True Love Waits

Sheffield grabbed Evelyn's hand and tried to get her into the car. "Evelina, we can't stand up the driver. He really could use the money. He told me that his son has brain cancer. He counts on this job to pay the medical expenses. He has been waiting for us for so long; if we cancel on him, all his time would have been wasted and he will be so disappointed."

Evelyn remained nonchalant. "Then, just pay him thrice the fare."

"Despite being poor, he is a proud man. He won't take the money for nothing." Without giving her time to reply, he started to push her into the car.

Evelyn was too weak to resist. Sheffield made her sit in the back seat and closed the door. Then he said to the driver, "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Let's go."

"That's okay. Sit tight." The driver started the car.

Evelyn was about to ask the driver to pull over. But Sheffield cut her off and apologized, "Evelina, I was too impulsive back there. Just give me a second chance. I promise that I'll behave for the rest of the day. If you still can't forgive me by the time we get back, I won't bother you again. Deal?"

The sincerity in his eyes calmed her down. "All right."

Sheffield was relieved. He murmured with a smile, "You obviously loved the kiss. Don't know why you are so angry about it now."

"Stop the car!"

"No, no! Don't stop. Sorry, I'll be quiet." He shut up.

Evelyn rolled her eyes at him. "One more word and I am out of here."

"Okay okay, my lips are zipped." He sat up and looked straight ahead.

The driver saw what was happening through the rearview mirror. He chuckled. "Girl, don't be so mad at your boyfriend. Couples fight all the time. Your boyfriend has already apologized to you. Give him anothe chance."

'Couple? Boyfriend?' Evelyn tried to explain, but Sheffield beat her to it. "I made a mistake and I should apologize. If I were her, I would be mad at me too."

the driver

Tayson and ask him to drag Sheffield as far away

time Sheffield

phone in front of Evelyn's face. On the screen, it said, "We applied the mosquito repellent too early. It might have evaporated by now. We should buy some

we got there to tell me? Not talking must be killing him. He

turned away to look

the car with Sheffield, the situation would have been in reverse. It would have been the

doubt, fallen in love with Evelyn. He wanted to talk to her. He couldn't help it. This had never happened to

arrived at their destination. He had the short distance to thank for; it was only a

to a store near the entrance to buy the mosquito repellent. When he was back, Evelyn was standing under a sacred fig tree, looking at the plentiful figs. Her eyes were filled

tell that she is from a rich family. What has

"Evelina," he called.

Evelyn didn't respond.

and

her sleeve. She snapped out of

borrowed a chair from the stall near them and asked her to sit

his hand and said, "I

without

the Elephant Valley. During that time, Evelyn's phone rang. She checked the caller ID and cut the call without answering. Sheffield noticed the change in her

around, to try and find a way to distract her. Pointing to a big

that way. At the foot of the root was a snake

Her tone

him that he had screwed up again. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I'll

Evelyn grabbed his sleeve and said, "If you go any further than this,

a shame. It's a many-banded krait. That snake's gall bladder is very