Chapter 20 - Unless You’re A Masochist

"Alright," Nodding her head, Zoey said after she cleared Mel's concern. Right away, Mel smiled brightly and scoot away after she thanked her boss.

"She's really weird today..." Zoey murmured as she stared at the door. Mel was one of the most reliable employee she has. Same as Zoey, whenever the said woman was not around, the office felt blowing up.

Therefore, Zoey relied on Mel regarding on a lot of things, especially by working to the designs that must be done and the laws they must abide whenever they do a project.

Just then, Zoey noticed that she was the only person inside the office. "What? Where is he?" she murmured and creased her brows.

Since Mel took up her focus, Zoey forgot that Matthew Xi was with her momentarily. "Did he stay outside?" Assuming things inside her head, Zoey was about to check outside but heard a knock from.

"Come in," she approved, and the door opened, coming in Matthew Xi's ever inexpressive front.

"You were outside all along?" Zoey frowned.

"Call." As if words worth thousands, Matthew Xi hummed a tune before he explained the situation using one word.

"Ah... 'kay...?" Zoey cast him a look of doubt, yet, she could only take it at face value. After all, Matthew Xi was interesting as Zoey could and could not read him.

"Wait for me." Gesturing him to take a seat, Zoey trudged towards the door that was leading to her room.

"Mhmm," Matthew Xi hummed a tune as he nodded and occupied the available couch. Watching her enter the door, Matthew Xi could see some house furnitures as she left the door open.

'She really lives here?' In awe, Matthew Xi stretched his neck a little to the side to see more. When he realized how weird his action was, he immediately looked away and cleared his throat.

"Back~! Let's go?" When she returned, Zoey smiled as she closed the door behind her.

Despite that she took her sweet time, Zoey didn't bring a lot of things with her. But Matthew Xi didn't probe on it as he slowly stood up, making her sweet smile grew wider.

****

Inside Zoey's car...

"Engagement party?" Matthew Xi cast Zoey — on the driver's seat — a side glance as his brows furrowed.

"Yes, dear." Nodding her head, Zoey responded indifferently with her eyes on the road. "Well, I got the invitation after I set up our date, so I decided that why don't we attend together? In that case, everything is free! We don't have to spend that much money~" she explained happily, that left the corner of his brows twitching.

'Cheapskate.' was the first thought that entered his mind as his eyes flashed a glint of amusement and dismay.

Does she thinks he could not afford to take her out to any fancy restaurants? God, even restaurants that only accepts appointments six months prior, Matthew Xi could easily eat there without short notice.

Yet, Zoey wanted to take her to an engagement party so they would spend less on their first date? Matthew Xi was rather conflicted if he would laugh or be insulted by the conclusion.

"The funny thing is, the groom fell head over heels with me back then, so obviously, this act of invitation was also a challenge — I never take down challenges." Chuckling, Zoey's eyes slit up, finding the whole charade funny.

Regardless of the real reason she chose that place as their first date, Zoey was certain it would be a fun day. Just thinking about their angry faces, her chuckle sounded so evil it could make ones hair raise.

Meanwhile, when Matthew Xi heard her latter remarks, he narrowed his eyes as he glanced to see her amused side profile. "He was your former lover?" he asked, his fleek right eyebrow arched slightly.

"Eww, yes." Dismay at his question, Zoey's face scrunched up as she snatched a glance at his investigative eyes. "Unfortunately." she added with a snort.

Upon hearing her response, Matthew Xi's threatening dark mood immediately doubled as he nodded his head in dissatisfaction. Now that he knew more than he should, Matthew Xi thought that her idea wasn't that bad.

At the very least, the groom would realize what type of men Zoey likes. As that thought crossed his mind, Matthew Xi blinked numerous times. Did he just...

"Also, why are you asking me that? What if I answered that he's my first love or something? Won't you get hurt?" Humoring him, Zoey teased.

Without batting an eye, Matthew Xi responded with a cold "no," which gave her an opening for more teasing.

"Well, unless you're a masochist — of course, you won't mind." Zoey giggled as she stole glances at the dead pan expression plastered across his face.

She found it truly interesting whenever he had this 'shut up, woman' expression. Yet, he never say it out loud. How cute.

"We're here, darling!" Slowly, their vehicle parked on the mall's parking space. Matthew Xi didn't notice it earlier but when he did, he frowned.

"Don't frown, this mall is one of my clients." Seeing his judgy eyes, Zoey nearly cracked.

Well, it was true that she doesn't have any supposed meetings outside, but she had this plan to have a trial date with Matthew Xi. Therefore, Zoey made a call to the mall's branch manager that she would drop by; moving her official meeting with them in a month today.

With that said note, Zoey and Matthew Xi headed inside the establishment. Matthew Xi remained quiet as he recalled her employees words.

Glancing at her, a faint sigh escaped his mouth. He felt like being trapped by Zoey's world slowly, with him realizing it and yet he pretended not to know.

Matthew Xi had always been keen and precise on his wants and needs. But ever since Zoey came into his life, Matthew Xi felt like standing on the thin line between embracing the small attractions he has for her, or keep his focus straight about the three dates.

Despite these complications, he found himself being reeled on the first option; surely, she's stirring undiscovered emotions he never knew existed before.

Just as he was deep in his thoughts, Zoey turned around suddenly. Without a word being said, she wrapped her slender arms around his waist and bury her face on his chest — disregarding that they were in the middle of the mall.

Matthew Xi's eyes widened, his back unconsciously stiffened and he swallowed a mouthfulof saliva.

"Just play along," she murmured that pushed his curiosity at its peak.