, Hearing his words, a sharp pang of injustice hit me, making my nose tingle with emotion.

"Ernest, I can't believe how petty you're being, not even giving me a chance to explain.

",

"I did listen,

" Ernest countered.

"I called you, wanting to hear your explanation, but you never picked up.

", Hearing this, I could almost picture him, frantic and searching for me through security footage, only to find that I had left with Conrad Wagner. Conrad had mentioned Ernest looking for me. Grabbing his hand, I explained,

"It wasn't on purpose. I was in the infirmary.

",

"I know,

" Ernest said, his lips curving into a smile.

"That's why I'm not mad. As for the call, you'll find out soon enough.

", Glancing towards a building not too far off, Ernest continued,

"I haven't slept or had a drink since you left last night. I'm so thirsty and tired.

", His words tightened my heart, filling it with concern. As we walked home, I scolded him,

"You knew I had to leave for a reason. Why wouldn't you try to get some rest? And why haven't you had anything to drink?

", He didn't reply, but thinking about his exhaustion and thirst, I dropped the subject and hurried home with him., Once inside, Ernest dropped his bags and gently pushed me against the entryway cab, his eyes burning into mine., I swallowed hard, caught in his intense look.

"I've got some cold water ready for you.

",

"I'm jealous,

" he suddenly admitted, stopping me in my tracks., I had thought we had talked through everything downstairs, and from his tone, I thought he understood. But here he was, still feeling jealous.

"I couldn't help it, I...

", Before I could finish, Ernest's lips claimed mine in a fervent kiss., He had said he was thirsty, and he wasn't lying; his kiss was as parched as it was passionate.,

"I understand, but I can't help feeling jealous,

" Ernest murmured between kisses, his breath uneven., My heart ached for him. I knew that feeling all too well., Once, Conrad had hurt me and, although he gave me reasons that I understood, it still made me uneasy.,

"It won't happen again,

" I promised, wrapping my arms around his neck., He nuzzled my nose,

"Where's the water? I'm really thirsty now.

", Leading him to the couch, I handed him this while I wash some fruit fore, God water.

"Here,, us.

", Instead, he pulled me to him, taking out his phone and then handing it to me along with mine.,

"What's this?

" I asked, puzzled.,

"Here's why my calls didn't go through,

" Ernest indicated for me to check his phone.,

"Did your phone break?

" I teased, turning it on. The sound of a video started playing., Watching the video, then looking back at Ernest, my eyes welled up., He understood me., He knew I wanted to watch Jefferson Daniels' game and that I'd regret missing it. So, he went to the event himself, setting his phone on Do Not Disturb mode to avoid any interruptions. That's why I couldn't reach him.,

"Ernest,

" I said, dropping the phone and hugging him tight., He knew what this hug meant, gently stroking my hair,

"Were you worrying needlessly?

",

"Yeah,

" I admitted, feeling a familiar sting in my nose.,

"Licia,

" he said tenderly,

"I'll never leave you behind.

",

"Okay,

" I responded, pressing a sweet, strawberry-like kiss to his neck., Ernest hadn't eaten, and besides breakfast with Susie Collins, I hadn't either., Now, moving into a new place, we had nothing in the kitchen. We thought about ordering takeout, but Ernest insisted it wasn't clean enough. He believed our first meal in, a new home had to be cooked by us to bring good fortune., So, we headed to the local supermarket to grab some veggies and spices. It was there we bumped into Haley. Her shopping wasn't the odd part; it was her presence in our neighborhood's supermarket that was surprising. What truly caught me off guard was not just her shopping but her heading back into our complex afterward., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.