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?

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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?”

you even talking about?” Hadley blinked, baffled. “He owns the grocery store nearby I buy things

nice and gave me candy, and you tossed it like

for that?”

Eric’s eyes narrowed as he pressed

back, still

Alright..

caught on–it was just some guy nursing an

his lips as he crouched down, hoisting a box with ease. “Quit standing

a hand.”

“Alright.”

lingering. Since when had she asked for his

had already balanced two boxes in his arms and motioned toward her. “Stack the flour

tone might have come off a

that?” he

“I can.”

firm nod and followed his

you sure that’s not too

back as she could remember, she had never once seen

call

a mocking scoff as he strode ahead without slowing down. “Move it. Don’t just

his posture radiated

help, yet he

fruit bags and hurried after

had to admit that much. He carried the heavy boxes

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Not Allowed To

the fifth floor

“Open the door.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

the door finally swung open. Eric walked in and dropped the boxes onto

on his face.

of the sweat glistening on his forehead and felt a slight pang of guilt. “Do you want to wipe your face? Maybe get some

Eric didn’t hesitate.

“What?”

“A towel.”

“What else do you expect me

grab

towel,

shot her

confusion. What now? What had she

Eric clicked his tongue, clearly irritated. “You seriously

his hands, showing them off. “Take a good look. They’re covered in dust from

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

regretted them. No one annoyed

“Or maybe-”

her off, impatience flashing in his eyes. “Just get it over with. This place is a joke. Not

an elevator.”

beat, but Eric wasn’t having it. “What are

small nod, lifting her hand as she stepped closer.

reached Eric’s shoulders, making

to take note of that, too. When Hadley stretched onto her toes, he exhaled sharply and leaned down, clearing

you even

“I can.”

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