Chapter 442 - Do You Like Me Too?

"I think I'm in love." The side of his lips curled into a smirk, studying her reaction as she let out a series of coughs. "Say, will you move in with me?" Without a second hesitation, Matthew inquired as his eyes glinted with dark excitement.

Upon his last remarks, Zoey nearly choked to death due to the break of her airflow. "Move -- move in, what?!" In between her coughs, she buzzed.

"Why not?" Slowly, the corner of his lips curled into an innocent smile. "I think I'm in love, does anything else matter?" He argued, fluttering his naturally long eyelashes ever so slowly.

Zoey watched him transform from the usual ice-cold statue into an innocent man whom she knew was a complete facade. Still, Matthew appeared so natural that one would doubt whether or not it was real.

'Gosh… I'm too weak for this!' Zoey complained internally, studying him with eyes full of disbelief. 'My delicate, fragile, and maiden heart!' Zoey could feel her heart race, her cheeks heating up and so were the tip of her ears.

How could one stand to refuse him if he was showing this side of him? Not that Zoey wasn't well-aware that he was a wolf in a sheep's clothing, still, she was falling! As easy at that!

"What do you think? Should I persuade you, or plainly abduct you?" Just then, Matthew inched a little more closer, rubbing his chin with the back of his index finger lightly. His gaze was fixated on her, narrowing his eyes as he pondered between those two choices.

"Woah! Woah! Woah!" When she snapped, Zoey sprung out of her seat, raising her hand as if she didn't want to touch anything. "How did this escalate so quickly?!" She gasped in dismay, staring at him in disdain.

However, her reaction brought a frown on his lips. "No, it didn't escalate quickly." He clicked his tongue, leaning back as he rested his leg over the other. "How many times should I repeat myself, Zhou Zoey? You're not that dumb to not understand my intentions when I said I want to date you for real, are you?" 

In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew tilted his head to the side. His right brow arched, seemingly annoyed at how she was acting dumb, but at the same time, claimed to be a brilliant genius. 

His argument rendered her speechless, as if it was her fault for not understanding everything! She understood, and Zoey was certain he wasn't in love...yet! How aggressive could he be in his younger years?!

Zoey was already aware he was aggressive, but to this extent. He was curious, perhaps. Or what she believed he was.

"Wait! Wait! Hold on!" She waved her hands profusely, shaking her head sideways as she threw all distracting thoughts at the back of her mind. "I think you're curious!" Zoey exclaimed, casting him a determined look as she wanted to clear his thoughts about the concept of love.

Matthew tilted his head once again, blinking his eyes slowly as he waited for her excuse. He didn't speak nor did he try to interrupt her as she tugged the hem of her shirt before explaining her reasoning.

"Go on," He said, gesturing for her to continue as she cleared her throat.

"Love is not that shallow, alright?! You can't just say you're in love with me out of the blue because I'm a genius and very likable -- which I am!" As usual, Zoey's reasoning reeked of shamelessness. "I think…" She paused, staring back at him who was listening without much expression on his face.

"I think you're infatuated!" She exclaimed, nodding her head in satisfaction as she thought she worded it correctly. "It's like, you're having a crush on me! I'm sure it will pass!" She added, her tone was firm and bore solid resolve at her conclusion.

However, Zoey would soon realize that she should practice stopping her mouth from running. After all, her last remarks… or rather, from the beginning to end, anything didn't make sense to him. For him, what she was saying was utter nonsense.

"Do you understand?" Zoey queried, a little nervous as she anticipated an understanding nod. 

However, Matthew remained silent the whole time and just stared at her. His stares caused her heart to beat faster than it already was, racing as if it would soon make a hole in her chest. "What…?" She asked meekly, pursing her lips in a thin line nervously as she foresaw a bad premonition.

"I think of flying to the Philippines." Slowly, Matthew placed his palms on the armrest and pushed himself up. When he got to his feet, he trudged towards her.

As usual, Zoey instinctively stepped back. However, just as she did, Matthew sprawled his arm and reached for her arm. He pulled her closer to him -- in his arms -- not letting her step back just like she had always done.

"What...why… you…" Her back stiffened, unabling her to construct a proper sentence. 

"It's the only country that does not allow divorce. I can marry you there if you want." Matthew didn't even bat an eye as he uttered his words. "I have resources and money, I can marry you in any country without a problem." He added, his voice colder that sent shivers down her spine.

If someone would ask, Zoey would say this wasn't a proposal! It will be a forced idea as Matthew didn't care about her opinion. Or rather, he wasn't taking a 'no' as an answer!

"Uh, wait…" Zoey panicked when she saw him tilt his head, leaning down to her as if he was about to kiss her.

Matthew stopped, fortunately. However, he didn't retract his head. "I'll ask you, why are you here, Miss Zhou?" His voice laced with danger, his pair of russet eyes glinted fiercely. "Why did you come with the person whom you know bore ulterior motives?" Before she could answer, Matthew queued his next question.

"Aren't those enough to give me mixed signals, my wild young miss?" Slowly, Matthew cupped her jaw, his thumb caressed her lower lip gently. "More importantly, do you really want me to stop? I told you many times, I like you." His gaze raised to meet her gaze.

"Do you like me too?" Without further ado, Matthew asked intently which made her freeze as the question was hard to answer without lying.