When Matthew Xi left Clara Wei's side, his feet dragged him in the direction Zoey had headed. On his way, his brows knitted as he saw a precaution sign on the way which stated 'under maintenance'.
Thinking back, Matthew Xi couldn't recall the sign being here previously. Hence, a red alarm rang inside his head before he ignored the notice and headed towards the restroom.
As soon as he reached the ladies' restroom, Matthew Xi could vaguely hear some noises from inside. He couldn't decipher them, though. Thus, he decided to knock to know if Zoey was inside.
Alas, the indistinct noises inside subsided at that very instant. For some reason, his usual gaze turned piercing as he leaned his back on the wall, facing the shut door as he waited for anyone to exit.
He hoped that Zoey wouldn't be the person who would welcome him. Inside his heart, he hoped that if Zoey was indeed the person inside, she would be alone.
After all, Ezekiel Tang seemed to have followed her. God forbid... he wouldn't know what he would do if Ezekiel Tang did the unspeakable to her.
The next second, the door slightly opened, and his prayers weren't answered. There stood the slightly disheveled Zoey, who forced a smile on her lips as she looked at him.
"Darling," She whispered, her tone was unusually low as if she was afraid of something.
Matthew Xi didn't say anything as his gaze slowly traveled to the person behind her. He saw Ezekiel Tang's slightly disheveled hair and his loosened tie as he smirked.
"Are you alright?" Ignoring the taunting smirk from Ezekiel Tang, Matthew Xi coldly inquired as he turned to Zoey.
"Mhmm," Nodding her head, Zoey took a step forward and reached for his hand. "I'm fine." She said, squeezing his arm as his hands were shoved inside his pocket.
"Mr. Xi, I hope you don't misunderstand. Me and Miss Zhou were just discussing important stuff." Unbothered by the inexplicable air around them, Ezekiel Tang stepped out of the restroom and explained.
However, Matthew Xi didn't welcome his explanation as he studied Zoey's face, slowly traveling his eyes to her neck and her exposed skin. He spotted some reddish part on Zoey's wrist as well as some marks on her exposed slim shoulders.
"Where did he touch you?" Out of nowhere, he asked.
It was the first time Zoey felt this foreign air around him. It was suffocating, intimidating, and... scary. It has been a while since Zoey felt terrified deep down, and she disliked this vibe he seemed to emanate.
"Darling, it's fine —"
"Where?" Cutting her off, Matthew Xi repeated.
"Mr. Xi, aren't you being a bit harsh on Miss Zhou? We were just talking." Seeing how Matthew Xi disregarded Zoey's feelings, Ezekiel Tang scoffed and spoke righteously.
Slowly, Matthew Xi finally set his eyes on the confident Ezekiel Tang. Right, this person fooled Zoey and made her his mistress. He was the person who degraded Zoey for his own selfish reasons.
In short, he's the trashiest among all trash. A waste of oxygen in this world.
"What, Mr. Xi? You appear as if you're looking for a fight." Seeing the deadly glare from that pair of russet eyes, Ezekiel Tang asked, taunting him more.
"I'm sorry, but I have to refuse if that's what you want. Anyway, I know you two can settle this misunderstanding." Shrugging his shoulder in nonchalance, Ezekiel Tang would've never thought he would prefer being beaten black and blue than the consequences that were to follow in the future.
"Miss Zhou, I hope you can think of my offer. I'll see you around and I hope we can chat again, Z." As he took a few steps forward, Ezekiel Tang turned around as if he forgot to tell her something. After he said his piece, Ezekiel Tang left with a satisfied smile plastered on his lips.
"What a jerk!" Zoey clicked her tongue, glaring daggers at Ezekiel Tang's back. She shouldn't have restrained herself earlier and kicked his man's jewels. If she had, Matthew Xi wouldn't have witnessed her in such a misleading situation.
Meanwhile, Matthew Xi locked his gaze on her as she ridiculed Ezekiel Tang. Despite her usual reaction while dissing people, Matthew Xi was not a bit amused.
"Darling, it's not what you think it was — I swear!" Zoey snapped, returning to her current predicament. As soon as she realized that Matthew Xi was still with her, Zoey immediately faced him with the need to explain.
"Right, he forced me back inside and spouted utter crap. Even I am speechless! If you hadn't come, I might have kicked him in the balls!" Summarizing everything in one go, Zoey affirmed even though it sounded suspicious.
After all, a normal person's reaction would be to misunderstand. She wouldn't be surprised if he would. Despite knowing that her efforts might be futile, Zoey still tried to explain.
However, Matthew Xi didn't respond to her and kept staring at her. Hence, Zoey sighed heavily as she decided to pull out another card out of her sleeve: The damsel in distress card!
Slowly, Zoey took another step forward as her hand slid around his waist. She rested her head on his firm chest as her lips curved downwards.
Her action, obviously, stiffened his whole being. Not that he was not believing her words, actually he didn't doubt her. The reason he kept his silence was because it wasn't the answer to his previous question.
Yet, he didn't expect her to be so bold and embrace him. Well, Zoey was always bold, but her demeanor this time was slightly different.
It wasn't playful, but gentle and vulnerable. It was as if she clung onto him to breathe peacefully.
"Browny, you're scaring me. I will understand if you're mad and say harsh words. Just say something because I won't get to translate your silence." Through a whisper, Zoey muttered.
Although it was one of her tactics, Zoey's gentleness, and words were not fake. She was just being truthful to herself and expressing herself without any reserve.
Upon hearing her low-toned remarks, Matthew Xi sighed heavily. Why does Zoey seem to know all the right buttons to push? He couldn't remember Zoey playing her cards in a wrong time and place.
"Come with me," Conceding his defeat once again, Matthew Xi grabbed her hands which were resting behind him and gently dragged her back inside the restroom.
'Why am I being dragged back inside again? I think my urinary bladder is cursing me for blaming it for years.' Watching herself being dragged back inside the restroom, Zoey helplessly thought internally.
Still, unlike Ezekiel Tang's forceful grip, Matthew Xi was gentle as if he was leading her to wonderland.