Chapter 243 - My Mister

"Darling..." Pulling her hand away from him, Zoey stared at the simple ring that had a small diamond on top. 

It looked so pretty... its value, history, and whoever crafted this small piece wouldn't matter as its beauty would make one forget those things. Or rather, in her eyes, it was the best as it came from him. 

"You already said yes... yesterday." The corner of his lips curled into a gentle smile, loving her reaction as the side of her eyes formed tears. 

"Zoey, I love you... and I mean it. I am not playing games with you nor do I have the time to play mind tricks with you." Slowly, Matthew Xi pulled the armrest of the swivel chair closer to him. 

Placing his palms on the armrest, Matthew Xi leveled his russet eyes to her. "I am taking this relationship seriously... and only marriage is what I can think of whenever I think of our future." Deep and low, Matthew Xi uttered as he let his heart speak what his mind couldn't. 

"Let's get married not because of Nikolai Silvestri, not because of anything else... but because you love me as much as I do." His eyes glinted with mixed emotions which indicated he was uncertain as well about the future. 

He didn't want her to think that he only thought of this because Nikolai Silvestri came into the picture. Matthew Xi wanted her to know of what his heart desired; his determination, his plans, his heart... he wanted her to know that he needed her and only wanted her for himself. 

Selfish? Matthew Xi would be the most selfish man on earth if he has to be for Zoey. Either by hook or crook, he wouldn't let her go... no, never. 

"Darling..." Biting her lower lip, Zoey didn't have the leisure to gasp as he said more words than usual. She didn't have the time to get shocked to hear his usual cold tone softened to this extent.

Why? Because her heart was moved to tears, her lower lips trembling. "You don't really know me that much... what if —"

"Then, let's get to know each other more; we have forever." Inching closer to her as he wiped the single drop of tear that escaped her eyes, Matthew Xi answered. 

"Didn't I say you're trapped with me?" Moving his eyes, he locked his gaze with her as he reminded her of his own words from the very beginning. 

For a moment, Zoey remained silent as she stared at the almost red eyes that bore thousands of emotions. "Let's get married." Nodding her head, Zoey disregarded her dilemma earlier. 

Neither did she think of Zion Kwan and Cora Ma nor did she consider the bad omen of marrying in the same year as her brother. For once, Zoey decided to choose herself first. She wanted to choose her own happiness because she had never been this content and grateful before Matthew Xi came to her life. 

"I love you, Mrs. Xi Zoey." Matthew Xi smiled gently, caressing her cheek as his heart felt stuffed because of happiness. 

Calling her Mrs. Xi, Matthew Xi never thought how much it fits her name. It was as if she was born to be his wife and take his surname. 

"I love you too, my Mister." Smiling back, Zoey leaned closer to him as she welcomed his sweet lips with all her heart. 

She didn't know when he was planning to get married, but what she was certain was she would do it even tonight. She would do it any time of the day, he just had to tell her the time and date. 

"I've asked Angeline to take over Z Image for two weeks." As he parted his lips from her, Matthew Xi whispered. 

Gelline Zhang was the current vice-president of Z Image Group. Although Melanie Xue mostly did the designs and looked after her colleagues in the office, Gelline Zhang was the one that was in-charge of the paperwork and all other important stuff whenever Zoey wasn't around. 

"You told her?" Surprised that he seemed already prepared for this, Zoey inquired. Her mind wondered when he planned all this as it had only been twenty-four hours since they were officially together. 

"Mhm, your brother too." Nodding his head, Matthew Xi added as he held her left hand that bore the special ring he got for her. 

"Big brother knows?!" Upon hearing that Matthew Xi already informed the soon-to-be husband and wife, her eyes widened in disbelief as she set her puzzled gaze at him. 

"They will delay their wedding and do it next year." Knowing the superstition about holding the wedding in the same year with the same family members, Matthew Xi already talked to Zion Kwan about it. 

Fortunately, Zion Kwan and Cora Ma agreed. Cora Ma even wished her good luck on his proposal while Zion Kwan didn't say much about it. 

The reason Matthew Xi was late because he had to prepare his heart for this moment. Well, it went more smoothly and natural than he expected. Moreover, seeing her in tears because of happiness already brought him enough joy for speaking from his heart. 

"Darling..." Hearing more of his preparation, Zoey felt that her frustrations earlier were all for naught. Matthew Xi had resolved everything for her... how nice to have someone to rely on. 

"When are we getting married?" Zoey inquired, squeezing his hand that was holding hers. 

"Tomorrow." Without further ado, Matthew Xi answered as he smiled lovingly. 

*****

Meanwhile...

"I'm sorry, Niko. Zia didn't really want to come." Ivan apologized to Nikolai Silvestri who was swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. 

"Did you tell her the problem?" Glancing up, not showing his surprise at his news, Nikolai Silvestri inquired. 

"I told her that back home has been chaotic." Shaking his head, Ivan answered which made Nikolai Silvestri nod his head in understanding. 

"Ivan, keep Zia under your watch..." Chugging down the glass of whiskey, Nikolai Silvestri placed it down on the table as he winced while the alcohol traveled to this throat. "It's good that she's aware. I don't want her to get involved in this again." He added, leaning his back against the leather couch before fishing out a piece of cigarette from inside his pocket. 

Clipping the butt of the cigarettes on the side of his lips, Nikolai Silvestri lit it up and took a long drag before puffing the smoke which danced in the air. "He will kill her this time.." He added, before silence enveloped the whole room.