Sheryl and Charles sat inside the car. She asked Charles fretfully,"So, what should we do now?"
Instead of answering her, Charles got off the car, took a bottle of mineral water out of the trunk and gave it to Sheryl. "Please drink some water first."
He appeared calm. Sheryl glanced at him and blurted,"Charles, please give me a break. Why do you keep on bothering me? Is it because I'm the spitting image of your wife?"
What had just happened got on Sheryl's nerves. Besides, it was very likely that she would spend the night with Charles in the mountains. Thus, she was on the verge of a breakdown.
Charles soothed Sheryl for quite some time before she finally calmed down. After the fact that she couldn't get back home sank in, Sheryl reclined the car seat and leaned back on her side. She tried to sleep.
After being separated for three years, it was the first time that Charles had ever been so close to Sheryl. Wide awake, he lovingly gazed at Sheryl's back.
He then decided to open the sunroof. The city was extremely colorful and bright at night. He realized that he couldn't even have the luxury of looking up at the sky with his hectic schedule, let alone marvel at the sparkling and starry sky which was a rarity in the city.
With Sheryl next to him, a sense of peace and security welled up inside him.
Charles thought Sheryl was asleep. He quietly took off his coat and gently put it over her.
Sheryl couldn't sleep at all either. She felt the warmth of the coat sweeping over her. She said in a muffled voice to Charles who was behind her,"There is no need to be so good to me. Nothing will happen between us... at any rate."
"You're still awake?" Charles asked Sheryl tenderly.
Since she already came to terms with the fact that she had to spend the night with Charles, Sheryl softened her tone a little.
She thought, 'It was unexpected that the car broke down. I don't think Charles did it on purpose.' She then asked without answering him,"Why are you awake?"
"I don't know but I can't sleep." Charles stared at the starry sky with his hands clasped behind his head. "It's extremely rare to see such a beautiful, starry sky."
Sheryl turned over and lay flat on her back. She slightly looked at the sky and then looked again intently. 'Admiring the starry sky through the sunroof is indeed a highly enjoyable experience.'
She stared at the sky for quite a long time and then heaved a sigh. "We are busy with work in our daily lives. Besides, the city teems with artificial lights. It's indeed a special experience to spend a night in the mountains like this."
"You don't blame me for what happened tonight?" Charles tilted his head to face Sheryl as he asked.
"Charles, what's the use of blaming you?" Sheryl said with a smile. "There is no point in putting the blame on you. I'd rather look on the bright side. At least... we can marvel at such a beautiful, starry sky. It makes everything worthwhile."
Charles couldn't help smiling at the lively sound of her voice. The car was so small that even the slightest sound could be heard clearly. Upon hearing the rumblings of Sheryl's stomach, Charles again hurried out of the car and took a carton of milk and a bag of bread from the trunk. He handed them to Sheryl. "Here, take a bite."
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