Chapter 457 - She Ate It!

"Join us." Upin hearing his invitation, Zoey blinked her eyes many times as she looked at Matthew. 

'Is he that proud of me?' She wondered, her eyes twinkled at the thought. Slowly, Zoey shifted her twinkling eyes towards the two who entered the dining area.

"Come! Eat with us!" She giddily invited, gesturing for them to come over while she got up from her seat. "Good thing I made extra -- that will be enough for the two of you." In a whoosh, Zoey ran back to the kitchen counter to grab some extra plates and cutlery for Owen and Ryan.

Meanwhile, Owen and Ryan just stared at Matthew who had already returned his head back to the table. "Hey, is this really an invitation from the young master? He wants us to come over and didn't mean it the other way, right?" Owen whispered, elbowing Ryan whose eyes gleamed with joy at the invitation.

In retrospect, Matthew rarely dined in this place. Whenever he does, no one could approach the area; what more to dine with him. Therefore, this would be the first time the two would share a meal with them.

"Thank you for the invitation, Young Master!" Accepting as he was, Ryan bowed his head deeply to express his appreciation. 

Maybe, they thought that Matthew was inviting them because of the game earlier today. Matthew was probably pleased at their performance that was why he invited them over. Whatever the reason was, Owen and Ryan were utterly honored.

"Take a seat." Matthew wiped the corner of his lips after he drank another mouthful of water. The two, obviously, abided and took a seat -- across Zoey's seat and on Matthew's left side.

"Hehe, this is a little embarrassing." Owen chuckled awkwardly, speaking his mind while scratching the back of his head. He then glanced at the dishes they were eating.

The presentation was so-so and the dishes were simple. It wasn't like those grandiose meals they eat on a daily basis made by the house chefs. Still, it seemed edible. Their boss wouldn't eat it if it wasn't edible.

"Wah… the future Madam made this?!" Ryan, who was just utterly excited at the thought of bragging to his colleagues that he shared a meal with Matthew, scanned the food.

Although it was simple, what mattered to Ryan was a dinner with their big boss. After all, Matthew was akin to a God to him. Not many people could get a chance to dine with Matthew, and those who did were just blessed and maybe deserving. Indeed, Matthew was not just a God to him but also his hero.

'Hey!' When Owen heard how Ryan addressed Zoey, he secretly elbowed him and cast him a glare. He then glanced at Matthew who seemed to like the address Ryan had spouted heedlessly.

"She did." Matthew briefly answered, casting them a side glance before picking up another piece of meat. Although he had been doing his best to keep his composure, his hand that was holding the chopsticks trembled.

Still, Matthew ate the meat and chewed it slightly before swallowing it down. He then proceeded in drinking a mouthful of water. "I hope you enjoy and appreciate my girlfriend's cooking as much as I do." After clearing his throat, Matthew turned to the two as he thought of taking a break from eating the damn midnight meal.

At the same time, Zoey returned. Matthew's remark reached her ears, moving her to tears. 'My Darling… he's so sweet~' She expressed internally, the side of her lips tilted into a bright smile.

"Back~!" Zoey announced happily, carrying a tray that had a pot, two stacks of plates, bowls, and cutleries. As a humble human being, Zoey placed the plates in front of the two and then proceeded to put food on their plates.

"I actually wanted to invite you over when I heard you talking. Good thing my darling invited you himself~" Zoey chatted, her tone bore high-spirits as she prattled on and on until she was finished.

She then went back to her seat, linking her hands together as she darted her eyes from Owen to Ryan. "Dig in," She said, anticipating praises on how a great cook she was. After all, Zoey knew she didn't make a good impression on the both of them -- three of them including Carter who wasn't at the scene.

"Err…" Owen glanced at Matthew's side profile, nodding his head as Matthew was eating again. "Thank you, Miss Z." He expressed, bowing his head slightly before he slowly picked up his chopsticks.

On the other hand, Ryan grinned, revealing his teeth. "Thank you, Boss Z! You're the best!" He showed her a thumbs up, excited to eat what the future madam had prepared herself.

"Hehe… you heard that? I am the best!" Pleased at Ryan's response, Zoey boasted to Matthew. The corner of her lips curled into a smug grin, while Matthew remained silent and only glanced at the two.

Time seemed to slow down for Matthew as he watched the meat go inside their mouths. Just after two chews, Matthew immediately retracted his eyes away from the two as the initial changes in their faces was enough proof that he wasn't overreacting.

There was only one particular reason why Matthew had invited the two. He wanted to confirm that it was not his taste buds that were sensitive, the food was just too sweet.

Meanwhile, Owen and Ryan's world stopped. However, even before they could react, they caught a glimpse of Matthew's glare before averting them away.

"So?" She perked up a little more, blinking her eyes innocently as she waited for their response.

Owen swallowed down the food without properly chewing it. On the other hand, Ryan just stuck the food on the side of his mouth. "Is it bad?" Zoey asked, frowning as she looked down. Well, she hasn't had a taste yet but Matthew said it was alright.

Just as she hung her head low, Matthew glared at the two. Upon sensing the glare, the two shivered and as if on cue, they already knew what to say. 

"No, no, Miss Z! You got it wrong." Immediately, Ryan waved his hand quickly and shook his head. "It's so good we're speechless!" He lied, nearly choking on the food in his mouth as he did.

"Yes!" Owen nodded, trying to restrain himself from coughing as he reached for a glass of water.

Upon hearing them, Zoey slowly raised her head as her face brightened. "Really?" The lingering gloom on her face vanished, pleased that they liked her cooking.

"That's great, then!" Since she was now certain that she did great, Zoey gestured to them to eat more. "Just eat. Don't worry. Your Young Master wouldn't mind. Hehe~" Before she started digging in, Zoey reassured.

The two nodded awkwardly, watching her pick up a piece of meat and put it in front of her lips. Not just Owen and Ryan, but also Matthew felt his anxiety shoot up seeing that Zoey would finally have a taste of her cooking.

"Right," Out of impulse, Matthew slammed his hand against the table. Sweat broke out on his forehead, nervous that their lies would be busted. However, he was too late as Zoey already shoved the meat inside her mouth.

"Hmm?" While chewing, Zoey blinked her eyes innocently as she tilted her head to the side. "What is it?" She asked, swallowing down the meat that was coated with sugar that none of them couldn't deny its sweetness.

'She ate it!' In unison, the three gasped internally.