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?”

about?” Hadley blinked, baffled. “He owns the grocery store nearby

nice and gave me candy, and you tossed it like it

for that?”

all there is to it?” Eric’s eyes narrowed as he

else would there be?” Hadley shot back, still not following where he

Alright..

was just some

tugged at his lips as he crouched down, hoisting a box

a hand.”

“Alright.”

her thoughts lingering. Since when had

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

figured his tone might have come off a little too

that?” he asked.

“I can.”

firm nod and followed his

“Are you sure that’s not

remember, she had never once

You call this heavy?”

ahead

posture radiated irritation.

to help, yet he went out of his way to do it

sigh, she grabbed the fruit bags and hurried

she had to admit that much. He carried the heavy boxes straight to her apartment and

21.0%

13:52

|||

51 You Are Not Allowed To

to the fifth floor without

“Open the door.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

in the lock until the door finally swung open. Eric walked in and dropped the boxes onto the floor without ceremony. His chest rose and fell with

on his face.

on his forehead and felt a slight pang of guilt. “Do you want to wipe your

Eric didn’t hesitate.

“What?”

“A towel.”

you expect me to wipe my

grab

towel, and handed it over. “Here. This one’s clean.”

expression darkened as he shot her

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

his tongue, clearly irritated. “You seriously expect me

“Take a good look. They’re covered in dust from carrying your stuff. How do you expect me to clean my face like

you want me to do it for you?”

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

“Or maybe-”

off, impatience flashing in his eyes. “Just get it over with. This place is a joke.

an elevator.”

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

a small nod, lifting her hand as she stepped closer.

the extra height from her heels, Hadley barely reached Eric’s shoulders, making the difference in their heights even more noticeable against his towering 6’2”

stretched onto her toes, he exhaled

even reach?”

“I can.”

48.2%

13:52

<