"I dunno!

", Ernest delivered his succinct three-word response with a crisp efficiency., Yet, I couldn't help but laugh,

"You don't know, and yet here you are, knocking on my door?

", Ernest, busy tucking the freshly chopped vegetables onto a plate for later use, responded without missing a beat,

"The lady downstairs told me, said my girlfriend was back.

" I was speechless., Sipping my tea, I admired the sight of a man cooking, when Ernest suddenly turned his head to catch my gaze.

"What are you doubting?

", I offered a faint smile,

"Doubting... that you're stalking me.

",

"Hmm?

" He frowned slightly.,

"Just kidding. I know you're not that idle,

" I said, returning to the living room to enjoy my tea., After a few sips and a brief stint on my phone, sleepiness crept up on me, and before I knew it, I had dozed off., In my dream, I was caught by a bald man, Lord instructed him to kill me. As I desperately shook my head, a long knife was thrust towards me...,

"Licia! Licia, wake up...

" Ernest's anxious voice and his firm hands steadying my head woke me up.,

"Nightmare?

" His voice was deep and concerned., Still shaken from the dream, I gasped for air. Remembering the bald man who had cornered Ernest, I grabbed his hand,

"The bald guy who ambushed you, he's one of Lord's men. I've seen him.

" Ernest's brow furrowed deeper,

"How do you know?

",

"I've seen him,

" I tightened my grip on his hand, then slowly let go.,

"Felicia Hudson, this is my fight, not yours. Understand?

" His tone was serious, even stern., I wanted to say I wasn't trying to meddle in his business; I was investigating my father's death and stumbled upon it by accident., But before I could speak up, Ernest continued,

"Lord is dangerous. You mustn't do anything. Got it?

", His demeanor made me nod in silence, the words stuck in my throat unspoken., His rough fingers gently wiped the sweat from my brow,

"Get up and have some water, and then we can eat.

", He started to leave, but I held onto him,

"Ernest, be careful.

", I was well aware of Lord's danger., He was a major client at the company, and there were whispers about how he made his fortune and expanded his empire over the years., Ernest looked down at my hand holding his, his gaze softening,

"Yeah.

", I moved my lips, and he bent down to settle me comfortably, then stroked my head., This affectionate gesture was comforting, easing the panic from my dream., Ernest returned to the kitchen and soon came out with plates of food and soup. I took a couple of sips from the glass on the table and stood up, feeling a bit dizzy. The sickness from yesterday, running around today investigating, atop a nightmare, made me feel drained., Ernest, turning back and noticing something amiss, asked,

"Feeling dizzy?

", I wanted to act tough and deny it, but Ernest was already by my side, supporting me towards the bathroom., After ensuring I was in the bathroom, he stepped out, assuring,

"I'm right outside, call me if you need anything.

", He probably thought I needed to use the toilet, but instead, I stood before the mirror, noticing my pale, unwell appearance and disheveled hair., This was a far cry from my usual composure., Had Ernest seen this? Would he find it off-putting?, This thought fleetingly crossed my mind, prompting me to hastily manage my hair and rub my face, attempting to regain some semblance of my usual self., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.