Chapter 121
Sophie held her phone—just a cold device, yet it managed to convey Matthew's danger.
She didn't reply.
Avoiding him for one more day was one more day.
She didn't dare open the door to let Matthew in tonight. She had a feeling that once he came in, he wouldn't let her off easy.
She simply turned off her phone. Whatever messages he sent or calls he made, she'd ignore them all.
She tossed and turned in bed. Every time she closed her eyes, she thought of that last message Matthew sent.
How long could she refuse him?
Sophie squeezed her eyes shut again, trying not to think about it.
Through two doors, she couldn't hear any sounds from outside.
She didn't believe he could wait outside all night.
The next day, Sophie woke up at her usual work time, even without an alarm.
Sunlight drilled through the gaps in the curtains. As she sat up, she remembered she didn't need to go to work anymore.
She lay back down to rest a bit more, then reached for her phone and turned it on.
8:20 AM.
Facebook messages popped up on the screen one after another. She hesitated before opening them.
[Really not opening the door?]
[Can you even sleep?]
[Good night.]
After that, no more messages.
In a daze, Sophie remembered that last night she had locked the door and didn't let him in.
He couldn't have really waited outside all night. He must have gone back to his place.
Sophie got up and washed up, casually pinning up her hair before heading to the kitchen to make something to eat.
She cooked a bowl of pasta. After one bite, she couldn't help thinking it wasn't as good as Matthew's cooking.
Her phone vibrated. A new message.
Matthew: [Open the door.]
Sophie's hand trembled as she glanced toward the door.
She put down her fork, walked to the door, and looked outside. She didn't see anyone.
She opened the door and poked her head out. Matthew was leaning against the wall, head tilted, his eyes meeting hers.
Sophie's heart jumped.
She saw the dark circles around his lips and the stubble that had grown in.
"Pretty heartless." Matthew's voice was slightly hoarse. He straightened up and faced Sophie. "Can you let me in now?"
Sophie's heart was in her throat. Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, she actually felt a bit guilty.
She stepped aside slightly to let him in.
"Made pasta?" Matthew noticed the bowl on the dining table.
Sophie closed the door and followed behind him. "You didn't go back to your place?"
"No." Matthew turned to look at her. "I wanted to see just how heartless you could be."
Sophie pressed her lips together tightly, avoiding his gaze.
Seeing this, Matthew's lips curved slightly. He glanced at the bowl of pasta. "Looks good. Just this one bowl?"
"Yeah."
"You got up and didn't even open the door to check. You're really heartless." Matthew rolled up his sleeves and went to the kitchen, grabbing a tomato.
Sophie listened to his complaints, feeling guilty but also thinking he deserved it. It wasn't like he had nowhere to go—he insisted on spending the night at her door.
She sat back down, eating her pasta while watching his figure in the kitchen. His movements were smooth and efficient. Soon, a bowl of pasta with rich tomato sauce was brought out.
Somehow, his bowl just looked more appetizing.
"Want to switch?" Matthew placed the pasta in front of her and took her bowl for himself.
Before Sophie could react, he was already eating from her bowl.
"I already ate from that!" Sophie watched him swallow, staring at him.
Matthew looked up at her. "Mine is untouched."
Sophie gave up.
If he didn't mind, so be it.
Sophie ate the pasta he'd cooked. It really was better.
Matthew finished first, leaning back in his chair, calmly waiting for her.
Being stared at made Sophie a bit uncomfortable.
"Don't look at me like that," she said.
"Then how should I look?" Matthew asked sincerely.
"I'll wash them." Matthew followed her in.
"No need." Sophie didn't have work now, so she had time for these things.
Matthew didn't insist. He just stood nearby, watching her wash the dishes.
She wore a camisole nightgown, her hair casually pinned up in a lazy, sexy way. A few strands stuck to her bare neck and back.
Her skin was snow-white, her hair jet-black. He couldn't help reaching out to gently lift those few strands of hair.
Sophie suddenly turned to look at him.
Matthew had her hair wrapped around his finger. She moved too quickly, pulling it and making it hurt a bit.
Seeing her frown, Matthew quickly let go, but one strand had been pulled out, still wrapped around his finger.
He wound that strand of hair around his finger. Just watching him, Sophie's heartbeat quickened.
"What are you doing?" Sophie tried to pull the hair away, but his finger held it, and she couldn't get it off.
Matthew's eyes fixed on her, a dark current surging outward. "It's the fifth day."
"Huh?" Sophie didn't understand what he meant.
Matthew swallowed. "Your period."
"How many days usually?"
Sophie's ears turned red.
She quickly focused on washing the dishes, her breathing becoming rapid.
Matthew's eyes held amusement. He gently tugged at that long strand of hair, pulling and releasing. He'd never realized hair could be so flexible.
Sophie quickly finished washing the dishes, cleaned up the kitchen, and hurried past him.
"Why are you running?" Matthew grabbed her.
"Let go of me!" Sophie tried to shake off his hand.
Matthew pulled her into his arms, his hands naturally wrapping around her waist. Her face was flushed, her eyes flickering, her hands pushing against his chest, clearly refusing him.
"Matthew!" Sophie shouted his name, embarrassed and angry.
"I suddenly miss you from when we first met." Matthew's voice was sexy and charming. "How did you change?"
Sophie gritted her teeth, glaring at him with a red face. "Are you letting go or not?"
Matthew responded with action, tightening his arms around her waist.
Sophie was tough with words but actually helpless against him.
Her hands pressed against his chest as they remained in a standoff.
Her puffed-up appearance made Matthew smile. After a while, his grip loosened a bit. "I didn't sleep all night. I'm going to sleep. You're not allowed to leave."
Sophie took a deep breath. "I'm not sleeping."
"I said, you're not allowed to leave," Matthew emphasized.
"Why should I?"
"Then let's sleep together." Matthew scooped her up, completely ignoring any protest.
The bedroom door wasn't closed. Matthew carried her into the bedroom, turned around and kicked the door shut with his foot, and placed her on the bed.
Sophie immediately tried to get up, but Matthew didn't give her a chance, pressing down on her directly.
"Matthew!"
"Stop fussing." Matthew rolled to his side, but his arm remained across her body, refusing to let her up. "I'm going to sleep for a bit."
Sophie struggled a few times, but his arm felt like it was filled with lead—she couldn't push it away or get up.
She turned her head to scold him again, but he'd already closed his eyes, his breathing even.
At such close distance, she could see his face more clearly. The dark circles under his eyes and the stubble on his chin made her give up the idea of pushing him away.