Sofia felt a little envious, especially after seeing how they were having such fun together without her. Regardless, she hid her jealousy well as she turned to Matthew and Veronica, who were seated on the couch, and smiled. “Matthew, I came to visit you when I found out that you’re still alive. Goodness, this is so unbelievable! Back then, when I learned that you died, I mean, that you were no longer around, I cried for a very long time.” Then, she turned to Veronica and greeted, “Hi, Veronica.”
As there was no reason for Matthew to be mean to her when she came with all smiles, he treated her politely despite his dislike for her. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“What would you like to drink? Coffee or tea?” Veronica offered. “Anything is fine.” Sofia placed the gifts in a corner and took a seat on the couch.
From another corner, Eleanor scanned her from head to toe and raised her brows as she asked, “Master, is she your admirer?” Before Matthew could answer, she smirked and turned to Veronica. “You have quite a few rivals in love, Veronica.” Veronica answered in amusement, “You’ve got it all wrong. The one she likes is Skyler.”
“Oh, is that right?” Eleanor shrugged. “Sorry, my bad.” Only then did Sofia notice that a woman as stunning as a peony that had just blossomed was seated in a corner. Even though Sofia was beautiful as well, she was still a great contrast compared to her beauty.
“Matthew, she’s…” she trailed off, asking Matthew. “I’m Eleanor Gomez, Matthew’s admirer,” Eleanor introduced herself.
“Oh, I see…” A bewildered Sofia instinctively stole a glance at Veronica and saw that she looked calm. The woman didn’t even wince at that outrageous introduction. What the hell is going on? she wondered and rose to her feet. Then, she approached Eleanor and extended her hand in a friendly gesture. “Nice to meet you, Miss Gomez.”
First, Eleanor glanced at her extended hand, and then she cast a look at her. Instead of returning the handshake, Lilianna merely raised her perfectly arched brow, looked away, and stood up to leave. “I’m tired and would like to return upstairs to rest.” Eleanor was never one to show any kindness to a person whom she didn’t like at first sight.
“Matthew, s-she’s…”
She started whining to Matthew, but Veronica. said with a laugh, “That’s how Eleanor has always been. We’re all used to it.” In other words, she should get used to it as well. Then, Veronica added, “Are you looking for Skyler? He’s upstairs with Shirley.”
Of course, she knew the purpose of Sofia dropping by today. Her visiting Matthew was just an excuse. Since Shirley was her friend, she wouldn’t allow Sofia to do as she wished in her house.
“Well… I haven’t seen Skye for quite some time. May I go upstairs to meet him?” Sofia deliberately donned a bashful expression. “There are many things I wish to tell him.”
The fiercely protective Veronica refuted her without pulling her punches, “Miss Green, 1 guess you didn’t quite catch what I mean. Since Skyler is now dating Shirley and the couple is in their room, you shouldn’t barge in and impose on them. After all, we are all adults, aren’t we?”
The word ‘adult’ contained too many subtexts. Everyone in the living room understood what she meant and said nothing about it.
Matthew had Ada in his arms as he held a feeding bottle in his hand and fed the milk to her. Then, he raised his head and said seriously, “You can’t force love to happen.”
The atmosphere turned solemn from the awkwardness that clung in the air, and Sofia felt that Matthew and Veronica were deliberately picking on her in order to protect Shirley. Naturally, she felt unjustified by such biased treatment, so she turned to Caleb and Miguel with reluctance in her eyes.
Caleb was a person of few words and had no interest in getting himself involved in something like this. Thus, he stood up and announced, “I’m going out for a smoke.” So, only Miguel was left to comfort her. “You can have a good chat with Skyler when he is free.”
