Love Began with the First Meeting novel Chapter 20

"Although two hundred grand isn't a lot for me… I still need a reason. Why should I help you?"

"I…" Molly was just about to explain when the waiter arrived with the coffee. She was so embarrassed that she waited till she had left, and then continued," It's for the gambling debt my father owes..."

"Wasn't it paid off last night?" Eric interrupted her and she froze for a while. He stared at her with searching eyes and then continued with an evil smile," And what does it have to do with me even if it hasn't been paid off… Why should I help you?"

With escalating sorrow in her heart, Molly bit her lips and said," I know... I know it sounds absurd to borrow so much money from you. We barely know each other. We don't even know each other's names!" Tears welled up in her eyes and she started sobbing. Then she begged Eric," Believe me, I will pay back all your money!"

Eric leisurely reclined on the sofa. He was looking into Molly's eyes that were trying to choke their tears before they fell down, and his smile turned to a grin. "What makes you think you can pay back this much money in a month? Can you be sure that your father won't ever gamble again? What will you do if he loses more money next time?"

Molly was dazed for a second after hearing what Eric had said.

That hadn't occurred to her before. What if her father kept on gambling and his debt kept on soaring? She had already lost her virginity because of her father's gambling problem and Brain had wanted her to be his sex partner in return for her father's debt. What would happen next time?

"I don't know. I never thought about this before," she said with a wry smile. "Sorry to bother you!" Molly lowered her head and slowly turned around. She was about to leave.

Eric stared at her dainty body from behind and suddenly called out," Wait!"

Molly stopped and turned around, looking directly at Eric's handsome face. Her arms were folded and there was helplessness on her innocent face. At such a young age, her life should have been happy and carefree!

Eric tore off a wad of paper from a writing pad and wrote down an address. He slid it towards her and said," Be there at 8 am tomorrow and I will lend you the 200 thousand you need."

When Molly was picking up the paper, he stood up and leaned gently towards her.

Molly was shocked by his sudden movement. He was so close she could feel his cold breath on her ear. She looked at him subconsciously and heard him mutter," Little Molly... remember me. My name, is… Eric Long!"

Molly didn't even know what was going on, when he suddenly let out a weird laugh, paid the bill and left the café.

Molly stood still for a while and as she returned to herself, she frowned upon remembering what the man had said. Eric Long? He had just called her Molly…

How did he know her name? Her eyes widened in confusion.

With hesitation, Molly picked up the wad from the table and read the address. She was doubtful.

The night was chilly and cold. The wind blew harshly and went across Molly's clothes, piercing her body and freezing her to the bones.

Molly wrapped her coat around herself tightly, putting her hands in her pocket. The light from the street lamps threw varying lengths of shadows by her until she finally disappeared at the end of the street.

Time went by. It had never stopped for anyone's sorrow or happiness and nor did it stop today. As the blue light of dawn scattered the darkness of the night, a new day began and everything started anew. Now, whether you liked it or not, you had to move forward.

The next morning, Molly arrived early at the address Eric had given the day before. The large villa and the surrounding gardens that spanned thousands of square meters astounded her.

Arriving at the gate, Molly went over and rang the door bell. A man in his fifties opened the door after a while. "Are you Miss Xia?", he asked, surveying her.

She nodded and replied with a tender smile," Yes. Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you too. I am John." The man replied kindly. "Mr. Eric Long told me you would drop by. Come in, please."

John led her through the yard to a white European style villa. As he opened the door, he told Molly," Mr. Eric Long is having his breakfast. We have informed him of your arrival. You may go in."

"Thank you, John!" She thanked him politely and walked inside herself. Just as she reached inside, she suddenly felt such a wave of nervousness that she could hardly breath.

Looking up, she saw she was the target of two men's gazes who were sitting at the dining table. One looked indifferent, and the other smiled slyly.

She looked at them carefully. Suddenly, she found herself going limp with shock. Of the two men sitting at the table, one was Eric, and the other, looking at her coldly, was Brian Long!