Nothing Matters, except YOU & Me novel Chapter 521

Given how fickle and stubborn women could be, men would never voluntarily play against them without the preface of courtship. Gone was the mischievous and lively Heather who had been on the tennis court earlier as she gazed at him pointedly. It was clear that this would be the end of their tennis-filled escapade.

Matthias, on the other hand, had only just started to see the fun of tennis when she flippantly declared that she no longer wanted to play another set. Seeing as she had the final say for their date today, he had no choice but to assent to her decision to carry on their date elsewhere.

As they went to retrieve the car, he asked in concern, “Are you hungry? Shall we grab a bite?”

Her gaze flickered over to him and she teased, “I think you’re the one who’s hungry!”

He chuckled at this. Truth was, she was right to say that he was hungry. He hadn’t eaten much during lunch with the Langstons, seeing as their food disagreed with his palate.

Following their tennis match, Matthias felt as if he had been hollowed out. He wasn’t proud of this, hence his subtle invitation for a meal in the first place. He certainly did not expect her to call his bluff.

“But I’m not hungry now, so why don’t we go play a round of golf?” Heather suggested excitedly, her lips curving up into a devious smile. She had to admit that these little digs were oddly satisfying.

“Alright, then.” He looked at her with endearment, finding it adorable that she could look so pleased with her little evil schemes.

They began to drive over to the golf course that she had deliberately chosen, and it happened to be the best one in Bradfort City. However, she did not want to step foot on the premises at all.

She grew grim as she thought about how the manager of the golf course had always leered at her and as one thought led to another, her expression only soured when the image of Caleb’s menacing face flashed in her mind. As far as she was concerned, he was the epitome of evil and she bristled whenever she caught sight of his insidious looks.

Meanwhile, Matthias was looking at Heather oddly as he took in the changes in her expression. He wondered what she was thinking of and why she looked so conflicted. They were only going golfing, after all. It was only when the car rolled to a stop at the traffic light that she noticed he was staring at her and she shot him an affronted look.

He was observing her so intently that it was a surprise he hadn’t pressed his face against hers. Heather frowned and eyed him with disgust, then feigned nonchalance as she touched her face, hoping that there wasn’t any dirt on it. That would have been embarrassing.

“Stop staring at me and keep your eyes on the road,” she warned him irritably. His behavior today had been erratic and secretive, as if he had embodied every bit the despicable villain.

“A penny for your thoughts, my lady?” He was just as affable as he had been since the beginning of their date, having kept his temper under lock and key. He was hoping that his warm compassion would eventually cajole Heather into changing her mind about him.

“I have no thoughts worthy of a penny,” she answered uneasily, fidgeting slightly in her seat. She was merely thinking about Caleb and what he might do next.

“Are you thirsty?” Matthias took the bottled water from the cupholder and passed it over to her with his free hand.

She turned down the water, waving her hand dismissively as she said, “I don’t want it.” Heather didn’t like drinking bottled water. Besides, she felt fine and wasn’t feeling thirsty at all.

“Then could you please help me open the cap?” he asked, pretending to be really focused on driving with one hand.

“You know how evolution has given us this?” She pointed to her mouth, indicating for him to use his to twist the bottle cap open.

Once again, she turned him down. Still holding onto the water bottle, Matthias thought better of it and decided to put it back into the cupholder. He should be used to rejection by now but that didn’t mean he would stop trying to talk to her. This was one of Evan’s suggestions—chemistry came from conversation.

Heather, on the other hand, felt her heart twist at Matthias’ awkwardness as he tried to make small talk with her. He had never been that skilled in making a good impression and when it came to romantic pursuits, he could use a manual or two. As a matter of fact, he looked like he was having a hard time trying to ease the tension between them, and she might even go so far as to say he was helpless.

As the car continued forward, she stared calmly out the windscreen while his gaze occasionally flickered over to her. At some point during the drive, she began to find his curious looks irritating. She had grown so used to seeing his wicked side that his sudden transition into a lovesick schoolboy was making her uncomfortable. It was as if their dynamics had taken an abrupt and strange turn.

“Maybe we should talk about why you’re trying so hard to put up an act and the purpose behind it,” Heather said blatantly, seeing as there were still a bit of ways to go before they reached the golf course.

The golf course she had chosen was known for its expansive acres, but its geographical location was, unfortunately, not ideal. It was set in the outskirts to accommodate its sprawling landscape, which means it would take a long drive to get there. The journey would be insufferable if Matthias were to continue giving her those unreadable and meaningful looks, and she wasn’t sure what he was trying to imply through his gaze.

“How are you so sure that I’m putting on an act? What if this is my true self?” His lips tipped up into a mocking smile, though she wasn’t sure if he was being self-deprecating or sarcastic toward her.

“Am I supposed to believe that you’re showing me your kind and compassionate nature?” She burst into a small laugh, thoroughly amused. “Come on, Director Locke. You’re in charge of the Locke Group, are you not? You can’t rule over the company with kindness and compassion.”

It wasn’t as if Heather was completely oblivious to the internal conflicts that were rife within the large Locke family. She had done enough research to know that it was no easy feat for anyone to hold power in his family—they did not favor brawn over brains, after all.

“I’m just trying to be myself in front of the person I like,” Matthias replied honestly. However, Heather froze when she heard this.