005

Oliver

I kept stealing subtle glances at Matthew as he ate breakfast, trying not to make it obvious.

The thought of Lucas’s messages from last night had refused to leave my mind. Even after putting my phone away, I had found myself wondering why he wanted to see me and what exactly he wanted to discuss.

What if I agreed to meet him? Maybe we could finally talk about everything that had happened and put the past behind us.

But no.

If Matthew found out I had secretly gone to meet Lucas, he would be furious. He had made it clear that he didn’t want me getting involved with him, especially where Mariel was concerned.

Besides, what would meeting Lucas change?

I had already spent enough time hurting over someone who had walked away without a proper goodbye. Ignoring his messages was probably the wisest thing to do.

I picked up my glass and took another sip of juice.

Across the table, Mariel was chatting happily about something she had seen while shopping the previous day. She occasionally turned towards Matthew, trying to draw him into the conversation, but he seemed more interested in his breakfast.

“Matthew, are you even listening to me?”

He glanced at her. “I am.”

“Then what did I just say?”

“Something about shopping.”

Mariel gasped, placing a hand over her chest. “You weren’t even listening!”

I couldn’t help smiling at their exchange.

Matthew simply continued eating, looking entirely unbothered by his sister’s complaints.

After a few more minutes, I pushed my chair back and stood. “Matthew, I’m leaving for work.”

He paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, before glancing up at me. “Didn’t we discuss that I was going to drive you to work today?”

I blinked. “We did?”

He put his fork down and leaned back slightly. “Yes, honey.”

I tried to recall having such a conversation with him, but nothing came to mind. “I probably forgot?” I muttered with a soft sigh.

“You are always forgetful.” Before I could say anything else, Matthew stood and walked around the table. “Come here.”

I looked at him questioningly as he reached out and ruffled my hair.

“I’ll drive you.”

I froze for a moment.

His fingers lingered briefly in my hair before he withdrew his hand, looking down at me.

I had no idea how to respond to his sudden affection. My gaze shifted towards Mariel.

She was watching us with a smile that only grew wider when our eyes met. “Oh, don’t mind me,” she said, lifting both hands innocently. “Please, carry on.”

“Mariel,” Matthew warned.

“What? I didn’t say anything!”

I lowered my eyes, feeling my cheeks grow warm.

Matthew seemed amused. He leaned down and pressed a quick, wet kiss against my forehead.

My eyes widened.

“Come on,” he said, straightening. “Go get dressed. I’ll drive you.”

I stood there for another second, trying to process what had just happened. Then, without saying anything else, I hurried upstairs.

Behind me, I heard Mariel burst into laughter.

I could only imagine what she was saying to her brother now.

Once I got into our room, I closed the door and leaned against it briefly.

What was wrong with him this morning?

I touched my forehead, still feeling the warmth of his kiss, before shaking my head.

Matthew Fletcher was certainly becoming harder to understand.

I hurried into the bathroom, washed my face, and took my time getting ready.

I wasn’t sure why Matthew had suddenly decided to drive me to work, but I wasn’t going to complain. It was certainly better than having to arrange transportation myself.

After picking out a suitable outfit, I checked my reflection one last time before grabbing my phone and heading downstairs.

Matthew wasn’t in the dining room anymore.

I glanced around briefly before making my way towards the entrance. The butler was standing nearby, speaking to one of the other staff members.

“Good morning, sir,” he greeted when he noticed me.

“Good morning.”

He stepped aside to let me pass, and I headed towards the driveway.

The car was already waiting outside.

I opened the passenger door and settled inside, placing my phone on the stand before adjusting my seatbelt.

A few minutes passed before Matthew finally appeared.

He was wiping his hands with a napkin as he walked towards the car, his suit jacket neatly fitted over his shoulders. He handed the napkin to the butler before opening the driver’s door.

He got in, started the engine, and pulled out of the driveway.

For a while, neither of us said anything.

I sat beside him, occasionally glancing in his direction. I had sat beside Matthew in a car several times before, but somehow, this felt different.

Matthew Fletcher was actually taking me to work? It was a first.

He had never been ashamed to be seen with me in public. In fact, he had never made any particular effort to hide our engagement. However, there had always been a clear reason behind our appearances together. Whether it was a business event or something he needed me to attend, I had never mistaken those occasions for personal gestures.

This morning was different.

He had offered to drive me without mentioning a business engagement or asking me to accompany him somewhere. He was simply taking me to work.

I lowered my gaze to my hands, unsure what to make of it.

My thoughts were interrupted when his cellphone suddenly vibrated on the stand.

The screen lit up.

My eyes dropped to the name displayed on it.

Leon JC. Was it the Leon I knew?

It was definitely him.

Everyone knew Leon JC. He was a famous model, an artist, and a celebrity heir to the JC Holdings Group, and one of those people whose faces were practically impossible to miss. He was my Idol.

I hadn’t expected someone like him to be calling Matthew.

Matthew glanced briefly in my direction before accepting the call. “Hey,” he greeted.

I turned my attention towards the window.

I couldn’t hear much of what the person on the other end was saying, and I wasn’t particularly interested in eavesdropping. Still, I found myself stealing occasional glances at Matthew.

He looked completely at ease, one hand resting on the steering wheel while the other occasionally adjusted the phone.

I couldn’t explain why watching him speak had become so distracting. His expression remained composed throughout the conversation, and he barely seemed bothered by whatever was being discussed.

When he shifted his gaze towards me, I quickly looked away. A few minutes later, he ended the call and returned his phone to the stand.

“Someone important?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He gave a brief hum and continued driving.

I didn’t ask anything else.

Soon, the familiar buildings around FLETCHER GROUP came into view. Matthew slowed down as we approached the entrance, and I began gathering my things.

He glanced at me. “Do you want me to stop here, or should I take you to the parking lot?”

My fingers paused around my phone.

I turned towards him, my eyes widening slightly.

The parking lot was inside the building’s premises, away from the main entrance where employees and visitors usually gathered. He was giving me the choice of being dropped off somewhere less noticeable.

But how had he known that was what I wanted?

“I…”

“Never mind,” he interrupted, glancing towards the entrance. “Lucas is probably waiting for me at the front desk. It’s better we pull up where he can see us.”

My entire body went still.

Maybe that was the reason Mathew brought me to work today.