An hour later…
"Hey!" Zoey called, approaching Ivan who was watching Matthew's men do their training in the training grounds. Ivan only glanced at her but didn't say anything as he returned his eyes back to the men he was watching.
"I don't know your plans with them but one can't have two masters at the same time." When he sensed Zoey's presence in his side, Ivan muttered in a matter-of-fact tone. "Niko will be dissatisfied." He added, still not glancing at her even upon the mention of Nikolai's name.
"I'm not asking you to swear an oath to him." She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "All I'm asking is you joining their training so you can 'protect' me properly." Zoey stressed the key word of her excuse as she turned her head to the men he was watching.
"As if I'll buy that crap."
"Whether or not you believe me, what I know is you will understand soon." In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey shrugged her shoulders. "You might be better than them in terms of real life experience, but you will still learn something from them in return." She added, her eyes fluttered ever so slowly.
"Huh," Upon hearing her last remarks, Ivan scoffed as a brief chuckle slipped past his lips. "Is that so?" He asked, a tone of mockery mixed in his voice as if he doubted her previous statement.
What would he need to learn from these people? Hold a gun? Be naive?
"Up to you if you will believe me or not." Still, Zoey was unfazed by his doubt. "But if you want to keep working on my side, you have to forget Niko's orders and listen to mine. After all, I don't need anyone's protection…" She paused, slowly turning her head to his side.
"What I need is someone who wouldn't worry me even when all hell breaks loose." She shrugged, watching him slowly face her. "Ivan, do you like Cora?" When their eyes met, Zoey asked without beating around the bush.
Not surprised by the question, Ivan stared back and studied her front. "No," After several seconds of silence, Ivan shook his head and answered. "But the way you asked me, if I say yes, what will you do?" He queried back, sensing the odd aura emanating from her.
"Nothing." Zoey shook her head sideways. "But I'll warn you, don't." She said, staring him dead in the eye as air around them thickened. "Don't drag her in this world, Ivan. If you really like Cora, spare her the chaotic life we have." She added, her eyes glinted in utter resolve, reminding him of what kind of life they had.
For a moment, Ivan and Zoey stared at each other in silence. After a beat, Ivan let out a deep sigh. "I won't make the same mistake as you." He sighed deeply, shaking his head before averting his eyes away from her.
"If you really want her to live in peace, you should also stop being friends with her, sis." This time, Ivan spoke his mind as they were already in the talks of what kind of life they were living in. "You probably realized that now, didn't you?" He asked, casting her a side eye before returning his gaze back to the men from the distance.
"Mhmm," Zoey only hummed a low tune as an answer. "It's naive to think I can live a free, normal life after breaking ties with the Silva family." Zoey muttered, admitting her mistakes she had done before and during the time-travelling.
If Zoey time-travelled when she was still at the Silva family, she wouldn't make the same decision. She wouldn't befriend Cora or build Z Image Group. Heck, she wouldn't meet Matthew as well until she was certain Inigo wasn't still around.
However, she couldn't do that. She time-travelled years after she broke ties with the Silva Family. Therefore, she could only continue and improvise. The only good thing that happened was, she had experience now and knew a few incoming events.
Still, the thought of Inigo time-travelling with her was a headache. Now, the only reassurance she had that Inigo wouldn't move hastily was because of a few things. Maybe, she thought, Inigo didn't have enough power yet to take her down.
After all, Inigo wouldn't wait for another seven years if he could execute his plans now. Regardless, Zoey was certain that Inigo would hasten his course of success just like her. It was only a matter of time before they could meet and put an end to this.
"So, what's the plan? I only need to join these people?" After hearing her last remarks, Ivan didn't continue the discussion as he watched the people training.
"Yep. Teach them a thing or two. We need to get back in shape because Inigo will be coming at us with an intention to kill us all." Zoey nodded her head, certain at her statement because Inigo didn't want just her but everyone in the Silva family.
"Alright. And you?" Ivan nodded his head approvingly, moving his gaze back to her. "How about you? Are you sure you don't need Angelo today?" When Ivan asked that, it was followed by a short chuckle as he immediately realized how stupid the question was.
"Of course, you don't need anyone." He uttered, scratching the back of his head. "Aight, I'll let out some steam with them. Tell that guy it's not my fault if his in-house infirmary will be busy from now on." With that being said, Ivan sprung up and hopped over the railings before he trudged to the training grounds.
"Sigh…" Zoey sighed as she watched Ivan walk towards the men he was watching. "Guess he really fell for her." She whispered, figuring the honest answer Ivan gave her with his expression that his words denied.
"I wonder what minor changes I did." Under her breath, Zoey whispered as her eyes shot at Ivan's back. In the previous lifetime, Ivan and Cora didn't meet. Thus, this problem didn't occur. However, because she let Ivan in her life again, he got to meet her best friend.
"Miss Z, master said he will accompany you to your meeting. You'll be late for your appointment, he said." Just then, Paul came behind her and relayed Matthew's message.
"Uh, okay… what?" Zoey, whose mind was still at the thought of Ivan and Cora meeting, blinked her eyes many times as she processed Paul's word. "He will accompany me?!" Immediately, Zoey turned around and stared at Paul in dismay.
Paul just nodded his head while her eyes widened in disbelief.