Ero Meter

"Don't talk bulshit with me," Sophie said as an annoyed expression appeared on her face.

Jack only chuckled at her words.

She looked at him laughing and jealousy formed in her heart.

Her eyes glued to him like he was a snake charmer and she was the hypnotized snake.

'I feel good with him.'

Suddenly a thought popped up in her head and a blush formed on her face.

'I wish time stops now and we can be like this forever.'

His smiling face somehow gave her peace. She felt good when he laughed and cracked jokes with her. She even likes his little bullying.

"By the way, how much are your college fees?" Jack asked suddenly.

His question made her break out of her thought process.

Her eyes glanced at his expression, she could somewhat guess why he asked this question.

"Well, it doesn't matter." She said.

She didn't wanna take any more money from Jack than she already has.

"It matters to me," Jack said with a serious expression.

"I already told you that I am dropping out of college," Sophie said and started placing the empty plastic containers in the white bag.

"No, you won't be dropping out of college." Jack also started packing the plastic containers, his eyes glancing at her expressions.

Sophie finally stopped and sighed, "Jack, I know that you want to pay for my college, but I can't take any more favors from you."

"Why?" Jack looked at her seriously.

"Because... I just can't." She said and stood up, acting annoyed with his continues questions.

She knew that earning money was very hard and Jack has already helped her a lot, she didn't wanna be a burden on him anymore.

Throwing the packed containers in a dustbin, she started to move toward the hospital, trying to ignore Jack.

However, Jack grabbed her hand and pulled her back, in front of him.

"Why?" He stood up and asked, little annoyance also flashed in his eyes.

Seeing him getting angry she gasped for breath, however, controlled herself quickly.

'I can't let myself become a burden to him. I have to refuse him strictly right now!'

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"I can ask you the same question! Why do you wanna help me?" Her eyes looked deeply into his.

And just as she asked this question, a panel popped in front of Jack.

[1. Because I love you. (+1 Heart)

2. Because you are my friend. (+0 Heart, -10 Ero Points.)]

Jack looked at the options and without any second thought chose the first one.

"Because I love you!" He said as his hands moved over her shoulder.

Sophie who was ready for another sarcastic reply when suddenly heard his serious reply, got stunned.

The words she was about to say got stuck in her throat and her whole body shook for a second.

She could tell that he was genuinely worried for her. A warm feeling rose in her heart.

'No matter what! I can't burden him anymore.'

"Thanks, Jack, but you have to understand that, money is not easily earned and I can't depend on you forever..."

Jack placed his finger on her lips.

"You can depend on me forever. Do you not love me?" His deep voice reverberated in her ears.

Her eyes turned wet for a moment and she backed up from him.

She looked at him and knew that he was waiting for the 'I love you back.'

However, $150k was already a huge amount of money that she has taken from him, and if she said I love you back then she was sure that he would spend even more money on her.

How can she let that happen? It would only put pressure on him and he might even start hating her in the long run, she didn't want that to happen.

Jack on the other hand wanted to tell her that he was already a millionaire and only because of her and her mother. So she deserved all the help.

However he refrained from speaking out, he doesn't wanna share his secret with anyone as it could place him and Sophie in danger if someone found out about the cheat.

He would have to somehow coerce her to take the money.

He then looked over her head and saw that her fourth heart was also full and he also felt a buzz in his pocket.

He chose to ignore the message for now.

"I am sorry." She looked away and tears formed in her eyes, she wanted to say I love you back, however, her pride didn't let her.

Jack sighed internally at her words, 'Looks like I have to be a bit harsh.'

He was ready to do anything to help her, he knew that her dropping out of college and doing some odd job just to make ends meet would put her under a lot of pressure and may even put her on the brink of depression.

And he didn't want that to happen.

Taking in a deep breath he took a step back.

"Ok."

He said.

Sophie, shocked by his calm reply, moved her head up and saw that he had a disappointed expression on his face.

"I am sorry Jack." She said and moved towards the hospital.

Jack looked at her disappearing back and didn't follow her.

Instead, he sat down on the bench and looked at the sky, the half-moon was already up, reflecting his sadness for her.

'She is too prideful for her own good.' He sighed and took his phone out to see the message.

($5 million has been credited to your account. Account No. *******69)

However this time the money didn't make him as happy.

After sitting on the bench for five minutes, he saw Cassie and others coming back to the hospital.

"Jack, what are you doing outside?" Pearl asked.

Jack smiled at her. "I was out to take some fresh air."

He then looked at Cassie.

"Cassie, I am heading back to the apartment, will you come?" He asked.

"Why do you wanna go back so early? You should stay a day more." Teddy interjected in their conversation.

"Dad, I have the night shift tonight at my Job."

"Ohh."

Teddy nodded in understanding at his words.

Pearl looked at Jack, "I will bring Cassie back, I think we will need her here."

Cassie also nodded, "Jack, I will be back with my mom."

Jack nodded at them and after a bit more chatting his bike moved out of the hospital, and he moved towards his apartment.

He wasn't really going to his job but wanted to ignore Sophie a bit, so she understand his feelings and accept him more.

'This might be the only way left, I hope this doesn't fire back.' He thought. He didn't wanna lose Sophie.

...

Sophie sat on the ward sofa, her right leg bobbing up and down in nervousness.

Her eyes glanced at the door again and again.

'Why is he not coming back?' Her heart was aching a little.

He has just asked if she loves him back, and she kind of said no to him.

'I hope he is not angry at me.'

Suddenly the wooden door opened and Sophie stood up to make things clear with him, previously she left without giving him a good explanation.

However, before she could speak, she saw that it was Cassie and others that enter, Jack was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey, Sophie, we are back, how is Meadow?" Pearl asked, as she came in and sat beside Meadow.

"She was sleeping the whole time." She replied, however, her eyes never seemed to stop glancing at the door, as if waiting for someone to come.

"By the way, did Jack eat food? He left in a hurry." Hope asked as she looked at Sophie.

"He left? But he said that he will stay for a few days?" Sophie raised her brows, a sudden hollow feeling pulsed in her chest.

"Yea, he has the night shift today, so he left in a hurry, I think he will come tomorrow morning. Did you guys have food?" Hope asked again.

"Yes, we did," Sophie said and slowly moved towards the window.

Looking out she saw the night sky with a crescent moon. She remembered that he took leave from his work for tonight, he told her earlier.

"I will be back." She said and moved out of the door.

Her legs felt heavy and her chest tried to take breaths, however, something in her throat refused to.

Tears bulged in her eyes as she quickly moved outside.

She didn't want anyone to see her cry.

'Why did he leave? Is he angry at me?' These thoughts rushed through her brain.

'Does he hate me?' She remembered the disappointed look on his face.

....

After an hour Jack reached his apartment and saw many missed calls and messages from Sophie.

"Please pick up the phone!"

"I am sorry."

"I didn't mean to hurt you."

Jack sighed looking at the messages, there was still no 'Love you back' message, but only apologies.

Soon enough another call came from her.

He looked at his ringing phone for a few seconds and then decided to pick it up.

"Hey Sophie, I am sorry, I didn't pick up your call earlier I was on my bike...." He was about to finish his sentence, however, her voice came from the other side.

"I love you too, stupid!!!"

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

She hung up the phone.