~ At Sophia's Hometown ~
Midnight...
When the clock struck 12, Sophia woke up at the feel of a soft hand caressing her face. She slowly opened her eyes only to see Matthew looking at her with a gentle smile on his face.
"Happy Birthday, Love…" Matthew softly mumbled before planting a soft kiss on Sophia's forehead.
Sophia blinked away her sleepiness. She remembered that today was the start of her birthday. Matthew became true to his words that he would be the first one to greet her.
She was about to thank him when Matthew covered her lips with his lips. He kissed her passionately as his greeting.
Sophia just followed Matthew's lead, going with the flow as she responded to his kiss. Matthew's lips were moving gently, nibbling on her lower and upper lips alternately.
She could feel the love he had for her. He was expressing his feelings through this kiss. The kiss was not demanding but reassuring.
The kiss lasted for several minutes. They just broke apart when they needed to catch their breath.
Matthew got up from the bed and extended his hand to Sophia. Though puzzled, Sophia accepted his hand and left the bed, following Matthew outside.
Sophia felt the cold morning breeze when they went outside. Holding her hand, Matthew pulled Sophia toward the car. He opened the car door for her in the front passenger seat.
Sophia stepped into the car and Matthew also entered the driver seat.
"Are we going somewhere?" Sophia asked Matthew while yawning and rubbing her eyes.
Matthew chuckled seeing the adorable expression of Sophia who seemed to be sleepy.
He stroked her hair and said, "As much as I want to bring you somewhere, I can't do that right now, or else, your parents will worry if they will not see their daughter once they wake up."
Sophia giggled as she could imagine how her father would react if that would happen.
"You are right."
Matthew turned on the light inside the car. Then he started singing a birthday song for Sophia. Though he was not a singer, Matthew's voice was very pleasant to hear. Sophia couldn't help but smile. Matthew was very sweet.
After he was done, Matthew grabbed her hands, facing her as he said some birthday wishes and messages for Sophia.
"Love, this is your first birthday wherein you are celebrating it with me. I'm so happy that I am now part of your life. I wish you all the happiness in the world…"
Sophia's heart felt warm hearing those wonderful messages from Matthew. She couldn't help but tear up and become emotional. He made her feel very special.
"I promise to make my wish come true by making you happy. If you will allow me… I want to be part of your life starting today until you grow old. I will be by your side, celebrating every birthday you have and every occasion of your life."
Matthew brought her hands to his lips as he kissed the back of her palms.
"Happy 20th Birthday, my Love. I love you so much, Sophia."
Sophia was tongue-tied. There was a lump in her throat as she tried her best not to cry but she failed. She was so touched that she couldn't stop herself from shedding tears. They were tears of joy!
Matthew picked something at the back. It was a bouquet of red roses. She had no idea that Matthew dropped by the flower shop when she fell asleep during their journey.
Sophia gasped in amazement seeing the beautiful roses. She loved it. She hugged the bouquet and smelled the fragrance of the flower. Her sleepiness was already gone. She was now focused on Matthew's surprise.
Seeing the happiness in her eyes, Matthew felt so glad and grateful. He was worried that Sophia would not like his simple surprise.
Matthew also picked something inside his pocket. It was a rectangular box. Before, he was contemplating whether to give her a ring. But he didn't want Sophia to feel pressured so he changed his mind.
He knew Sophia was still young and marriage was still not in her mind. He didn't want to scare her away by proposing on her birthday. But Matthew had already set in his mind that he wanted Sophia to become his wife.
He would take it slowly. One step at a time. He would be patient, willing to wait for Sophia.
Matthew handed over his gift. Sophia looked at him confusedly before accepting the rectangular box.
"This is my gift. I hope you will like it."
Sophia slowly opened the box and saw a sparkling object inside. It was a silver necklace with a diamond pendant. It was so beautiful. Sophia assumed that it was expensive.
"Matt… did you spend much to buy this?" Sophia asked with reluctance in her eyes.
Matthew had already expected this kind of reaction from her. Sophia was not fond of material things. If she knew that gift was expensive, she had the tendency not to accept it.
He knew that he had to convince Sophia to accept his gift.
"This is not expensive. Besides, I didn't look at the price. When I think of you, I imagine that this necklace will suit you. Don't you like my gift? I will be sad if you will not accept it. It took me a lot of time to select the best necklace that will suit you."
Matthew just put on a pitiful face. His eyes were giving Sophia a pleading look. Sophia could only sigh helplessly. Of course, she didn't believe it when Matthew said it was not expensive but she didn't have the heart to make Matthew sad for rejecting his gift.
She knew that Matthew put his effort into giving her a simple surprise on her birthday. She didn't want to spoil it. So with the sweetest smile on her lovely face, Sophia accepted the gift.
"Thank you, Matt. I love it. Can you help me wear this necklace on my neck?"
Matthew's eyes brightened up when Sophia said those words. She accepted his gift!
Without further ado, Matthew nodded his head frantically. Sophia giggled seeing the enthusiasm in Matthew's eyes.
Matthew picked the necklace on the box while Sophia turned around, her back facing Matthew. She grabbed her hair and pulled it up so that Matthew could put the necklace around her neck.
When Matthew was done putting the necklace on her neck, he couldn't stop himself from kissing Sophia's nape.
Sophia's body stiffened at the feel of Matthew's soft lips touching her nape. She felt some pleasant sensation she couldn't explain.
Matthew didn't stop as he started sucking on her skin. Unknowingly, Sophia let out a soft moan. She even tilted her head when Matthew's mouth moved on her right shoulder, nibbling and sucking on her skin.
She smelled so sweet and tasted so good that Matthew lost his control. While he was lying on her bed this evening, Matthew couldn't sleep as he tried to suppress his desire.
Sleeping beside the woman he loved and doing nothing was like torture to him. He tried his best to control his desire for her but now, he was losing it again.
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