“Hey, Look at you! You are a man," she complained.

“You don't have to be so mean!"

This remark backfired, though.

Without so much as blinking, Matthew admitted, "Yes, I do. I have always been so mean!" ‘Geez! This man is so hard to coax, ' thought, rolling her eyes helplessly.

“Honey, do you know the difference between you and a monkey?" she asked.

Erica

The man's face darkened, as it so often did.

“You compare me to a monkey?"

“No, no, no. Listen to me. A monkey lives in the mountain, while you live in my heart!" Erica forced herself to smile.

“Aren't you happy to hear that?"

“No, I am not!" Matthew snapped. The truth was the exact opposite, but he refused to admit it out loud.

Erica pulled a long face. For the first time she had really confessed and tried to be humble and apologetic, but he was rejecting all of her efforts.

She was especially disappointed at how her line about the monkey had fallen flat; she had spent hours searching the Internet for a saying that would express her true feelings toward Matthew. The only one it made an impression on was Owen, whose broad shoulders trembled as he fought to contain his Laughter

The conversation went on and on, going nowhere; no matter what Erica said, Matthew was unfazed.

“Alas! Every time I'm angry, I'll accept his apology as long as he coaxes me. But he’s impossible to appease! It really is a headache to have such a childish husband. ‘

Distressed and hopeless, Erica turned to the window and watched the scenery passing by. For a moment, there was nothing to hear but the smooth hum of the car's engine. When she looked back, her husband was reading documents again.

"Matthew!"

He didn't respond.

"I know you can hear me, ' Erica thought irritably. She pursed her Lips and said, "I want to ask you a question. I can't have any friends in

Alorith, can 1?"

"You can!" he answered, not Looking up. As long as it was not Watkins, he could accept that.

“Well, you've made me a little upset," Erica sighed. She was at a loss.

“Well, when we get home, you should reflect on why you feel upset,"

Matthew told her.

Back in the cafe, he had been livid and acting out. Now he was cold and in control of the situation again. Erica thought it might be her turn to be furious now. ‘What, I should reflect on myself?' she thought.