A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Jack, guilt-ridden, answered, "No! I just wanted to give Beryl a surprise. I didn't mean to..."

Grim-faced, Emily said, "My Beryl doesn't need your surprise. And she will not accept a puppy you snatched from who knows where. So spare me the drama."

"Well, then, I will take it back," answered Jack. However, Jack was afraid that the dog would bite him again if he took it back.

"That's entirely up to you," she answered. Emily turned around and let Beryl in the house without further delay.

"Wait! Wait! Miss Lu!" implored Jack, as he quickly wedged his hand between the closing door and its frame. He sincerely begged, "I just want to apologize for what I said last time. It was too abrupt and offensive. I'm sorry for..."

Emily glanced at his wounded arm, and without a care in the world, she said, "Go away!"

"No!" Jack persisted. Disregarding Emily's displeasure towards his determination, he threatened, "If you do not forgive me, I will not move from here."

With a deadpan expression on her face, Emily slowly pulled the door inwards, pressing his hand tightly. "Go!" she demanded.

"No!" Jack refused again. It was as if all shame and dignity had abandoned him. "Even if my hand breaks, I won't move from here," he said, confidently.

Jack thought that Emily would give in to him by now, but he forgot that she was no longer the woman she used to be. She wasn't going to entertain his bluffs and deceptions anymore.

Without a warning, Emily slammed the door shut!

"Ah!" screamed Jack. Although, the pain wasn't bad enough, he cried out loud just to escalate the situation. In doing so, he assumed he could somehow evoke Emily's compassion.

Such a pity, that didn't work either!

"Zoe, get him out of here right now," commanded Emily.

As soon as Emily's orders registered in her head, the babysitter pushed Jack away without hesitation. "Sir, you'd better leave now," Zoe suggested.

Then she whispered, "Otherwise, Miss Lu will resent you more." Jack froze for a second and drew his hand back. Emily closed the door on him without hesitation. "Bang!"

Jack will stop bothering me from now on.

After a short while, he stopped knocking as he didn't want her to resent him any more than she already did. Jack stood in front

furrowed his eye-brows and said to the puppy, "I thought you would be of great

despair, he sighed and thought of his

getting more and more irritated with

do?' Jack wondered.

obvious. It could easily backfire. Should I try to impress Beryl? I'm afraid that the little girl hates me as much

believe him? Jack had developed a skull-splitting headache

arm, his eyes suddenly lit up.

exaggerated. He groaned painfully as he patted the door, and screamed, "It's hurt so much. Could you help me, at least

house answered

audience, Jack continued his dramatic performance. "Please! Open the door, or I will die in front of

Emily was busy processing long beans, completely unaware of Jack's whining, and

her slippers, carrying a chair with both hands. She slowly

Emily. Her eyes were filled with

she looked through the door's peephole on

Emily asked, "Is that the new

learned how to use it," answered

Emily, with

silently swallowed his bitterness. Poor guy!

about it, the more he felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, Jack's stomach lurched and gurgled. Before long, waves of nausea surged up, adding to his misery.

he heaved, he threw up. However, the first thought on his mind was whether Emily would be more angry if she found out that he had puked

his dignity was growing wider and wider.

was going on. "Oh my

was playing, so she

face looks so white. He looks like a ghost. Mommy, should be really

asserted, "Beryl, you'd better get down

I think you need to take a look.

Emily, as she walked over towards the door. Emily was not interested in Jack's tricks, so she lifted Beryl in her arms and