After driving for a while, Ellison stopped at a remote store.
"Look around. If you can't pick up a favorite cup here, we will go to another store." Then Gloria sat down on a recliner.
Ellison pretended to focus on picking up a cup, but he was glancing at Gloria from the corner of his eye.
"Anything you like?" Gloria noticed that Ellison was looking at her.
"Yes," Ellison pointed and said, "I want this set."
After stepping out of the store, Ellison found that the red marks on the back of his hand had disappeared. He rubbed that part hard with his back facing Gloria. He looked at the bruise and felt much more satisfied.
Gloria led the way in front. She asked, "What kind of lounge chair do you want?"
"I think yours is good." Ellison stared at her and smiled.
Gloria nodded. "Alright, I'll take you to that store. Things there are a little expensive, but the quality is good."
"Okay." Ellison agreed.
They didn't spend too much time at the furniture store. They paid for the chair and asked the staff to put it on the back of their pickup truck.
Gloria walked slowly. The guy who carried the chair failed to notice her and bumped into her. She lost her balance and fell to the ground.
"Hey, watch out." Ellison was a little mad. He quickly squatted down and asked, "Are you alright?"
Gloria got up carefully. She patted the dust off her skirt and said, "I'm fine. Don't blame him. I didn't pay attention just now."
The guy carrying the chair blushed. He said, "Sorry, I didn't see you."
"It doesn't matter," Gloria said as she walked forward. Just as she took a step, her face twisted.
Ellison noticed her painful look and crouched in front of her. He looked over his shoulder and said to her, "Come on. I'll carry you."
Gloria was about to walk past Ellison when he grabbed her arm. He said shamelessly, "I'm not blind. I saw it."
After that, his gaze shifted to her feet.
"I can walk. It's not that serious." Before Gloria could finish her words, Ellison put her on his back.
She was quite annoyed when she realized what was going on. She hated it when people forced her to do things.
She struggled. "Put me down. I don't like this."
Ellison suddenly cried out in pain when carrying her on his back.
"What happened?" Gloria asked suspiciously.
"I'm fine." Ellison hid his injured hand.
Gloria got down from his back. She quickly grabbed his arm and saw the bruise on the back of his hand.
"It looks bad." Gloria was confused. It had been two hours, but his hand was still swelling.
Did she slap that hard?
"Don't worry." Ellison forced a smile. "It has nothing to do with you. The scars on my body usually won't disappear after a long time. But I don't feel pain."
Gloria looked at his relaxed appearance and lowered her head guiltily.
At this time, the guy had tied up the lounge chair.
"Let's go back," Ellison said.
"No more shopping?" Gloria looked up and asked.
"Maybe next time. Can you come with me by then?" Ellison asked.
She wanted to refuse, but thinking of what had just happened, she swallowed her words.
Ellison got in the car in a good mood. He was about to start the engine.
"Wait a minute," Gloria suddenly said.
Ellison turned his hand in confusion.
Gloria took out some ointment that she often carried around from her pocket and said, "Give me your hand."
She applied the ointment on the back of Ellison's swollen hand.
"Sorry. I didn't mean it." Gloria apologized.
Ellison was stunned for a moment. Then he said, "It's fine. It's just because of my special physique."
"Ellison, what are you looking at?" Gloria looked up and met his gaze.
"You are beautiful." Ellison blurted out.
Gloria's face turned cold. She said, "Get out of the car."
"What?" Ellison was stunned.
Gloria opened the door to the driver's seat. She said coldly, "Get out."
Ellison couldn't figure it out. Shouldn't women be happy to hear others' praise?
Ellison shook his head.
Gloria simply said, "Alright. I'll get off then."
"Are you really getting out of the car?" Ellison grabbed Gloria's wrist and pinned her down on the seat.
He saw the look in Gloria's eyes and knew that she was not joking.
"Let go of your hand, Ellison." Gloria's eyes were emotionless.
"Madam, what are you angry about? I don't understand. I really think you are good-looking. I don't understand why you are so upset." Ellison felt a stabbing pain in his heart.
"Do you like to flirt with women?" Gloria retorted.
Was she really beautiful? Didn't she know what she looked like?"
Ellison was either used to flirting with women or he was deliberately teasing her. No matter what the case was, she didn't like it. Not at all.
"Who said I like flirting with women?" Ellison was very upset. Did she still love Patrick?
"If my previous words mislead your judgment, then listen carefully." Ellison pushed Gloria back and stopped her from breaking free from his arms. He looked into her eyes and said, "I like you. Can't you tell?"
Gloria stayed still, quiet.
"I just want to be close to the person I like. I think you are very beautiful. Can't I say that?" It was the first time Ellison confessed his love, but Gloria looked indifferent. His heart was sour.
"Ellison, stop joking with me." Gloria sighed.
"I'm not joking with you!" Ellison held Gloria in his arms. Lowering his head, Ellison kissed her and felt a pleasing numbness from his lips. But in the next second, poor Ellison cried out in pain. He was caught off guard and pushed off the driver's seat by Gloria. He fell onto the road.
Ellison was still stunned while sitting on the ground. He raised his trembling hand and pointed at Gloria.
Gloria smiled coldly at him. Before he could react, she slammed the car door and locked it.
Gloria winded down the window a little and sneered. "You seem energetic, and you should walk back."
Ellison's eyes widened and watched helplessly as she drove away.
"Are you serious? Wait for me." Ellison chased after the car.
Gloria didn't drive fast, but Ellison still couldn't catch up, and he couldn't shift now.
Gloria suddenly stepped on the accelerator and drove off. The car quickly disappeared from the corner.
Under the shade of a tree at the corner, Gloria rested for a while to relieve the pain in her leg. Just as she was about to get into the car, someone pulled her.
Ellison gasped for breath. He glared at Gloria angrily and said, "Can't you wait for me?"
Gloria glanced at him. His neck was wet with sweat. She asked, "Have you been running after the car?"
Ellison immediately got in the car. He pretended to be pitiful and said, "I'm sorry."
Gloria nodded and said, "Well, that's fine."
Since he apologized genuinely, Gloria decided to forgive him. Ellison was just a stranger and would only exist in her life for a short time.