Chapter 4 Forced to contact him

Sheryl kept working after talking to Rebecca. They stopped talking about James and Luciana when James walked in.

She was in the room working on a task from James. Sheryl had to make a new schedule for her boss. It was boring, but she had to do it.

As she worked, Sheryl remembered what Rebecca had said about Luciana's status. This woman's status was far above hers. She couldn't believe that she was the lucky woman to have James all to herself. She should have realized that from the beginning.

Obviously, James is not a random man who can accept any woman as his partner.

"Oh my God! Why do I regret breaking up with James? That incident is long over. I should have moved on. Especially now that I'm getting closer to Dave."

Sheryl tried to concentrate on her work. "Okay, Sheryl. You need to focus on your work and forget about James. You can do it!"

Sheryl sighed and kept working. She had to finish her assignment before nightfall. She had promised her mom she'd come home early.

Fortunately, Sheryl had an example of how to make a schedule for James. It was all thanks to Rebecca. If Rebecca hadn't given her an example, Sheryl might have stayed up late again with James.

Meanwhile, James watched Sheryl from his room. He smiled at his ex-wife's expression. James still cared for Sheryl, but he found it difficult to express his feelings.

"If I could, I'd go back to when we were together. I was so sad when you left. I didn't know what to do without you."

James' tears fell. He wiped them away immediately so no one would notice, including Sheryl. James looked away from Sheryl and focused on the document in front of him.

****

It was already 5 pm. It was time for Sheryl to go home. She felt relieved that her work was done quickly.

Sheryl packed her things and left. As she was getting into the elevator, she bumped into James.

"Is your work done?" asked James.

"Absolutely, sir!" Sheryl replied with a big, bright smile.

"That's good. Would you like to have dinner with me?"

Sheryl's eyes widened. James' invitation came as a complete surprise to her. "Are you kidding me?"

"I'm not kidding, Sheryl. I'm serious," James replied. "There's a dinner invitation from Miss Luciana. You may have heard about it this morning."

"I did. But she only invited you, not me," Sheryl said.

James smiled. "Okay. If you don't want to, I won't force you. Let me walk you home."

"I can go home by myself."

Sheryl got on the elevator without asking James to come with her. She thought James' behavior was strange. It wasn't like him.

"Jesus Christ! Why is my heart beating like that?"

Sheryl continued to clutch her chest. She hadn't expected James' words to affect her so deeply.

After the elevator stopped in the lobby, Sheryl took a taxi home. She had borrowed money from Rebecca to pay for the taxi.

"I'm glad I have the money to pay for the taxi. I've already inconvenienced Rebecca," Sheryl said. "I'm sorry, Rebecca. I'll repay you someday."

****

"Good you're home early, Sheryl. I was busy. Take care of your mom," Marco said when Sheryl arrived home.

Sheryl looked at her father with a sarcastic expression. "I just got back from work, but you told me to take care of Mom. What are you doing? I see you eating and drinking in front of the TV. Is that what you call busy?"

"Watch your language, Sheryl!" Marco snapped.

Sheryl snorted and left Marco in the TV room. They never got along. There were things that made them fight. Sheryl was closer to Melinda because her mother was patient. Marco was always angry for no reason.

"I hate you, Dad! You never understood me. I'm tired of living like this. Maybe I should get married again to make my life better," Sheryl muttered. "But, if I get married, what about Mom? Oh, God! I can't be selfish. I have to think about Mom's health."

The woman ran to her mother. Sheryl looked at her mother's pale face. She touched her mother's forehead and found she had a high fever.

Sheryl called out to Marco, "Dad, come!"

"Dad!" she called again.

Marco came in with an angry face and asked, "What's wrong?!"

"Mom's body is burning up. We have to take her to the hospital," Sheryl replied frantically.

Marco laughed. "I don't want to spend more money on her. You take care of her."

"You're such a bad dad!"

"Whatever!"

Marco left, and Sheryl didn't know what to do. She still didn't have enough money for her mother's hospital bill.

"What should I do, God?"

****

"Thanks for the help, James. I was confused before. That's why I called you."

Sheryl and James were in the hospital. Sheryl was forced to call James because her boyfriend wasn't answering her calls. She was lucky to still have James' phone number.

"No need to thank me. I'm always willing to help," James said with a warm smile.

Sheryl returned the smile. "I'm so ashamed of you, James. I haven't been very nice to you since we met. I didn't expect to have to ask you for help. Please forgive me, James."

"Forget about it. The most important thing is that your mother is safe and she's going to be fine. I've taken care of all the hospital expenses. You don't have to worry about that," James said. "I also plan to pay for your mother's therapy. But if you want."

"Don't do that, James. I'll owe you. Please don't do this for me," Sheryl refused.

James laughed. "Who says I did it for you? I did it for your mom. I just wanted to see her get better and walk again."

"Oh, I see."

Sheryl looked down in shame. Inwardly, she cursed herself for being too sure of herself.

"Miss Sheryl?"

"Yes, I'm," Sheryl replied. "How is my mother, Doc?"

"Your mother is doing well. Her fever is down. However, she is malnourished. I wonder if she hasn't eaten much lately?"

"That's right, Doc. Mom won't eat if I don't feed her," Sheryl said.

"Okay. I suggest you pay more attention to your mother. Make sure she eats and don't be late. I am going to prescribe some medicine for her. Please pay for the medicine at the pharmacy."

"Okay, Doc."