Chapter 549 - Where Is He Now?

"Where is she, you asked? Here. You're incomparable, don't you know that?" 

Zoey was momentarily stunned, staring at the pair of russet orbs that reflected her countenance. His previous words rang inside her head repeatedly.

'Me? He's talking about me?' She asked internally, swallowing a mouthful of saliva as if she went mute for the time being.

"Cheers?" Matthew raised his can of beer as he drew away and leaned his back on the swivel chair. 

"Ch— cheers." Zoey awkwardly replied and watched him relax his leg over the other, drinking beer.

Matthew then raised his finger briefly as if he was reminded of something and then placed the can of beer on top of the desk. Slowly, he loosened his tie before taking off his black blazer suit.

He put them all over the desk and then went on to his cufflinks. Matthew uncuffed his sleeves one by one. As he did so, he sensed Zoey's intent stare which made him glance at her.

"Hmm?" He hummed a questioning tone while folding the sleeve up to his elbow.

"Hmm?" Startled for no reason, Zoey returned the questioning hum before she snapped to her senses.

"Nothing. I just thought you look…" Her words trailed off as she pondered on the proper words she should be adding to her sentence.

"You thought, what?" 

"Nothing," Zoey chuckled awkwardly as she looked away. 

'Was he seducing me there?' Zoey asked herself as she felt that that was his intention. 

Or maybe it was just her mind playing with her. Either way, this reminded her of their kiss earlier today before Ivan came and ruined it all.

As Zoey looked away, a playful smile resurfaced on Matthew's lips before he finished the other sleeve quickly. Matthew then returned to his seat with the can of beer in his hands.

"Don't drink too much. Beer is not good for you, right?" Zoey cleared her throat as she snuck a glance at him and saw him drink.

"I prefer wine, yes." Matthew didn't hesitate to answer. "But it's your treat. I don't want to waste it."

Matthew added and drank another mouthful of beer and swallowed it one go. He could feel the heat traveling in his system. It slowly spread throughout his body as his fair skin began to redden.

"Pfft--!" 

Upon hearing his reply, Zoey suddenly chuckled. She was reminded of the words Matthew said in their previous life. It was her birthday at that time. Since he couldn't drink as he was a patient, he still held onto the can of beer, saying it was his right what he wanted to do with it since it was her treat and she gave it to him.

"Something funny?" Matthew smiled, asking what he had already figured out. Although he didn't intentionally speak of it to remind her, he still recalled that time with her.

"Yes," Zoey nodded as she bit her lower lip with a smile. "I was reminded of someone."

"Is it a man?" This time, Matthew cleverly asked the similar question as she did moments ago.

"Yes." Zoey raised her gaze and gave him a smug grin.

"He must be promising if you can remember him while I'm around." Matthew nodded in acknowledgement, which surprised Zoey for his laid back reaction.

"He is!" Zoey exclaimed, raising her eyebrows as she gazed at his side profile. 

To her disappointment, Matthew didn't show any sign of jealousy or any sort of negative reaction. He was just… lenient? Understanding? 

Was it because of the beer? Zoey wondered. Thus, she decided to test if he was just pretending.

"He's a very cute guy. Indecisive, innocent, and a virgin!" 

Upon hearing how she described him, Matthew nearly spat his drink. He let out a series of coughs and patted his chest. The beer he sipped stung his throat and his nose flared at the stinging pain.

"What?" In between his series of coughs, Matthew turned his eyes that were full of disbelief to her.

Was that how she perceived him before? Wasn't that all insulting one way or another?

"Oh, right? Not anymore…" Zoey mumbled as she was reminded that Matthew wasn't a virgin anymore when they met again after their one-night stand.

Well, she was the one who took his virginity, and Matthew was his first too! Still, Matthew didn't touch anyone anymore after that fateful night which she ruined in this lifetime.

"Hey, Zhou Zoey, didn't you say that guy is amazing? Why were you insulting him?" Matthew berated that surprised her. 

"I am not?" Zoey answered with a widened eyes as she leaned back as the man was suddenly glaring at her.

Although that wasn't her intention, what was he so angry about? He should be glad that the man she was talking about and his mysterious 'love rival' was like that.

"Indecisive, innocent, and a virgin!" Matthew repeated furiously, counting each insult with his fingers. "Aren't those insults?"

He added in a matter-of-fact tone, as if she needed to prepare a good explanation. Zoey's face distorted as she scoffed faintly.

'I want him to get jealous, but not get furious on behalf of his 'love rival' stead.' Zoey mocked internally as she didn't feel like a joke. She felt like she was in a circus!

"Calm down, jeez!" Zoey spat as she clicked her tongue and cast him a judgy look. "It only sounds insulting to you because you aren't mature enough." 

Zoey harrumphed as she shook her head lightly. 

"What I meant by indecisive is because he had a ton of trust issues. He is very admirable in decision making for business, but for his personal life, he couldn't just trust some stranger so easily. So, he became indecisive, which gave way for me to be part of his life. If he was not like that, I don't think I'll even get a chance — he's that kind of person." 

Matthew gradually calmed down hearing her explanation; it was spot on. He didn't explain it to Zoey back then because they were already together and it was not necessary. Thus, this was his first time hearing her thoughts about it.

"He is innocent, but that innocence was the reason he understood someone's heart easily. That innocence made his understanding broader than everyone else. Or maybe, he had seen enough, that's why he can understand more than anyone else. To be honest, I don't think innocence is the right term. But I want to keep it that way."

Zoey stared at the city lights as she paused and salivated her throat with beer. She had already thought of those things in her previous life, but being part of the current lapse of his life, her suspicion grew solid.

Matthew wasn't innocent, as she wanted to believe. He had seen enough, the best and the worst.

"Being a virgin is just a plus." Zoey ended after swallowing the beer.

"Do you now understand why he is amazing?" Zoey cocked her head to him lazily. 

As soon as she did, Zoey arched her brow because Matthew was smiling.

"I see." Matthew nodded before drinking, as it was already safe to do so. 

After he gulped it down, he turned to Zoey. His eyes glinting in satisfaction as the side of his lips tilted into a subtle smile that akin to a smirk.

"So," Matthew inch closer as his breath with a touch of alcohol wafted her nose. "Why aren't you together if he's that amazing? Where is he now?"