No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 88



"Ernest, what's your game here? Blackmailing me with our past and last night's events, is that it?" I confronted him.

"No," he muttered, avoiding my gaze.

His evasion was a clear indication of his guilt. I clenched my fists, feeling a sudden urge to give him a piece of my mind, physically.

"I'm a stranger in these parts, what's wrong with asking for a little help? I've had your back before," Ernest spoke up again, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

It felt as though by not helping him, I'd be the one betraying a debt of gratitude.

Debts, whether of money or of favors, always come due.

I sighed. "Alright, Mr. Collins, where would you like to go today? Got any shopping to do? Just tell me, and we'll head out."

"I was thinking of apartment hunting," he said, catching me off guard.

"Apartment hunting? I thought you were just here temporarily?" I asked, puzzled.

"I might not be going back, so I thought I'd look around in advance," Ernest's words felt like a punch to the gut.

couldn't place the feeling, but it

even here," I

resign!" he

I was speechless.

rent. I can't afford to buy right now," Ernest confessed without a hint of

what they don't have to keep up

you're considering quitting your job?" I mumbled, more to

probably lost in

of financial hardship unexpectedly stirred my sympathy, and before I knew it, I was driving

rent here must be through the roof."

For an engineer like you, aiming to work in this area, finding a place in the city center makes more sense. Saves

silent, and thinking of his financial situation, I added, "I could lend you some money, pay me back

Ernest's reply took me by surprise, leaving me

at him,

the thought that he might have considered marrying me once,4 scoffed, "Wishful

as I started the car, I suggested, "Let's

we arrived at a real estate

be right there," I ended the call and turned to Ernest, "You go ahead and look around. I've got an emergency." "What

home. Need to

was from my downstairs neighbor, informing me that