Chapter 114
Puting away the examination report, Matthew entered the ward and looked at Veronica, who was tethered to an IV pack, inquiring, “How are you feeling?”
“Much better. A hundred times better than being in the hills,” Veronica replied as she lay on the bed. With the dirt washed away, her face was now as elegant as before, though it was much paler, and Matthew was devastated seeing that.
“How about you? You okay?” she countered.
“Mhm. Pretty good,” Matthew blurted as he nodded. He then turned around and sat on the couch.
Xavier glanced at him before taking a peek at Veronica, his eyes glistening. He lowered his gaze for a while before touching his pocket. He then suddenly stood up. “Roni, I… have something to tell you.” Xavier, sporting a suit and a pair of leather shoes, appeared quite dashing, and his aura was unusually daunting. He dropped his usual, prankish act and revealed his stern, mature side.
That side of his was rather unfamiliar to Veronica. She was definitely not used to it. “What is it?” She was visibly surprised by Xavier‘s behavior.
“Do you know why I let you go to Almeida?” With his hand tucked in the pocket of his slack pants, he grasped something tightly in his hand.
“Why? Isn‘t it for charity?”
“Yes, yes, charity. But the main reason was because Dad was there as well.”
“Yup, I saw him. Why? Man, spit it out! Cut the suspense already. You‘re making me nervous here!” One thing Veronica hated the most was when others tortured her with suspense.
Xavier pursed and licked his lips, unable to conceal his nervousness. “When we were with my dad back then, I said you were my girlfriend, but it was simply a lie to get you out of the awkwardness. But this time, I wanted for Dad to get to know you and see you for the real you, so that he could fully accept you. And that was why I sent you to Almeida.” Pausing his words, he pulled something out of his pocket. He then opened his palm, revealing a heart–shaped, sapphire velvet box, to which he opened the box and uncovered a dazzling diamond ring within it.
“I bought this ring before you went to Almeida, and awaited your return so I can…
propose to you.”
l‘pon those words, Veronica‘s mind went blank. She was lost for words.
Similarly shocked was Matthew, who was sitting at the couch. He didn‘t expect Xavier to be this bold, but he remained quiet and proceeded to observe.
Thump! All of a sudden, Xavier kneeled down and raised the ring as he stared deeply into Veronica‘s eyes. “Roni, will you marry me? I like you–no, I love you! And I wish to marry you!”
His bold, courageous proposal left Veronica panicking. She lay in the bed with her face frozen. Blinking her eyes, she peered at him in stupefaction, and only spoke after some time. “S–Stop fooling around, Xavier!” Back at Saint Hospital, she pretended to be dating Xavier to prevent her adoptive parents from worrying about her. Nevertheless, she was well aware that the man was completely out of her league.
Meanwhile, sitting at the side was Matthew glaring at them with his stony eyes, and his tensing brows plainly reflected his annoyance. Xavier‘s actually proposing to Veronica? This damn woman was always pushing me away because she was in love with him? Matthew subconsciously clenched his fist, though he continued pretending to toy with his phone. Although he feigned no interest in the matter, his ears were definitely attentive.
“I mean it.” Xavier‘s eyes were filled with earnesty and resolution. He was in no means jesting.
But of course, Veronica knew he was being serious, but he knew nothing of her complications, and being in love with him would only drag him down.
“Uh, Matthew, I‘m hungry. Can you go buy me some porridge?” She thought up a way to drive Matthew away.
In response, Matthew lifted his eyes and shot her a cold gaze before looking at Xavier who was kneeling on the ground. A while later, he got to his feet and walked out of the ward.
Slam! The ward door was slammed shut at once. Matthew slammed the door so hard that the entire ward shook, as if it was about to collapse.
Resting in bed, Veronica was stunned by Matthew‘s temper that came out of nowhere, mumbling, “Retard.”
As a man, Xavier was much more attuned to Matthew‘s emotions than her. Even
though Mathew voiced not a word, he could still sense his feelings and thoughts. After all, only men could understand each other best.
“Get up quick, Xavier. I won‘t agree to this.” Veronica bluntly rejected his proposal and added, “I don‘t like you!”
If she did noi, in fact, like him, she shouldn‘t have made promises with him and toyed with his feelings.
Her rejection baffled Xavier, who hastily questioned, “Do you like Matthew?”
“Of course I...” Do not like him! However, she couldn‘t bring herself to complete the sentence. All of a sudden, an idea popped in her mind, and she quickly continued, “…like him.”
Man, f*ck that! Matthew‘s the worst scum! The absolute worst!
Nonetheless, Matthew was quite a reliable shield to reject Xavier.
Instantly, Xavier‘s once–optimistic face darkened. He couldn‘t hide his disappointment. He softly uttered, “But he already has a fiancée.”
“He has a fiancée, and that‘s his problem. It has nothing to do with me admiring him.”
“You already know the result, yet why are you still so persistent?”
“Well, humans are only irrational because of their uncontrollable emotions. It isn‘t a matter of persistence.”
“Although you look the same as Tiffany, you‘re not her after all. In the end, you‘ll only end up as the sacrifice.”
“Then we‘ll wait for the end. I certainly don‘t care about it now.” Given how persevering Xavier was, Veronica suddenly realized using Matthew as a shield was indeed a wise choice.
At her repeated rejections, Xavier acknowledged her determination and stubbornness. Despite his disaffection, he helped himself up and pulled a seat for himself before lowering his head, peering at the diamond ring. After wondering for some time, he suggested, “Since you don‘t want to be my fiancée, let‘s be brothers, then.” Rejection after a proposal would only cause two parties to grow distant. Not wanting that to happen, he came up with the excuse to be “sworn brothers.” He didn‘t want Veronica to grow apart from him, and to end up being strangers with her again.
Surn;} like the sound of that,” Veronica agreed. She couldn‘t help but be impressed. por second there. Xavier was sincerely puting his feelings out there for her, bui Veronica was wary of bis womanizer personality. Once a womanizer like him had sei (yes on his “target,” maturity and loyalty would gain control of his behavior. And sadily, atier getting a taste of his “target,” he would speedily lose all interest. Despite his playfulness, Xavier was still a reliable man, so having him as her brother would be an excellent choice.
Afier pondering for a while, Veronica stated, “Since Matthew is older, he shall be the elder bro, and you shall be my second bro. How‘s that?”
Elder bro? Second bro? Xavier was thoroughly puzzled.
