Standing before Love - Season 2 Episode 16

“Estelle!” Myra spoke through clenched teeth. “I’m still married to Sean!”

“Well, it doesn’t matter! It’s just a matter of time before the divorce is finalized. Besides, I know that lately he’s been up to no good with Lyla recently. I’ve heard of how they wrongly accused you! Myra, don’t keep giving him second chances. In fact, you should have gotten a divorce ages ago! I daresay, your graciousness is just giving him a chance to take advantage of you. As we’re talking, he’s probably plotting something else behind your back! Please don’t fall prey to him once more.”

“No, I won’t allow this to happen again…” Myra’s voice trailed off.

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter! All I want is for you to promise that you’ll go after Tony and win his heart!” Estelle pursed her lips as she set eyes on Myra’s troubled face, and she continued, “Come on, let’s be frank here. Don’t tell me you’re not the least bit attracted to him?”

After all, Tony Hart was a legend in Bradfort City; there was no need to find out information on him from anywhere else. This was because her recent encounters with him were proof enough that she was attracted to him.

However, this was all pointless.

Her expression became quite downcast as she murmured, “Estelle… Do you know what’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned from being in this marriage with Sean?”

“What do you mean?” Estelle instinctively furrowed her brows.

Myra took a deep breath, then she turned around to look Estelle squarely in the eyes. “I’ve learned not to yearn for something that doesn’t belong to me.”

Previously, she had always believed that as long as she tried hard enough, she would gain what she was after in return. However, she was proven wrong. The harsh reality was that despite putting in effort, anything that wasn’t hers would never belong to her; the end result would always be disappointing.

Estelle argued, “How can Sean be comparable to Tony?! Myra, you’re just slightly apprehensive after your failed marriage, but actually—”

Myra interjected, “That’s quite likely, but it doesn’t matter. Right now, all I want is to proceed with the divorce. As for Tony, well truthfully, he’s not part of any of my future plans.”

Right at this moment, Jack rushed over. He looked at the two girls apologetically before turning to Estelle and saying, “My dear, the director has been hounding me for the past 30 minutes! He wants you ready on set as soon as possible. Can you please continue this conversation later?”

Myra’s disheartening words were grating to Estelle’s ears. Frustratedly, she was just about to go seek out Jack and ask for the rest of the day off. Just then, Myra got up from her chair abruptly and smiled at Jack before saying, “She’s all yours now. I’ve got something else going on, so I’ll head off now.”

“Myra, hold on!!” Slightly annoyed, Estelle followed suit and got up from her seat. Facing Myra, she asked, “I’ve never known of you to be such a coward. Tony’s different! I understand your concerns, but you wouldn’t be able to know the outcome unless you give it a try. I mean, you would never know. The two of you might be the perfect match for each other!”

“I don’t want to try,” Myra replied firmly. She realized that in order to avoid a heartache, it was a wise idea to nip things in the bud from early on.

Dazedly, Myra recalled her encounter with Tony at the golf course the other day. He was smitten and had looked at her with such a tender, loving expression on his face. However, she took a deep breath and willed herself to say the following words, “I’m sorry, but I’ve made up my mind, Estelle.” She was completely exhausted right now.

Just then, Myra received a phone call from Eve. She had been expecting this phone call for a while now, for she knew this conversation was way overdue.

“Myra… I’m aware that Sean has hurt you in many ways. I’m sorry this happened and I would like to apologize to you on behalf of our family.” Eve chattered incessantly as Myra listened on. “However, trust me, I’ve always regarded you as my own daughter…”

This was actually a difficult phone call for Eve to make. She was torn by guilt and this was eating at her. However, she knew this was an absolutely necessary move.

As she listened to Eve’s words, Myra couldn’t help feeling a sense of dejection. Tilly had described to her how Eve responded to the news of what happened between her and Sean. Shortly after she walked out from the company on that fateful day, Eve stormed into the place and slapped Lyla directly on the face. The reason was because she wanted to teach Lyla a lesson on Myra’s behalf. However, this was no longer Myra’s concern.

Her grip on the phone tightened as she stammered, “Mom… I mean, Mrs. Chase, thank you for watching over me all these years. I’ve always looked up to you as a mother figure, and I’m extremely grateful for all the affection you’ve showered upon me.”

This was heartfelt as Myra had experienced endless warmth and love from Eve ever since her mother and grandfather passed away.

However, this was all short-lived. Soon, she would no longer be a part of the Chase family.

“Myra, I really hope there won’t be any hostility between us and between you and Sean. It’s a shame your marriage didn’t last, but I sincerely hope that you will fall in love again and find someone else who appreciates you.” As she spoke, Eve’s hands trembled. Noticing the look Lyla gave her, she then willed herself to convey the subsequent message. “Myra, can you pop over later on? I would like to have one last meal with you. It’ll be just the three of us, like the old times. Please? Just for old time’s sake? This will likely be the last chance for us to see each other.”

Myra would never bear to hurt Eve’s feelings. Besides, she also wanted to pack up some of her belongings left at Chase Residence, so she accepted the invitation graciously and replied with a resounding, “Sure!”

Myra’s car was still at the workshop after the incident with the construction workers. Therefore, Myra decided to take a cab to Eve’s. Just as she walked out of the lift, she noticed a familiar grayish-silver Bentley parked in front.

As soon as she came into view, the man in the car sounded the car horn, and soon after that, the car window was wound down; a handsome, well-sculpted face then appeared in front of her. He yelled out, “Come on, where are you headed? I’ll give you a ride!”

It was Tony in the car.

Myra was momentarily dazed as she cast her eyes on his beaming face. Recalling her conversation with Estelle, she felt apprehensive. Hence, she replied, “It’s alright. I can take a cab. What brought you here?”

“Would you believe it if I said I was just coincidentally in this area?” Tony casually responded as he raised his brows.

Subsequently, Myra fidgeted uneasily as she racked her brains, trying to find a comeback.

Tony’s eyes twinkled when he noticed her trying to avoid his eyes. He chuckled and asked, “Now that we’re no longer working together, does this mean that the esteemed Miss Myra will no longer grace me with her presence?”

“That’s not it!” Myra shook her head immediately.

Just then, she recalled Estelle mentioning that he had decided to cancel Lyla’s ambassadorship. For a split second, her thoughts also went toward the text message he sent her. He had comforted and reassured her that Sean and Lyla would not be able to lay a finger on her. Therefore, was this his way of exacting revenge on her behalf?

She then wondered, Was Estelle right about this? Are all of his current decisions because of me?

Suddenly, the door to the passenger side popped open. Tony had a slightly resigned look on his face as he remarked, “Surely we’re still considered friends even if we’re no longer working together! Why do you keep rejecting me? You’re hurting my feelings!”

Although he mentioned his feelings were hurt by her, judging by the sparkle in his eyes, she knew it was more of a joke. She knew she shouldn’t get into his car, but after some hesitation, she went ahead anyway.

“I’m going to Chase Residence.” Myra mentioned this with a bleak expression on her face.

As soon as she entered the car, he started the ignition and sped off. He raced off without stopping; it was as if he was afraid she would change her mind.

The journey was a fairly uneventful one. Myra stared out the window throughout the ride as she tried her best to avoid eye contact with him. Their conversation was fairly casual and both of them carefully avoided any mention of awkward topics.

Upon their arrival, Tony didn’t go up the driveway but considerately parked his car two doors away. Before getting off, Myra quickly muttered ‘thank you’ under her breath and reached out for the door handle.

Immediately after that, she felt a tight grip around her arms.

“Myra, do you loathe me?”

Myra was still reeling in shock by his touch when suddenly, she heard his low voice ring out from behind her. Startled, she turned her head back to look at him. The expression on his face that greeted her was a brooding look.