The Substitute Bride

Sue had too much to drink last night. In her drunkenness, she confessed about her deep feelings for Anthony. Sheryl realized that Sue was heartbroken every time she saw her and Anthony together. So her decision to sign with George and stay in Y City was understandable. But that was Sue. Now, when she was struggling about George's offer, Sue didn't even try to prevent her from staying in Y City. If she stayed, Sue would still be jealous and frustrated about her relationship with Anthony, and suffer over time. But it shamed her how Sue cared more about her friend's happiness than her own. So Sheryl vowed to cherish their friendship even more.

"I will consider it carefully," Sheryl assured her friend. As she remembered what happened before she left for America, Sheryl frowned. After passing the interview and telling Anthony about her trip to China, he was furious. He was against her traveling to Y City. So Sheryl promised that after the show, she would leave and never return. If Anthony found out that she was considering staying and bringing Shirley with her, they would argue again. Breaking her promise might even result in him ending their relationship.

Now, she felt torn between leaving or staying in Y City. Deciding which was more important in her life confused Sheryl now. Did she want to earn more money so she and her daughter would have a better life? Or was it best to give Anthony peace of mind to keep their relationship intact? Seeing her friend struggling with a decision, Sue proposed,"Sheryl, I think you'd better discuss this with Anthony. When you first told him you were coming to Y City, he strongly objected and became furious. But he'll be more than furious if he learns you're considering to stay. You're a couple. So you need to talk about it before making a final decision." Sue knew fully well why Anthony was against Sheryl's coming to Y City. Shirley's father lived there. And Anthony worried the two would get back together if the man found Sheryl. So, she understood Anthony's anxiety.

"Yes, you're right." Sheryl nodded in agreement, looking gratefully at Sue. She had long been used to making decisions alone. Fortunately, her friend reminded her that she was not alone anymore. Anthony was her boyfriend. Before making any final decision, she had to consult him. It was the right way to show her respect for him.

Before either one could speak, Sheryl's cellphone rang. She didn't recognize the caller, except that the number was from Y City.

She wondered, 'Charlie is the only resident in Y City that I know. Who else would be calling me?' Although the number was unfamiliar, something urged Sheryl to answer and kept telling her to pick up the phone.

The woman hesitated briefly but finally answered. She was surprised to hear a deep and powerful male voice. "Is that Miss Xia?" she heard him say. "This is Charles Lu, Charlie's father," the caller said, introducing himself.

"Oh hello, Mr. Lu. Why are you calling?" As she heaved a sigh of relief, she was happy to learn it was Charlie's father who called her. Sheryl was initially worried that someone she did not know had dialed her number.

"Miss Xia, have you finished your work? Charlie and I are heading to a restaurant not far from your hotel. The boy is craving for Szechuan food. I was wondering if you might want to have dinner with us?" Charles laughed nervously but spoke persuasively. "If you're not busy now, please have dinner with us. Charlie is dying to see you."

"Uhmmm," Sheryl responded reluctantly. She was struggling again. Charles was polite and knew exactly how to convince Sheryl to say yes. It seemed as if he chose that particular restaurant to make it more convenient to drop by her hotel if she agreed to join them. But he spoke casually and politely that it would be rude to refuse his

r. And when that time comes, I will talk to you about your life with another man, and how you should make it up to me.'

"He is an ordinary man, not quite like you," Sheryl said humbly. When she smiled, her eyes sparkled and her face looked even softer under warm lights.

Charlie sat quietly at the table. He never disturbed their conversation. If Sheryl became his mother, he would be ecstatic. The boy knew his purpose in this meeting. Charlie muttered to himself,"Sheryl would have refused my father's invitation if I did not come along. But since she likes me, she was more willing to join us. Even if I'm the third wheel, I will try my best so they don't notice me."

Charles was offended by Sheryl's statement about her husband. So, in defense, he said,"Miss Xia, have you ever thought that there was a chance your husband would have been eager to find you but couldn't?" While he accepted that Sheryl had forgotten him, Charles could not bear accepting the blame for their being apart. She had no idea how desperate he had been to find her. 'Ungrateful woman!' he screamed silently.

"Mr. Lu, I feel you mean something other than what you are saying. What are you implying?" she pointed out. Sheryl was looking at him curiously. When their eyes met, his intense gaze made her feel anxious and uncomfortable. She thought, 'Why is he looking at me that way? I am not his wife. So, how can he stare at me with affection?'

"Don't worry, Miss Xia. I was only citing one possibility about what could have happened," he told her. Charles masked his feelings with laughter and comforted Sheryl. It made him feel better to see her nervous. Perhaps, it wouldn't be so hard to win her back. He took a deep breath and kept talking. "Take Charlie and me for example, I never knew about his existence until recently. It was impossible for me to look for my son. Does that mean I was at fault?"

"Your situation is unusual," she admitted. The woman didn't bother to reveal the rest of her thoughts. After all, they were still strangers. And it would be impolite to comment on his personal affairs.

In her mind, Sheryl was thinking, 'If you're a responsible man, how could you not know about Charlie's existence? The child is three years old, at least. You would have had a long time to look for him.'

As she wondered, uncomfortable thoughts filled her head. 'If you loved Charlie's mother, why didn't you look for her? And if you didn't love her, why did you get her pregnant? My conclusion, sadly, is that you're not a responsible man at all.'