10 - Matthew

Matthew nods attentively to his mother as he mentally takes note of his errands for the entire week, all the while contemplating his way out of it. He knew his mother's motives behind those errands.

Sure, she's been wanting to redecorate the entire living room. But she could always turn to the help to drive her around. She has interior designers as friends who will be a much greater help than Matthew who can't tell the difference between army-green and olive-green.

It's green!

Margaret Parkinson has bigger plans than "redecorating." Matthew knows his mother that well. Bigger plans that involve endless social events and matchmakings.

It happened to his oldest brother Cade. Happened to his second oldest brother Vren. Happened to his third oldest brother Christian. And now, it's happening to him.

He still has younger brother, Andrei, but he's never preferred women. Their youngest sister had joined forces with their mother in pairing him up.

Matthew can live with that. As long as their little sister steers clear from boys. He'd willingly put the inevitable 'stake' that comes with relationships through his heart. Better him than her.

"You should always remember to water the plants. Now that Audrey and Vren will be gone for a couple of weeks or more, you'll be in charge with everything in this house." Margaret sets his black coffee in front of him (God, he needed it), exceptionally knowing her way around Audrey's kitchen.

He nods dutifully.

Oh, he knows that.

Matthew is going to spend the next couple of weeks with Miles. Which means he'll be seeing you-know-who on a daily basis.

They never had an uneventful encounter. The woman's clothes seemingly keep flying off when he's around. And she trips too.

Audrey comes in the kitchen, an enormous bag on her arm. "Matty, are you really sure about this? It's not too late to change your mind."

He turns to her, giving her a smile. "I'm sure. I'd love to hang out with Miles."

"It's going to be two weeks. And your overseas conferences?" Worry plastered across her face. She's been hesitating, but he reassured her every time.

"I'm sending some of my business associates to represent me," he says. And even if he wouldn't be around much, he's secured continuous funding to his orphanages.

"Promise me a little kid won't starve."

He chuckles. "I promise, Audrey."

Margaret laid a hand on his shoulder. "Matthew's going to take responsibilities. You enjoy your honeymoon."

It's not just Matthew and his mother who came to bid the newly married couple goodbye. If the kitchen appeared a little deserted with just him and his mother, the living room is a different tale.

His siblings came. And that didn't even have to include knocking. Everyone has keys to everyone's house.

Audrey's friends came too. Again, it included you-know-who. And she has been playing with the kids after coming in late... again.

Matthew smiled wider. "I'm responsible," he teased.

His sister in-law smiled.

Just then, Vren comes up from behind her. He slid the giant bag off her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek. "This looks heavy, sweetheart. No lifting, okay?"

Audrey frowned in protest, but he places a quick kiss on her mouth. "Car's ready."

Margaret sighed, her eyes suspiciously shiny. She looked like she was seeing Vren graduate from college than going off to his honeymoon. "Enjoy your honeymoon, you two."

"Thanks, Mom. Call us if there's any emergency." Audrey smoothes down the skirt of her dress.

She waved a hand. "There won't be any emergencies, sweetie. Matthew and Jessica will be responsible godparents to our Miles."

"I agree with her," Vren drapes a protective arm over her shoulders and pulled her to his side. "Our baby will be okay."

Matthew hears his mother snivels a little. He chanced a look her way. "Mom, are you okay?"

She nods, clutching his elbow. "Isn't marriage so beautiful?"

He could only nod back. The question translated to "When are you going to find a wife?" which something he doesn't want to talk about.

Moments later, Kathie, Chassie, Julie, Rachel, Kylie, Chandra and Jessica hugged Audrey goodbye. Kathie's triplets have practically mauled her, but it's Audrey Danler. Even a life-and-death situation can't shake her out of her poise. Ethan and Georgie's kisses were a lot tamer.

His siblings opted for a brief hug. He did too.

And then it was Miles' turn. The hug was a lot longer. Like Audrey didn't want to let go or just, maybe, want to shove him to her purse and take him with her – which she probably does because she's already been worried before even stepping out of the house.

Soon enough, newlyweds and well-wishers gone, Matthew is stuck in the house with Jessica Keith. Of course, Miles is with them, but he got bored watching cartoon and went up to his room to get his puzzles.

The living room was dead silent.

He was on the edge of the sofa while she was on the other end. The remote was on the coffee table. None of them bothered to change the channel.

Jessica clears her throat, splintering the thick wall of silence. She leaned over the arm rest of the sofa and lifted a shopping bag. She takes it to her lap and then slowly turned to him. "Hey."

Reluctantly, he craned his neck to face her.

She was wearing a denim jacket over a bodycon dress, her hair a red mess on top of her head.

No strings for a strap today.

Thank God for that.

She gingerly held out the shopping bag to him.

Matthew squinted at the bag. He would've taken it. Except it has a famous label on it that ends with 'lingerie.'

Okay, what is happening?

She blinked. "It's your suit jacket. Don't mind the label. It's the only decent looking shopping bag I had in my apartment. It's this or a paper bag from a Chinese food."

He shakes his head. "Just keep the jacket."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"No reason."

"Okay."

"Okay."

That, ladies and gentlemen, is day one of co-parenting.

Hope you're all safe, lovelies! My country's cases of COVID-19 is rapidly increasing again. I hope everything gets better. Anyways, how's the chapter? :)

When do you want me to upload the next update?