Expedition towards Success

Chapter 14

I was dazed and rendered speechless. My eyes widened a little as my lips parted. Before a word could even escape my mouth, Matthew already opened the door for me. I took my seat with a confused face.

When I came back to my senses, I immediately puckered my brows and tilted my head, slightly facing Matthew.

"What was that?" I questioned.

We were now in the middle of our trip on our way home. I was still confused, but at least I've already said a word. I shook my head when he didn't answer. He remained staring firmly in front, gripping tightly on the steering wheel, and biting his lower lip.

"Matthew, what was that?" I entirely faced him.

"I don't want to repeat it, Andrea." He rigidly answered.

"I'm not asking you to repeat it. I'm confused, Matthew."

He breathed.

"Can you stop the car so we can talk?" I softly demanded. He slowly decreased the car's speed.

When we've totally stopped, I looked at him; body jerked in his direction.

"What does that mean?" I asked. Because I'm really confused, I was only joking and teasing him when I asked that. I wasn't prepared for that outburst.

He sighed and bit his lips, trying to suppress a smirk.

"Why are you smirking? What's funny?" I intrigued.

He rested his arm on his side and played with his lips using his thumb. He stared at me and raised his left brow.

"What? Are you suddenly unable to speak?" I spurted out.

Amusement was very evident in his face. Looks like he's enjoying this. He shook his head.

"Let's not talk about it." He said and regained his dark composure. He sighed and now looked serious.

"I want to talk about it." I insisted.

His dark hooded eyes lingered at me for a while, "I'm sorry. I didn't want this to escalate quickly."

"Now, I'm totally clueless." I tilted my head.

"It's too early for that, Andrea. Let's take it slow." He licked his lips and smiled.

The vague assertions he dropped left me astounded. He drove me home with a slight smile plastered on his face as if he's proud of something I couldn't identify. Meanwhile, I was contemplating and processing everything in my seat. I got home with those confusions with me.

The time went by quickly. We continued our usual routines; waking up early for school, chitchatting, taking down notes, reviewing for the recits, Matthew and Wendy coming with me in the library and going home with Matthew. Thank God I was consistent doing a great job on managing my time.

I sleep in time; I eat in time, but still take time in studying intensely so I won't cram.

Matthew and I became closer despite my lack of knowledge about that matter. I stopped thinking deeper about it. That shall reveal in time.

Wendy, Matthew and I were always together. Whenever we'll have exams, we'll be reviewing altogether in the library. Of course, Wendy's lamentations regarding to Jonathan will never be absent.

As of now, we're inside the library reviewing for our upcoming final exams. It's already our last sem so we're really studying hard because there's no room for failure. We need to pass.

"Andy. Please enlighten me with this one." Wendy asked, his brows were furrowed as she stares at her reviewer. I attended her.

The library was reasonably full. We're here on our spot; the table where Matthew often sits whenever he's waiting for me to finish my duties. Beside me on my right side was Wendy, while Matthew on my left.

"I'm quite puzzled. Is it correct that if a person who on the occasion of a robbery, kills a bystander by accident is liable for two separate crimes which are robbery and reckless imprudence resulting in homicide?" She asked and anticipated for my answer.

I pouted while thinking, "Wrong, only one crime of robbery with homicide is constituted."

Wendy tilted her head and clicked her tongue.

"Why?"

"Because the Article 294[1] of the Revised Penal Code punishes the crime as only one indivisible offense when a killing, whether intentional or accident, was committed by reason or on occasion of a robbery." I responded.

Her mouth formed an "o" as she took down notes. She thanked me and went back to what she was doing. I smiled while staring at her, she really improved a lot. She's so dedicated and determined. I'm happy for Wendy.

I felt like I'm being watched by a pair of eyes so I lifted my gaze and it darted to Matthew who was staring at me intently.

I cleared my throat and raised an eyebrow.

"What?" I mouthed.

He licked his lips and glanced at his notes but immediately brought it back to me.

"Can you help me too?" He whispered. I nodded and moved closely to see his notes.

"Sure. What is it?"

He didn't respond and felt his eyes remained looking at me attentively. I scanned his notes and looked for his concern.

"Where is it, Matthew?" I continued searching through the pages.

"Here." He uttered softly. I looked at him and our eyes met. His fascinating eyes bore to me intensely, I was lost.

Normally, a stare would make me extremely uncomfortable so I tend to look away. But this time was different. It felt so wholesome, it's relaxing. I felt calm and contented. It felt like home, my safe place. We were silently staring at each other. He blinked softly.

"Can you help me, Andrea?" He softly spoke. "Because I'm already drowning... And not just fallen, but madly smitten."