Ice and Fire novel Chapter 95

At first, Cherry hesitated to knock on Stephen's door. Five years had passed since their last meeting, and she wondered if he had changed.

Finally, she mustered up her courage, and lightly knocked on the door.

When she heard Stephen's familiar voice, she opened the door, and entered the office.

Stephen initially thought that one of his staff members had come in; he didn't even raise his head, and instead kept on being busy with his documents. He indifferently asked, "What's up?"

As soon as she saw Stephen, she knew that he hadn't changed a bit. She tenderly greeted him, "Hello, Stephen."

'The voice is so familiar', thought Stephen. When he raised his head, he couldn't believe his eyes.

'How is she standing in my office and greeting me? Isn't she staying abroad? Has she come back?'

He called out her name, with complicated feelings, and too many questions rambling in his head. "Cherry?" Bewildered, Stephen dropped all of his documents from his hands, instantly stood up, and came to her.

Cherry gave him a wide grin, and said, "Stephen, have you forgotten me since our last meeting five years ago?"

Stephen looked at Cherry up and down, and thought that although five years had passed, she still looked as innocent, uncomplicated and beautiful as ever. She had barely changed, although she did seem to be a little more thinner. Was it because she had been living a hard life abroad?

Stephen came closer to her and warmly embraced her.

He had always missed her during her years of absence. Five years ago, on their last meeting when she had insisted on leaving, he had to respect her wishes, but now she was standing right in front of him. How couldn't he be touched by her sudden appearance as well as the long-expected meeting?

Cherry was a bit taken aback by Stephen's embrace, but after she recovered, she thought that it was a common act when you haven't seen your friend in such a long period of time. She recalled Stephen's help, and to her embarrassment, she hadn't shown him any gratitude.

After a long silence, Stephen released Cherry, and carefully looked at her. Then, with an obvious excitement in his voice, he asked, "You don't plan to leave again, do you?"

Cherry answered him, "No, I will live here from now on, and I won't leave. My brother, mother and uncle have also come back with me."

Stephen was pleased with Cherry's arrangement. He grinned, and thought that from now on he would see Cherry whenever it was convenient.

"That's wonderful, " hastily answered Stephen. He gestured towards a chair, and said, "Take a seat, please. What do you want to drink?"

"A glass of water is fine with me, " answered Cherry.

Stephen poured a glass of water and handed it to Cherry. Both of them then sat down and started to talk.

"Was the life good for you when you lived abroad?" asked Stephen.

"It was fine. I was taken good care by my mother and uncle, " answered Cherry.

When he heard her, Stephen felt relieved, because as long as she was happy, nothing else mattered.

"Your kid?" added Stephen.

Cherry had already guessed his questions beforehand. With a big smile on her face, she answered, "Joe has grown up, and now he's at school. He's such a thoughtful and smart kid, and during the past five years, I've always felt happy with him accompanying me."

Astonished, Stephen asked, "Joe?"