The Apple of My Eye

Melissa knew that she had treated Sheryl badly in the past. And now, Sheryl had every right to ignore her. When she realized Sheryl still hadn't given her a reply, she felt a bit embarrassed. However, she merely lowered her head and took a sip of her coffee. Then raising her head, she asked, "How is your work going right now? Are you always busy?"

"Work is fine," Sheryl answered curtly.

"How about the kids? How are they?" Melissa continued to ask question after question.

Sheryl didn't bother to hide anything. In a very indifferent tone, she answered all the questions that were hurled at her. To an outsider, it would look like Sheryl and Melissa were two strangers, meeting for the first time. The whole thing pained Melissa. After a sigh, she finally said, "Sher, I know you and Charles have divorced. I am sorry if my question is personal, but do you have a boyfriend now?" Melissa's intention was to find out if Sheryl still had some feelings for Charles. However, she couldn't ask it directly since it would be inappropriate. Therefore, she began to beat around the bush, trying to figure out what was in Sheryl's heart.

"No," Sheryl stated, feeling Melissa's question was quite ridiculous.

"Sher, do you still love Charles?" Melissa finally decided to ask, knowing that she would never get the answer if she didn't get to the point.

"Love?" Sheryl didn't expect to hear such a straightforward question from Melissa. This definitely caught her off-guard.

Thinking for a while, Sheryl sighed and said, "I may have had strong feelings for him, but it has begun to fade now." A bitter smile appeared in the corner of her lips. She noticed Melissa's embarrassed expression, and she took satisfaction in it. Devoid of any emotion, Sheryl began to sip her coffee.

Hearing Sheryl's response, Melissa was sure that Sheryl wouldn't forgive Charles for what he had done. His involvement with Vicky was the final straw. Anxiously, Melissa explained, "Sher, the relationship between Vicky and Charles is not what you think. Charles has never had any relationship with her, nor was he ever interested in her! But she kept on harassing him..."

Even though Melissa was trying her best to explain, Sheryl paid no heed to her words. The more Melissa defended her son, the less convinced Sheryl became.

As his ex-wife, Sheryl knew Charles quite well. He was not a man who would be intimidated by anyone. Nobody could push him to do anything that he was not willing to do.

As she listened to this ridiculous story, Sheryl began to grin. Even though she didn't argue with Melissa, Sheryl's expression made her distrust evident to Melissa.

Both anxious and nervous, Melissa hastily went on, "Sher, don't doubt my words. If you have trouble believing me, then let's go to the hospital right now. Once you see it with your own eyes, you'll have no choice but to believe me..."

"No, that will be unnecessary. It's pretty late, and I have to get back home. I think you should be going home too," Sheryl interrupted Melissa, telling her that she had to leave.

Since Sheryl insisted, Melissa couldn't continue what she had to say. However, she didn't plan to give up so easily. She thought it was such a great chance for her to convince Sheryl.

At the back of her mind, the bouquet of red roses that Sheryl had received this morning was still there. Anyhow, she had to figure out whether that man was pursuing Sheryl or not. She also wanted to have some idea of Sheryl's feelings for that man.

"Well, Sher, it feels like it has been ages since I last saw the kids. Can I come with you so that I can visit with the kids?" Melissa asked while Sheryl was quickly checking the bill to wrap this meeting up.

At first, Sheryl had an urge to refuse Melissa's request. However, on second thought, she had to admit that Melissa was her children's grandma. No matter what, she had the right to visit her own grandchildren. So she simply nodded, permitting Melissa to join her back home.

Melissa was overjoyed as she heard Sheryl's reply. She couldn't control her excitement.

After Sheryl paid the bill, they went to the parking lot of Cloud Advertising Company, and then they drove to Sheryl's apartment.

"Sher, how is your life with the kids? Are you used to this area now?" Melissa asked once she racked her brain and came up with a question. The atmosphere was extremely awkward in the car.

However, she felt uncomfortable asking such questions. After all, Sheryl and kids had moved out a long time ago. It seemed pretty funny that she was showing her love now. The more Melissa spoke, the more awkward the atmosphere became.

"We're fine. Don't worry. Joan takes good care of us. The kids are doing very well," Sheryl answered, not wanting to look cold.

Before they had arrived at their destination, Melissa asked Sheryl to stop the car.

"What's wrong?" Sheryl asked. Even though she was totally confused, she still stopped the car.

"Well, I want to get some gifts for the kids," Melissa replied and immediately got out of the car.

She went into a toy store and started to browse through their collection. Even though she hadn't paid much attention to the kids when they lived with her, she knew that Clark loved Ultraman, and Shirley loved Barbie dolls.

Melissa was elated when she found what she wanted. With a smile, she selected the toys that would make her grandchildren happy.

Sheryl was waiting outside. Through the window, she could clearly see what was going on inside. Melissa's smile didn't escape her attention.

The whole thing left her a little surprised. She realized Melissa was trying to rectify her previous mistakes.

When Melissa returned, Sheryl was totally stunned by the piles of gifts that she had brought.

"Um...Why did you buy this many toys?" Sheryl got out of the car to help Melissa with the bags.

After sharing some boxes with Sheryl, Melissa smiled and said, "This is not a lot! I only got some toys and snacks. I hope it makes the kids happy."

"You really didn't have to buy this much stuff. It is indeed a lot!" Sheryl said, frowning.

After they put everything on the backseat, both of them got seated. Melissa took a quick glance at Sheryl.

Then she sighed and said, "Sher, I just want to make up for every mistake I made in the past. I owe it to the kids. Won't you let me do it? I know I don't deserve it, but I am begging for a second chance." Melissa looked at Sheryl pleadingly.

Sheryl was caught completely off-guard by Melissa's words. Melissa was an elderly woman, and it felt wrong for her to plead.

Moreover, Sheryl could sense sincerity in her ex mother-in-law's words. Even a cold-hearted man would be touched if they witnessed this scene.

"Well, you are free to do as you please," Sheryl said, forcing a smile.

Melissa breathed a sigh of relief when she got Sheryl's approval.

During the rest of their ride, none of them spoke. There was an awkwardness in the air, but Melissa didn't try to dispel it with any conversation. Fortunately, they weren't far from Sheryl's apartment. Sheryl sped up, and they quickly arrived at their destination.

The kids were already home when they arrived.

When the kids heard the door being opened, they thought it was Sheryl. So they rushed out to welcome her.

As soon as the door opened, they came forward with ready embraces, without even checking who it was.

"Mom, how come you are back so early today?" Shirley asked sweetly.

However, when they looked up, they were surprised to find that it wasn't Sheryl but Melissa. They released their grasp immediately.

Even though they were only kids, they vividly remembered the brutal manner in which Melissa had treated them.

Melissa noticed the terror that was evident on the children's faces. She felt a bit embarrassed. Kids were innocent and pure, and they didn't know how to lie or pretend. Their dislike toward her was so obvious. Their sweet smiles twisted into fear when they recognized her.

Watching this spectacle, Sheryl began to feel uneasy. She squatted, caressing the kids' heads and said, "Sweeties, why don't you greet your grandmother?"

"Hello, Grandma," they mumbled unwillingly for Sheryl's sake.

Melissa couldn't blame them for their behavior toward her. After all, in the past, she didn't care enough about them. 'This is all happening because of me. I deserve the treatment I am getting,' she thought to herself with a bitter smile. In spite of this, she made up her mind to do her best to change their impression of her. With a genuine smile, she approached the kids.