Chapter 37 - A Stranger

When Vivian Xi sent Alyssa Jing off, she went to find her son. Knowing him, she headed straight to the kitchen and saw him opening a bottled water.

"Matt, this is why they were saying you were..."Her words trailed off as she halted from continuing that forbidden word — at least for her, it was. She didn't want to say it from her mouth because it might come true!

"What? Gay? What if I am?" Casting his mother a blank stare, Matthew Xi continued her sentence.

"Son, don't say that!" Helpless, Vivian Xi looked around. Fortunately, her son's servants were not around. Who knows that they would talk about her son behind her back if they heard his misleading remark.

"Why do I need to care about what other people say?" Matthew Xi said flatly before chugging down half of the water.

Indeed, Matthew Xi had always known about this long running rumor that had lived longer than he could remember. Despite that, that rumor never hindered him from doing business.

Therefore, he never bothered to clear this rumor or tried to defend himself. Also, it was not him to blame that he was never attracted to a woman... until Zoey.

Still, his thing with Zoey ended today. The reason he was extra cold towards his mother's visitor.

"Son, you'll be in your 30s in a few months. How can I not worry?" Vivian Xi heavily sighed. She was used to her son's nonchalance about other people's opinions.

It was not like it was a terrible trait. However, her son was getting older... so she was. Would she even have the chance to see her grandkids while she's alive? After all, Matthew Xi doesn't seem he would settle down anytime soon.

Matthew Xi opened his mouth but closed them again. He was aware that his mother was worried, but what could he do? All the women of her mother's choice were all boring.

They were all the same... unlike his choice. However, didn't he ended his deal with Zoey? Why was he even comparing?

"My son, can you at least attend to the dates I set up for you?" Desperate, Vivian Xi stared at her son, her eyes twinkled with hope, "For me?" It was as if the second Matthew Xi refuse, she would have an emotional breakdown.

Matthew Xi studied his mother's pitiful countenance. Deep down he knew she was acting, but he had a soft spot for Vivian Xi. Thus, he pondered how he could refuse politely.

"Mom..." Just then, Matthew Xi heard a voice coming from the phone Zoey lent. Yes, his ringtone was Zoey's seductive "I'm here, Darling~", which made him close his eyes in distress before shoving his hand inside his pocket.

"Huh?" Baffled at the sensual voice, Vivian Xi watched her son take out a pink smartphone from his pocket. "Uhm...?" Slowly, Vivian Xi leaned a little closer to take a peek on the phone.

Why was her son's phone color pink? No, no, that should be her least concern, but who was the woman he used as a ringtone?

Vivian Xi's mind was filled with utmost curiosity as she stared at her son with eyes wide open. 'Did he had a girlfriend? So suddenly?' Having that conclusion, Vivian Xi's eyes twinkled, expecting that her future daughter-in-law was calling.

"Oh, Paul?" Sensing the oozing curiosity emanating from his mother, Matthew Xi cleared his throat and acted indifferent.

"Alright. I'm going back to the office tomorrow. About my meeting with the Sun Corporation, schedule it in the evening. Yes, thank you." Matthew Xi discussed things with his assistant Paul Qian for a brief moment. As he does, Matthew Xi secretly glanced at his mother who was disappointed that it was Paul Qian not someone else.

Soon, the call ended, and Matthew Xi immediately locked his phone. However, Vivian Xi still had a glimpse of his wallpaper. It was a woman!! A WOMAN!

"Son, who's that?" Without further ado, Vivian Xi asked bearing an expectant eye.

"A stranger." As soon as his mother asked, Matthew Xi replied within a millisecond. He already thought of an answer because he knew his mother would ask.

"A stranger? What an interesting stranger..." Nodding, Vivian Xi raised her brows as her gaze never left her son's figure. If only she could read Matthew Xi's mind despite his inexpressive front, sadly she couldn't even though he was her son.

"I'll be busy with the company affairs again. I don't have time with your arrangements." Diverting their subject, Matthew Xi returned to their topic before that 'weird stranger'.

"Oh, okay! Get back here and let's eat dinner, okay?" Vivian Xi wasn't displeased that he rejected the blind dates she arranged.

After all, her son finally showed interest to a woman. He even used the woman's voice as his ringtone, and he seemed he even exchanged phones with her like teenagers.

"Was she the reason he has gone missing in action? Omo! How far did their relationship go?" While Matthew Xi was heading to freshen up, Vivian Xi's mind went wild as she blushed, proud that her son was not what the rumors say.

****

Meanwhile, at Z Image Group...

"You, why do you keep frowning? He will come back!" Another sigh escaped Zoey's lips as she emptied the wineglass. "The problem with people like him is that they didn't want to owe people... he'll show up one of these days so," Her cheeks was a little flushed, evidence that she had drunk a little too much of wine.

Hence, Zoey was now talking to herself in front of the mirror before she laughed heartily.. "Until then, my Darling."