Chapter 144 - They All Died... It’s So Sad.

"Cora, I know you're inside!" Standing in front of Cora Ma's apartment, Zoey shouted as she knocked on the door. 

She already went to Cora Ma's workplace but was told she was on a sick leave. Still, Zoey thought of dropping by the cafe her best friend often spent time in on the way. However, even Cora Ma's shadow was nowhere to be found. 

Therefore, Zoey was certain Cora Ma was in her apartment. There were no other places her friend could be at this moment, as Zoey already went to check everywhere. 

"Cor—" Just when Zoey was about to knock again, she stopped as the door slowly opened. Due to the door chain lock, she could barely see the person inside. 

"Z, why are you here?" Through the small gap in the door, Cora Ma meekly inquired. 

Zoey, on the other hand, arched her right brow as she crossed her arm under her chest. "After telling me you hate me? You think I'll just sit still and be hated by one of my favorite people?" In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey shrugged her shoulders before raising her brows, gesturing for her to open the door. 

"I — I just didn't feel well last night. I didn't mean it, really." 

"I know," Staring at Cora Ma through the tiny gap, she sighed. "I heard you're on a sick leave, are you alright?" Zoey asked, pursing her lips into a thin line. 

"Yes, it's just a slight fever."

"Let me in." Without further ado, Zoey uttered directly as her friend seemed like she had no intention of inviting her in. 

"No, it might transmi—"

"This door is very flimsy — I can kick this open without exerting much effort, you know." Interrupting her midway, Zoey glanced at the door and nodded her head. "Step aside." Zoey added, taking a few steps back as she took her stance — ready to kick the door open. 

However, just as Zoey did, Cora Ma spoke. "Alright... I'll open." She said meekly. She slowly closed the door, and slid the chain lock from its frame, before opening it once again. 

Zoey just sighed as she watched the door open at a snail pace. "Come — come inside." As soon as Cora Ma saw a glimpse of Zoey, she turned her back against her as she invited her inside. 

Zoey scrutinized her back while entering her apartment. Looking around, Cora Ma's place was as tidy as ever. 

"Have you eaten anything? I bought some fruits and medicines." Zoey spoke, breaking the odd silence in her place. She then placed the bag full of fruits and a variety of medicines she bought on the way over the table. 

"Mhmm," Without facing Zoey, Cora Ma hummed a tune as she nodded her head. Yet, her action sparked suspicion from the latter. 

Zoey narrowed her eyes, sizing Cora Ma from head to toe before she trudged towards her. As soon as Zoey approached, she pulled Cora Ma's arm, forcing her to face her. 

"Were you crying?!" Zoey gasped upon seeing Cora Ma's swollen eyes. 

"No... it's just... the ending I was writing." Gulping a mouthful of saliva, Cora Ma shook her head. Alas, no one would be convinced of her obvious lie. 

"Cora..." Letting out another sigh, Zoey guided her to the couch. "You know we're best friends for a reason, right? Even if it's about something you don't want to tell me, I can always share the burden with you." Zoey gently patted her friend's head, feeling sorry for whatever Zion Kwan did to her. 

Moreover, Zoey knew that she was also at fault because she forced Cora Ma to attend on her stead. Therefore, her desire to fix this problem intensified. 

"No, it's really the ending..." Shaking her head, Cora Ma choked as her eyes began to well up. 

Zoey's eyes softened, watching her friend restrict herself from bawling but to no avail. Zoey could barely remember the last time she bawled like this and the reason was stupid. 

"It's okay... I hope you didn't butcher one of your characters and gave him a peaceful death." Patting her back, Zoey muttered as she tried to cheer her up even just a little. 

"They all died... it's so sad." In between her hiccups, Cora Ma wiped her river of tears while Zoey continued to pat her back.

****

After some time, Zoey let Cora Ma rest for a bit. Cora Ma's fever was not just an excuse because she was really running a fever. Hence, Zoey cooked something for her before Cora Ma went to rest. 

"Darling, I missed you~" Zoey said the moment the call connected. Alas, she received his usual silence as a response. 

"Can you ask my brother to send a good doctor to check on Cora?" Since he wasn't saying anything, Zoey just shrugged it off and said her main concern. "She's having a fever, but I want to make sure." She added.

"I see..." Nodding his head in understanding, Matthew Xi glanced at the door as Zion Kwan just returned after making his rounds. 

"Also, the doctor should be handsome, at least six feet tall, in his early 30s, and kind." She muttered, adding her preferences for the person she was asking for. 

"Alright." Despite the fact that Matthew Xi wanted to tell her that she should just say 'bring Zion Kwan to check on Cora', he didn't. "We'll be there in thirty minutes. Stay away from her or you might catch the fever too." Matthew Xi noted before cutting the line short. 

As soon as Matthew Xi ended the call, he slowly stood up which caught Enzo Li and Zion Kwan's attention. "Doctor Kwan, let's go." Without further ado, Matthew Xi turned to Zion Kwan. He informed him earlier, so Matthew Xi assumed Zion Kwan understood the situation. 

"No, I am not —"

"Are you sure? This might be the last time you'll ever get to see your sister before I hide her." Arching his brows, Matthew Xi cocked his head to the side, which made the corner of Enzo Li's lips twitch. 

"Big bro... did you contract Zoey's mental disorder? You're beginning to sound like her..." Under his breath, Enzo Li muttered as he watched Matthew Xi threaten Zion Kwan to come with him. 

God... his cousin was in character with this hostage taking task! He knew Matthew Xi was sometimes an overbearing tyrant.. Yet, this was another level of tyranny. Did Zoey drug him to make him act like a tactless mob?