Eric held Molly's hand and slowly lifted it up. He closed his eyes and kissed the back of her hand
reverently. He said in an emotional voice,"Little Molly, maybe we started in the wrong footing, maybe
the whole process was wrong, maybe the result will be wrong, too..." he paused.
"Anyway, I'm still grateful for the opportunity to accompany you! Your path since I met you has been
long and hard. However, please believe me when I tell you that I will always stay by your side as long
as you need me."
The whole restaurant was so quiet that you can hear a pin drop.
Brian's mouth tightened at Eric's audacity. His fist clenched under the table and he had to force himself
to sit still.
The guests of the neighboring table were looking at the couple with obvious interest. It's not every day
that they could chance upon true love confessions. The handsome young man sounded so sincere that
everybody in the restaurant was rooting for him. Eric slowly opened his eyes and looked searching at
Molly.
Molly's eyes widened in shock. She was not expecting this reply from Eric. She looked around hastily
and flushed as she encountered the beaming look from the couple near their table. Blinking, she
swallowed her tears and typed at the same time: Aunt Shirley told me that as long as I take one step
forward, there will be a different scenery waiting for me.
You told me that no matter how hard my path is, you will always be with me…
Eric, I really appreciate it. No matter how hard the road is, I will keep moving forward, even if the path is
full of sharp stones.
Seeing the determination in her face, Eric smiled approvingly. He raised his hand and gently touched
her face. After a while he resumed his usual manners. Catching her hands, he said,"Let's go
somewhere else to eat!"
After hearing his suggestion, Molly seemed to hesitate.
Raising his eyebrows teasingly, Eric said,"Aunt Shirley said that as long as you eat together with the
right person, any food will taste delicious, right?"
Without further hesitation, Molly nodded her head vigorously. She didn't want to face Brian and Becky
at this moment.
Eric pulled Molly gently from her seat. He wanted to go out of the restaurant directly but he decided to
pass Brian's table first. "The food here doesn't suit Little Molly's taste. We're leaving now."
Hearing Eric's voice nearby, Becky raised her head. She can't make out Eric's figure as well as his
companion. Frowning slightly, she called out,"Eric?"
Holding Molly's hand tightly, Eric deliberately ignored the hostility in Brian's eyes. Turning to Becky, he
said,"You have my brother to accompany you today, you will not need me. I'll be in touch."
Throwing Brian a meaningful look, Eric strode out of the restaurant with Molly. They left the way they
came, with Molly holding tightly to Eric's arm as if her life depended on it.
Brian sat quietly as if turned to stone. His eyes were glued to Molly's figure as she walked out of the
restaurant. Through the clear glass, he saw Eric put his arms around Molly's waist as they waited for
the valet to bring the car around. Brian's eyes narrowed into slits. He tried to ignore the sinking feeling
in his stomach as he watched Eric seat Molly in his Maserati.
"It looks like the handsome young man has won his lover's heart."
"So romantic…" the lady at the back said dreamily.
"Hey, did you notice that the girl can't speak?"
"Exactly! What a shame."
"She seems to be a dumb…"
"Well, I guess so. She typed her response on her cell phone."
"I feel envious of the girl, even with her disability she found her true love. Where is my Mr. Right?" she
lamented.
"…"
After Eric and Molly left the restaurant, people started talking about Eric's love confession in soft
whispers. Brian and Becky couldn't help but overhear some of their comments.
Brian lifted the glass of red wine and took a sip. The vintage wine suddenly seemed tasteless and
somewhat difficult to swallow.
"Brian, that girl…" Becky began.
"She really can't speak?" she finished incredulously.
"No, it's not true!" Brian rasped.
Brian's voice was already thin with annoyance.
Becky creased her forehead. Brian sounded strangely affected by her innocent question, her sensitivity
and instinct made her realize that something was off. "What do you mean?"
"What I meant was she's not dumb!" Brian said forcefully.
As he spoke with a voice full of rage, Brian was reminded of Molly's state. He didn't even notice that
Becky had grown quiet and pensive. All he could think of was getting back to the people who did this to
Molly.
Although she couldn't see anything, She stared at Brian. The underlying emotion in his words didn't
escape her. She found it strange that Brian seemed greatly affected by Eric and his girlfriend. For some
reason, she had a feeling that the woman was the one who was living with Brian while she was absent.
What she can't understand is what she's doing with Eric. Could it be that this woman had a claim in the
hearts of both Brian and Eric?
That's impossible!
Brian and Eric could only have her in their hearts!
Her hands clenched around the fork she was holding while her gray-stained eyes showed no emotion.
However, her trembling lips revealed her anxiety and fear.
*
After leaving the French restaurant, Molly felt a little better. When she saw Becky's picture in Brian's
study, she expected to meet her someday. She didn't count on falling in love with Brian, so she was not
prepared for the pain and sadness that she's feeling now.
After driving for a while, Eric turned to Molly and asked,"How about we go to the South Street Alley to
eat Chitterling thin noodles?"
With knitted brows, Molly turned to Eric.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
With raised eyebrows, he continued,"Those things are better than you think, besides you like to
eat…"
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