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

ask him to drag Sheffield as far away from her as he

time Sheffield really shut

phone in front of Evelyn's face. On the screen, it said, "We applied the

rolled her eyes. 'Couldn't he wait till we got there to tell me? Not talking must

away to look out the

the car with Sheffield, the situation would

to her. He couldn't help it. This had

he was able to remain silent until they arrived at their destination. He had the short distance to

Evelyn was standing under a sacred fig tree,

rich family. What has she experienced

"Evelina," he called.

Evelyn didn't respond.

was confused and called her

tugged at her sleeve. She snapped out

Sheffield borrowed a chair from the stall near

took the mosquito repellent from his hand and said, "I can do

without any

During that time, Evelyn's phone rang. She checked the caller ID and cut

looked around, to try and find a way to distract her. Pointing to a big tree root, he said,

looked that way. At the foot of the root

"Sheffield!" Her tone was as cold as

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

bitten, Evelyn grabbed his sleeve and said, "If you

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