Matthew admitted that there were times when he had wanted to take advantage of Erica, but he only felt this way towards her. He didn't like other women. Why did she think he was a lustful man?
He turned over and lay on his side, facing her. His pajama belt accidentally came loose.
Erica stared at the handsome man. She preferred to leave the curtains slightly open at night to let a little light into the bedroom.
In the moonlight, she saw his exposed chest staring back at her.
The girl swallowed and looked straight into his eyes. "Man, are you trying to seduce me?" she asked playfully.
Matthew rolled his eyes. "Are you turned on by my body?" He played along.
"I am," she said in a low voice, and reached out her hand to touch his chest.
Matthew grabbed her unruly hand and warned, "I've already taken too many cold showers. Think twice before you make a move. Don't touch me if you don't want to get laid." Erica didn't realize how attractive she looked to him in the darkness of the night.
"You're so stingy," she said with an awkward smile. 'Fine! I won't touch you!' she thought, taking back her hand.
She rolled to her side of the bed and closed her eyes. Soon after, she fell asleep.
Matthew stared at her, stunned.
'Did she just fall asleep? And right after taunting me once again!' he cursed in his mind as she slept peacefully.
The next day, Matthew left the city on a business trip. Worried that she wouldn't eat properly if left alone, Debbie asked Erica to temporarily move back to the Huo family manor.
While Matthew was away for work, Erica spent most of her time at school. She handed the photo of the starry sky she had taken atop the Fragrance Mountain as her homework, and she received high praise from Professor Feng.
Four days after Matthew had left, Erica received a call from Rhea. "My dearest Erica, where are you now?"
"My dear Rhea, I'm developing a photo at school at the moment." Professor Feng had asked her to develop the photo she had submitted earlier and post it in the column for exceptional works.
"Erica, can you go to the school gate right now? Someone is looking for you."
Puzzled, Erica asked, "What? Who?" She didn't have a common friend with Rhea in Y City, except Hyatt.
"You'll know when you get there. It's a surprise!" she exclaimed into the phone.
"All right, all right. I'll go!" Erica put down her work and walked towards the school gate with Hyatt.
At the school gate
Confused, Erica asked Hyatt, "What's up with Rhea? Why did she want me to come out here? There's no one..."
Before she could finish, a figure jumped behind her and covered her eyes. The person said in a hoarse voice, "Guess who!"
Erica was stunned for a moment, and then shouted in surprise, "Rhea!"
Rhea loosened her grip and cried, "Ah! You guessed it too easily!" She came around to face Erica. Rhea was wearing a long black coat. She smiled and said, "Rika, I've missed you so much!"
"Ahhh! It really is my dear Rhea!" The girls jumped into a tight hug, ignoring the curious gazes around them.
It had been a long time since she had seen her good friend. Erica was so excited that she was almost in tears.
"Rika, let me look at you! Have you changed much?" Rhea held Erica's hands and looked her up and down. "You've gained some weight and your skin looks so much better. Rika, you look more beautiful than ever!"
"What? Have I really gained weight?" Erica pinched her cheek. It did seem like there was more flesh on it.
"Looks like Mr. Huo is taking good care of you. He is treating you well, isn't he?" Rhea was worried about Erica. She was afraid that Matthew would dislike her for having a baby out of their marriage. But seeing Erica's bright smile, she figured that she had been worried for nothing.
She was relieved. Her friend was happy and they were finally together!
The girls hadn't seen each other since summer vacation.
They had been both in A Country during the vacation, and they could hang out together from time to time. But since Erica got married and came to Y City, the two of them had to make do with nothing but video chats.
Erica smiled. "He treats me very well. He feeds me so much that I've gained weight!" Matthew would cook all kinds of delicious food at home. Every time she finished her meal, she had to support herself against the wall. How could she not get fat? 'It's all his fault, ' she thought, pinching her cheeks again.
"I'm so relieved to know that you guys are getting along well! Thank God," Rhea chuckled. She finally turned to Hyatt and said, "It's been a while, Hyatt!"
With a shy smile, he scratched the back of his head and asked,
"Hi, Rhea. Why are you here anyway?"
"I've missed you two so much! So I flew down here as soon as I could! Mrs. Huo, the air ticket was so damn expensive. You better treat me to dinner to make up for my aching heart."
Erica held Rhea's arm and said, "No problem! Matthew is on a business trip. I can keep you company all day long."
"Oh? Are you saying that if Mr. Huo were at home, you wouldn't keep me company?" Rhea asked, feigning anger and pouting at her best friend.
With a hint of shyness in her smile, Erica shook Rhea's arm. "I didn't mean it like that. Stop teasing me!"
The two burst into laughter.
Erica and Hyatt took Rhea on a tour of their school. Before leaving the place, Erica called Matthew.
Matthew was in a meeting when his phone vibrated. He was about to ignore the call, but seeing the caller ID, he quickly swiped the answer key. "Yes?"
"Matthew! Are you busy?"
He glanced at the dozen or so people around him, talking about important work matters, then stood up from his seat and walked aside. "No," he answered.
"Oh good! I called to ask you something. Can I bring my friend along to stay in our villa?"
"Which friend is this?"
"It's Rhea!" Matthew knew Rhea. She was Erica's bridesmaid for their wedding.
He didn't like others staying in his villa, but since she was a good friend of Erica's, he agreed. "Okay."
Erica was thrilled. "Yes! You're the best, Matthew!" Before making the call, she was worried that Matthew wouldn't agree and that she would have to stay in a hotel with Rhea.
Matthew continued, "But she has to sleep in the guest room on the second floor." There was no way he could allow anyone to sleep in his bed, not even Erica's best friend.
"No problem!" Erica exclaimed happily. She knew that he was a neat freak and she could understand his condition. She had already planned on sleeping with Rhea in the guest room.
Reflecting her good mood, Matthew also smiled. "Why are you so happy?"
"Of course, I'm happy. Rhea and I haven't seen each other in a long time. We are going to hang out together."
"Well, have a nice time. I will reimburse all the expenses when I get back. So, have fun."
She shouted excitedly, "Wow! Are you serious? Matthew, you are amazing. I love you so much!"
Matthew's eyes were full of smile at her words. "Enjoy."
"Bye, Matthew! Take care of yourself."
"I will. You too." He would surely take care of himself. He wanted to live a long life. He wanted to live long and stay by her side forever.
After hanging up, Erica took Rhea and Hyatt to the villa. When she had gotten married to Matthew, Erica was first brought to the Huo family manor. So, Rhea hadn't been to this villa yet.
As she looked around the gorgeous villa, Rhea's mouth formed an "O" and she gawked at the place the whole time. "Oh my God, Erica, you're so lucky to have married Matthew!" she exclaimed.