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.

the feeling,

isn't even here,"

resign!"

I was speechless.

rent. I can't afford to buy right now," Ernest confessed

guys put on a show, flaunting what they don't have to keep up appearances, Ernest was

considering quitting your job?" I

didn't respond, probably lost in

unexpectedly stirred my sympathy, and before I knew it, I was driving him towards the

downtown area. The rent here must be through the roof."

work in this

of his financial situation, I added, "I could lend you

trying to make an arrangement with me?" Ernest's reply took

at him,

and the thought that he might have considered marrying me once,4 scoffed, "Wishful thinking. I'm holding

as I started the

we arrived at a real estate

call and turned to Ernest, "You

at home. Need

from my downstairs neighbor, informing me