Ice and Fire novel Chapter 145

Cherry felt bad for him. 'I don't want to go either, ' she thought. 'But what about Joe? What should I do with my son now?' She felt very frustrated and confused, and also felt that she wasn't prepared enough for the first meeting between father and son, because there were some other things that needed to be dealt with first.

Eventually, Cherry made up her mind, and as she pushed Jackson away, she said, "Jackson, I'm really sorry."

After she said this, Cherry left resolutely, without looking back at Jackson for a moment.

Jackson looked at Cherry's disappearing figure and felt as if he had lost something crucial to his own existence, but why? Why couldn't he keep his beloved wife beside him? Wasn't he trying hard enough already?

Cherry walked out of the apartment and got inside her car, still feeling emotional; she had no idea how she had managed to get out of there. She couldn't bear to leave Jackson, but for the sake of her son she had to, so that Joe could live a good life.

After Cherry calmed down she started the car's engine and drove away from the apartment building.

Inside a red car, not far away from where Cherry's car was parked, Sally was silently observing her every move. After she saw Cherry leave, a flame of hatred lit in her heart, and she thought, 'Cherry, you've forced me to hurt you, so don't blame me for whatever I'll do next!' Infuriated, she continued on her train of thought, 'Jackson, since you love her so much, I have to find a way to destroy her completely, or otherwise you'll never pay attention to me or love me.'

Then, she also started her car, and left.

Cherry drove her car to the JS Group and pulled over at the parking area of the building. After she entered the administrative area, she saw that Caroline was terribly overwhelmed with almost everything that needed to be done that day in the office.

Cherry hastily dropped her bag and walked up to her, and asked, "Caroline, how much work have you done today? Let me help you."

Caroline raised her head and saw that Cherry was the one talking to her. She replied, "Oh, Cherry, thank goodness you're finally back! Help me print this form for tomorrow's morning conference."

"Alright!"

Cherry then helped Caroline, unburdening her of a great amount of work off her shoulders.

Just before it was off duty time, Cherry and Caroline finished their work and just had to sort out a few remaining documents.

Then, Cherry asked Caroline, "Where's Miss Selina?"

"Miss Selina is out having a meeting with one of her clients; I guess that she won't be coming back here today."

Cherry nodded, and said, "I see."

Then, it seemed that Caroline suddenly thought of something, and with curiosity in her voice, said, "I heard from Miss Selina that you asked for a couple of days' leave. Why are you back so soon?"

Before answering her question, Cherry thought for a moment, and said, "Oh! I was engaged in something, but because it was over sooner, I came back here to help you out."

She looked at Cherry and smiled. "You're so kind, Cherry, " said Caroline cheerfully, "I feel much better with you around here in the office. If it weren't for you I would have definitely made some mistakes working here all alone!"

Cherry also replied to her with a big smile.

Caroline then also had something urgent to deal with, and left earlier. Cherry stayed behind to make a schedule for the next a few days' work, so that they wouldn't forget to do whatever Selina had told them and also so that they wouldn't get criticized in some way.

While Cherry was busy engaged in her work, the elevator door opened. She raised her head and saw Selina walking out of it.

Cherry hastily stood up from her seat and cheerfully and respectfully greeted Selina, "Good evening, Miss Selina."

Selina was a bit surprised, and thought that maybe she had misread the time. She checked her watch, and then asked Cherry, "You should have been off duty half an hour ago. Why are you still here working?"

After she said this, another thought came into Selina's mind. She remembered what she had talked with Jackson over the phone earlier in the morning. Suddenly enlightened, Selina hastily asked Cherry, "By the way, why are you even working today? I remember that you were supposed to be on a couple of days' leave. Shouldn't you be with Jackson right now?"

Speechless for a moment, Cherry didn't know how to answer such a question. She carefully chose her words, and answered, "I came back to my job this afternoon, and you shouldn't listen to Jackson, he's nothing but a bully; you should know that better."

All of a sudden, Selina came closer to Cherry, and whispered in her ears, "My dear Cherry, haven't you promised Jackson that you will go back to the apartment?"

Cherry saw the cheerful expression on Selina's face and felt terrible to disappoint her, but she had to tell her the harsh fact. "No, I haven't, " said Cherry. "I'll never do that."

"What? Why don't you want to go back to his apartment and live with him?" Selina lost her temper, and wondered what on earth was wrong with the two lovers. Had Jackson bullied Cherry again? Or, did Cherry think that Jackson wasn't good enough for her?

Cherry didn't know how to explain herself, and she reluctantly replied to her, "Selina, please don't bother yourself to worry about me and Jackson; we both know where our relationship is going..."

"You're wrong about that! Terribly wrong! As long as you and Jackson are together, we can all come back to the military's residential compound together. I'll be so happy to see that happen!" said Selina, both excited and disappointed at the same time.

Unwilling to continue the topic, Cherry replied by asking Selina, "Why did you return here?"

"Oh, I came here to grab a document. Tomorrow morning I'll be returning to the hotel to close the deal with a foreign client, " said Selina.

"I see, " nodded Cherry. "I'm also nearly finished, I only need to finish this form and..."