I Dislike What Comes Unbidden

Alla glanced at Eric, who sat in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed on the window. Relieved that he was not looking at her, she lowered her head, quietly wiping the rainwater from her body with a tissue.

Through the rearview mirror, Eric watched Alla's slight figure in the back seat. Despite the cold weather, she was without a coat and was trying to hail a taxi in the rain. This piqued Eric's curiosity. "Ms. Barton, why did Mr. Roman not escort you home?"

The mention of 'Mr. Roman' caused Alla to furrow her brows in confusion. It took her a moment before she remembered that she was now considered Billie's 'woman'. Clenching the tissue in her hand, she fabricated an excuse, "We had a bit of a quarrel, and he left me by the roadside."

Eric nodded, "I see." Noting her shivers, he turned up the heating and refrained from prying further. The sudden warmth in the car slowly thawed Alla's frozen body. She looked at Eric gratefully, then carefully explained, "I initially wanted to book a ride-hailing service, but my phone ran out of battery. The nearby stores were closed, and there was nowhere to shelter from the rain, so I was trying to hail a taxi. I am really sorry for the inconvenience."

As Eric rested his chin in his hand, he looked at the flustered Alla in the rearview mirror and reassured her gently, "It's nothing." Alla finally relaxed, leaning her head against the car window and closing her eyes in exhaustion. The warm wind and her fatigue soon lulled her to sleep.

Before long, the car stopped at the entrance of her residential building. Without turning his head, Eric said, "Ms. Barton, we've arrived." When there was no response from the back seat, Eric turned around. The sight of Alla sleeping peacefully against the car window, her breath steady and sweet, caused his eyes to widen slightly. Was she not apprehensive about sleeping in a stranger's car? Did she consider him a good person?

Eric frowned and signaled his assistant. The assistant quickly got out of the car, opened the back door, and nudged Alla. "Ms. Barton, we're at your place."

Alla was roused from her sleep. She opened her eyes with difficulty. Her vision was blurred, unable to discern anything clearly. She knew it was due to her illness worsening from the rain, but thankfully, her mind was still clear. She remembered that she was in Eric's car. She quickly sat up straight, apologizing once again before exiting the car.

"Ms. Barton," Eric called, holding out an umbrella to her from the back seat. "It's still raining heavily outside. Take this." Seeing the logo on the umbrella, Alla knew it was worth tens of thousands. She was afraid she wouldn't have a chance to return it and gently refused, "Thank you, but I can sprint home. It's only a few steps away."

Eric looked surprised, seemingly understanding Alla's hesitation. He tossed the umbrella to her, "No need to return it." Alla felt a bit conflicted, but seeing Eric's determination, she accepted the umbrella. "Could you give me your contact details so I can return it to you tomorrow?"

Upon hearing Alla's request for his contact information, Eric's gaze hardened into a look of disdain. "Ms. Barton," he sneered, "I don't like those who present themselves willingly." Alla didn't expect him to misinterpret her intentions and quickly tried to clarify, "I didn't mean it that way. I just thought that the umbrella..."

"Ms. Barton," Eric interrupted her coldly, his eyes warning her, "No matter what you mean, I drove you home out of kindness. If you have any other ideas, I suggest you stop them right now." His words made Alla uncomfortable, and she didn't say anything further. She simply put down the umbrella and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps in the rain, Alla turned back to Eric, not willing to let the matter rest. "Mr. Davies, I appreciate your kindness in driving me home, but there's no need for you to judge me. I simply felt that the umbrella you gave me was too expensive, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to return it to you, which is why I initially refused." Alla finished speaking in one breath, not bothering to gauge Eric's reaction before turning around and running towards her building.

Eric gazed at her petite retreating figure, a touch of bewilderment tainting his features. He had always assumed women like Alla, those who traded their companionship, would attempt to ensnare anyone with a hint of wealth.

Otherwise, how would she have leapt into Billie's arms immediately after her separation from his brother? Yet, her recent words left Eric mildly abashed, suggesting perhaps he had been too hasty in his judgment of her character…