Chapter 69
Matthew wasn't really that irritated at first.
But Sophie's few words made him restless and uneasy.
"You're the one who finds it inconvenient to see whoever you want to see with me staying at your place." Matthew knew she was no pushover.
Sophie didn't argue back. She nodded, "Yeah, kind of."
Matthew felt like a heavy stone was pressing on his chest. Very uncomfortable.
Sophie took a small sip of her drink, her eyes soft as she looked at Matthew's troubled face. "I want to find a good home for my love."
Matthew caught his breath, his eyes sharp as torches.
He could clearly tell that right now, she wanted nothing more than to make him die of anger.
Matthew let out a cold laugh, "Keep waiting then."
Sophie frowned. Those few words meant he wouldn't give in.
After finishing the skewers and drinks, Sophie lightly slapped the table with both hands and stood up. "Pay up."
Matthew sat still.
"If you don't divorce me, you're still my husband. If you don't pay, who will?" Sophie walked around the bench, pointed at Matthew and said loudly to the owner, "Boss, he's paying."
The owner walked over with a smile and said to Matthew, "That's 53 yuan total."
Matthew saw Sophie already walking away slowly, several meters away. He scanned the payment code the owner handed him, paid, and got up.
With his long legs, he caught up to Sophie in just a few steps.
Sophie's body suddenly tilted. Matthew immediately grabbed her arm and steadied her.
Sophie grimaced, frowning as she lifted her right foot. There was a fruit pit where she'd stepped - that thing had made her twist her ankle.
Talk about going from joy to sorrow.
Something like that could actually make her sprain her ankle.
She stood there limping, on her tiptoes.
A sprained ankle doesn't feel good - the pain shoots through you, tears come without warning, impossible to hold back.
Matthew saw her eyes getting moist and cursed, "Serves you right."
As soon as those words came out, a tear instantly welled up and rolled down her face.
Sophie was beautiful. When she was being arrogant, her beauty was bold and striking. When she cried, it was as if the whole world had wronged her, beautiful enough to want to fight against the entire world.
Matthew's heart softened without him knowing when.
He walked in front of her, bent down, his voice cold. "Get on."
Sophie bit her lip and didn't move.
Matthew looked back, impatiently urging, "Are you coming or not?"
Sophie put her hands on his shoulders, jumped up, and Matthew's body sank as his hands circled behind her, carrying her on his back.
Something cool suddenly hit his neck, quickly turning hot.
That tear seemed to seep into his skin.
The way back wasn't close, but not far either.
They could have taken a cab, but Matthew seemed not to have thought of it, stubbornly carrying her the whole way.
Sophie was quiet, and Matthew didn't speak either.
The scene of a man carrying a woman on the street is common - usually young couples in love.
Only they had no love between them.
"The ring you bought, how much was it?" Matthew's voice was low.
Sophie raised her hand to wipe her eyes. His question came out of nowhere.
"Why?"
Her voice carried a bit of choking.
Matthew found it annoying. "Anyone can tell it's cheap."
Sophie wanted to strangle him.
Making conversation for no reason, like he was asking to die.
Sophie's foot hurt, and she didn't want to deal with him right now.
Less than a kilometer, normally walking alone would take about ten minutes.
Carrying Sophie, it took him a full half hour.
At the elevator entrance, Matthew put Sophie down.
Sophie leaned against the wall as Matthew pressed the elevator button.
He glanced at her - tear stains still on her face.
The elevator door opened. Sophie shuffled in, and Matthew pressed the close button with an indifferent expression.
The two of them like strangers, neither looking at the other.
Until the elevator door opened again, Sophie held the door and hopped out.
Matthew frowned and reached out to grab her arm.
Sophie shook off his hand, not accepting his help.
"What are you getting mad at me for? You sprained it yourself." Matthew was displeased.
"Right, so don't bother."
"Then why didn't you say that when I was carrying you?"
Sophie stood at the door, took a deep breath, turned to stare at him. "I didn't ask you to carry me."
Matthew laughed in anger.
When women are being unreasonable, they really can drive you crazy.
He opened the door, and Sophie hopped into the house.
Matthew followed behind her, watching her hop to the sofa and sit down, bend over to lift her foot up, pull up her pant leg - her ankle was red and swollen, painful just to look at.
Sophie gritted her teeth and took out her phone to search what to do for a sprained ankle.
Matthew went to the fridge, got some ice wrapped in a towel, walked to her and squatted down, placing the towel on her injury.
The cool sensation immediately relieved much of the burning heat from the swelling.
Sophie stopped looking at her phone.
She looked down. Matthew's eyelashes were long and thick, quite nice actually - she'd never really noticed before.
His high nose bridge was also enviable, thin lips pressed together, the lip line beautifully shaped, sexy.
Her gaze fell on his hands - long fingers, distinct knuckles, never tiring to look at.
Actually, he was really good-looking.
"Matthew." Sophie called out to him.
Matthew didn't even lift his eyelids, just moved his fingers slightly.
Sophie asked, "Can I like you?"
Matthew's fingers pressed a bit harder.
His eyelashes trembled slightly. "Hold it yourself."
Sophie bent over, reaching out to hold the bag of ice.
Her fingers lightly touched his fingers, slightly cool.
Matthew stood up.
Sophie looked up at him. "Matthew, you haven't answered me yet."
"What do you want me to say?" Matthew asked.
"Yes or no?"
"That's your business."
"But I like you, so it concerns you too." Sophie said, "If you think it's not okay, then I'll forget it."
Matthew glanced at her, said nothing, then left.
Hearing the door close, Sophie's lips moved. She pouted, "Boring."
More than ten minutes later, there was movement at the door again.
The door opened, Matthew came in with a bag in his hand.
He walked over, took out a bottle of medicine from it, unscrewed the cap, poured some into his palm, squatted down. "Move it."
Sophie moved the ice away.
Matthew gently placed his hand on her injury, rubbing softly.
His movements were gentle, with just a bit of pressure - not painful, actually somewhat comfortable.
Sophie bit her lip, just quietly watching him.
Actually, Matthew treated her pretty well.
If it weren't for that ex of his, living like this together wouldn't be impossible.
"Matthew."
Matthew frowned. "What do you want to say now?"
"I think sometimes I do like you."
Sophie winced. "Ow!"
Matthew's tone was unkind. "If it hurts, shut up."
Sophie clenched her fists, waving them above his head right in front of him.
Matthew was very patient now, rubbing and rubbing - the medicine didn't smell good at all.
"Matthew..."
Matthew completely ignored her.
"Right now, I kind of like you."
Sophie admitted, she really was a bit moved right now.
Finally understanding why so many girls fall for guys over just a little thing.
Matthew finally looked up, looking at Sophie's delicate face. His throat moved. "So what do you want to do about it?"
"I'm moved. What else would I want to do?"