Brian did not respond. The silence made the air tenser. "You know me. Molly and I, we have no conflict between us. I would never do anything to harm her. It just doesn't make sense. You got to trust me, brother," Eric continued, in a rather anxious tone.
Of course, Brian knew him. Eric was always jealous and eager about stealing things away from him. But when he couldn't get his hands on it, he would give up. He was the kind of person who did not really cross the line. Brian said,"I don't want to talk about it anymore. And I don't want people to know about the Pluto either."
"Yes, I know. I totally understand. It is my fault that I overlooked the danger. I will clean up the mess. It won't happen again," Eric reassured. Eric was not the kind of person who would run away from his responsibility. The Pluto turned out to be the first present that he had ever given to Molly, and it might also have been the first present Molly had received from anyone. He didn't want to see Molly come into any trouble on account of it. Maybe he just liked it when Molly wore it around her neck. Especially since it was a present from him, which made it even more special for him. He didn't want Molly to lose his present.
A little while after Brian got off the phone, Molly appeared. She had taken a shower and had changed into clean clothes. Her long, silky hair fell idly on her shoulders and the enticing smell of her shampoo wafted in the air. She looked a little better after a whole night's sleep.
Molly stood by the door and watched Brian as he rose up from the couch. She opened her mouth and pointed at her throat with her forefinger. She wanted to tell him that as long as she didn't talk, she wouldn't feel the pain. She still doubted if it was really just a throat inflammation.
Brian glanced at her, but paid no heed to her sign. He did not want to explain and depress her. The night before, he had ordered XK Intelligence Agency to spread the word and look for the best doctor. No matter how small the possibility was of getting her throat fixed, he was resolved to find a cure. As long as she could speak again, nothing mattered.
Brian's face fell as he watched Molly look at him with a confused and hurt expression. He felt angry and guilty at the same time. He blamed himself, chided himself for not being able to protect her and be there when she needed him. If he had taken her with him, all of this would not have happened. The more he blamed himself, the more pain he felt. He felt that all of this happened to her because of him. He dragged her into all this danger and made her suffer so much.
"It's not..."
He almost blurted out the truth instinctively to Molly, who was already suspicious and anxious to know if it was really a throat inflammation. His voice made her quiver, though she was prepared for bad news. A gust of pain passed through her throat, she frowned. Even though the truth might be depressing, she still wanted to know more. But looking at Brian's knotted brows and gloomy face, she couldn't push him further. She lowered her head, bit her lip and did not know how to continue.
"Let's go," Brian said. A strange, complicated expression came over Brian's face. He swiftly turned around and strode to the door. Realizing that there was no way she could force him to tell her anything unless he was willing, Molly silently sighed and followed after him.
Taking into account Molly's throat, Brian decided not to take her anywhere far. They came to the hotel diner downstairs where he had already ordered the kitchen to cook food that was light and digestible easily.
Molly did not show any interest towards the various foods which were delivered in delicate dishes and laid on the dining table in front of her,"Your throat will only allow you to eat these. You have no other choice," Brian said sternly. But seeing Molly have no appetite for those light food, he felt a well of compassion for her.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love Began with the First Meeting