Chapter 201 - 10 Minutes

Warm sunlight kissed Matthew Xi's face gently, causing his eyes beneath his eyelids to flicker slowly before they opened. Opening them halfway, he glanced at his side upon the slight movement. 

Unconsciously, the side of his lips curled into a relieved smile. He felt the surge of warmth envelope his ice-cold heart as he set his pair of russet eyes on the beauty sleeping peacefully beside him. 

He slowly turned to his side, facing her as he studied Zoey's sleeping face. 'What a morning...' he muttered internally, having never felt this contentment in the morning ever in his life. 

Closing his eyes again, Matthew Xi opened them again slowly. As he did so, he saw Zoey with the same peaceful front in the same position. Hence, a sigh of relief slipped past his lips. 

For a moment, he thought he had a dream last night and was still dreaming. After all, for him, this was too good to be true. Thus, it slightly terrified him to believe it; to believe that they slept peacefully in each other's embrace. He would hate for it to turn out to be just a dream. 

Matthew Xi slightly raised his hand, trailing her fleek brows and gently touched her naturally long curled lashes. The tip of his forefinger then traveled from the bridge of her nose down to its apex.

Pursing his lips into a thin line, Matthew Xi had the sudden urge to wake her up by showering her with kisses. However, considering she just needed some comfort due to her panic attack, he halted with reluctance. 

'I'll take care of you, don't worry.' He whispered internally, staring at her and engraving Zoey's facial structure as if memorizing it. 

Although he might have zero clue why Zoey was sketchy about certain things, yet Matthew Xi didn't mind. He wished that she would just tell him and share the burden with him but he reminded himself to be patient. 

After all, Zoey had a tough childhood. He might know about it, but Matthew Xi couldn't be a hypocrite and say he understood completely. Knowing about it and experiencing the same thing had a vast difference. 

Also, Matthew Xi was certain there was more she hadn't told him just yet. Therefore, he wanted to betolerant and let her take her time until she was ready. 

Well, that time might or might not come. Nevertheless, that didn't change how amazing she was. 

For going through an abusive childhood, a tough teenage life, and so on... Zoey was indeed a strong woman. Despite her flaws, despite her panic attacks, she would always move forward every single day. 

No wonder why many men didn't last with her presence. Not because Zoey was not pretty enough or ideal; it was because she's too independent and strong that not many could handle. 

After all, men would prefer a woman who would make them their hero. They preferred their woman would make them feel strong and rely on them. 

On the other hand, Zoey was the complete opposite. She would make them— including Matthew Xi — feel useless. As if she never needed them in the first place! She would make them feel she could stand on her own, and even prove that she could live on her own. 

If Matthew Xi wasn't Matthew Xi, he would have already bid her farewell a long time ago. However, that wasn't the case. He could see the other side of the coin despite the awful truth mentioned above which was that Zoey didn't keep anyone around for money or benefits. She kept them for the hope of love and deep understanding. That their hearts could communicate silently even without words being spoken. 

Her independence, her carefree nature, her strong personality, her cunningness and greed... he can't help but let his admiration for her grow every single day. 

Perhaps, that was one of the reasons she usually lost her interest. They couldn't understand what her heart was saying — screaming. 

'I still hope you didn't change your words last night to goodnight.' He sighed, recalling how Zoey corrected her words midway and said goodnight. 

After admiring her for quite some time, Matthew Xi glanced at the time. Upon seeing that he should start preparing for work, another sigh slipped past his lips. 

Alas, he was certain Zoey would come to the office late as she had to accompany her brother and Cora Ma in their wedding plans. Well, that would also work fine with him as he could work efficiently as Zoey's assistant and CEO of the XI Corporation. 

Matthew Xi pulled his arm that she was using as a pillow, afraid to wake her from sleep. Slowly but surely, he carefully drew his body back away along with it. 

However, just as he was halfway, Zoey's hand on his waist pulled him weakly back to her. "Ten minutes," she murmured, without opening her eyes. 

Zoey then squeezed herself back to his warm body. "Let's cuddle for ten more minutes." She whispered, her face buried in his chest as she wanted to sleep more. 

Meanwhile, Matthew Xi's back stiffened. He felt her hand behind his back locked together, locking him in his position as she found her comfort spot in him. 

"I... I'll get late." Clearing his throat, Matthew Xi's voice still failed to follow his usual composed tone. 

"Mhmm... and I'm your boss." Without moving a muscle, Zoey rebutted softly which made him sigh in defeat before relaxing back to bed. 

"Ten minutes," He repeated, reminding her of the request she made. Well, he would cuddle with her for as long as she wanted, but not with this sort of complicated relationship they have right now. 

They weren't official yet and he hadn't told her his secret. If things get cleared soon, he'll surely stay in bed for an entire day cuddling even though she wouldn't ask him to. 

Little did he know, his last remark also added another points to Zoey's conclusion; he's gay. Hence, Zoey frowned as she hid her face in his chest. 

'I think I'm falling for someone who doesn't like women... this is karma....!' Zoey wept internally, her perfect morning sleep was instantly wrecked by her wild wild imagination.