"Maybe..." Sue hesitated. "Anthony overreacted because he was thinking of your miserable past in Y City," she suggested. "And Shirley's father is there, which is why he's strongly opposed to your going back. The man only wants to protect you but is going about it the wrong way." She waited for a reaction but got none. While quiet, Sheryl was actually pondering Sue's words.
'Her assumption makes sense. I did escape from Y City. And before I lost my memory, I wrote a letter to myself warning me never to go back to that place, ' she thought.
The woman argued with herself, 'But this show is important to me, so I can't miss it. No matter what I'm going to face there, I have to go and finish the show.' Sheryl took a deep breath.
Sue's voice broke into her thoughts. "Sher, I believe you need to talk with Anthony. I'm sure there's a good reason why he seems to have become so unreasonable." She peered at Sheryl before cautiously saying,"Maybe, he's just trying to protect you." What was important for Sue was her friend's happiness.
Sheryl considered Sue's words and then nodded. "I see" was all she said.
When Sue left the apartment, she headed straight to a car. Anthony drove her there. The whole time she was with Sheryl, he stayed inside the vehicle waiting patiently and staying out of sight.
"How is Sheryl?" he asked the moment Sue entered the car. Anthony could tell Sue was irritated, but he was excited to hear about Sheryl.
In reply, she grumbled,"Next time you call me, it better be for some good news. Did you know I was in the middle of a dream when you called? You may be a cute guy, but you can't treat me like that! Do you know how annoying suddenly being awakened can be?"
Anthony accepted her scolding and apologized,"I'm very sorry. I had no one else to call for help. I was afraid of getting into a fight with her again if I came to the apartment myself."
Sue huffed,"Sher told me you fought because you disapproved of her going to Y City. Is that right?" Anthony looked away briefly.
Then he nodded, but did not explain.
Her brows furrowed, she hesitated before asking,"Is it because Shirley's birth father is there?" Anthony's head snapped up.
He met Sue's eyes directly. And his panic-stricken look confirmed Sue's suspicion.
"Ah, so I was right," she blurted. 'I knew it! Anthony would never have snapped at Sheryl for no reason, ' Sue thought.
He raised his hands in surrender. "You got me," Anthony admitted. Embarrassed, he explained,"We've gotten on so well these last years. And I don't want anyone or anything disrupting our peaceful life."
Sue sneered at the man,"You're lying!" She paused and looked at him. "You're just not secure enough in your relationship. You're afraid Sheryl will fall in love with that man again if ever they see each other when she goes back," she said.
Anthony bowed his head, slightly embarrassed. In a low voice, he admitted,"You're right." He winced inwardly and thought, 'I can't hide anything from her.' Worry lined his face as he confessed,"You don't know what Sheryl went through in the past. Just this time, I want to be selfish and keep her to myself. I'm hoping she'll always be my Sheryl. So the thought of losing her is my greatest fear."
Anthony looked so forlorn that Sue felt sorry for him. "You don't need to worry so much. Sheryl seems to have completely forgotten the past, including that man. So, he should no longer be a threat to you. Always keep in mind that you are her boyfriend. And if you have no faith in yourself, how will others believe in you?" she encouraged.
He let out a sigh of relief and said,"Thank you." Hurriedly, he offered,"Let me take you home."
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