With him

Getting a little bit close

Marry's pov

I can’t shake off the sting of Jason’s words. Calling me a “w***e” felt like a punch to the gut, and I can’t help but wonder why he would say something so cruel. Is there something about me that I’m missing? And then there’s Mathew—does he have multiple relationships? Is he simply seeing me as just another casual fling among many? I can’t help but feel a mix of anxiety and confusion swirling in my mind. This is my first real relationship, and I had hoped for more than just being someone’s passing interest.

I know I need to confront Mathew about this, to clarify where I stand with him. I mustered up the courage. I can’t let anyone treat me poorly or use me like a toy. Besides, I do have some feelings for him, and I need to understand what's happening between us.

With determination, I approached him and asked, “Why did Jason call me a w***e?” The words slipped out more forcefully than I intended, but I needed an answer.

He looked at me with a mixture of surprise and hesitation, his expression shifting as if he was contemplating whether to speak or keep quiet. I could see a hint of embarrassment in his eyes, and it made me feel uneasy. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but then fell silent, leaving me hanging in the air, waiting for a revelation that might never come. The tension was palpable, and my heart raced in anxious anticipation, wondering what his silence meant for our relationship.

“Th-th-thaa—” he stammered, nervously running a hand through his hair. The vulnerability in his voice was almost palpable. “I haven't had any real relationships yet,” Mathew confessed, his gaze dropping to the ground. “I’ve only had some casual hookups...a few girls I met along the way,” he admitted.

My heart raced as I processed his words, anger bubbling up inside me like a volcano on the verge of eruption. “So you see me as just another one of them, right?” I shot back, my voice trembling with fury. “Is that it? Just another casual fling?”

“No, no, no!” he exclaimed, shaking his head vigorously as if trying to dismiss my accusation. “That’s not it at all! I swear. I knew you were different—I could tell from the moment we met. You’re innocent, and I honestly wanted to have a real relationship with you, but…” He paused, searching for the right words, his expression a mix of regret and confusion. “But things turned out to be complicated.”

“Listen,” he said, taking a small step closer, his voice becoming softer. “I never wanted to hurt you. I promise. I thought I could keep everything separate—my past, my experiences—but then you came into my life, and it changed everything. I didn’t think it would be like this.”

I wiped away a tear that had escaped, trying to regain my composure. “You don’t understand, Mathew! I’ve never had a boyfriend or even wanted one until now. My entire focus has always been on my career. It has consumed me, but somehow, you’ve started to change that. And now, I’m scared to get hurt,” I admitted, feeling the weight of my confession hanging in the air between us.

He stepped closer, his eyes searching my face. “I can’t promise you that I’m perfect, but I can promise that I want to try—try to be better, to be someone you can count on. I care for you, more than I thought I could care for anyone. Can’t we start fresh?”

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure as I looked at Mathew. “You know, Mathew, let’s make a mutual decision. When we get out of here, I’m open to the idea of dating, but don’t think for a second that you’ll get to touch me right away. We’ll need to take the time to understand each other first.”

He raised an eyebrow playfully, a smirk dancing on his lips. “So, you want to build a strong foundation before we start stacking up those romantic points? I respect that. But you know, I can't help but imagine how it would be to have the privilege of getting to know you up close.” He leaned back, studying my reaction with an amused glint in his eyes.

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. “Yeah, I’m sure you’ve got all sorts of charm to deploy. But let’s see if you can handle a challenge first.”

Mathew chuckled softly, his gaze intense yet inviting. “Oh, I thrive on challenges. The moment we break out of here, I’ll be your biggest admirer from day one.” He paused, his expression softening. “But right now, let’s focus on escaping. After all, we can’t flirt our way out of this situation.”

“Fair point,” I replied, a hint of mischief in my tone. “But if we do escape, I might just make you work for those flirting points. What have you got in mind?”

He leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “How about dinner somewhere nice? I’ll charm you with my culinary skills… or at least, my takeout ordering skills?”

I laughed, feeling a spark of excitement. “Okay, but you better make sure it’s not just cold pizza. I have high standards!”

“Don’t worry; I’ll set the bar high for our escape celebration,” he winked. “But first, let’s plan our getaway. The police will realize we’re missing soon, and I refuse to let anyone else steal our moment.”

“Agreed,” I said, feeling the seriousness of the situation sink in.