Ice and Fire

Chapter 95 I Don't Want To See Him

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?"

"Yes, Joe is my son, " explained Cherry. This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Stephen let out a smile, and added, "Well, I must see him next time we meet."

"Sure, we can have lunch together sometimes, you, me, and Joe. We should thank you for your help."

"Cherry, you don't have to mention it. You know that as long as I could, it has always been my pleasure

to help you. I should be the one to buy you and Joe a meal, as my first meeting with your son", said

Stephen excitedly.

Because Cherry had a good understanding of Stephen's character, if she didn't drop the topic soon, or

if she refused him to buy them a meal, he might feel embarrassed, and thus she consented to his offer

immediately.

Cherry looked at Stephen again, and sincerely asked him, "Stephen, has everything been going well

for you in the past five years?"

"Not bad; I run the pub, and I'm doing it well. Don't worry about me, " cheerfully answered Stephen. For

him, the only things that mattered were the ones that regarded Cherry. He didn't care about anything

else.

After a moment of hesitation, Cherry opened her mouth, and asked, "Stephen, did Jackson ever make

trouble for you after I left?"

When he heard that Jackson's name was mentioned, Stephen's expression slightly changed and

twitched. Although a long time had passed, he had never forgotten what Jackson had done to him.

Cherry sensed the embarrassing silence, and continued, "A few days ago I met John when I came to

visit Emily's grave. He told me this and that, and I know that Jackson is still being hostile to you."

Stephen reluctantly smiled, and said, "Before I knew you, me and Jackson had already had a bad

relationship. After you left, it only deteriorated and worsened. That's all."

"I'm really sorry, oh, it's all my fault. If I haven't..." But before she could say more, she was interrupted

by Stephen.

He anxiously said, "Cherry, don't do this, and no, it's not your fault at all. Besides, even if Jackson has

great power and influence, I still haven't been bullied by him. Although he constantly makes trouble for

me, am I not living a good life? Don't worry, everything's fine with me."

Cherry knew that she was deeply indebted to Stephen, and said, "But if I hadn't left in the first place,

you wouldn't have endured all of those injustices."

Stephen shook his hand and then gestured Cherry to stop talking. He looked in her eyes, and sincerely

and seriously said, "Cherry, you deserve everything that I have done for you, so please don't blame

yourself for anything. Really, I'm fine."

Although Cherry felt sorry for Stephen, she couldn't continue the conversation. She knew that Stephen

had been suffering a lot for her during the past years, but she couldn't give him what he wanted, and

she felt guilty for all of Stephen's love and sacrifice.

He said, "Cherry, I'm really delighted at your return. From now on, I won't allow Jackson to bully me

again, and I must make a difference in the business world. Trust me!"

Stephen had already made up his mind to let his beloved woman witness that he could struggle to get

everything that he wanted. He had the strength to do that.

Cherry nodded and comforted him, and said, "I trust you...You'll always have my support."

Encouraged by Cherry, Stephen seemed to see a glimmer of hope for the future, and he got excited.

After he calmed down, he asked, "But, what about you and Jackson? What are you going to do?"

Cherry looked away and avoided Stephen's inquiring glances. After a moment of silence, she

answered, "If it's possible, I will stay away from his world, and I also hope that he has the decency to

do the same for me. I'm satisfied with my current life and I really enjoy Joe's company."

From Cherry's look in her eyes, Stephen understood that Joe meant the world to her. Her only hope of

happiness rested in her boy.

"It's more likely that you and Jackson will meet, since you're living in the same city." Stephen was

worried about the current situation, because he vaguely felt that somehow, Cherry still cared about her

ex-husband.

"We'll wait and see, but I'll try really hard to avoid him, " Cherry said. It seemed that she was just

comforting herself, because she was at a loss in figuring out what to do next.

Stephen was sensitive and intelligent enough to stop asking more questions. He dropped the topic and

nodded, and indicated that he knew what she meant.