The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 1560

"Sher, Clark is such a good boy. He helped me a lot!" Joan praised him with a smile.

"Well, that's Mom's fault. Mom is so lazy that I have learned to do a lot of work around the house all by myself." Sheryl made a pitiable expression, as she looked apologetically toward her son.

"Come on, Mom! Don't be like this. No one believes you! It's time to call Shirley to get up. Or else we are going to be late!" Clark reminded his mom.

As he spoke, he sounded like a responsible grown-up. It was a little embarrassing for Sheryl to be treated like a kid by her son. Yet she could not help being so happy to have raised such a sensible son. In response, she gave Clark a shrug.

"Hurry up, Mom!" Seeing Sheryl standing still and staring at him, Clark shouted and pushed Sheryl. At that moment, Sheryl saw a flash of Charles in Clark's eyes. Clark's stern pupils were just as sharp and piercing as Charles.

"Okay, my little king. I am going now!" Sheryl teased, as she headed straight to Shirley's bedroom.

She knew Shirley must be sound asleep at the moment. However, Sheryl was aware of the ill effects of indulging kids with a bad sleeping habit. Hence she planned to wake her up for inculcating the habits of a disciplined life in her little girl.

"Shirley, it's time for you to get up!" Sheryl called out, once she entered the bedroom. She gently tossed off the quilt and planted a kiss on Shirley's forehead.

In a daze, Shirley opened her bleary eyes. When she saw Sheryl's face, she let out a happy smile. Wow! What a beautiful start to the day. Sheryl felt elated to see such a bright smile on Sheryl's face. Silently, she counted her blessings. How much joy and love had been brought into her life because of these little cherubs. Tears welled up in her eyes. She thought in her heart, 'Everything has been so wonderful, living with the Lu family, and the future will be as promising as the old days.'

"Mom, allow me to sleep some more! I still feel so sleepy!" Shirley begged. She covered her eyes with her little hands and shook her head.

But Sheryl remained firm and refrained from indulging her daughter.

Realizing that she had no other option than following her mother's instructions, Shirley slowly sat up. Despite a trace of displeasure on her little round face, Shirley didn't complain or refuse to obey her mother.

"Mom, where is Clark?" Shirley asked as she averted her eyes aside, intending to check and wake her brother, but she didn't see Clark.

"Clark is already up! He is in the kitchen helping the cook. So Shirley is a little bit late to get up this morning! Come on now, wake up and freshen up," Sheryl said as she stepped aside to give space to Shirley to dress up by herself.

As far as Sheryl was concerned, it was important for her that her kids learned the basic skills in life by themselves. She had stopped helping the kids with changing clothes a long time back. Now Shirley and Clark had grown rather independent in so many ways, just as Sheryl had expected.

A soon as Shirley learned that Clark was helping the cook in the kitchen, Shirley couldn't wait to get ready and rush into the kitchen to see what was happening there.

"Clark, Auntie Joan, what are you cooking? It smells so delicious!" Shirley's voice sounded just like jingle bells, spreading joy and warmth in everyone's heart. Everyone felt mellow and their hearts melted in an instant.

When Sheryl and Joan watched Shirley run over to Clark and take her brother's hand, both of them exchanged a smiling glance.

"Eggs, porridge, and bread!" Clark said calmly as he checked the food. Then he took Shirley to the other side, making room for Sheryl to prepare breakfast.

Sheryl was so relieved to see Clark's gesture as a responsible brother and son. Absorbed in joy and happiness, she stayed where she stood without making a move.

"Mom, if you don't intend to give me and Shirley a ride, you still have to go to work on time. So I think you should start to prepare breakfast now." Clark felt a little startled to see his mother was still in a daze.

It was slightly unlike their mom they used to know. She always acted as a responsible and proactive adult, but the way Sheryl behaved at the moment seemed to be quite unlike an adult.

"Fine, fine, it's all Mom's fault. I apologize for the delay. So, can you please enjoy breakfast now? Shirley, this is for you…" Sheryl heart was filled with joy to have the kids around.

When Clark saw Sheryl in such a contented mood, a smile spread over his face. He thought to himself, 'Eventually, Mom is willing to smile!

Those days, I have seen Mom putting on a gloomy face most of the times. She has even aged a lot because of that. I am so afraid that Mom will lose all her charm and fail to attract Dad anymore.'

"Clark, here you are! Take it quickly!" Sheryl handed another bowl to Clark. Clark was startled, as he was still stuck in his thoughts. Luckily, Sheryl was not able to read his mind; lest, she would be pissed off by her son's ridiculous speculation.

"Thank you, Mom!" Clark cutely nodded his head. He turned to look at his sister. Seeing Shirley's face covered with porridge, he gave her a look of revulsion. He remarked, "Shirley, can't you just eat your breakfast more elegantly? You should learn from Lydia."

To everyone's surprise, Shirley burst into tears upon being mocked by Clark.