“Just great, he said in a frustrated tone.

“Jump! I'll catch you."

Erica was just too dizzy at this point. So she decided to unwrap one arm from around the tree. She hung by her other arm briefly, then scrunched her eyes tightly and dropped, confident Matthew could catch her.

It went worse than either of them intended. Matthew did catch her in his arms, but was knocked to the ground by the impact. She landed on top of him, and the man grunted, wincing in pain.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw the giggling woman. She was laying on top of him, hugging the poor man.

"A Little warning, next time?" he said between gritted teeth.

Last time she tried this, she jumped from the stone wall on the riverbank.

It was about a meter up, and he caught her easily. She was easily twice that high when she climbed the tree.

"You almost crushed me..."

As stubborn as ever, Erica said, "You said you were going to catch me, so I trusted you!”

Matthew didn't know what to say in return. How could he not catch her?

If she slipped through his arms, or he didn't get to her in time, she'd be hurt. And that was something his heart could not bear.

The bodyguards held back their Laughter and helped the two up. Matthew carried the woman in his arms and strode into the villa.

He set her down once they got inside. In an angry tone, he ordered her,

“Walk by yourself!"

The girl's mouth pouted and she stole a glance at him, shivering.

"What the hell? Why are you yelling at me? You are definitely not Matthew. My

Matthew wouldn't be so mean to me. Tell me who you are!"

To emphasize her point, she grabbed the man's collar, and her eyes were wide in that creepy way that Matthew loathed. They Looked Like they were going to pop out of her head.

“Erica—"

"You're not Erica. I am. Tell me! Who the hell are you?" She raised her fist and shook it at him.

Matthew didn't take her threat seriously. He buried his anger. It wouldn't do to explode at the girl.

“Sounds like you need to know who's boss," he said indifferently.

“Who's boss? God, you are so arrogant! Go to hell-"

Whump! Her fist landed right on his nose, sending stars of pain into his vision for a few moments.