Chapter 488 - Stingy

"Darling, what is Assistant Qian saying?! Why will you accompany me?!" Upon reaching the mansion's lobby, Zoey immediately hollered as she gasped and stormed inside.,

Matthew was perched upon the head seat around the set of sofas arranged in the middle of the living area. Although there were still a few holes on the walls due to the training from two days ago, the area was still grand as always.

"Mhmm," After taking a sip from his cup of tea, Matthew hummed a tune as he nodded his head. "I will. Any problem?" Slowly, his eyes gazed up to her reaction that was sported with an odd reaction. 

"Are you afraid I'll find out what you will do?" Without further ado, Matthew humored as he raised his right brow. "Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me." He winked, the side of his lips stretched into a teasing smirk.

"Gosh…" Zoey pinched the space between her brows, having a headache as it seemed no words could stop him from coming with her. ��How about your XI Corporation? Are you going to ditch your responsibilities?" She asked, frowning unpleasantly as he gazed at him in utter disbelief.

"I already did my responsibilities," In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew answered without much change in his expression. "My presence today is not needed in the company." He added, shrugging his shoulders as he took a sip from his tea once again.

"Huh…" Speechless, Zoey rolled her eyes as she massaged her temples. Not that her meeting was a secret or shady. It was actually the opposite. 

Zoid Solution Inc. was a clean and decent company. It was far from anything shady as it was run by Professor Ernest Meng. In the original story, Z Image Group got her biggest break when she signed a deal with the said company.

After that, doors of opportunity began opening up one after another, leading to Z Image Group's success. The reason Zoey was very grateful to Ernest Meng. However, in this lifetime, Zoey closed a deal with the Feng Estate which gave her enough funds.

In exchange of this contract twinned with another shady reason. Whatever it was that only Zoey knew, it was far more worse than Cecil would expect. That's why Zoey needed the Zoid Solutions Inc., because she knew Feng Estate was temporary. Z Image Group needed a strong business partner so even if the Feng Solution goes down, she wouldn't go down with them.

"Don't worry. I'm just curious how you do your business. I wouldn't meddle." Matthew reassured, seeing her in distress as if she was worried he would meddle. However, little did he know, his assumption was entirely wrong.

"Why are you coming then?" 

"Huh?" Upon hearing her question, Matthew's thought bubble was replaced with question marks. He stared at her curiously, tilting his head to the side. "You want me to meddle?" He inquired, blinking his eyes as he was baffled by her.

"Duh?" Zoey rolled her eyes, crossing her arms under her chest. "You meddle when you know you should! What's the use of being the CEO of Xi Corporation if you can't help me?" In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey sassed as she scoffed at him.

For a moment, Matthew was stunned. He was rendered speechless as that wasn't what he expected from her. 'So, she wants me to help?' He wondered internally, asking himself if he grasped her words correctly.

"Anyway, we will be late, remember? Please, don't bring your men with you. I can protect you." Just then, Zoey checked her wristwatch that Matthew gave her. 

Well, everything she was wearing from head to toe came from him. All her clothes before would probably rot in her closet in her office as he wouldn't be so naive to wear them if she got more decent clothes to wear.

With that being said, Zoey and Matthew headed out of the mansion. As promised, Matthew didn't bring his men with him. Or rather, the very few who insisted on coming including Paul kept their distance from Zoey and Matthew's car.

****

"So, for today, you'll be my assistant, okay?" While Matthew drove to her destination, Zoey reminded him as she turned to the driver's seat. The smile on her lips could not help but grow wider as this brought back the good ol' days in their previous life.

"Why are you smiling?" He asked, glancing at her bright side profile.

"Nothing. I'm just reminded of something." She shook her head, chuckling at the memories in her mind.

Since she wouldn't tell him, Matthew didn't probe further. After all, Zoey tends to claim she came from the future. Whether it was true, he didn't really want to question her sanity. 

After all, who would want to suspect that you're dating a person with a loose screw in the head? Well, not that he's very normal as Matthew sought to make his boring life more eventful.

"You know," Just as the inside of the car was enveloped with nothing but silence, Zoey glanced at the driver's seat as her lips parted. 

"Hmm?"

"I'm happy."

Upon hearing her remarks, Matthew's brows furrowed as he cast her a quick side eye on her. As he laid his eyes on the smile on her lips, a subtle smile resurfaced on his face. Without further ado, his hand that was on the car lever handle sprawled to her hand.

Gently, Matthew held onto her hand that was on her lap while he descelerated his speed. "I'm glad you are." He said, offering her the subtle smile on his lips. 

Zoey pursed her lips into a thin line as she squeezed his hand lightly before loosening her grip. "Are you?" 

Matthew didn't answer immediately. Instead, he focused his eyes on the road ahead and stopped at the red light. As soon as the car halted, he turned to face her. "You want to know?" He inquired, causing her to knit her brows.

"Come close, I'll tell you." 

As instructed, Zoey slowly leaned her side closer, assuming he would whisper his naughty answer. However, just as she was inches away from him, Matthew held on her chin and guided it to face him. Without further ado, his lips touched hers for a second before he drew back.

"That's my answer." Slowly, the corner of his lips tilted into a smirk while Zoey touched her lips.

"Uh? Is that a yes?" She blinked her eyes innocently, asking about the obvious. "Hey, is that a yes? Can you confirm?" Zoey beamed him a smile before puckering her lips as she would accept this anywhere anytime.

Seeing her become greedy, Matthew chuckled as he shook his head sideways. "Who knows?" With that being said, the red light turned green and the cars started moving again. Meanwhile, Zoey who was indirectly rejected for another kiss frowned.

"Stingy.." She mocked, rolling her eyes as she rubbed her chin, pondering how to make this journey worthwhile.