No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Ernest's voice was low, carrying a weight that seemed to press down on the air itself.

My playful heart tightened at the sight of his face, thinner than before, and I thought about how he had to take care of his sister who was just recovering from a serious illness. Now, he had to deal with me too. That must be exhausting for him.

In that moment, my resolve to tease him melted away. I tugged at his arm and came clean, "Jefferson and I are just friends. That's why I can talk about him so casually in front of you because I have nothing to hide."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized they might have sounded a bit off, but I didn't bother to correct myself.

Not mentioning someone doesn't mean you're guilty about something. Sometimes, it just means you've moved on.

"I get that, but it still bugs me," Ernest admitted honestly.

Thinking about it, I'd probably feel the same if he was constantly praising someone else in front of me. I might even kick him out of the car in a fit of jealousy.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong," I said, playing the role of the repentant one.

Ernest's stern expression softened, "Saying sorry isn't going to cut it with me."

I immediately caught his drift and leaned in closer, "I'll make it up to you when we get back to our room."

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his ears turned red. I knew he got the message.

His easygoing nature tempted me to be playful again, "Ernest, I'm tired."

"I'll carry you. You know I'm always here to lend a hand," he offered without hesitation.

In the bustling lobby, the idea of him carrying me seemed both embarrassing and sweet.

I shook my head, "Just kidding, I wouldn't want you to..."

Before I could finish, I found myself lifted off the ground and into his arms. Instead of carrying me away, he set me down on a suitcase and began to wheel me through the lobby.

It was a novel and fun experience, unlike anything I'd done before.

Back when I worked with Conrad, traveling for business because I was his assistant, I often wished I could ride the suitcase when my feet. ached from high heels. But it was just a wish, never voiced or acted upon.

Now, with Ernest, I felt free to be myself, to let go and enjoy these little moments of fun.

At the elevator, Ernest refused to let me down, despite my protests that we wouldn't fit.

"How do you know if you don't try?" he challenged, with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Then let's give it a go," I agreed, playing along.

His gaze deepened, and I could tell

he was thinking along a

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now. I had led him astray, and

couldn't help but laugh at

thought. Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

My laughter was still ringing in the air when the elevator doors opened, and the people inside stepped out.

My smile froze as I saw who was among them.

Conrad's eyes narrowed for a moment when he saw me, but then he quickly masked his emotions after glancing at Ernest.

A man beside him was talking,

clearly trying to win Conrad's favor, "Mr. Wagner, after we check out the site, I've arranged a dinner. If you have any friends or relatives here, feel free to invite them along."

"There's no one," Conrad replied, his gaze lingering on me as he stepped out of the elevator.

"Mr. Wagner..." the man began, but then he noticed me and stopped abruptly, "Ms. Hudson?!"

His recognition of me was unexpected.

Given my previous role and how often I was spotted with Conrad, it wasn't weird that his friends knew who I was.

I remembered Conrad once saying that in everyone's eyes, we were practically married.

Caught in an awkward position atop the suitcase, I was about to dismount when Conrad dismissed the man's assumption with, "You're mistaken."

I paused, my foot hovering in mid-air, and turned to look at Conrad.