Chapter 12 Big Brother Arrives
Since Matilda really wanted to learn, she didn't overthink it. She just followed Wentworth's instructions, treating it like military training.
They repeated the same movements several times, practicing all the way until noon.
The last move involved a slide tackle. Wentworth said, "If someone tries to attack you from the side, you can use a slide tackle, like this."
Matilda wasn't ready at that moment. With a gentle sweep of his foot, Wentworth knocked her down.
As her body fell backward, Wentworth immediately reached out to catch her.
But his leg was still injured. This movement pulled at his wound. He winced in pain and couldn't hold on, and they both fell onto the mat together.
She was underneath, he was on top, his hand cushioning her neck to keep her from getting hurt.
What had been pure training suddenly became intimate. Their eyes met, and the atmosphere changed completely.
Their breathing mixed together.
Matilda looked at him, thinking about how he'd cared for her these past days, and how he'd picked her up from work in the storm last night.
In that moment, her heart fluttered. If he wanted to kiss her, or do something else, that would be okay.
Wentworth was also savoring this feeling.
He'd had insomnia for so long, until he met her. Recently, especially since they'd had physical contact, he'd been able to sleep well. If he could hold her while sleeping every night, it would probably be even better!
He lowered his head, looking at her glossy lips, unable to resist wanting to touch them.
But just then, the doorbell rang.
They both froze.
"Um... I think someone's here," Matilda said.
Wentworth nodded. "I'll get the door."
But neither of them moved.
Matilda had to remind him, "You need to get up first. You're on my leg."
Wentworth said, "You're also on my hand."
"So... should we let go together?"
"Okay!"
...
Wentworth opened the door to find Charles standing outside.
"Sorry, I hope I didn't interrupt," Charles said, looking at Wentworth and Matilda. His first words were an apology.
Wentworth said, "What are you talking about? You didn't interrupt anything."
Charles disagreed. He said seriously, "You're both flushed right now. You must have just finished doing the same exercise. Being interrupted during exercise is very uncomfortable. I hope it wasn't a special kind of exercise."
Wentworth punched him lightly in the chest. "No special exercise. I was teaching Matty self-defense."
He introduced them. "This is the girl I'm going to marry. Her name is Matilda Spencer... Matty, this is my older brother, Charles."
Matilda was a bit stunned.
The first time she saw Charles, she felt intimidated.
Charles's clothes and hair were impeccable, not a single hair out of place. His shirt buttons were fastened neatly. Standing in the doorway, he made the whole place seem shabby, as if only a grand mansion would be worthy of him.
Both brothers were equally tall and handsome, with refined bearing. Their mother must have saved the galaxy in a past life to have two such excellent sons.
She also called out, "Charles."
Charles pulled out a gift bag from behind him. "This is a gift."
Matilda was surprised, then said, "Thank you, Charles."
She'd always had a question: they were about to register their marriage, but Wentworth hadn't taken her to meet his family yet, which puzzled her.
But now that at least his older brother had come, she felt much better.
"Why don't you two go take a shower and change? I'll take you out to eat in a bit," Charles suggested.
Wentworth didn't hold back. "Charles, if you're buying, we couldn't ask for anything better."
"Go ahead."
...
After returning to her room, Matilda first opened the gift Charles had given her.
It was a necklace.
Matilda looked up the logo on the box with her phone. Harry Winston, though she couldn't find the specific style or price.
It must be expensive, since it was a luxury brand.
She hesitated. Returning the necklace directly to Charles would be rude. Better to ask Wentworth's advice later.
That day, Charles drove them to dinner in his cheapest Porsche, to a high-end restaurant that cost $2,000 per person.
Before entering, Matilda pulled Wentworth aside and whispered, "This place is pretty expensive. Should we go somewhere else? Don't let your brother spend so much."
Wentworth smiled. "Don't worry, he has money. Don't be polite with him."
"What does he do for work?"
Wentworth thought for a moment. "Corporate executive, I guess. He has a wide network. He's the one who took me to Concordia Saint Medical Center before."
I see.
Matilda added, "Your brother gave me a necklace. It feels pretty expensive. I'm not sure I should keep it."
But Wentworth said, "Just keep it. It's a couple's necklace. I have one too."
Matilda fell silent.
...
This was Matilda's first time eating at such a fancy restaurant. Even the menu was entirely in Valcourain.
Although she could read Valcourain, she didn't know what these dishes actually were.
Fortunately, she was quick-thinking. When the waiter asked what she wanted, she said she'd have the same as Wentworth.
At that moment, both Charles and Wentworth looked at her with some confusion, and the waiter seemed slightly surprised, complimenting her: "Bonne chance!"
She felt alarmed. Was there something wrong with ordering the same set meal?
Soon their food arrived, and Matilda looked at the food in front of her with growing concern.
Wentworth had ordered all large portions. Just the steak alone would stuff her, and there was still dessert, main course, soup, and drinks to come.
She looked at Wentworth awkwardly.
But Wentworth calmly pulled her plate over. "I'll cut it for you. Whatever you can't finish, I'll eat."
"Can you eat that much?" Matilda was also worried about his appetite.
"Of course. When I usually eat with you, I only eat until I'm about seventy percent full."
Matilda breathed a sigh of relief.
She gave Wentworth half of the steak, and whatever she couldn't finish of the main course and soup later, Wentworth ate it all.
Charles sat across from them, wanting to say that if they couldn't finish, they should just leave it.
But if he said that, Wentworth wouldn't have a chance to show off.
Being able to eat a lot was also a kind of ability.
From the moment he learned that Wentworth was teaching Matilda self-defense, Charles realized his brother was quite skilled at flirting. Self-defense required physical contact, which was perfect for couples who weren't familiar with each other yet.
Midway through, Matilda went to the restroom.
She was always quick in the bathroom. When she came back, she seemed to hear Wentworth and Charles talking about her.
Their table was around a corner, with dividers behind their chairs, so they couldn't see her.
First came Charles's voice: "Dr. Rivera has results. The reason you sleep well every time you have physical contact with Matty is because when you touch her, your body produces dopamine, which triggers hormonal changes. These changes make you immune to the effects of Neurodelirium Alkaloid, which induces sleep."
Wentworth said, "As long as it helps me sleep, that's all that matters. Falling asleep feels really good. The reason I got injured this time was because I wasn't mentally sharp that day."
Charles asked again, "Have you considered that you might be able to produce dopamine by touching a different woman?"
Wentworth shook his head. "No need. I hate complications."
Matilda listened, feeling dazed.
So he was marrying her just to treat his insomnia?