Chapter 202 - BITTER

"Good morning, love birds." As Zoey entered the dining room, she glanced at Cora Ma and Zion Kwan who were preparing the table together. 

Behind her, Matthew Xi in his business suit walked towards the kitchen counter. Preparing two coffee mugs for himself and Zoey, he glanced at her who was already doing her habit in front of the coffee machine. 

"Good morning, Z." As if they had no problem at hand, Cora Ma beamed her a bright smile like the happiest girl in the world. 

Zoey, who was staring at Cora Ma's smile, nearly rolled her eyes out of enviousness. She knew Cora had a good hot night with her brother.

Meanwhile, aside from a very simple yet heartwarming night for her, Zoey felt a little grumpy with her thoughts early in the morning. She was genuinely liking a man who also likes men! This world was just cruel!

"So, when's the wedding?" Shaking her head to clear her thoughts which were corrupting her mind, Zoey inquired while she leaned on the kitchen counter with her gaze on the couple near the table. 

"As soon as possible," Zion Kwan answered, without a second hesitation which made Cora Ma blush. "I contacted some people I know that can help us arrange the wedding." He added, glancing at Cora Ma lovingly as he raised his hand and patted his future wife's head. 

Just seeing them, Zoey felt her stomach churn by this public display of affection early in the morning. If this was before, she would be all over her best friend and tease her to no end. 

However, that was if she wasn't this bitter. Matthew Xi already made her bitter which the three of them were unaware about. 

"Jeez... don't get pregnant just yet." Clicking her tongue, Zoey scoffed in bitterness as she rolled her eyes at her brother and future sister-in-law. 

Zoey then turned and faced the coffee machine, "Coffee, anyone?" She inquired loudly, raising her brows briefly as two mugs slid towards her. 

"I do," As usual, his cold and deep voice that was able to lower the perfect atmosphere, assailed her ears from the side. 

'Jeez...' Zoey clicked her tongue internally, her bitterness level surpassed another level. She could not help but compare Matthew Xi's tone to Zion Kwan's gentleness while talking to Cora Ma. 

"We'll have tea, please!" From behind, Cora Ma requested as she smiled lovingly at Zion Kwan. 

Alas, Cora Ma's 'order' was the last straw which made Zoey snap. "Tea?!" Grinding her teeth, Zoey's piercing glare struck the innocent lovers around the table, causing them to furrow their eyes in confusion. 

"Ma Cora, when did you start drinking tea?! Aren't you — we are coffee lovers?!" Zoey widened her eyes, placing her hands on her waist as she instigated. 

"Uhm..." Surprised at Zoey's strange behavior, Cora Ma bit her lower lip. 

"Z, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" Knitting his brows, Zion Kwan inquired as he had noticed Zoey's bitter behavior since she set her foot in the dining area. 

"My coffee..." Meanwhile, Matthew Xi muttered emotionlessly, sliding his mug beside the other mug she was about to pour coffee in. 

He couldn't care less about Zoey's behavior this morning as she was always different everyday. It was as if whenever she showers every morning, she also decides which mood should take over her for the day. 

Be it the calm Zoey, crazy Zoey, naughty Zoey, I-don't-care-about-the-world Zoey, and etc, Matthew Xi was sort of immune to it now. Hence, this was no surprise for him. 

Little did he know, the mood that took over her today was bitterness — bitter that she knew she's liking her karma: HIM. Alas, the problem was, she was now slowly believing that he's gay for all her misunderstandings. 

"Damn it!" Upon hearing the nonchalant Matthew Xi, Zoey growled before she glared at him. "I won't go to the office today! You, Ma Cora, we'll have breakfast outside and meet my friend!" Pointing at Cora Ma, Zoey exclaimed before she stomped her foot out of the dining area. 

When she left the dining room leaving an edgy atmosphere behind, Cora Ma and Zion Kwan looked at each other cluelessly. They then turned their inquiring gaze to Matthew Xi who bore the same confused front. 

"I'm innocent," Matthew Xi said, shrugging his shoulders as he didn't know what's up with Zoey this morning. After that, none of the three spoke as they stared at each other in confusion again. 

"Uhm..." Breaking the confused, awkward silence enveloping the dining area, Cora Ma turned to Zion Kwan. "I'll follow Zoey and talk to her. Enjoy your breakfast — we'll be back later." She said, offering a meek smile at her soon-to-be groom. 

"Alright." Nodding in understanding, Zion Kwan kissed the back of her hand which made Cora Ma's heart flutter in happiness. 

'I don't think I need sugar in my coffee today.' Seeing their affection, Matthew Xi shook his head as he served himself his coffee. 

Just then, the three of them heard continuous loud honks from outside the house. "Ma Cora, now!!" followed by Zoey's shouts. 

"Geez... he really did say or did something to make her act like this." Cringing at Zoey's annoying morning mood, Zion Kwan glared at Matthew Xi who he believed was the culprit why his first morning with his fiancee was akin to a roller coaster ride. 

"I better go or she might murder someone while she waits." Conflicted, Cora Ma hastily bid her farewell to Zion Kwan before she turned to Matthew Xi and slightly bowed her head. 

When Cora Ma left, Zion Kwan let out a heavy exhale as he watched Matthew Xi perch on the farthest seat around the table. "I'm innocent." Matthew Xi repeated his claims from earlier as he could easily read Zion Kwan's thoughts. 

"You may think you're innocent, but it's definitely you why she's acting out of character." After a deep sigh, Zion Kwan shook his head as he watched Matthew Xi sip in his mug. 

"Out of character?" After sipping from the mug, Matthew Xi raised his right brow. 

"Ah... no, but she's never been like this." Realizing that the word out of character was irrelevant towards Zoey's colorful personality, Zion Kwan shook his head as he was rather calm while talking to Matthew Xi. 

Matthew Xi shrugged his shoulders, not finding Zoey's action strange. "Anyway, have you considered my offer?" Changing the subject, Matthew Xi inquired just for the sake of knowing his decision. 

"Yes," Zion Kwan cleared his throat, raising his gaze back to Matthew Xi. "After the wedding... if that's alright." He humbly replied, realizing where he should stand after his conversation with Matthew Xi. 

"Mhmm," Matthew Xi nodded his head in understanding. "Good. They can start setting up your office then." Matthew Xi informed, making Zion Kwan widen his eyes. 

"You... what...?" In disbelief at his last remarks, Zion Kwan could not help but feel a little overwhelmed. 

After all, although the Kwans were one of the most remarkable clans in the medical field for a long time, the Liang's were at the same level. Yet, the difference between the two was that the Liang's were associated with folks like the Xi's and other influential families in the upper echelon. 

Everyone knows that the Xi Family would only get admitted in Liang's hospital or abroad. They only trusted them that's why most doctors dreamed to work in the LN Medical Group — the Kwan General Hospital was probably their second option. 

Therefore, Zion Kwan acquiring privilege even before he could meet Liang Romnick, the medical director of LN medical Group, shocked him. Just how much influence and power does Matthew Xi have?

"What?" Matthew Xi knitted his brows, could not understand the shock that crept on Zion Kwan's face. "The Liangs owe me, and they're just returning the favor. Moreover, I sent them your portfolio and they acknowledge your skills. Their only concern was because you're a Kwan, but that's not a problem." Guessing that Zion Kwan was just surprised as he was clueless, Matthew Xi explained without a change in his tone. 

"You sent my portfolio?" Slightly surprised that Matthew Xi's actions were too quick for him to follow, Zion Kwan asked to confirm. 

"Mhmm, don't ask me how because you already know the answer." In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew Xi slowly stood from his seat as he already finished his coffee. "Anyway, I have to go now. And congratulations on your engagement! Zoey got a copy of your proposal last night." With that being said, Matthew Xi walked to the sink and placed his coffee mug there for the house cleaner to wash later. 

"Wait, where are you..."

"Z Image." Even before Zion Kwan could finish his question, Matthew Xi already answered. 

"How about the XI Corporation?"

"I work from home." Although home wasn't particularly the term, still, Matthew Xi jumbled his work load in between working on Z Image Group's paperworks. 

Watching Matthew Xi walk indifferently out of the kitchen, Zion Kwan tightened his fist as he abruptly stood up. "Mr. Xi, are you really serious about my sister?" He asked, staring at Matthew Xi's broad back. 

Slowly, Matthew Xi turned to face him. "Why do you think I'll bother helping you?" Without much change from his expression, Matthew Xi narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. 

Seeing him freeze, Matthew Xi nodded his head in satisfaction. "I'm not playing either, Mr. Kwan. Even if you're against it, I don't mind crashing anyone who wants to block my way — is this serious enough for you?" Matthew Xi stared at Zion Kwan for a moment before he checked his wristwatch. 

Seeing he would be late a little, Matthew Xi just glanced at Zion Kwan and without a word, he left the dining area.