Sunlight fell through the window, illuminating the huge bedroom. Charlize Theron woke from her slumber and was about to get out of bed when she felt a soreness in her waist and a lack of strength in her legs. Knowing this was a lingering effect of the madness from the night before, she couldn't help but reach out to the other side of the bed. As in the past, that side was empty; the person was long gone, and even the sheets were cold.
"That bastard..." Charlize Theron struggled to sit up. Looking at the clothes scattered everywhere in the bedroom, she recalled the scenes from the previous night and couldn't help but sigh heavily. "How can his energy be so boundless?"
Having lived with Matthew for two months, she knew that no matter how late they stayed up the night before, Matthew would always get up on time the next morning for his run. Perhaps it was this persistent exercise that gave him such a strong body and vigorous energy.
However, Charlize Theron felt there was also a natural component to it. After all, down there... She shook her head, stood up without putting on clothes, and went into the bathroom to take a Shower. After a quick wash, she tidied up the mess on the floor, changed into the clothes she had prepared the night before, and dragged the last suitcase out of the walk-in closet.
Today, Charlize Theron would officially move out of Horner Estate. Her Agent, Heidi Shaffer, had already contacted the media, and a press conference would be held this afternoon to announce the dissolution of her engagement with Matthew to the public.
Every plan had been laid out long ago, and all relevant parties had been coordinated. It was unlikely that any major surprises would occur.
As for the opinions of the entertainment media and the general public, they wouldn't cause any substantial loss or harm to her or Matthew.
Charlize Theron put the last few of her belongings into the suitcase and tidied the bedroom one last time. Standing in the middle of the bedroom carpet, she dazed off for a moment.
Too many memories and too much joy were left here.
But she wouldn't stay any longer because she knew what kind of person the owner of this place was. Staying would only lead to immense hurt in the future, which would lead to mutual damage, and the two wouldn't even be able to remain friends.
"Let it be," Charlize Theron muttered to herself. "It's time for it to end."
The bedroom door was pushed open from the outside, and Matthew walked in. Seeing Charlize Theron standing in the middle of the Room in casual clothes and dazed, he couldn't help but walk over.
"What are you thinking about, Sally?" Matthew said, standing beside Charlize Theron. "If you're reluctant to leave, you can stay here."
Charlize Theron didn't take the bait at all.
She gave Matthew a push. "Go take a Shower quickly; you smell like sweat."
Matthew shrugged, turned, and went into the bathroom. He washed up as quickly as possible and came out changed into loungewear, only to find that Charlize Theron and her suitcase were no longer in the bedroom.
He shook his head and left the bedroom for the dining Room downstairs. The chef had already prepared breakfast, and Charlize Theron was sitting at the oak dining table eating.
Matthew pulled out a chair and sat opposite Charlize Theron. He gave a slight wave, and the chef and maids quickly left the dining Room.
"What time is the press conference?" he asked, picking up his knife and fork.
Charlize Theron didn't even look up. "Three o'clock this afternoon."
"To be honest, Sally," Matthew said, looking around the vast dining Room. "Sitting here alone for breakfast in the future will feel too empty."
Charlize Theron picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, looked up, and said, "It's just as empty with two people."
It was only then that Matthew noticed Charlize Theron had faint dark circles under her eyes. "Didn't sleep well last night? You have dark circles."
"It wasn't just last night," Charlize Theron glared at him. "I haven't slept well these past few nights!"
There was a hint of complaint in her tone. "Matthew, have you gone crazy lately?"
Matthew shrugged and pointed to the dark circles on her face. "It seems I'm not the only one who went crazy."
Charlize Theron was instantly speechless and simply picked up her skim milk and began to drink.
After finishing the milk in her glass, she stood up and left the dining Room. Matthew finished the last piece of bacon and also left the Room.
In the huge living Room, Charlize Theron was dragging her suitcase, preparing to leave. Matthew hurried over and took the luggage from her hand. "Isn't the press conference not until this afternoon? Why the rush?"
Charlize Theron glanced at him, her pace never faltering. "Leaving sooner or later is still leaving."
Although he still wanted to try and ask her to stay, Matthew's reason told him it was impossible. He simply stopped talking and walked out with Charlize Theron.
A black sedan drove up slowly and stopped in the small plaza behind the fountain in front of the house.
The driver got out, took the suitcase from Matthew, and put it in the trunk. Charlize Theron looked back at the house she had lived in for a long time.
Matthew walked to the side of the car and opened the door for Charlize Theron. "If you're free, come back and see me often."
Charlize Theron reached the car door and was about to get in when she stopped. She suddenly opened her arms and gave Matthew a hug, and Matthew also opened his arms to hold her.
"If I miss you," Charlize Theron said suddenly out of the blue, "I'll come to see you."
Matthew gently patted Charlize Theron's broad back. "You're always welcome."
Charlize Theron released him, and Matthew took a step back. The two looked at each other before Charlize Theron lowered herself into the car, closed the door without hesitation, and instructed the driver, "To Santa Monica Valley."
She had a residence there, and she had already had most of her luggage transported over a few days ago.
Watching the black sedan drive out of the estate gates, Matthew shoved his hands into his pockets and turned back to the house. Aside from Britney, his first love, Charlize Theron was the only woman who had some place in his heart apart from the sexual pleasure in recent years. But this feeling hadn't reached the point where it could override his reason. He knew Charlize Theron wouldn't stop her pace for him, and he wouldn't stop for her either.
Just as he sat down on the living Room sofa, his phone rang. Matthew took it out and saw it was Elena Boyar calling.
He picked up the phone and pressed the answer button. "Hi, Elena."
"Matthew, I've already caught up with Charlize Theron," the person on the other end was Elena Boyar, who had evidently set out personally. "I just waved hello to her through the car window."
These were all part of the plan discussed with Charlize Theron's side. Matthew didn't waste words and said directly, "Take a few photos and get them on the website quickly, before Charlize's news conference this afternoon."
Elena Boyar had helped him many times. Since Charlize Theron didn't object, Matthew would give her some juicy scoops.
Mutual benefit was certainly the foundation of such cooperation.
"My people have been following Charlize," Elena Boyar sounded in high spirits. "Thank you for giving me another sensational exclusive."
Matthew wasn't polite with Elena Boyar either and said directly, "Watch your stance, and don't forget to guide public opinion."
Elena Boyar's voice rang out again. "Don't worry, we've collaborated more than once or twice; I know what to do."
"Mhm." Matthew wasn't worried about her side. Just then, the landline in the living Room rang, so he said, "Let's leave it at that. Contact me or Helen if anything comes up. I have another call, hanging up now."
After hanging up his mobile, he went over to answer the landline. The caller was Helen Herman.
"Has Charlize Theron left?" Helen Herman asked as her first question.
"She's gone." Matthew turned to look at the wall clock. "She's been gone for nearly ten minutes. Elena is following her."
Helen Herman's tone remained flat. "Charlize Theron's news conference is at three this afternoon. Get ready, and don't forget to come out tonight."
Matthew switched the receiver to his other hand. "Elena will interview me here after she finishes with Charlize's news conference."
Helen Herman reminded him, "Watch your wording. Don't say anything too over the top."
"I know," Matthew said pointedly. "I've memorized everything you drafted for me."
"How about this," Helen Herman still seemed uneasy. "I'll go to your estate this afternoon, and we'll discuss the specific details again."
"Sure," Matthew agreed first, then added intentionally, "I only heard a couple of days ago that a murder once took place in this yard."
Bang—
The other side hung up the phone immediately.
Matthew shrugged and put down the receiver. He walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and gazed into the distance. From his high vantage point, it seemed the entire Beverly Hills and half of the City of Angels were in full view, all beneath his feet.
But he knew this was ultimately an illusion, an impossible one at that.
In this circle, anyone with a bit of ambition and vision would not be a subordinate to others. Temporary endurance might be for the sake of a more distant future, but it would not be tolerated indefinitely.
He was just a movie star.
Thinking of this, Matthew decided to completely let go of Charlize Theron. What happened in the past was in the past; one must ultimately look forward.
After all, they were just in a fake engagement signed by agreement.
Since it was fake from the start, it was difficult for it to become real later.
Though there was little bit of regret in his heart, he still decided to look ahead. Before him, Beverly Hills was filled with clusters of trees, vibrant and lush.
After standing by the window for about ten minutes, Matthew turned and walked down the long corridor to the left, heading to the house's terrace. The terrace was the best vantage point in the entire estate, offering a nearly 180-degree view. If the weather was good, one could even faintly see the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel.
The press conference Charlize Theron had called for this afternoon was being held in the press Room of the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel.