Chapter 36: Nika goes to see Erica
Speaking of Erica, she was sleeping on the cold floor in the bleak temporary detention room. Although the current environment was not conducive to sleep, it wasn’t a significant issue for Erica. She had become accustomed to facing various hardships day by day. Therefore, Erica could easily sleep anywhere. Moreover, she naturally possessed an optimistic spirit. So, Erica had a peaceful sleep. However, everything quickly came to an end when someone arrived to disturb her, or rather, to meet with Erica.
“Erica Watson, wake up quickly.” An urgent voice from a man resonated. “You can go home now.”
The good news reached her ears, waking Erica from a deep sleep. She slowly opened her eyes and lazily looked around.
“Get up quickly.” The police officer ordered Erica to tap the baton against the iron bars, causing her to startle. Erica immediately sat up.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
“Why is that? I haven’t paid the fine yet. It hasn’t been 24 hours in detention,” Erica asked, still groggy and yawning.
“Someone came to bail you out,” the police officer informed her. “So you can go home.”
“Who is it? Do I know that person?” Erica perked up, becoming fully awake. She remembers that when she was brought here, the police had asked for information about her guardian, but she had refused to provide any. Erica also hadn’t contacted any acquaintances, and she didn’t have any trusted friends to ask for help.
“Just get out, and you’ll know who it is.” The policeman urged impatiently. “Don’t waste any more time on either side.”
Not wanting to cause more trouble for the police, Erica quickly walked out of the detention room. Erica really feels happy to be free. Erica secretly vowed never to set foot here again. After completing all the necessary formalities, Erica was allowed to leave. The strange thing is that during her interaction with the police, she did not see any sign of the person who had bailed her out. This made Erica curious, wondering who the kind person who helped her was.
…
“Erica.”
As soon as Erica stepped out the door, she heard someone calling her name. Turning her gaze towards the source of the voice, she witnessed Nika swiftly appear in front of her.
“Hello!” Nika greeted her politely, his warm smile accompanying his words.
Contrary to Nika’s intention of coming in peace, Erica had a completely unexpected reaction.
“What do you want from me?” Erica asked coldly. Nika could easily tell that Erica was no longer friendly. Perhaps Erica remembered Ansel’s cruel treatment of her. Faced with Erica’s guarded demeanor, the smile on Nika’s face quickly faded.
“I came here to apologize and thank you,” Nika explained, choosing her words carefully. “Can you spare me a moment?”
“I’m busy. Excuse me, I need to go.”
Erica coldly rejected her and resolutely walked away, leaving Nika unable to respond to her sudden change in attitude. Faced with Erica’s distant and somewhat cruel behavior, Nika was stunned and stood motionless in place. Nika could only watch Erica’s figure get further and further away. He wanted to follow her to say a few more things. But then he felt now was not the right time. It seemed like Erica didn’t want to talk. Does she see Nika as an enemy? Nika doubted himself and shuddered at the idea of Erica becoming malicious. Well, let Ansel handle this matter himself. After all, Ansel is the one facing Erica and being criticized and scolded, not Nika. With that thought in mind, Nika turned her back and walked towards the car. However, as he was walking, he suddenly remembered an urgent matter that he had not dealt with. He quickly turned around and ran after Erica.
“Erica, please wait a moment!” Nika called out loudly, hoping that Erica would hear him. However, she intentionally acted deaf, disregarding him.
“Please, Erica, give me five minutes. I have something to tell you,” Nika pleaded as he followed Erica. Again, Erica refused Nika’s request.
Finally, with no other option left, Nika decided to pick up his pace, even running, to prevent Erica from leaving. In the end, after a few long strides, Nika managed to catch up with Erica. Despite her quick pace, Erica couldn’t escape from Nika.
It was indeed an unpleasant situation. Erica muttered curses under her breath.
“Talk to me,” Nika proposed, standing confidently in front of Erica.
“I am not interested in talking to you,” Erica dismissively refused, as she accompanied her refusal with a threat. “Leave, or I will scream for everyone to know that you are a bad person.”
Faced with Erica’s unwavering determination, Nika had to humble himself to persuade her.
“Just give me a minute,” Nika pleaded with Erica. “If you don’t want to talk, just listen to me. Once I’m finished, I’ll leave,” Nika insisted.
“What do you want from me?” Erica, unable to bear it any longer, exclaimed in Nika’s face.
“I just wanted to give you this. Please accept it. I hope you won’t say no.” Nika controlled his emotions to avoid becoming resentful. He gently addressed the matter at hand. After speaking, Nika handed a plastic bag to Erica. Inside were burn ointments and a few other items.
Erica raised an eyebrow at Nika, then glanced down at his hand. Sensing Erica’s curiosity, or rather suspicion, Nika quickly provided an explanation:
“It’s medicine. Please take good care of the wound on your hand. You should also consider going to the hospital for a checkup. I can cover all the expenses for you.”
How did this guy come to know about Erica’s injury? Erica felt slightly surprised and curious. However, her anger still hadn’t subsided, so she disregarded her intention to ask Nika how he found out.
“If you have any other requests, please feel free to let me know. I will do my best to accommodate you,” Nika added with an expectant tone. However, in response, Erica maintained a flat expression. She wasn’t in the mood to delve into Nika’s motives for coming here and speaking such kind and comforting words, buying medicine, and volunteering to cover her treatment expenses. Was Nika someone who liked to meddle in other people’s affairs? Or perhaps his conscience was gnawing at him for not stopping Ansel’s reckless actions? What Erica speculated was very likely.
“I am listening to you; please let me know your request,” Nika urged.
“Are you finished?” Erica interrupted with an annoyed expression.
“Yes,” Nika replied, and she fell silent, waiting for Erica to speak.
“Then you can leave right now,” Erica demanded sternly. Not wanting to make Erica more uncomfortable, Nika decided to comply with Erica’s request.
“We can continue the conversation next time. I apologize for bothering you. Goodbye,” Nika politely said before leaving.
Nika spoke and then placed the plastic bag on the ground when Erica stubbornly refused to hold it.
“Please don’t abandon this,” Nika hinted at the medication he had bought at the pharmacy on the way to the police station.
Afterward, Nika quickly headed towards his car. As he walked, he couldn’t help but complain. Oh, women are truly hard to understand. They can easily change their mood. Honestly, Nika didn’t like Erica’s coldness at this moment. Erica looked truly intimidating.
After Nika left, Erica remained frustrated and couldn’t control herself, uttering a string of meaningless curses. Afterward, Erica let out a deep sigh and continued walking forward, heading back home. However, after covering some distance, Erica suddenly came to a stop. Erica pondered for a while before making the decision to turn back and pick up the discarded plastic bag. It’s not clear why Erica did it. Perhaps Erica’s rising kindness caused her to change her behavior.
Nika sat in his car, observing intently. When he saw Erica picking up the plastic bag, a sudden sense of relief washed over him. He waited until Erica had disappeared from sight before finally allowing his car to leave the area.