Ice and Fire

Jackson stayed for a long time until Cherry started to breathe regularly. He thought that she was now sleeping soundly.

He tucked her in, kissed her forehead, and went out of the bedroom.

As the door shut, Cherry's eyelids flickered open. Tears trickled down her cheeks. 'I have failed. He does not belong to me, nor does his heart, ' she thought.

Jackson and Sally He sat on the beach near the seaside villa. The woman snuggled into the man's arms, enjoying the cool, salty breeze and the crash of waves.

"Sally," Jackson blurted out. His voice was a bit hoarse.

"Yes?" Sally He responded in a carefree tone overflowing with happiness.

"Are you going to stay in this city?" asked Jackson.

"Of course, I've always been dreaming of living with you," replied Sally delightedly, as she tilted her head back and gazed at Jackson.

"Sally," Jackson decided to come straight to the point. "I've gotten married and I have a wife. I hope you understand what I mean."

Sally He instantly tensed up and got out of Jackson's arms. She looked into Jackson's eyes and asked,"Do you want to go back to her?"

"She's my wife," he said, lost in thought. He was thinking of Cherry's fair face and her fragile figure.

"Do you love her?" asked Sally He.

to himself, 'I love

I do? I have spent so many years on you. What do

been suffering a lot during the past years. Jackson had been her

don't cry," Jackson said, trying to calm himself down before comforting her. "You deserve a better man. You

his words, Sally He cut him off.

want anyone else!" she cried out. She had never thought of leaving

her hysterical, Jackson dared not say anything more that might agitate her further.

eyes glittered with brutality. Plans were brewing up in her mind. 'Cherry Shen, I'm wondering what kind of a woman you are. Why would Jackson, who always stayed away from womanizing, abandon me for

instead of convincing Sally He to leave him, Jackson ended up

up and decided to have something simple for breakfast. As she was walking downstairs, her cellphone

was Stephen calling, she accepted the call

if he was a regular friend.

up?" asked Stephen, gently, as if he was

up,"

he paused,"Do you have

What's up?"

paused for a while to hear if there was any furious reaction

he explained,"Please don't get me wrong. It's just a

been in great depression, staying at home for the past a few days. Stephen's invitation had come just in time. She needed some fresh air to cheer herself up. Going to a party with Stephen was much better than staying at home, alone, and filling her