I'm not sure why, but the complex lighting at the amusement park never gave me a headache. Yet now, I find myself tangled in a mess I don't want to deal with.,

"You don't trust me?

" he asked.,

"It's not that, it's just...

" My gaze landed on him, noticing his shirt was clearly stained and the hem of his jeans was damp., Seeing him like this, I felt a twinge of guilt.,

"I've got this, go on,

" he said, patting the top of my head.

"Be good.

", That touch sent a tingle through my scalp, a sensation so different from when Dustin had playfully tousled my hair not long ago., This feeling was hard to pin down-it was warm and sweet, with a hint of tartness, like finally finding something I didn't even know I was missing., I couldn't bear Ernest's gaze for long and scurried away as he asked, to fetch the items he needed. When I returned, I found Ernest mopping up a puddle in the hallway., Entering the room, the floor that had been flooded was now spotless, as if untouched by water, and shone from a thorough cleaning., In the short time I was gone, he hadn't been idle., At that moment, looking at our home as if it had never been flooded, a lump formed in my throat.,

"I checked downstairs; there's no leakage, so you won't have to worry about compensating anyone,

" Ernest added., Not only was he capable, but he also paid attention to every detail. I was choked up and couldn't speak., Ernest began fixing the plumbing, and there I was, just watching him work with the ease of someone tuning the lights on a stage., Leaning against the doorway, I teased,

"Ernest, is there anything you can't do?

",

"There is,

" he replied, without stopping his work.,

"What's that?

", He glanced back at me.

"Giving birth.

", His reply instantly lightened my mood, and I quickly retorted,

"You don't have to give birth, as long as you can make someone else do it for you.

",

"Ah, that's definitely not a problem,

" he joined in the banter., But then it went quiet, and I could feel my cheeks turning red from embarrassment. Our chat had suddenly gotten a bit flirty., To ease the awkwardness, I added,

"Ernest, anyone who marries you would be incredibly lucky.

",

"Why don't you agree to marry me then?

" He always had a way of catching me off guard with his direct questions., I lowered my gaze, taking a moment before responding,

"I'm too complicated. Like you said, there's the ex-fiancé, and the unclear romantic interests... And you, you've never been in a relationship. You're too pure; I don't deserve you.

", Ernest didn't respond, and after a moment, I turned away and walked to the balcony to tend to the potted flowers I'd brought home., Soon, I heard Ernest heading downstairs. Peeking from the balcony, I saw him back on the ground, twisting a valve open., Was it fixed?, I went to the kitchen and turned on the faucet., The water ran clear and smoothly through the newly installed tap, and as I lost myself watching it, I suddenly felt a pair of arms encircle me from behind., He semi-enveloped me in his embrace, turning off the faucet with a low voice whispering in my ear,

"Ever heard of saving water?

", My heart raced, and I instinctively tried to step away, but he didn't budge.,

"Ernest...

" I raised my hand to push him away, but instead, my palm met with his firm muscles., It felt as if I'd touched a hot iron, the heat spreading rapidly from my palm..., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.