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, but it

even here," I

resign!" he

I was speechless.

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

flaunting what they don't have to keep up appearances, Ernest was an open book about his financial

considering quitting your job?" I mumbled, more

probably lost in

hardship unexpectedly stirred my sympathy, and before I

area. The rent here must be through

suburbs are cheaper, but the commute is a killer. For an engineer like you, aiming to work in this area,

of his financial situation, I added, "I could lend you some money, pay me back when you're on

me?" Ernest's reply took me by surprise, leaving me momentarily

at him, thinking

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

face clouded over, and as I started the car, I suggested, "Let's head to the

real estate agency

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

at home. Need to get it fixed ASAP,"

call was from my downstairs neighbor, informing me