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.

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

minute." Sheffield quickly ate all the food that Evelyn couldn't finish, rinsed his

the food street was the bar street, which

and women were soliciting business. Sheffield chose a quiet,

A man was playing the guitar and singing, "I'm a thinker, never good at expressing my feelings with expressions. I am always hoping and always disappointed..." Heads turned

their eyes. Some even stood up from their chairs with the intention of picking her up. Sheffield could sense the carnal desire flowing out of those men's eyes. He took her hand in his to make a

was worried that

thing. He put the menu in front of her and asked, "What would 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 be the best option. We can also order a

with her. So, she nodded. "Beer

turned to leave.

"Yes, sir."

was confused. "Fruit tea? I thought we were

Beer will only make it worse. The beer is for me." She sighed and turned to the singer without saying

come to this kind of place?" he

have only gone to bars a few times while I was in Y City; same in America." She didn't like bars and their atmosphere. Sheffield

Q Country. It was well-known for its beautiful view. "The border is a dangerous area." Sheffield sounded hesitant. After giving it

this point, the waiter served the plate of nuts they had ordered. Sheffield pushed it towards Evelyn. "They're boring. You're more fun

flattering her. "Tayson can keep me company. You should be with your

was peeling the macadamia nuts for her. He stopped and his eyes dimmed. "Are

not what she had meant. But she nodded, "Yes." He

won't leave you even if you really

this how you

chased any woman. They chase me." His tone dripped with arrogance. He handed her the peeled nuts. "This is my

buy that?" She wasn't born yesterday. Everything he did told her that he was an experienced man

smiled. "You will believe

and the tea

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