Clarissa’s mind was jumbled up; she was vulnerable to the intimacy between them.
She stuttered when the man prodded her for an answer. “U-Uncle, I miss you just like how a niece misses her uncle, l-like how Ellie misses you.”
Actually, it was nothing more than a mere pleasantry. She didn’t expect he would take it so seriously.
Letting out a chuckle, Matthew retracted his hand from her face and then took one of her wringing hands in his.
Clarissa widened her eyes in shock while looking at their holding hands.
Without bothering to give her any explanation, Matthew leaned in his seat and closed his eyes to rest.
She tried to pull her hand out but to no avail. When she gave it another attempt, his voice rang out, “Clare, let me rest for a while. I just got off the plane.”
Her body stiffened. But why must you hold my hand when you’re resting?
They were holding hands the whole journey until the car pulled up in front of Skylight Restaurant.
As they got out of the car, she finally freed her hand from his grasp. Matthew raised his brow when he saw the young lady was so eager to stay away from him.
“Come here!” He gestured her to come over.
Under his steady gaze, Clarissa had no choice but to shuffle slowly toward him. With much patience, Matthew waited as the young lady approached him at a snail’s pace.
Clarissa felt bad to keep dallying, so she stopped her childish act and quickly walked toward him. Once again, he took her hand, leading her into the restaurant.
“Uncle Matthew,” she called out.
Matthew simply uttered a response.
With an awkward smile, she said, “Actually, you don’t need to hold my hand. I’m not a child anymore, and I won’t get lost.”
Matthew tilted his head to cast a glance at her, flashing her a meaningful smile. Seeing his smile, Clarissa reacted instinctively in casting her eyes downward.
Matthew maintained his silence while leading her into the private lounge.
Throughout the meal, Clarissa remained silent while eating absent-mindedly. As for Matthew, he seemed to be enjoying himself, savoring his food elegantly. Occasionally, he would answer some calls to talk about business-related matters. One could imagine how busy this man was.
Soon, the two were done with their meals. Clarissa was happy on the way home, thinking she was finally free.
However, she was left dazed when Matthew decided to follow her into her apartment.
Meanwhile, in her apartment, Matthew was sitting on the couch, crossing his legs in a relaxed manner. His coat was carelessly tossed aside, and he had his collar unbuttoned while his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
Smiling meekly, she placed a cup of tea in front of him. “Uncle Matthew, do have some tea.”
Raising his brow, he patted the seat next to him. “Take a seat.”
“It’s fine. I can sit here.” She quickly sat on the single-seater sofa opposite him, rejecting the seat he offered.
Matthew pursed his lips, but he didn’t insist. Putting his arm on the armrest, he asked, “Have you recalled?”
“W-what?”
“After you were drunk,” he reminded.
“Ah…” She remembered their conversation that took place last time. With her brows knotted, she shook her head and answered, “Uncle Matthew, I really don’t remember what happened that day. Why don’t you tell me directly, what have I done?”
She thought she wouldn’t do something out of line since she usually fell asleep when she was drunk.
However, her thoughts wavered when Matthew kept asking about the drunken night.
“Come here. I’ll tell you what you’ve done.” He was determined to ask her to come closer.
“You can just say it, whatever it is.”
“It need not be said, but I need to do something to show you.” He insisted.
Biting her lips, Clarissa was torn. Eventually, she gave in and sat beside Matthew, maintaining a safe distance between them.
“How…”
Before she could even finish her words, he suddenly placed his hand behind her neck, pressing her head toward him. The next moment, his lips were mashed against hers.
She was at a loss when the kiss took her by surprise. With her eyes saucer-wide, she forgot to react while passively receiving his kiss.
