Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 51 You Are Not

Allowed To Smile At Them

“Alright,” the grocery store owner responded, giving a quick nod without a second thought.

Hadley, meanwhile, stood frozen, completely thrown off by what had just happened.

Eric turned on her abruptly, his gaze sharp and impatient. “Why are you just standing there? Pay for the flour already!”

“Huh? Oh–okay,” Hadley stammered as she fumbled to find her wallet. “Just a second.”

Eric’s gaze darkened as he caught the store owner sneaking glances at Hadley. Was she really this oblivious? How could she not pick up on it? Wasn’t it obvious to her what was going on?

“What’s taking so long?”

His voice cut through the moment, growing harsher. Something as simple as finding her wallet shouldn’t be dragging on.

“There,” Hadley said, handing over the cash. “All set.”

“No, it’s nothing…” The owner’s gaze flickered toward Eric, hesitating “Hadley, he, uh, he is…”

“Shouldn’t you be on your way?” Eric interjected, his cold, piercing stare cutting through the tension like a blade.

The owner tensed, his resolve crumbling in an instant. He knew better than to press further. “Ah, well… Hadley, I’ll get going then…”

“Alright, take care.”

Hadley gave him an awkward little wave.

“What are you staring at?”

Eric’s patience snapped, his voice edged with irritation. What was so fascinating?

And that lollipop in Hadley’s mouth had been driving him up the wall.

Before she could react, Eric reached over, plucked it from her lips, and tossed it straight into the roadside gutter.

Hadley stared at him, stunned. “What is wrong with you?”

“Why are you yelling?”

Eric had tolerated enough. Some random man handed her candy, and she just ate it without a second thought?

0.0%

0:

13.52

<

Now that it was gone, at least he felt a sense of relief.

His eyes locked onto Hadley’s. “Cheap candy. I bet it tastes just as cheap. You’re not allowed to eat stuff like

that.”

What? Hadley couldn’t find the words to respond.

Did she ever ask him to try it? And what did how the candy tasted have to do with him?

Watching her fume in frustration only soured Eric’s mood further. “Who was that guy? What’s he to you? Are you seriously upset just because I threw out the lollipop he gave you?”

are you even talking about?” Hadley blinked, baffled. “He

and gave me candy, and you tossed it like it was nothing.

for that?”

Eric’s eyes narrowed as he pressed

still not

Alright..

some guy nursing an unrequited crush.

smirk tugged at his lips as he crouched down, hoisting

a hand.”

“Alright.”

lingering. Since when had she asked for his help?

balanced two boxes in his arms and motioned toward her.

might have come off a little too sharp.

handle that?” he

“I can.”

gave a firm nod and followed his

hesitated. “Are you sure that’s

remember, she had never once seen Eric do any kind of

You call this heavy?”

he strode ahead without slowing down. “Move it. Don’t just

posture radiated

why carry it at all?” she thought. No one forced him to help, yet he went out of

a sigh, she grabbed the fruit bags and hurried after him.

admit that much. He carried the heavy boxes straight to her

21.0%

13:52

|||

51 You Are Not Allowed

fifth floor without a

“Open the door.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

with the keys, twisting them in the lock until the door finally swung open. Eric walked in and

on his face.

of the sweat glistening on his forehead and felt a slight pang

Eric

“What?”

“A towel.”

you expect

grab one!”

grabbed a fresh towel,

as he shot

in confusion. What now? What had she done this time?

tongue, clearly irritated. “You seriously

lifted his hands, showing them off. “Take a good look. They’re covered in dust from carrying your stuff. How do you expect me to

before mumbling, “Do you want me to do it for

second the words left her mouth, she regretted them. No one annoyed

“Or maybe-”

“Just get it over with. This place is a joke.

an elevator.”

having it. “What are you standing there for? Do it

Hadley gave a small nod, lifting her hand as she

their heights became painfully obvious. Without the extra height from her heels, Hadley barely reached Eric’s shoulders, making the difference in their heights even more noticeable against his towering

too. When Hadley stretched onto her toes, he exhaled sharply and leaned down, clearing his throat.

even

“I can.”

48.2%

13:52

<