The Substitute Bride

"It's delicious." With a slice of sweet-and-sour pork in her mouth, Shirley said in a garbled voice and waited for an assurance from Sue. Shirley felt assured when Sue nodded her head in agreement.

"Thank you both! Take your time and have some more," Sheryl said in a flattered tone.

It took her more than two hours to prepare dinner; from ingredients shopping to rinsing, chopping, and cooking. But it took them only half an hour to consume it. Sue and Shirley were very satisfied with the food.

As Sue played with Shirley on the couch, Sheryl started to clean up the table. After a while the kid fell asleep, Sue carried Shirley into her room and put her to bed. Sue then approached Sheryl and said,"Come on Sher, you did the cooking so let me clean up."

"I'm good," Sheryl grinned and replied. Then she continued,"Hey, it's not a big deal. I can do it by myself."

Sue forced a wry smile. "Sher, please let me help you clean the dishes otherwise I will feel bad."

Sheryl hesitated for a second. She knew that Sue offered to lend a hand because she wanted to make up for what happened that night. Sheryl then smiled brightly and agreed,"Okay. Would you help me to prepare some fruits?"

Sue was cutting some fruits while Sheryl was washing the dishes. Neither of them spoke until all the chores in the kitchen were done. They went to the living room and sat on the couch. Sue initiated a conversation.

"Sher, about that night..." Sue wanted to apologize. Actually, she had been considering it for a long time. She thought she owed Sheryl an apology.

She actually dialed Sheryl's number several times before only to hang up immediately. She couldn't comprehend why she just couldn't complete the call.

When she saw Sheryl today, she lost her touch and wondered why Sheryl could talk to her nonchalantly when she couldn't.

"About that day..." Sheryl interrupted her before she could finish the sentence. She gazed at Sue and said,"I h

hen she heard the news that Sheryl had decided to marry Anthony, she was visibly petrified.

"Yes." Sheryl kept her smile and said,"It has been postponed for quite some time now. I didn't say yes to him before because Shirley was still too little. Now, it's been so many years. I'm now fully aware how deep Anthony loves me. Anyway, I have to put a satisfactory closure to this relationship. Make it go further and start a new chapter in my life."

Sheryl paused for a while and continued,"After he returns from America, I'm going to meet his parents and shall start preparing for the marriage.

Mimi... are you alright?" Sheryl felt really sad when she saw the expression on Sue's face. Sue looked very distracted.

"I..." Sue pretended as if nothing had happened. She replied,"Nothing. I was thinking what kind of gift I'd give you in your wedding day."

Sue then forced herself to laugh and said,"You have to promise me one thing. You must let me be your bridesmaid. I'll have to be there when you get married."

"Sure, I promise you that." Sheryl smiled. She ardently wished that Sue could let go of her crush on Anthony as soon as possible. She wished Sue could find her Mr. Right in the nearest future.

"Okay then." Feeling satisfied, Sue laughed out and then,"Sher, I almost forgot..."