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?”

baffled. “He owns

candy, and you tossed it like it

for that?”

it?” Eric’s eyes narrowed as

Hadley shot back, still not following where

Alright..

just some guy nursing an unrequited

as he crouched down, hoisting a box

a hand.”

“Alright.”

over, her thoughts lingering. Since when had she asked

boxes in his arms and motioned toward her. “Stack the flour on top. You’re

his tone might

that?”

“I can.”

nod and followed

hesitated. “Are you sure

far back as she could remember, she had never once seen

You call

as he strode ahead without

his posture radiated irritation.

why carry it at all?” she thought. No one forced him to help, yet he went out of his way to do it and then got annoyed

sigh, she grabbed the fruit

had to admit that much. He

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You Are Not Allowed To Smile

to the fifth floor without a single

“Open the door.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

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

on his face.

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

Eric didn’t hesitate.

“What?”

“A towel.”

else do you expect

I’ll grab one!”

grabbed a fresh towel, and handed it over. “Here. This one’s

expression darkened as he shot her an

What had she done

irritated. “You seriously expect me to wipe my

in dust from carrying your stuff. How

want me to do

mouth, she regretted them. No one annoyed Eric more than she did.

“Or maybe-”

his eyes. “Just get

an elevator.”

Eric wasn’t having it. “What are

a little dazed, Hadley gave a small nod, lifting her hand as she stepped

painfully obvious. Without the extra height from her heels, Hadley barely reached Eric’s shoulders,

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

even

“I can.”

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