Stay

Right now, she was doing her best to avoid anything that could make their situation more complicated. Now that they were legally siblings, her long-time wish for Mathews to notice her—truly notice her not just as someone familiar in the hallway or a schoolmate, but as something more—felt even more impossible.

But with the way he was acting, it was as if he was testing her patience, pushing her limits.

Sigh.

She leaned back against the car seat and closed her eyes, trying to rest. Meanwhile, Mathews kept his eyes on the window, but he wasn't really looking at the passing streets. His gaze stayed on the reflection of the girl beside him, who was now peacefully asleep.

Just as Stella was drifting into a deeper sleep, Mr. Bert's phone rang. He answered right away, speaking to Mathews' grandfather.

"Yes, sir, we haven't left the city yet"

After a brief pause, the person on the other end spoke again. Then Mr. Bert replied, "Alright, sir, we'll turn around and pick you up" before ending the call.

From that, Stella understood that Mathews' grandfather would be joining them. She glanced at Mathews, who remained in the same relaxed position. His back resting against the seat, one leg crossed over the other, his elbow propped on the window, and his chin resting on his hand as he stared outside.

He hadn't mentioned where their family driver was, and Stella decided not to ask again. She didn't want him to think she was questioning their right to share a ride.

Mathews and his grandfather shared the same driver since they both worked at the company. Meanwhile, she and her father were driven by Mr. Bert. As the current family head, she had her own driver, who prioritized only her. As for her stepmother, she had her own car and always drove herself to work.

The car had already turned back, heading toward their company building in Velmora. It wasn't surprising. The city was the center of business, where the most powerful companies operated.

The driver opened the door for Mr. Alejandro, Mathews' grandfather. Since he opened the backseat door to sit there, Stella absentmindedly moved closer to Mathews, causing their bodies to press together. However, the old man unexpectedly walked past and took the shotgun seat instead. The driver then closed the backseat door beside Stella, and the car started moving again.

Now, Stella was sitting even closer to Mathews due to her quick movement.

"Sorry about this, Bert" Mathews' grandfather said. "Our driver is on leave right now, his relative passed away. As soon as we found out, we got him a ticket home and assured him that he wouldn't lose his job, even if he needed a week off"

Bert smiled in response. The Windsors were indeed kind, especially the elderly man.

Meanwhile, Stella couldn't stay still, especially with her leg pressed against Mathews'. The young man, however, kept his gaze fixed outside the window.

Doesn't his neck hurt from staring out like that for so long? she wondered, her lips slightly pouting.

Ugh, this is awkward!

Feeling restless, Stella shifted, trying to move back to her original spot. But before she could, Mathews suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her even closer. Just like he had done that night when he called her for dinner.

"Are you okay, hija? I hope we're not bothering you?" The old man turned to look at her from the front seat.

Panicking, Stella quickly adjusted her posture, attempting to pull her hand away from Mathews' grip. However, his hold was firm, refusing to let go.

"Yes... Mr. Alejandro, it's no problem at all" she forced a smile, trying to appear composed.

The old man glanced at Mathews before speaking again. "Just call me Grandpa, sweetheart. After all, we're family"

He gave her a warm smile, the kindness evident despite the white, well-trimmed beard framing his face.

The old man settled comfortably in his seat and rested, while Stella, after a brief hesitation, stopped trying to pull away. She let her hand remain in Mathews' firm yet warm grip.

A strange feeling washed over her. She leaned in slightly and whispered just loud enough for only the two of them to hear.

"What do you think you're doing?" She finally looked at Mathews.

He didn't answer. His gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery outside the window.

Seriously? she thought to herself.

She didn't know what to feel about Mathews' actions. Sometimes he was friendly, then suddenly distant, and now—he was even holding her hand.

Is he playing with me?

She wanted to pull her hand away. But just as she moved, Mathews turned to look at her, making her freeze.

His deep brown eyes locked onto hers—intense, as if they were speaking without words. She met his gaze with questioning eyes of her own.

"Stay" he said, his voice both commanding and soft.

His grip on her hand tightened slightly, sending a shiver through her body. Goosebumps rose along her arms, traveling up to her nape, and a strange coldness settled in her stomach.

This feeling… it was different. Unlike anything she had felt before.

Just like that, they held each other's hands for the entire ride. Good thing neither of them had sweaty palms, or their hands would have been a sticky mess from the warmth of each other's touch.

Even though Stella was nervous, she felt a strange sense of peace as she felt Mathews' warm hand gently squeezing hers from time to time. She was just grateful that neither their driver nor Mathews' grandfather noticed them.

The car finally stopped at the mansion's entrance, and Mathews' grandfather was the first to step out.

Mathews let go of Stella's hand without even looking at her and walked straight inside, as if nothing had happened. She was left sitting in the car for a moment, feeling completely dazed.

She finally stepped out, but as she walked toward the mansion, her mind was still floating, caught between excitement and confusion.

The entire time Mathews was holding her hand, he had been looking out the window while she leaned back in her seat. At one point, her gaze caught sight of his ear. It had a strange tint to it, different from its usual color.

So he had the guts to hold my hand, but now he's acting like that?

She thought, adjusting her posture again before they arrived at the mansion.