His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza: ... What on earth?

How does he manage to say things like that so casually?

It's like he's asking if I've had lunch today, just so calm-how embarrassing!

"Seriously, what's wrong with you? You're a CEO, and you talk like that? Don't you care about your image? It's so unprofessional."

Eliza's cheeks flushed a deep red.

A few folks from the CEO's secretarial team had just walked by, covering their mouths and scurrying past. They definitely overheard.

"You shouldn't be this out of breath..." He slipped an arm around her waist, leaned in close, and whispered playfully, "Seems like I need to step up my game to keep up with your workouts."

"Casper, enough already." Eliza was at a loss for words.

She shook him off, not caring about her exhaustion, just wanting to climb up faster and distance herself from him.

He watched her retreating figure, chuckling heartily.

"If you're struggling, I can give you a piggyback ride," he called out, teasing laughter in his voice.

Eliza rolled her eyes, "You're thirty, give it a rest. Don't hurt your back."noveldrama

Casper: ... Turned down again.

Everyone had split into groups, all aiming to find the quickest way up the mountain.

Eliza wasn't in it to win, she just wanted the path with the best views.

"Seriously, I can carry you," Casper insisted, catching up and squatting in front of her, "I'm not old, I'm stronger than Gabe."

He just couldn't let it go.

"If I get tired later, I'll let you carry me," she humored him, pointing to a side trail, "This one's got great views, let's take it."

"Your wish is my command."

The path was less traveled.

Not the easiest, but the scenery was stunning.

Eliza loved snapping pictures of these rare sights.

As she perched on a rock for a selfie, Casper leaned in and planted a kiss on her left cheek.

The shutter clicked.

Perfect shot.

"A real match made in heaven."

Eliza laughed at his vanity, "Who praises themselves like that?"

"I'm praising you." He was determined to carry her, squatting down again, "I know

you're tired, hop on, let your hubby carry you."

"Casper, you're such a kid." She realized he wouldn't give up unless she let him carry her, so she climbed

onto his back, "But if you gombed

tired,

you have to put me down, okay?"

"A man doesn't get tired, do you want to go fast or take it slow?"

Eliza: ... Really?

She suspected he was flirting, but she wasn't sure.

"Be serious, let's head up, I want to take some pictures."

"There's no one around, who are we

on a show for?" He a

her on his back, beaming

it that pine tree up ahea

"That's the one."

Casper moved with ease.

"Is

Even with Eliza on his back, he seemed faster than when climbing solo.

As they neared the pine tree, Eliza suddenly spotted a red and white striped bag

in a dried-up ditch not far away.

It looked like it had something inside.

"Casper, check out that bag..." It was odd to see something like that out in the wilderness.

And judging by the fullness, it didn't seem empty.

Casper found it curious too.

He stopped, gently setting Eliza down, and studied the strange bag.

"Looks pretty new, doesn't seem like it's been here long."

"Should we call the police?" Eliza wondered what could be inside, something seemed off, "It couldn't be..."

She thought of some unsettling possibilities.

"Might just be trash," Casper suggested, although he had

his

Eliza, "You wait here, I'll go

it

out."