"Huh?

" Ernest looked puzzled, a faint hint of confusion in his eyes., I took a step closer to him, really close, close enough to catch the scent of soap on his skin after a shower., It smelled nice., I remembered back when my parents were around, we always used bars of soap for washing hands and baths. Nowadays, everyone's switched to hand sanitizers or shower gels. It's rare to find soap bars, let alone enjoy their fragrance.,

"Are you hiding something big?

" I prodded him., Ernest furrowed his brows and glanced down at himself,

"How much did you drink? Your eyesight's failing you?

", I had one drink, not much, but he noticed., His comment made me laugh, and I playfully tugged at his shirt,

"Ernest, don't play dumb with me. Are you secretly rich? Like, a major behind-the-scenes kind of rich?

", Ernest replied,

"I have no idea what you're talking about.

", He stepped back, trying to put some distance between us.,

"Really clueless? Or just pretending, maybe putting on a show for me?

" I stepped closer again, deliberately pestering him., Ernest stayed silent, just looking at me, and I looked back at him., We stood there, under the dim light of the staircase, our gazes entangled..., Flashes of Susie's cozy little house crossed my mind, then her illness, and the way Ernest was when I first met him. Eventually, I was the one to look away, chuckling,

"You're too broke to be the one.

" With that, I let go and turned to head to my room, but Ernest stopped me,

"Did you drive here?

", I laughed,

"Nope, took a rideshare.

", After saying that, I teased him a bit more.

"I value my life too much to risk it.

", Ernest's icy demeanor softened a bit, then he reached out to pat my head,

"Good girl.

", His gesture was like comforting a little kid. I blinked,

"Ernest, I'm kinda jealous of Susie.

" Ernest said,

"What?

", I forced a smile, replying,

"She must have been spoiled rotten by you.

", Ernest's gaze deepened, and he grabbed my wrist, leading me to his room,

"Let me make you some honey tea.

", I wanted to refuse, but his hand was warm and inviting, so I followed him inside., Geez, I'm easily tempted., Soon, he made tea for me, and I noticed the cup had a cute cat design on it., It was clearly a girl's cup. But Susie wasn't here...,

"Whose cup is this? I don't like using other people's stuff,

" I said, partly teasing, partly probing.,

"It's yours, got it just for you,

" Ernest's words made my heart skip a beat, and my cheeks flushed., I sipped the tea, sweet and comforting., Felt like being pampered.,

"Don't drink when you're alone, it's not safe,

" Ernest cautioned.,

"I was with Jefferson, I've told you about him. He looks out for me,

" I candidly shared., Ernest's expression darkened slightly but he didn't comment., I took another sip, then he asked,

"You trust him that much?

",

"Yeah, he's always been good to me. He treats me like a sister,

" I said, playing with the cup handle., Ernest fell silent. I thought about the dinner I had with Allen tonight,

"Guess who I had dinner with tonight?

",

"Not your Jefferson?

" Ernest's tone was odd., I didn't dwell on it, just shared,

"And Lord Clark's son, Allen.

", Ernest's expression turned grim instantly,

"What are you trying to do?

", I pursed my lips, debating whether to tell him Allen agreed to introduce me to Lord Clark, but then Ernest sternly said,

"Felicia, I know what you're trying to investigate, but leave it to me. I'll handle it.

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