Chapter 240 - Unrivaled

"Shall we begin?" As soon as Matthew Xi uttered those words, he felt his phone vibrate inside his suit pocket. 

Trying to ignore it, Nikolai Silvestri spoke as he gestured his hands up. "It's fine, Mr. Xi. I think that's an important call." Sounding magnanimous, Nikolai Silvestri smiled at the stoic man whose expression didn't change. 

Matthew Xi nodded his head, checking who had the audacity to disturb him. Alas, upon laying his eyes on Zoey's name, his eyes softened as he didn't take a second before answering her call. "Hmm?" 

"Uhm, darling, where are you?" Zoey tried to sound natural, but failed miserably. She sounded awkward, as if she was in a great dilemma which made his brows knit. 

"Meeting. Is there something wrong?"He questioned, glancing at Nikolai Silvestri who was focused on petting the lady beside him, as if she was his doll. 

"Ahh... no, I just missed you — that's all." Zoey didn't even think twice on her petty reason as she just couldn't think of anything else. 

She just called out of impulse after knowing Matthew Xi was with Nikolai Silvestri. Knowing that creep, Zoey just didn't want him tainting her darling's innocence! They couldn't breathe the same air because her darling was so precious!

"I see... I'll pick you up later, okay?" As soon as he heard her reason, Matthew Xi's eyes softened which Nikolai Silvestri noticed. 

"Okay... darling, where are you? You know, I just want to know so I know where to wait for you." Knowing that he would end the line, Zoey inquired as she cooked up a sweet excuse which Matthew Xi didn't doubt. 

"XXX restaurant." Matthew Xi didn't even take a second to give his location as her reason sent ripples in his slightly still heart. 

"Okay! I won't disturb, again. I love you~!" 

"Mhmm, love you too." Smiling at the numerous 'I love you's' he had heard for the day from her, Matthew Xi heard the line end as he couldn't bring himself to end the call. 

"I didn't know you also have a woman, Mr. Xi." Upon seeing Matthew Xi returned his phone inside his suit, Nikolai Silvestri said without sounding surprised. 

"I wonder what kind of woman managed to capture Mr. Xi's heart?" Showing his interest with Matthew Xi or Zoey's story... or rather, solely to what avatar of hers Zoey presented him 

"Unrivaled." Willing to share what kind of woman Zoey was, Matthew Xi described her in one word. 

"Unrivaled?" Amused at how Matthew Xi didn't even think for a second to answer him, he leaned his arms on the edge of the table. "Well, I bet she is." He added, nodding his head in agreement. 

"But, is she better than her?" Shortly after, Nikolai Silvestri cocked his head to the side, where the woman perched.

Upon hearing his question, both Matthew Xi and the woman frowned. Wasn't that a bold question? Although Matthew Xi didn't mind answering, after being with Zoey for nearly two months made him a bit sensitive to other people's feelings. 

"You see, my fiancee has been away for years and I only got to talk to her just this morning. That's why I hired... what's your name again, sweetheart?" Since Matthew Xi wasn't responding, Nikolai Silvestri took this chance to tell his short, sad love story before he turned to the lady beside him and asked her name. 

"Zasha." Despite her displeasure that he didn't even remember her name, Zasha still answered as she was well-aware of the relationship between her and Nikolai Silvestri. 

"Yes, Zasha!" Nikolai Silvestri snapped his fingers as he finally remembered her name. "I keep Z and the rest of my Z's as her proxy." He smiled, turning to Matthew Xi as if there was something to be proud about keeping several women as Zoey's replacement. 

The moment Matthew Xi heard him address the woman as Z, he could not help but feel bothered. However, since the possibility that it was just a coincidence that the woman's appearance was slightly similar to Zoey, he didn't dwell on it. 

"I only have my eyes on my girlfriend." Instead of directly giving his thoughts about the initial question, Matthew Xi answered safely. 

Normally, he wouldn't be interested in this kind of personal talk as he came there for business. But now, considering this man was worthy to chat about life, he was extra lenient and understanding. 

After all, they might be both businessmen but they lived in a different culture. Hence, Matthew Xi knew that the man was more liberated and relaxed despite his merits and achievements. 

Moreover, since Matthew Xi also had a woman, he didn't mind questions about Zoey. He could talk about her all day if Nikolai Silvestri wanted to. 

"Ey... that's romantic." Almost cringing at the cheesy answer, Nikolai Silvestri unconsciously glanced at Zasha. "Me too, I think." He muttered, convincing himself that he also has his eyes on his woman. 

Fortunately, Zoey wasn't hearing him or she would flip for hearing the greatest joke of her life. 

Matthew Xi just nodded his head, keeping his thoughts to himself despite how unconvinced he was at that last remark. After all, Matthew Xi never thought of keeping another woman aside from Zoey no matter how he longed for her. 

It's just that no one would ever match Zoey. No matter how a person's appearance looked like her, Matthew Xi knew they wouldn't be Zoey. 

After a minute, Nikolai Silvestri clicked his tongue as he fished his phone out and placed it in front of his ear. "Please send my muse out and give her her pay." As soon as the line connected, he ordered before ending the call and turning to Zasha. 

"Now that I think about it, you don't really look like my princess. You're too quiet." Unlike his initial expression his eyes bore earlier, Nikolai Silvestri had a complete change of behavior as he was more indifferent and disinterested. 

"Huh," Upon hearing his answer, Zasha scoffed as she suddenly stood from her seat. "You're really a jerk, Mr. Silvestri." As if all her frustrations surged inside her, that soon took over her rationality, Zasha slapped him which made his head toss to the side. 

"Thank you for the break up fee." Casting her a ridiculing look, Zasha stormed outside leaving Matthew Xi and Nikolai Silvestri in silence. 

Matthew Xi, who was always calm and collected couldn't help but tilt his head to the side as the situation suddenly escalated to an unexpected turn of events. Meanwhile, Nikolai Silvestri who was slapped followed Zasha's retreating back in awe. 

"Now, that's more like Her." He murmured. "Although that slap is hundred times weaker than my princess." Sounding as if he wasn't slapped, Nikolai Silvestri awed which caused Matthew Xi's under eye to twitch. 

'A masochist....' Matthew Xi whispered internally, adding it to Nikolai Silvestri's profile.