Ernest's jaw dropped.
Leah's words were really astonishing.
She said that she would share a bed with him. Did she know what that meant?
He was doubtful of whether she was a real author? Did she even know English?
Leah urged Ernest on as she saw his confusion. "Hurry up! I have only one bed here. Do you think I'll make you sleep on the floor? The weather is cold, and sharing a bed is no big deal. I'm not scared, so why are you?"
Obviously, being afraid was the furthest thing from his mind.
He got up and went to fetch the quilt.
Leah had already gotten out of bed when he turned to look at her.
"What are you doing?" Ernest asked.
"I want to go to the bathroom," Leah answered as her body swayed, almost losing her balance.
Ernest immediately flung the quilt onto the bed and reached out to hold Leah.
"No, I can do it by myself." Leah shook her head. She felt embarrassed for letting Ernest carry her to the bathroom.
"Don't force it. I'll carry you instead," Ernest replied.
Ernest did not give Leah a chance to refuse and carried her all the way to the bathroom.
Then, he set her down on the toilet and looked at her blushing face. "I'll be waiting outside. Call me when you're done."
"Okay." Leah nodded quickly.
After that, Ernest left the bathroom.
He closed the door for her carefully and stood outside, waiting for her to finish her business.
Even though there was a door separating them, Ernest couldn't help but blush when he heard the sound of running water.
He wanted to stand further away, but he was scared that he wouldn't be able to hear Leah calling him. Hence, he could only stand in place.
The bathroom went silent after a while.
However, Leah did not call out for him.
Ernest shouted, "Leah, are you done?"
Leah stiffened when she heard him. Had he been standing outside the whole time while she relieved herself? She wondered.
If so, didn't he hear everything?
Leah was mortified!
Oh God, this was way too embarrassing! She thought.
Leah had never been so embarrassed in her entire life, her cheeks were flushing red.
On the other hand, Ernest seemed to get more anxious as he did not receive a reply from Leah. "Leah, are you all right?"
"Give me a second," Leah replied quickly.
She was afraid that Ernest would barge into the bathroom. It would be awkward if he saw her blushing.
She took a deep breath and tried to calm her raging emotions.
However, she ended up choking and even spluttered on her own breath.
Leah coughed hard.
Ernest became even more worried when he heard Leah's coughing, and he nearly rushed into the bathroom.
However, he couldn't do that as it wouldn't be appropriate for him to do so. Instead, Ernest yelled, "Are you okay, Leah? Can I come in?"
"No... Don't..." Leah managed between coughs, and she continued, "Don't come in." She was still on the toilet, so it would be extremely awkward if Ernest were to come in right then.
Leah immediately stood up after taking another deep breath. She straightened herself up and flushed the toilet. It took her some effort to stifle her coughs and opened the door.
Anxiety was carved into Ernest's face as he walked over and supported Leah. "Another coughing fit?"
"Uh, I need to wash my hands," Leah said as she walked towards the sink.
Ernest reached out right away to help her turn on the tap.
The two of them stood in front of the mirror, and Leah could see Ernest looking at her. She smiled awkwardly back at him.
Ernest was rather worried about her living alone. She didn't seem to have many friends, and no one took her to the hospital when she was sick.
Did she not have any friends? He pondered.
"You have something to say, don't you?" Leah could see that Ernest wanted to say something.
Ernest nodded. "You seem quite unwell today, but you went to the hospital by yourself. Why aren't your friends around to help you out?" "Don't tell me you're thinking that I don't have any friends?" Leah burst out in laughter. "Don't worry, I'm not a loner. I have plenty of friends, but they're just with their boyfriends. I have two best friends, but they live together with their boyfriends. I thought that it'd be inappropriate to ask them to come over in the middle of the night."
Her friends lived together with their boyfriends?
Ernest was shocked. "Do girls nowadays move in together with their boyfriends so early?"
Leah shrugged and dried her hands. "They're grown ups, and they have needs too. Not everyone can be abstinent like you, Mr. Jones."
Ernest was astonished and felt that Leah was insulting him.
Ernest replied, "I don't think that's very responsible of them. I feel like being in a relationship should involve being mature and rational."
Leah said, "Mature and rational? I don't think many people can achieve that."
She looked at Ernest as she spoke.
Seeing that she was done washing her hands, Ernest reached out to carry her.
However, Leah immediately said, "I can walk by myself."
Ernest froze.
He felt as if Leah was deliberately distancing herself from him.
He pursed his lips and said, "You can hold onto me."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: True Fated Marriage