No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 91



I was breathless, frozen in place. Ernest didn't move or speak, but his gaze was fixed on me. More accurately, we were locked in a stare. We just looked at each other, neither advancing nor retreating. I could even feel both our heartbeats accelerating...

Until the voice of Mrs. Johnson from next door broke the silence, "That new girl renting the place sure knows how to pick 'em. Look how clean he got the stairs."

That snapped me back to reality. I pushed Ernest away and hurried back to the living room. But once there, I didn't know what to do next, feeling utterly confused and flustered.

Ernest followed, breaking the awkwardness with ease, "Is this your parents' old house?"

I was puzzled about how he knew, but then I saw him walking towards a wall adorned with photographs. "You haven't changed much since you were a kid."

The wall held my certificates of achievement and a family portrait, with me in the middle, flanked by my parents, all of us wearing gentle smiles. Seeing their smiling faces now, though, there was a pang in my heart.

"You were a great student," Ernest remarked, eyeing my certificates - not just 'Star Student' but also 'Academic Excellence' and 'All-Rounder'.

still excelling," I said, unable to hide my

looked at

paused, then added,

to look at him. He was too straightforward, both in his looks and words. I didn't want any further entanglements with him,

from reluctance to taking the initiative. Because I owed him

said, "I need to wash my face,

I remembered the grime on his face and clothes, "Wait

a local supermarket nearby

refused, "Just a towel will

wanted to insist, but his firm look made me relent. I went to the bathroom, grabbed my towel for him, "Here, use

simply responded with

started

rugged manner, splashing water all over even running his hands through his hair a

cold water. I was about to remind him when he began drying his face and hair with the towel. When he looked up, he saw me standing