Protect

"I have someone I love with my whole heart! Not only that, I can go beyond any limit to stay by his side... That's bigger my love is for him... without any boundaries..." Chugging down the remaining portion of the scotch poured in her glass, she proclaimed in a firm tone, glancing straight in his awestruck gaze. Though she mumbled out quite aloud and bold, there remained a void of emptiness profused in her dark, wide brown eyes. 

For a moment, Eric sat still facing her all numb and silent hearing her honest declaration. He seemed to be at a loss of words, fidgeting his arm and breathing quite heavily. 

"Look, I didn't want to be involved with you in the first place. I could have left from here without giving you any explainable reason...but I didn't want to give you any false hope to hold onto. I guess, my answer should be enough for you to give up on me---"