Come and stay with me

"Big brother Eric!" little pumpkin was the first to react as he ran towards the man who was staring at the policemen with a smirk on his face.

He probably heard little pumpkin's calling for him as he squatted to receive the little boy into his embrace.

"Are you okay?" he asked with a gentle voice. Little pumpkin shook his head indicating that he wasn't, then he pointed to Bella Lim who was now standing like a statue.

"I'm not okay, but big sis is even more in shock!" little pumpkin reported. Eric Wu pursed his lips as he rubbed the little boy's head with care. He lifted him up, bounced him a little before settling down. His tall body was once again facing the two policemen who by now was aware of his identity.

"M-Mr Eric, f-fancy meeting you here," one of the policemen stuttered as he greeted him. His eyes sparkled in astonishment. They couldn't believe to see the almighty man in such a run-down place like this! Even more shocking, it seemed that this man was an acquaintance of the house's owner as well.

"Officers, I respect your work but such an attitude definitely was an eye-opener," Eric Wu smiled as he stepped forward forcing the policemen to step back.

"M-Mr Eric, we're just doing our job,"

Eric Wu chuckled as he halted. "Indeed, but the way you responded to Miss Bella's request was quite unprofessional of you. It would be my pleasure to contact your department leader," he sneered.

Eric Wu had reached the place a long time ago but purposely stood outside to hear how everything would be concluded. When he heard the policemen casual yet insulting manner, he snapped.

"M-Mr Eric, s-spare us," both the policemen almost kneeled on the floor to beg. Wu Clan was said to be the ruler of the whole continent of Azure because of two reasons. First, the man standing in front of them was the leader of the Wu Clan who conquered almost the entire industry in Azure. Second, the president of Azure was the very father of this man.

Who wouldn't be afraid of such a powerful family? Especially this omnipotent man?

"Of course, you're spared," Eric Wu chuckled as he walked towards Bella Lim. The two policemen didn't dare to leave anymore. They didn't believe Eric Wu's statement either. They felt that their lives were now at the edge of a cliff. With a push and they would fall. They stared at Bella Lim with pleading eyes, hoping that this woman would speak well of them.

"M-Mr Eric, I'm a fan!" Lily was the first to speak. She stepped forward with eyes clearly adoring the sight of Eric Wu.

"Thank you," Eric Wu was surprised, but thanked his stoic face, he came across unbothered.

Lily was ecstatic as she could be seen heaving out in an exaggerated way. She looked at Bella Lim, her gaze was a million questions poking her face.

"E-Eric, why are you here?" Bella Lim ignored her friend as she stared at Eric Wu. Her eyes also contained a million questions that needed to be answered.

"I'm here to talk to you about something, but was definitely surprised to see the house. Moreover, the treatment of these officers right here," she heard his reply that was mocking the two policemen who were standing still near the door.

"M-Mr Eric, you're Bella's acquaintance?" Lily eagerly asked. She refused to just listen when the man hinted to know Bella Lim.

"Miss Lily," Lily almost fainted when he heard the man called her name. She gulped several times to regain her focus. This mighty man actually knew her name?

"I'm Eric Wu, Bella's friend," once again Lily was struck with surprise. She could tell that the man purposely stressed the word friend. This man was countering her earlier assumption. W-wait... was he actually angry? Lily peered on Eric Wu's face but his stoic face was solid as if the tone of anger embedded in his last word wasn't spoken by him.

"Hehe... I'm sorry for the lack of knowledge. I'll excuse myself. Bella, I'll make something for you guys. Keep talking..." she tee-heed and fleed the area to the kitchen. On the way, she tried to manage the part that needed to be organized.

"Officers, you can return," Eric Wu said as he took a glance at the two policemen. When he saw them frozen still, he coughed and the two immediately ran out from the house.

"Hehe... big brother Eric is awesome. He scared Mr officers so easily," little pumpkin giggled as he was put down by Eric Wu to the floor.

Bella Lim pulled little pumpkin to her and looked into his eyes. She exhaled when the fears buckling his eyes were now gone.

"Thank you," she looked at Eric Wu with gratitude. The sudden appreciation made the man frowned.

"Little pumpkin was too scared earlier. He's okay now that you're here," Bella Lim chuckled as she couldn't help but admit that the man's presence was helping little pumpkin to free from the fear. So was she...

Eric Wu didn't know how to respond to what he just heard. Now that he listened to her voice, something was triggered in him. Was it worry? No, he was worried, to begin with, or else he wouldn't rush here upon hearing the news. It was an unknown feeling, something he couldn't decipher.

"Why a-are you here?" Bella Lim asked as she was now calmer than before. Seeing the man, her strength returned and so was her ability to perceive things better. The officers were not totally in the wrong. The break-in left no clue of who the perpetrator was. Plus, she as well as little pumpkin were not harmed. Their judgment might be harsh but not in the wrong either.

"Come and stay with me,"

W-what?!

Bella Lim was not only shocked but felt her body weakened. The sudden announcement was like thunder, booming loudly inside her head, causing her a headache. At the same time, she heard things crashed to the floor. The tail of her eyes noticed Lily's stun face. The cups and glasses she carried fell to the floor creating the noises she heard earlier.

"I'll let you consider. Tonight, I'll have my people stay guard outside. Oh, and sent me your email address. There is something I need to send you. Read it as it would help," Eric Wu briefly smiled as he watched the ever-changing expressions on Bella Lim's face. He took out his phone and tapped on the note icon. He flipped it around and motioned for Bella Lim to write in her email addressed.

"I-... this..." Bella Lim was shaking. Her hand was reaching forward, but the trembling was too much she needed to pull it back.

"Little pumpkin will do it," little pumpkin intercepted the shaking hand of Bella Lim's and happily gave his big sister's email address to Eric Wu. Among the people there, he was the only one unaffected by the news. He liked him and treated him as a hero. To little pumpkin, Eric Wu's invitation was simply a heroic move.

Bella Lim blinked as she wasn't anticipating her little pumpkin's reaction. This little boy, when did he become this close to Eric Wu?

The things that happened afterward was like a movie being fast-forwarded as she didn't notice when Eric Wu left her house. She was herself again when Lily invited her to the dining table. Little pumpkin was already occupying one of the chairs. She looked around and noticed that the house was now in a better state.

"Did you...?" she looked at Lily, asking if she was the one who helped to organize the house.

"Nope, your friend's underling was responsible for this neat environment," Lily denied but intentionally highlighted the word 'friend'.

"Eric?" Bella Lim asked in surprise. She watched both Lily and little pumpkin were giving her confirming acts. Lily clashed her spoon with her plate full of noodles, meanwhile little pumpkin was clapping his hand as if cheering for her good conjecture.

"You were that surprise with his invitation?" Lily asked as she poured water into Bella Lim's glass.

"Who wouldn't be?" Bella Lim's reply.

Lily was seen in deep thought. Then, she cupped her lips with the back of her right hand, trying to hold her laughter.

"What?" Bella Lim asked as she filled little pumpkin's plate with noodles, adding extra meatballs to his plate. She watched her little pumpkin savored the food happily. Her mood brightened at that moment.

"I still can't process how an ordinary woman like you knows someone like Eric Wu. I was already shocked when the handsome Sun Nan and Lu Fei came to the cafe to find you, now this?" Lily smirked.

Bella Lim let out a laugh. She knew Lily was only directing her bewilderment to her and not to put her down.