” Sue started to ask.

“What brought on this idea?” Anthony asked, his voice filled with surprise.

Sue poked his chest. “You agreed, remember?” she reminded. “You nodded when I said I wanted our relationship to go further.” She leaned against his chest and continued, “I think we’re already at that phase of our relationship where I could go with you to visit your mom as your future wife.”

She gave him a small smile. “I haven’t gotten the chance to treat your mom these past few days. But now, I feel better and my foot feels fine. I should at least spend some time with her, don’t you think?”

“We can talk about this later,” Anthony snapped. He pushed the quilt away, dragging his feet off the bed. Sue’s words caused his chest to tighten. He managed to put on his pants and walked out of the room, leaving Sue in shock.

Anthony was almost at the door when Sue came to him, not even bothering to put on her clothes. “Where are you going?” Sue asked in confusion, holding him by the elbow.

Anthony swallowed. “I just need some air. I’m gonna head out for a bit.” He shook off her hand and left, not bothering with a goodbye.

Sue watched him go as she fell to the floor on her knees and burst into tears.

Maybe deep inside, she had always known that Anthony only saw her place as a place of refuge when he craved flesh, and she was no more than just a prostitute housed in it. While thinking that, she still wished that he had even a little love for her.

Her illusion that their relationship was something real and out of love shattered into pieces when he walked out.

She didn’t know how long she cried for, sitting on the sofa in a daze. It was dusk when she heard the door open and the light on the living room turned on.

Sue blinked at the sudden brightness. She raised her hand to cover her swollen eyes and tried to see who was in her house. When her eyes landed on Anthony, she felt shocked yet happy but she didn’t want to seem desperate. “Why did you come back?” Her tone was strong but indifferent.

“I got some snacks and fruits. Also some vegetables for those dishes you like when I cook for you. Do you like them?” Anthony said in a tender tone.

He knew he had to tread lightly. He panicked after hearing what she thought of their relationship. He hadn’t even figured out his feelings for her yet, or what he wanted out of their relationship.
So he decided to take a walk to think things through. After his feet went tired and his head hurt from thinking, he still found that Sue’s place was the most comfortable place for him, so he came back.

He didn’t quite know how he’d face her after walking out. He knew he hurt her, so in a feeble attempt to apologize, he bought all the things he knew she liked.

“You don’t have to use these things to console me.” Sue was not a kid. She didn’t need trivial things to make her feel better or to forget being hurt. And Anthony’s reaction hurt her. When he walked out, she knew that he had never considered even marrying her.

He only came to her because he wanted to feel better after being hurt by Sheryl.

“Sorry.” Anthony walked up to her and embraced her. Then he said in a soft tone, “I know you are angry with me. You haven’t eaten dinner right? It’s bad for your health. Let’s have dinner now. You can go on losing your temper on me after dinner.”

Sue was amused but she held back her laughter. She wanted to ask questions again but thought against it.

So she just kept silent.

Anthony felt even worse as he knew that Sue was holding back. He knew a lot of things were bothering her but now, she may not open up anymore.

He was the same way when he was with Sheryl. They both had the utmost adoration for the persons they loved, desiring their attention and love.

Anthony kept on persuading Sue to eat more during the dinner, hoping to at least make her feel a little better, a little less hurt.

But going through the unpleasantness, Sue hardly spoke during dinner.

In the hospital

Charlie kept Shirley company and never left. Sometimes, Shirley’s eyes held different emotions but her face was always blank, expressionless.

It was late. Charles looked at Sheryl and said, “Sher, go home and rest. I’ll accompany Shirley tonight.”

Sheryl shook her head slightly. She wouldn’t feel at ease even if she went home. She would rather stay here and be with her daughter.