Chapter 96 - Zion And Cora

Two hours later, Zoey and Cora Ma were finally done preparing for their own events to attend. 

"Z, I can't wear this." Staring at herself, Cora Ma shook her head before she turned to the dazzling Zoey who was putting on her earrings. 

"Sure, you can." Glancing at Cora Ma through the mirror, Zoey resumed on placing her one earring. She then turned to face the eye-candy of a friend. "How can you seduce my brother if you won't give him some fresh look?" She added, scanning her best friend from head to toe. 

Actually, Cora Ma's outfit wasn't that revealing. It was actually one of Zoey's most conservative outfits she considers. 

Since Cora Ma was shorter, the cut of the dress barely made it above the knees. If Zoey would wear it, it would reveal her confident legs. 

Still, it outlined Cora Ma's cute curves and showed a bit of her back and shoulders. Her usually straight bob cut hair was curled in a slight messy way, adding some volumes to her flat, boring hair. Also, the make up Zoey put on complimented the color of her skin and facial structure. 

Needless to say, Cora Ma's get up was perfect. Zoey was never satisfied like this before as she stared proudly at her creation. 

"I'm seducing no one, okay? I'm going there in your stead, but I think I'm a bit overdressed." Moving on with Zoey's teasing, Cora Ma sighed as she glanced at her reflection and frowned. 

"Overdressed? You'll be filling Zoey's seat, what are you saying? Compare to my usual outfits, they would be more pleased to see you!" Arching her right brow, Zoey placed her hands on her waist as she spoke. 

Well, Zoey would purposely attend such family dinners wearing almost nothing. Hence, Zion Kwan's aunties often tempted to send her inside the covenant to cleanse her impure soul. 

If not for a fact that Zoey has a date, she would be glad to prance her way in that formal dinner to see their usual reactions upon laying their eyes on her proud figure. Just thinking about it, Zoey giggled as a face of an old hag flashed across her eyes. 

"Z..." Hearing Zoey's soft giggles, Cora Ma shook her head sideways as she gave up. It was pointless to reason out with Zoey and she could not back out because of many reasons. One of them was not to disappoint Zion Kwan.

Just then, the two ladies heard a light knock from outside. Without further ado, it slowly opened and revealed the ever dashing Zion Kwan. 

"Oh, my! What a handsome man~!" When Zoey set her eyes on Zion Kwan that was akin to a noble prince, she skipped her steps and approached him. 

"Are you ready?" He asked, not traveling his gaze somewhere else because Zoey was all set. Although seeing her outfit, Zion Kwan didn't dwell on it as it was rather decent unlike of the clothes she wore in the past. 

"Uh, I'm not coming." Recalling that she forgot to give him a heads up, Zoey bit her lower lip out of guilt. Zion Kwan furrowed his brows, puzzled at what she meant by that. 

"Actually, I have a date and I can't make it to the family dinner." She added, informing him about the details. 

"Z..." Evidently displeased, Zion Kwan frowned. Sure, Zoey has another appointment, but what's disappointing was that she would be with Matthew Xi. More reason for him to be upset. 

"Welp! Don't worry, I have someone filling my seat and she'll be your date for tonight!" Before Zion Kwan could continue and nag her poor soul, Zoey grinned as she stepped aside. 

"Hey, look!" Seeing that Zion Kwan's displeased gaze were locked on her, Zoey puckered her lips and pointed at Cora Ma's direction. 

Slowly, Zion Kwan moved his gaze to the direction Zoey's lips pointed at. There, the meek and reserved Cora Ma stood with a short dress that befitted her figure, unlike how she usually covered her entire body. 

For a moment, Zion Kwan said nothing as she enthralled him at the delicate beauty from a distance. Cora Ma seemed to have a full make-over. From her dressing, the style of her hair, her make-up, and everything. 

Not that she wasn't pretty enough with her usual casual get-ups. It's just that Cora Ma gave a more refreshing light look. Hence, Zion Kwan had to take a moment for him to recognize the short woman. 

Meanwhile, Cora Ma bit her bottom lip as she felt self-conscious while being stared at. After all, the man who was intently scrutinizing her was the man she liked for years. Therefore, Cora Ma could not move a muscle as she felt a little embarrass. 

'I shouldn't have listened to Zoey.' She wept internally, not a bit confident about how she looked. 

"Kiss her tonight and make a score, oki?" Sounding like a small mischievous devil, Zoey whispered in his ears as she chuckled. 

"Shh...!" Snapping back from his daze, Zion Kwan shushed her as he glared at Zoey.

"Hehe, anyway, say my greetings to mommy and daddy Kwan. Tell our Aunties that I missed them from the bottom of my heart." Ignoring the warning glare from Zion Kwan, Zoey chuckled as she gleefully glided to Cora Ma's side. 

"Also, take care of my best friend, okay? Don't be so rough on her, she's still young and inexperienced. Hihihi~" Delivering a double meaning statement, Zoey's giggled grew louder as she pushed Cora Ma towards Zion Kwan. 

"Z,"

"You know you can have your own date if you're too in love with each other." Teasing the perfect couple for her, Zoey held both of their arms as she dragged them out. "It's getting late. Don't forget to use protection~" with that said note, Zoey managed to drag the two out and immediately head back to avoid being scolded. 

Zoey locked the door as soon as she pushed them out, so Zion Kwan wouldn't intrude inside. In that case, her plan to play as a cupid for her brother and best friend succeeded its first stage. 

Also, it succeeded her plan to ditch the Kwan's formal dinner party and could show off Matthew Xi tonight. 

*****

"That brat..." When Zion Kwan finally absorbed Zoey's last remarks, he ground his teeth as he turned to face the shut door. 

"I know she always does what she wants." Sighing, Cora Ma shook her head as she tried to delete Zoey's last vulgar advice.

Zion Kwan glanced at the delicate as a porcelain doll Cora Ma. He sighed in defeat. Now that they were there, he has no choice but to take Cora Ma as his date. 

"Well, it's not like we're not used to her. She won't be Zoey if she's not forceful." Letting out another deep sigh, Zion Kwan offered his arms to her. "Shall we?" He asked, giving her a natural gentle smile. 

Though a bit reluctant and timid, Cora Ma clipped her fingers on his sleeve as she nodded her head.. Yet, she missed the smile on his lips as he watched her hang her head low.