Chapter 234 - All Of You

April 16, 2019. 6:15 AM

Zoey moved, and in an instant, his natural scent wafted up her nose which caused the corner of her lips to smile before she could even open her eyes. 

"Morning." She muttered, squeezing herself to his warm bare top under the thick sheet. 

"Morning, love." Already half awake ten minutes ago, Matthew Xi rubbed her unclad back as their body shared their heat. 

Normally, the two of them would be having breakfast or already enjoying their coffees while on the way to Z Image Building. But today was an exception. 

It was already past seven and the two of them were cuddling naked under the cover. Out of all mornings they have woken up together till then, both silently agreed that today was their favorite. 

No holding back, no misunderstandings, and they could express their hearts openly. "Darling, are you going back to the XI Corp.?" Resting her head on his chest, Zoey looked up without moving her head. 

"No," Slowly, Matthew Xi opened his eyes before sniffing the scent of her hair. "Don't you want me to stay?" He murmured, kissing the top of her head. 

"Hmm..." Humming a tune, Zoey pondered. She didn't mind him going back, not having him as her assistant. Actually, she often forgot that she has one. 

"Well, I can't burden you with Z Image's problems anymore knowing you have a bigger company to worry about." After a minute of contemplation, Zoey drew her head away as she looked up to face him. 

However, despite her good will, she saw him frown at her answer. "Darling, I didn't mean it like that!" Guessing what displeased him, Zoey awkwardly smiled as she dragged herself so their heads were on the same level. 

"I'll still come to Z Image. They can compromise." Bearing the same frown, Matthew Xi answered indicating that the whole XI Corporation would adjust for him. 

It upset him that Zoey always thought of not being a burden to others. Although it was a good trait, it also has its disadvantages. 

After all, she was so used to this trait that she didn't seem she needed a man to carry the burden with her. Not just that, but also, Matthew Xi disliked the fact that if he would give her the opportunity to decide for him, she would choose what a kind person does instead of being selfish. 

God... all he wanted right now was Zoey monopolizing him. Why? Because he was selfish and couldn't think of sharing her or being separated from her for a long time. 

"Hehe... okay?" Zoey decided not to press as he seemed truly upset. Still, in her eyes, he was being cute despite his penetrating russet orbs. 

"But I will have to take a leave today. I did something bad yesterday." Pleased that she didn't argue with him, Matthew Xi patted her head as he informed. 

"How bad? What did you do yesterday, anyway?" Zoey narrowed her eyes, actually intrigued what he had done that Vivian Xi had to come yesterday to Z Image Headquarters. 

For a moment, Matthew Xi remained silent as he pondered on which words to use. "Very bad." Yet, in the end, he only spoke those two words. 

Hearing his answer, the side of her lips twitched. She realized that she didn't really know him and what was the meaning of 'very bad'. 

"Was it life threatening?" She asked, seeking for a hint even though she could've asked for him to elaborate. 

"Well..." Pursing his lips into a thin line, Matthew Xi could think of that as it was akin to that. 

After all, he was wrecking a few innocent lives which was utterly disgusting to do. Even Matthew Xi was dismayed by it now that he thought about it. 

"But, it's okay now, right?" Seeing his reaction was Zoey's cue not to probe further. What's important to her is whether or not it was settled. 

"Yes." Nodding, Matthew Xi gave her a weak smile. 

"You know," Smiling back, Zoey inched closer. "I am willing to accept you, all of you no matter how many nasty sides you have." Zoey confessed, letting him know that if he made a mistake, she wouldn't just change her mind easily. 

Her mind wasn't that easily swayed nor her heart. Once she set her mind into something or someone, Zoey would embrace it no matter what comes her way. 

"Me too," Moved by her gentle love confession early in the morning, Matthew Xi kissed the tip of her nose. "I will accept all of you — the present you, the future you, and the past Zoey." He whispered, causing butterflies in her stomach which showed on her lips and eyes. 

"I love you~!" Zoey grinned, squeezing herself closer to him. 

"I love you too." Although Matthew Xi felt weird saying such cheesy words since the previous night, he could prove it wasn't the bad kind of weirdness. Perhaps, he wasn't just used to saying those three magical words as he never said nor did he see himself saying before Zoey happened. 

*****

An hour and half later...

"Good morning~!" Walking inside the dining area, Zoey greeted with a blinding smile on her lips while Cora Ma and Zion Kwan were already having their breakfast. 

Unlike her bitter mood yesterday, Zoey that day was oozing with high energy that no one could match... well, not really as Matthew Xi shared the same energy as her. The only difference was that Zoey was very vocal and hyper about it while Matthew Xi only showed it on the surface. 

"Good morning," Smiling at Zoey, Cora Ma greeted back as her gaze followed Zoey's figure skip towards the coffee maker with Matthew Xi. 

"With a bit of sugar?" Cora Ma heard Zoey inquire, smiling at Matthew Xi who was leaning on the kitchen counter while watching her do her favorite chore in the morning. 

"Mhmm,"

"Okay~!" As he answered with a hum, Zoey's blinding smile grew more brighter than the sun as she began brewing their coffee. 

Just as Cora Ma watched them, she was reminded of Patrizio Moretti's message for Zoey yesterday. "By the way Z, Mr. Moretti said that there was a birthday party next week." Recalling Patrizio Moretti's words, Cora Ma turned to Zoey. 

"Ah?" Knitting her brows, Zoey tilted her head to the side as she turned around and faced Cora Ma. "Whose?" She inquired, a little confused at Patrizio Moretti's reminder. 

He could have told her yesterday or left a message. Why would he relay it through Cora Ma?

"I don't know. Mr. Moretti just said you'll know if I told you." Shrugging her shoulder, Cora Ma returned her focus on her plate. 

"Hmm?" As Zoey contemplated the sudden mystery early in the morning, her eyes grew wider as she realized what date and year was now. 

'F*ck...' As Zoey froze at the realization, she cursed internally as she totally forgot about it.

Meanwhile, Matthew Xi knitted his brows as he found Zoey's reaction unusual and very new.. She was never this surprised nor did he ever see her pale like this.