I had already sorted out my emotions, but Howard didn't know, so I spoke directly, "Actually, you don't need to be jealous of Matthew. I haven't liked him for a long time. I really just see him as a friend. I swear, I'm not lying to you."
When I found out that Matthew had a girlfriend, I felt a bit sad, but after the sadness, I found myself feeling rather irrational. After all, there was never anything between us; it had always been a one-sided affection on my part. I had been too afraid to confess my feelings, and as a result, we missed our chance for a relationship.
I had fantasized countless times about being with him, but that was ultimately just my wishful thinking. I had done many foolish things for him before, but I also knew that it was just my dream.
Although I didn't know if Matthew had any feelings for me, the past was the past and I wouldn't dwell on it anymore. I decided to let go of this unrequited love and start a new life.
But letting go did not mean forgetting; Matthew still held a significant place in my heart as my childhood friend. In the face of life and death, I could not simply disregard him. I hoped he would find happiness, even if it had nothing to do with me.
"Are you genuinely sincere in wanting me to save him, or are you just deceiving me?" Howard's sharp gaze seemed to penetrate my soul, trying to find the truth from my expression.
"I'm really sincere; I'm not lying to you," I responded firmly, with no hint of evasion in my eyes, hoping he could feel my sincerity.
Seeing my sincere expression, even wanting to swear to prove myself, Howard was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "I can believe you, but you have to show some sincerity." With that, a dark glint flashed in his eyes, like a cunning wolf.
"What do you want?" I asked in confusion, feeling a bit uneasy, not knowing what he meant.
Howard quickly flipped over and pressed me down, his blue eyes full of teasing, his hoarse voice full of temptation. "Tonight, you take the initiative..."
My cheeks rapidly flushed as I stared at Howard in disbelief. This sudden proposal made me feel both surprised and embarrassed.
Seeing my blushing face, neither agreeing nor refusing, Howard was unusually patient. "You're asking me to help you save someone, so you have to give me some reward, otherwise, I have no motivation." His words had a hint of teasing, as if he was enjoying this subtle atmosphere.
I closed my eyes, struggling for a moment, and finally decided to go for it. I pushed him away and then flipped over to sit on top of him, pretending to be fierce. "You said it yourself. If I do it, you have to help me save Matthew." My voice had a hint of determination, but also a hint of embarrassment.
Every time it was him taking the initiative, and I enjoyed it. Now that the roles were reversed and it was something I was not familiar with, I inevitably felt nervous, but I couldn't show it, or he would laugh at me.
Who knew that after I agreed, Howard was unhappy again?
"You really care about your Matthew.," he said somewhat sarcastically, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, making it hard to read.
But at this moment, I couldn't care about his expression. I stared at the towel around his waist, hesitated for a moment, then reached out and pinched his firm chest. "Can you stop being jealous? You were the one who proposed the condition, and now you're jealous again. What do you want me to do?"
If I went along with him, he thought I was doing it to save some other man; if I didn't, he believed I was testing his limits. He was such a pain to deal with—sometimes I even wondered if I was dealing with a spoiled kid.
"Are you trying to strangle me?" Howard's expression was hard to read if he was in pain or pleasure. He frowned at me.
"It seems like you're enjoying it." I teased.
Howard wasn't angry. He smiled and put his hands behind his head, raising his chin at me. "You continue."
Seeing his relaxed and confident look, as if everything was under control, I pretended to be calm and pulled off the towel around his waist...
That night, I didn't fall asleep until the early hours. Yet even in slumber, I could still sense a lingering jolt, as if the entire world were swaying.
I had no idea how long I had slept when the intense sunlight streaming through the curtains roused me. I felt like a vampire, shrinking under the blanket in a desperate attempt to escape the blinding light.
Howard reached out and pulled me out of the blanket. "Still sleeping, you're going to be late for class. Who was it that asked me to remind you yesterday that you had Ryder's class today. If you don't hurry, you'll be late again."
At the mention of Ryder, my drowsiness vanished instantly. I sat up abruptly, feeling a pang of annoyance as I gazed at the thoroughly satisfied and invigorated Howard, wondering, 'Why does he look like a well-fed vampire, while I look like a woman who's been completely drained?'
Howard tapped his watch and calmly said, "You have twenty minutes to wash up and have breakfast."
With no time to complain, I immediately rushed into the bathroom and quickly finished washing up. After the cold water washed over me, I was very awake now. I grabbed Howard and rushed out the door. "Don't forget what you promised me last night."
"I know. You're so nagging." Howard responded impatiently.
When I pressed the elevator button to the first floor, Howard said, "Go to the basement level two."
"Why?" I asked in confusion.
"You'll know when you get there." Howard didn't answer directly. He just reached out and pulled me back, holding me in his arms, then pressed the button. The elevator doors slowly closed, and we started descending to the basement level two.
When the elevator reached the basement level two, the doors opened, and Howard led me to a brand new car downstairs.
"This is..." I was frozen.
Howard shook the car keys in his hand. "It's mine."
Looking at the car keys in his hand, I was stunned. "When did you buy it?"