He leaned her face near her, flashing a weird smile. Instinctively, she moved back a bit for space.
"Don't tell me you don't have one?" he softly spoke.
She swallowed hard, guilt eating her up. Of course, she hadn't thought of one. Instead, she avoided her
eyes from him.
"Haven't you thought of escaping from my cousin, Molly?" he repeated his question. His face inched
closer, his warm minty breath fanning over her face. She moved her back farther from him, causing her
to move her injured ankle. This made her groan in pain. Eric noticed her distress and looked down to
her ankle, which looked similarly close to a steamed bun. An expression of pity grew from his face but
he hastily dismissed it as he spoke,"Please tell me once you make up your mind. I can help you
escape from him."
Those promising words echoed loudly in her mind. She was silent as she thought about it thoroughly,
only staring at his ruggedly handsome face. But she made herself believe he was making fun of her
and pushed him away,"Thank you for the offer but I don't need your help!"
Molly was about to stand from the bed when Eric held her hand, stopping her.
"Where are you going? Your foot is still hurting," he asked with a frown on his face.
"I'm going back to the hotel!
I've been outside for a long time!" she explained.
She hoped that Brian was the person who would run after her and find her. But she would rather have
Brian not find her or he might believe she did that on purpose to gain his attention. He might find
another way to torture her.
There were two reasons for keeping this to herself. First, it was unnecessary. Second, she believed she
meant nothing to Brian. Honestly, she didn't want to be seen as conceited.
However, Eric could see all of her worries that were clear on her eyes. He sighed and carried her in his
arms, walking out of the hospital and into the waiting car despite all her squalls to put her down. He
deposited her carefully into the car seat.
The drive remained silent up until they reached the hotel. Inhaling some courage, she had decided to
walk by herself. But as soon as she stepped out of the car, the pain erupted from her legs. She moaned
painfully.
Eric was fast to assist her, quickly carrying her on his arms. She couldn't do anything but draw back in
embarrassment as she frantically looked around. "Eric, put me down! I can walk by myself!" she cried
indignantly.
He disregarded her words and continued toward the crowded hall. As soon as they went in, they
caught the attention of almost everyone. Mixed emotions settled on their faces as they talked in hushed
tones.
The heat was spreading on her face and she covered it with her hands. She tried to move her body to
get out from his hold but he instantly shut her up with his tone,"Do you want to make your foot's case
permanent?"
"It's none of your business…" she frowned.
"Now put me down!"
This was pure madness! How stubborn could he get? She looked around, hoping Brian was on leave.
Luckily, she did not see Brian along the way before they were about to enter the elevator.
She sighed, thankful despite the stressful moment. Eric's eyes narrowed at her expression but he
remained silent.
The elevator opened with a sound. The opening of its doors along with clatter it created as well as the
slight buzz of the people seemed too dramatic. Each action was too detailed and Molly attentively saw
all of it despite the gnawing feeling that tells her to look away from it.
Her breath hitched as she saw the people going out from the elevator.
They said worrying and overthinking about things might increase the chance of it happening.
Molly's face paled as she saw the slender figure of the last man to get off the elevator. She had trouble
swallowing, as her face reflected guilt and conscience.
Brian casually stood with a hand on his trouser pocket, his face stoic with emotions. As the elevator
door opened, his dark gaze swiftly darted to Eric and then to Molly. She felt his sharp eyes lingered on
her face. This made her forget to breathe.
"Brian!"
Eric enthusiastically called Brian's attention as he stared at the frozen girl's face on his arms. "This
clumsy girl can't walk because she sprained her ankle," he said, looking back to his approaching
cousin.
Brian took notice of her state. His cold, indifferent gaze swept down to her injured leg as she remained
frozen under his grave look. He shrugged and said,"I'm going to check the plot at the east region."
Without saying more, he casually strode on his way. Tony, who was following him, made a swift glance
at Molly and a slight nod at Eric's direction before quickly walking up to his boss.
Eric dismissed Tony's actions and looked at Molly before heading to the elevator. When they reached
the room, he gently put her on the sofa and asked,"What do you want to eat? I'm going down to buy
some..."
"I'm not hungry," she said in her tired, sullen voice.
It was such a tiring day. On top of her painful leg, her mind was hazy and her emotions were going out
of proportions. She then remembered how Brian ignored her presence after he gave her an icy look.
Hiding her feelings, she covered her eyes with her hands. She was torn between her emotions. One
side was warning her while the other was thinking of some crazy hopes and dreams.
Differing emotions always made her feel uncomfortable and tired. She hated it!
Eric was watching her turmoil before he softly interrupted her thoughts and said,"How can you say
you're not hungry when you skipped your lunch earlier?"
She stared at him, noting the mockery on his eyes. Ever since they met Brian a moment ago, her
emotions were going haywire. His cousin might be a walking stone, but he noted the slight expression
of pity and concern Brian showed as he stared at her ankle before it vanished quickly. He was starting
to develop feelings for Molly, but with Becky's arrival, this could probably end in a mess.
"I will call for room service in a minute. For the meantime, I will rub some oil on your feet."
He couldn't stop at getting his emotion worked up, but he didn't care.
The food was delivered to the room later that afternoon. Molly ate half-heartedly, her appetite gone with
her emotions getting the best of her. She laid on the bed upon finishing her food. Eric was preparing to
rub the oil on her leg when his phone rang. He answered it, listening attentively to the other side before
ending the call. He hurriedly went out without saying anything to the startled Molly.
Blinking in surprise, Molly took the bottle of medicinal oil and smiled bitterly. She thought, even he was
gone in an instant. She looked for the instructions and started rubbing the oil on her injured ankle by
herself. She felt the pain as she rubbed and slowed her movements, carefully touching her own ankle.
She whispered some incoherent words as the pain gnawed at her.
Her attention was solely focused on the pain she felt during her massage that she failed to notice a pair
of dark, piercing eyes trailing on her.
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