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."

a keeper," the

him to drag Sheffield as far

this time Sheffield really shut

the screen, it said, "We applied the mosquito repellent too early. It might have

he wait till we got there to tell me? Not

away

situation would have

fallen in love with Evelyn. He wanted to talk to her. He couldn't help it. This

remain silent until they arrived at their destination. He had the

buy the mosquito repellent. When he was back, Evelyn was standing under a sacred fig tree, looking at the plentiful figs. Her eyes

can tell that she is from a rich family. What has she

"Evelina," he called.

Evelyn didn't respond.

confused and called

over and tugged at her sleeve. She snapped out of her reverie and

borrowed a chair from the stall near

from his hand and said, "I

without

rang. She checked the caller ID and cut the call without answering. Sheffield noticed the change in her

way to distract her. Pointing to a big tree root, he said, "Look! What's

looked that way. At the foot of the root

him. "Sheffield!" Her tone

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

grabbed his sleeve and said, "If you

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