True Love Waits

"All right, I'll let you be. Have a good time over there," Debbie said.

"I will. Bye, Mom," Evelyn replied.

Debbie hung up and turned to Miranda, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for her news about her granddaughter. "Piggy said she is fine. She is out having dinner."

"Did she sound happy?" Evelyn's mood was Miranda's biggest concern. She had been diagnosed with depression, after all. Everybody in the family was worried about her. They wanted her to be happy, above all.

Debbie reflected on the phone call. "She sounded relaxed. She said the food is delicious. I think she is happy, Mom," she said with a smile.

Miranda was relieved to hear that.

After Evelyn had finished talking to her mom on the phone, Sheffield bought her some steamed sweet potato with cheese.

She frowned at the smell of cheese.

He opened the foil. It was so hot that steam erupted from it. He spooned some and placed it near her lips. "Have a taste. There was a long line in front of the store. It should be delicious." Evelyn shook her head. "I don't like it."

Sheffield was surprised. "The sweet potato or the cheese?"

"The cheese." She hated cheese.

Sheffield ate the entire thing without another word.

Evelyn had a lot of food. All snacks. Touching her huge belly, she said, "I'm stuffed."

She hadn't eaten so much in a long time.

"Are you sure? I can take you somewhere else for some staple food." Sheffield didn't think she had eaten much. He was worried that she wasn't used to these kinds of street foods.

"No, thanks. I'm too full already." She had always been strict with her diet while she was home, and took additional care with her dinners.

on vacation, seeking relaxation and peace of mind. Deep down, she longed for some change of her lifestyle.

Sheffield quickly ate all the food that Evelyn couldn't finish, rinsed his mouth with some water

the bar street, which came to life as night

young, good-looking men and women were soliciting business. Sheffield chose a

feelings with expressions. I am always hoping and always disappointed..." Heads turned to Sheffield and

her up. Sheffield could sense the carnal desire flowing out of those men's

though she had agreed to come to a bar with him, Evelyn was worried that he would order liquor

you like to drink?" Then, he leaned in and whispered into her ear, "The liquor in this city is shoddy and the wine is likely to be counterfeit. Beer would

okay with her. So,

beers. After taking their order, the waiter turned to leave. But Sheffield called

"Yes, sir."

tea? I thought we

explained, "It's for you. You said you were stuffed. Beer will only make it worse.

seldom come to this kind of place?"

bars a few times while I was in Y City; same in America." She didn't like bars and their atmosphere. Sheffield had guessed it right. "Where do you want

to the border." A small town in D City adjoined A Country and Q Country. It was well-known for its beautiful view. "The border is a dangerous area."

waiter served the plate of nuts they had ordered. Sheffield

sincere, but Evelyn thought he was flattering her. "Tayson can keep me company.

for her. He stopped and his eyes dimmed. "Are

not what she had meant.

I won't leave you even if

how you always

chase me." His tone dripped with arrogance. He handed her the peeled nuts. "This is my first time pursuing a woman. I'm a greenhorn at this kind of thing. So, if

She wasn't born yesterday. Everything he did told her

smiled. "You will believe me some

fruit platter and the tea were

and said, "Excuse me for a minute. Be right back. You go