The Apple of My Eye

Chapter 488 Emily's Funeral

Charles pulled Anthony to the corner of the hall and said," I just want to discuss this matter with you."

Charles spoke in a somber voice. "I have decided to do Emily's funeral myself. Autumn will not be able

to attend the funeral. But it is my duty as her grandson-in-law to see to it that she is respectfully laid

down. I also have an obligation to say goodbye to her on Autumn's behalf." Autumn was kept in the

dark regarding her grandmother's demise. She was at a very advanced stage of her pregnancy, and

given her delicate health and mental condition, this news could prove to be lethal for her at this stage.

Charles spoke as he took Anthony into confidence. "But someone has to be there with Autumn to take

care of her. Also if she doesn't see me for a long time, that will arouse her suspicion. So..."

Anthony stopped him before he could finish the sentence and said," Okay, I see. So you want me to

take care of Autumn while you're away, right?"

"Yes," Charles replied with a smile. He continued politely," Who else can I trust in this situation? And I

am sure that Autumn will also have a good company if you are around. Since I have to spend a lot of

time at the funeral in the next few days."

Anthony looked at Charles, gave him an affirmative nod and said," Okay, do what you should do and I'll

look after Autumn." Charles was relieved when Anthony readily consented to this request. Anthony had

been a great support all through out Autumn's pregnancy and Charles could not thank him enough for

what he did for Autumn.

For the next three days, Autumn saw very little of her husband. She was told and convinced that she

needed to stay in the hospital for her babies' sake. She had no clue about what was going on in her

grandparents' house in her absence. Anthony came to visit her in her ward often to spend time with her

and showed great concern for her. Autumn's favorite pastime when she had no one to talk to during her

pregnancy was to read parenting books. Also she was given a task to take a note of her babies'

movements. So she just focused on that. That day as she flipped over that pages of the parenting

book, Anthony came to her ward. It was just before the lunch time. All these days, when Charles could

not be with her, Anthony made sure he was present during each of her meal. Though she was touched

by his gesture, she could not help teasing him this time. "Hey, Anthony, you really have a very leisurely

job! Don't you have any other patients? Why do you come to my ward every day?"

Anthony was startled at the sudden question coming from Autumn. He could not reveal the real reason

behind Charles's absence and his frequent visit to her ward. "Obviously, I'm taking care of you as a

doctor and also as your friend. Don't be so ungrateful, Autumn." Anthony pretended to be teased just to

make her happy. "You'll be out of the hospital soon, and then, I won't take care of you even if you ask

me to."

Autumn smiled apologetically and said," You know I don't mean that. I mean, I'm not your only patient,

and you, as a doctor, can't be here all day taking care of me. I can't be so selfish." Autumn did not

suspect anything till now. And that was a great relief for Anthony. He had been able to play his part

well. He smiled gently and said," I am aware of my duties as a doctor. You just take care of yourself."

"Oh, Anthony, I have something to ask you." Her sudden remark sent a chill down Anthony's spine. Did

she begin to suspect anything? Pretending to be absolutely normal, Anthony asked," Please go

ahead." Autumn had a little concern as she spoke. She was given to understand that Charles was busy

with his work and hence, he could not visit her as often. Even Autumn had been a understanding wife,

but once in a while she was stung by some kind of a separation anxiety. Ever since she became

pregnant, she had enjoyed undivided attention from Charles which she kind of got used to. Now, in the

last couple of days, Charles' not being around as much as made her feel a void that she tried to cover

up and distract herself to either reading or talking to the hospital staff.

'Will he come today?' she wondered.

"Do you know what Charles has been doing these days? He seems very busy," said Autumn. Anthony

could already see it coming. He pretended to be calm as if nothing happened.

"Something happened in his company that demands his presence there. He's been working on it these

days, so he asked me to take care of you." Anthony tried to make it as normal as he could. He could

not afford to give the slightest hint of the reality to Autumn. Hence he resorted to tell a little white lie in a

normal voice.

Charles seldom discussed his office matters with Autumn. Nevertheless, his prolonged absence made

her worried. "Is it something serious?" Autumn asked Anthony with a lot of concern in her voice.

"Nothing to worry about, I suppose," Anthony answered casually and handed her a freshly peeled

apple. This act of pretense was getting difficult with every passing moment. Autumn took the apple in

her hand and drifted into some deep thought. Anthony observed her and thought to himself, 'How

sensitive she is? Even the mention of a slightest tension of someone close to her makes her so

worried.' "What would you like for supper?" he asked gently to bring her back from the trance. "I'll cook

for you."

"It's very kind of you, but don't bother," Autumn declined politely. "I'll wait for Charles. He should come

today."

"Charles... he probably cannot come today," Anthony said lightly. He avoided eye contact with Autumn

as he spoke these words, yet he watched her frown from the corner of his eyes.

Emily was going to be buried today and Charles must be at the funeral by now.

"What? What do you mean by that?" Autumn asked with a perplexed look on her face.

"Oh, nothing at all, it is just conjecture." Anthony hurriedly covered up his slip of the tongue. Autumn

could sense something weird in the way Anthony spoke and behaved with her. Her mind got clouded

with several thoughts. Anthony tried to change the topic. "It's getting windy." He looked out of the

window and tried to divert Autumn's attention. "It seems to be drizzling outside. Let me just close the

window." He stood up at once and headed for the window. It was becoming more and more difficult to

behave normal in front of Autumn.

Autumn could not understand how much information she could expect from Anthony if it was indeed

something to do with Charles' official matter. "Thank you." Autumn forced a smile, looking out of the

window. All of a sudden, an uneasiness seized her. She could sense a void inside her heart. All she

wished was to have Charles right next to her as soon as possible.

What she didn't know was that just a few kilometers away, her grandmother had started off for an

eternal journey, away from her. As she was seated in the hospital ward thinking about all possible

reasons for Charles being away from her, Emily's funeral was going on. It was a faint sense of loss and

void that Autumn could feel at the bottom of her heart. Only she did not know the reason behind it.

On the other part of Y City, amidst a heavy downpour, a group of people gathered to bid their final

goodbye to Emily. The sky was hazy and the rain was falling steadily on the smooth coffin lid.

Everybody gathered around Emily's coffin with Charles, Arthur and Amy in the front row. Charles' heart

was heavy not just for Emily's demise but also with the guilt of hiding such an important information

from Autumn. He shuddered from the thought of how she would react when she would come to know

about this.

The funeral was a big one, but just a few people had showed up because Emily had no family. The rain

drops fell on the coffin, adding more sadness to the grave atmosphere. Amy kept wiping the coffin

affectionately and untiringly with tears in her eyes. It was the toughest moment in anyone's life to bid a

final goodbye to someone who had been such an integral part of your life. "It's time to lower the coffin,"

reminded a man behind Charles. Charles turned towards him and then again turned his face towards

the coffin trying to get a final glance of Emily's face as rain dropped and washed over it making the

vision blurred.

"That's enough. Stop it," Arthur said to Amy and pulled her away from the coffin. "It's raining. You can't

have it dried by wiping it."

Amy suddenly lost her composure. She threw herself into her husband's arms and burst into tears.

"Time's up," the man reminded again.

Emily was finally lowered and laid down to sleep peacefully. Charles did not remember when the

funeral ended, until Arthur came and told him that it was over and that they could leave the cemetery.

Charles said to Arthur," Please, you go ahead. I want to spend more time with Grandma Emily for

Autumn's sake." Charles knew Emily would approve of holding her funeral without Autumn's

knowledge, but he still felt sorry for Emily. He did not know how he would face Autumn when she came

to know about it.

He then held his umbrella over Emily's tombstone, which had a black-and-white photograph of her with

a big smile. He looked her smiling face and a painful smile appeared on his own face. 'She must be in

a happy space bereft of all pains and sufferings, ' he thought to himself. "Grandma Emily, I'm sorry. It's

your burial day, but Autumn could not be here to say goodbye to you," Charles said gently, looking at

Emily's photo.

"Please don't blame her. She nearly had a miscarriage when she learned that your condition had

worsened. I had no choice but to hide your death from her," Charles went on. "Autumn didn't mean not

to come to bid the final farewell to you.

After her delivery, I will definitely bring her and our babies to meet you and apologize to you. Blame me

instead of Autumn." Completely drenched with rain, he stayed there talking to Emily until it was dark.

He then drove to the hospital. Autumn was delighted to see Charles entering her room at one moment

and the very next moment, she noticed that he was dripping from head to toe. "What is this, Charles?

Why are you all wet?" she asked apprehensively.

"I hurried out of the office after work and forgot my umbrella." Once again Charles lied to Autumn.

Charles looked at Autumn affectionately. She looked beautiful and absolutely undisturbed, exactly the

way he wanted her to be.

Autumn looked at Charles with concern in her eyes. "Oh, you, as an expectant father, how come you

don't know how to take care of yourself at all?" Autumn sighed helplessly. Then she sat him down and

said," You sit and I'll get you a glass of hot water. Otherwise you will catch a cold."

She then handed over the towel to Charles and urged him to take a shower. When he came out of the

shower, Autumn was lying on her single bed. Charles crept on to the bed silently and held her from the

back.

"What's wrong, Charles?" Autumn could sense a sudden change in his behavior. His unusual silence

made her anxious. Autumn tried to turn around and look at him but could not break free from his tight

embrace. Charles had his face buried in her neck. "Don't worry, darling. I'm fine. I'm just tired," he

whispered, sounding really tired.

Autumn could not bring herself to believe him. She could sense that something was being hidden from

her. But she could not make Charles to open up. She felt helpless but she had no other option than to

believe in what he said.

Early the next morning Anthony came to her ward and examined her. Later, he turned to Charles and

said," Autumn is stable now. She can be discharged from the hospital."

Autumn was happy to learn about her discharge. Charles brought breakfast for her and went sign the Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

discharge papers. When he came back with the discharge papers, Autumn was all prepared to leave.

Charles had intended to take her directly to Dream Garden, but Autumn insisted on going to her

grandparents' house first.

Charles had no choice but to secretly call Arthur and tell him to get the house ready so that there was

no trace of Emily's demise.

When they arrived at the Zhao family, everything looked the same as before, as if nothing had really

happened.

Arthur and Amy's eyes brightened up to see Autumn getting off from the car. They had to put up a

happy face in front of her. "Oh, Autumn, you have just been discharged from the hospital. You should

have gone home to take rest. Why have you come here?" Amy reproached Autumn. Then she turned

towards Charles and scolded him," And you, Charles, why don't you stop her? How can you allow her

to go back and forth as soon as she leaves the hospital?"

"Grandma, don't get mad. I insisted that Charles bring me here," Autumn said, grabbed her grandma's

hand and tried to calm her down. As she spoke, her eyes roved around the house towards Emily's

room. Actually, she came here in such a hurry because she was worried about Emily. When she was in

the hospital, she wanted to have a video chat with Emily, but she did not want Emily to know that she

was in the hospital, so she decided to contact her after her discharge from the hospital.