Take My Breath Away

I love Erica.

—by Matthew Huo.

Before Matthew and Erica got engaged, Wesley had a change of heart. Now that he had some time to think about it, he was starting to regret what he'd done.

So he went to see Matthew alone and said, "I don't think I should force you two to get married. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, not something that I can impose on you. I just want you to be happy."

"You're not forcing me to do anything, Uncle Wesley. Erica's still young. And even though she thinks she knows everything, she doesn't. I can take care of her. I'll give her whatever she wants, as long as I can make her happy!" Matthew replied.

Wesley was stunned. "But... don't you have someone you like?"

"Yeah I do—it's Erica."

Wesley didn't know how to react.

"I don't mind Erica having another man's kid, as long as she and I can live happily ever after."

"But you were defiant that day. You told your old man no."

"Of course. As I said, she's still young. It may be a blow for her to get married so early, let alone marry someone she doesn't love. Moreover, I don't like people trying to control my life. That's what he was doing, so I wouldn't let him." It was his marriage, his life. Carlos might be heavy-handed and domineering, but he couldn't control everything.

"Whatever, Matthew. I still think it's unfair."

"I don't. She's the one I love, and I'm happy we're getting married. I just needed someone to light a fire under my butt to make me do something about it. I hope you and Aunt Blair can offer me more help after we get married. With your help, I can make Erica fall in love with me ASAP."

Wesley fell into silence. 'My daughter met a man who loves her a lot and is willing to overlook her mistakes. Why do I think this is such a bad idea?'

This conversation was what made Wesley support Matthew wholeheartedly every time he and Erica had a fight.

Back when Matthew went to visit the Li family, he had been interested in the little girl who bought him a shirt from a street stall.

When Matthew was studying in America, Erica was vacationing there as well, and lived in his villa. Although they didn't talk much, he still thought the little girl was adorable and interesting.

Her dark eyes were always full of mischief and cunning. Every time she saw him coming downstairs, she would nod and bow to him, like a startled rabbit spotting a lion.

Matthew had been used to people nodding and bowing to him, but he knew Erica was different from anyone else he met. Although she nodded and bowed, there was no fear or panic in her eyes when she looked at him.

She was special as always.

One year, in the Huo family manor, he heard Erica talking about what she wanted in husband. He eavesdropped on her conversation, and filed the information away so he could use it in the future if he needed to.

He met at least a couple of her specifications. He was tall, and rich. No matter what she wanted, he could give it to her.

The reason why Carlos thought he had anything to do with Phoebe was that Matthew helped her out when she was injured. He carried her to the car. But she was his best friend's girlfriend. If not for that, he wouldn't care at all.

In Matthew's opinion, Carlos forcing him to marry Erica was the best thing the old man had ever done for him.

It turned out that Carlos also loved his son and was willing to give him what he wanted the most in this world.

Erica didn't like him then.

She was taking care of another man's child.

The girl didn't want to marry him at all.

But

e past couple days and he had no time to spend with her.

He silently decided to wait, just deal with his affairs. He'd be done with Nathan and Phoebe, and he could spend more time with her.

It turned out that she blocked his way because she wanted to ask him about visiting their parents, something of a wedding tradition. Of course, he would visit her parents with her. No matter how busy he was, he couldn't ignore such a big event.

But he wanted to wait until the next day to visit the Li household. She seemed a little disappointed.

Thinking of the disappointment in her eyes, after he returned to his study, Matthew decided to put everything aside and go with her to visit her parents.

However, when he asked someone to book a flight for them, he discovered she already bought tickets of high-speed train, because she thought he couldn't go with her.

The first time he heard her call him "honey" was at the gates to her school. He heard that Erica was there and came to pick her up.

Erica was in a fight with another girl. It was then that he realized he had caused so much drama in her life. But she had never mentioned it or complained to him. Who said she was thoughtless?

She was so considerate that he felt sorry for her. She shouldn't have to deal with that alone.

Before getting married, Matthew had told himself that since he had decided to marry Erica, he would treat her and the kid well, even though Ethan was not his.

When he picked up baby Ethan for the first time, Matthew floated the idea of having a kid together. He mentioned it to Erica.

But when he couldn't hold back anymore and tried to make love to her, all he succeeded in doing was frightening her. He had to give up the idea for the time being.

The married life didn't disappoint Matthew. Erica was really an interesting girl. She was stupid enough to believe that he loved Phoebe, not her.

But the truth was, from start to finish, Erica was the only woman in his heart.

Otherwise, why would he marry her? He even washed her hair, washed her feet, made chocolate and macaroons for her, and always bought her gifts.

He lied to her, told her the chocolate was for Gwyn, and the silly girl believed him. In fact, what she didn't know was that Matthew had learned how to make chocolate in his free time, and then made it for her to eat. It was all for her.