Chapter 7 - Eat And Run

On the rooftop of the hospital where the man was admitted, Matthew glanced at the unhealthy foods Zoey ordered. There was a box of pizza, can of beers, and other snacks; a delectable only for those who were not health conscious and definitely not a patient like him.

Since Matthew Xi could not go outside, Zoey came up with this bright idea of eating out — out in the cold rooftop of the hospital! Hence, she wheeled her up to the rooftop after she snuck these foods and illegal beverages.

"Mhmm..." Zoey chewed the soft dough of pizza as she closed her eyes in bliss. Just by eating, she was delighted to the extent that her cheek blushed.

Meanwhile, Matthew Xi glanced at the food placed on the rooftop railing and then to Zoey who had her elbows resting on the railing, a slice of eaten pizza on her right hand, and a can of beer on her left.

He pursed his lips on a thin line as he gulped. Just watching her eat, the food seemed appetizing. However, with his condition, Matthew Xi knew it wasn't a good idea to succumbed into temptation.

"Beer?" Sensing that he was staring at her, or to be exact, to the slice of pizza she was eating, Zoey offered, albeit not the one he was staring at.

Unexpectedly, Matthew Xi nodded his head before his hand picked up one unopened beer. Amused, Zoey anticipated if he would drink it or not. After several seconds, he didn't open the beer but just held on it.

"Are you just gonna hold that?"

"Yes," Without batting an eye, Matthew Xi blankly respond.

"Eh?!" Blinking many times, Zoey arched her right brow, appalled to what's going on inside this straight-laced man's head.

"You said it's your treat. Whether I eat, drink or not, it's still on your tab." His monotonous voice hasn't showed sign of shamelessness as he reasoned out, which caused Zoey's under eye twitch.

"Since I can't eat nor can I drink this, it's a shame if I don't take the offer. Also, you bribed me to accompany you so, I am taking the bribe even though I don't need it. " He added without batting an eye.

Zoey studied his imperious mien. To someone who looked like a man from a noble family, he sure was shameless. She was unsure whether he just lack tact or it's just the way he was.

"Wow," she said, shaking her head as she faintly clicked her tongue. "You remind me of me — my 'eat and run' days. I never really thought how shameless it looked until today."

"Eat and run?" Matthew Xi repeated, tilting his head slightly to the side.

"Yeah..." Zoey glanced at him again before turning her head towards the different aesthetics of the towering buildings that her eyes could reach. "It's when you eat a meal and then leave right after. In my case, I eat and leave and let my friends pay for it because I'm broke. Though the situation is different, it's the same in some area."

Zoey has zero knowledge how Matthew Xi perceived her statement. She was unaware that it only heightened his suspicions that she was truly a con... albeit an interesting one.

"Seriously, how can you not know that?" Giving him a side glance, Zoey's interest point was reduced by one points.

Granting that Matthew Xi was undeniably handsome, he was humorless.

"What's important is that, now I know — not that 'why I didn't'." His response made Zoey turned her head to his direction as he sat back on the wheelchair. She gave him an eye of dismay.

"Also, I suggest we go back inside." Just as Matthew Xi said those, he sneezed.

It's still cold and despite the thick coat Zoey lent him, the night breeze that penetrated his skin cooled his nerves and bones. After all, he was in the process of recovering.

"Weak," Upon hearing him sneeze, Zoey mocked as her lips stretched from ear to ear before chugging down the beer on her hand.

Instead of retorting to her ridicule, Matthew Xi just watched her and he tightly wrapped the coat around him.

"What do you usually do on your birthday?" Out of nowhere, Zoey asked while her gaze peered at the lights of the maneuvering cars.

"Hmm?" A little puzzled at her sudden inquiry, Matthew Xi shrugged his shoulder before he answered. "I work."

"Same... I so hate my boss and everything on my birthday." Zoey grumbled as she ground her teeth and crumpled the empty can of beer on her hand.

Although she said that, what she truly meant was that she hated herself (the boss), because no matter what day, her disciplined self could not help but work despite that she gave herself a leave.

Furthermore, this repetitive events on her special day annoyed her. Nothing changed ever since she could remember. Just when she thought that this year would be different, although it was, it wasn't something she expected.

Did she feel a spark between them? Excitement? Heartwarming? No, no, no. This day wasn't as fun and thrilling Zoey anticipated, it was more or less depressing with him around.

"And why are you telling me this?"

"Huh? Isn't obvious?" Bemused, Zoey turned. Her back on the edge railing, while her elbows rested on it.

When her eyes landed on his bewitching russet eyes, Zoey jerked her chin forward. "It's because I don't know you."

"..." Matthew Xi was rendered speechless. Her reason was because they don't really know each other?

Wasn't she more reckless than she already was?

In his point of view, he would rather not say anything to someone that doesn't have anything to do with his business. Instead of showing yourself like an open book to a strange.

"This might sound strange but to me, it's easier to talk to a stranger because..." Zoey tilted her head back, staring at the starless sky. "Even if they judge me, I won't give a damn."

"You don't care even if I judge you?" Arching his brows, Matthew Xi pondered whether he should speak his thoughts or not.. However, even before he could, he heard an irate "Aish!" before she wordlessly wheeled him inside, leaving their snacks behind.