Chapter 114
"Don't move!" Sophie froze instantly.
This sentence had a completely different tone from the previous one.
She could read what was behind that tone.
"I'm not comfortable." Sophie couldn't let him hold her like this anymore. She felt like she was suffocating.
Matthew finally loosened his grip a bit.
Sophie took a deep breath. Taking advantage of this opportunity, she tried to move away from him. But as soon as she moved, the man pulled her back, still holding her in his arms.
"Matthew," Sophie pushed him gently. This way, there was no way to sleep.
"Sleep." Matthew's breathing had changed, heavy and hot, restless yet restrained.
Sophie could hear what his tone conveyed. She said quietly, "If you hold me like this, neither of us can sleep."
The sounds from outside came in waves, showing no signs of ending.
And they were holding each other like this. How could they sleep?
If she'd known, they should have stayed in the car. Even though it would be cramped, the soundproofing would be better than here.
Matthew didn't say anything, but didn't let go of her either.
"Matthew?" Sophie called his name again.
Suddenly, Matthew grabbed her hand and moved it downward.
Sophie's sleepiness vanished instantly.
She tried to pull her hand back, but he pressed it down firmly.
"Sleep or not?" Matthew opened his eyes. His deep, restrained gaze seemed ready to devour Sophie.
Sophie was scared.
She quickly closed her eyes and didn't move.
Her hand didn't dare move either.
Outside, it finally quieted down.
Sophie's heart was pounding like a drumbeat, unable to calm down at all.
Her hand was pressed down by the man. She wanted to move but didn't dare, just staying stiff like that, her palm burning hot and making her panic.
That night, Sophie remained highly tense. She didn't know when she fell asleep or when her hand was freed.
The next day, Sophie was woken by voices outside.
When she woke up, there was no one beside her.
That they could get through last night peacefully was beyond her expectations.
She'd thought he would at least need to let off steam before letting her go.
Someone approached the tent, and she instantly became alert.
Seeing it was Matthew coming in, she relaxed.
"Awake?" Matthew's eyes met hers. "Get up and wash up, eat something."
Sophie sat up.
Thinking about those scenes and sounds from last night, she admired those people—how could they manage to laugh and chat with others the next day?
If it were her, she would have run away already.
"What are you spacing out about?" Matthew reached out his hand to her. "Let me pull you up."
Sophie listened to the cheerful voices outside. "Don't want to go out."
Matthew saw what she was embarrassed about.
He chuckled, "Just adopt that attitude you had when you were seducing me before, and it won't be so awkward."
Sophie glared at him. "Shut up."
"We're all adults. Everyone knows what's up, no need to make a big deal of it." Matthew reminded her, "If you don't come out soon, they'll think we were really intense last night."
Sophie's face turned red. She shot him a fierce look before getting up.
As soon as she went out, everyone gave her bright smiles.
After one night, some people had already packed up and headed to the next location.
Another group stayed behind.
A few men and women kept looking toward Matthew and Sophie.
"They keep staring at us." When Sophie looked over, they would smile at her.
But Sophie didn't really like this kind of smile.
Matthew heated up milk for her. "Ignore them."
At that moment, someone walked over, patted Matthew on the shoulder, and said with a smile that he wanted to chat for a bit.
Matthew stood up. The person pointed at his friends, chattering away, occasionally glancing at Sophie.
They were at some distance, and speaking too fast, so Sophie couldn't hear clearly.
She only saw Matthew's face darken, not as friendly as before.
She didn't know what he said, but the person spread his hands, looking helpless, shrugged, and walked away.
The person went back to his group of friends and said something. The eyes that looked over weren't as friendly as before.
Sophie didn't know what they were saying. As soon as Matthew came back, she asked what happened.
"We'll leave after eating." Matthew had already started packing things up.
"What happened?" Sophie had long wanted to leave this place, so when he said they were leaving, she quickly got up to help.
Matthew didn't say anything. He loaded the stuff into the car, got Sophie in the car, and drove off directly.
After they'd driven far away, Sophie was still curious. "What did that person say to you?"
"Are you sure you want to hear?"
Matthew's expression was a bit better than before.
Sophie didn't understand what unspeakable things people they'd just met could say.
"Partner swapping."
"What?"
"Swapping partners." Matthew stared at the road ahead. "They come out to play, swap partners with others during the trip, seeking thrills."
Sophie was stunned.
She'd heard of it before, but never thought she'd be so close to something so dirty.
No wonder Matthew looked so upset.
"Let's just go back to the hotel." Sophie shook her head after speaking. "Go back home."
She felt it really wasn't safe outside.
Although this kind of game was based on mutual consent, she couldn't understand or accept it. She even found it scary.
How could anyone enjoy this kind of thing?
Matthew didn't take Sophie back home.
She wasn't feeling well, and a long flight would be exhausting.
During the day, he drove her around. At night, they returned to the hotel. The two were inseparable.
Matthew's Facebook was updated again.
Under the moonlight, Sophie wore a local-style long dress, standing under a coconut tree, the sea breeze lifting the hem of her skirt.
Just a silhouette, yet like the protagonist of the world, so unique and different.
All the people and things couldn't match her brilliance.
"After one trip out, your whole personality has changed." Henry called Matthew, his words both envious and teasing.
Matthew sat in a chair, watching Sophie face the ocean.
She was watching the sea, and he was watching her.
"When are you coming back?"
"In a few days."
"The workaholic has turned into a lovesick fool. What is this world coming to?" Henry sighed.
Matthew never thought he'd have such a day.
He'd fallen for Sophie.
"When did it start?" Henry was curious. "Didn't you not like her? How did you suddenly fall for her? Speaking of which, after coming back this time, has the relationship progressed?"
Henry couldn't hide his curiosity.
Matthew didn't want to discuss this with him. "If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
"Don't hang up." Henry panicked. "Let me tell you something serious."
"Go ahead."
A little girl walked up to Sophie, looked up at her face, saying something. Sophie crouched down, her face full of gentle smiles.
She was beautiful. When she smiled at the little girl, it was very sweet, not as seductive as what he'd seen before.
"Bella got a boyfriend."
"What's that got to do with me?"
"Do you know who she's dating?"
"If you don't want to say it, then don't." Matthew's eyes stayed on Sophie. The little girl held Sophie's hand and walked forward.
Matthew frowned slightly.