Chapter 613 - Holding Hands While Walking

After he uttered those words, a subtle smile resurfaced on his lips. At first, he was irritated at Cora and Zion's character. They liked each other, yet, both of them didn't have the courage to express themselves.

In the end, Ivan had the opportunity to come into the picture. But now, Ivan found himself in a seemingly similar predicament where he needed to choose.

It was out of his character to hesitate, but both options were equally important to him. He already knew what it was like to be in the Silva Family and how it was to live in the darker side of the world.

But with Cora… everything was new and refreshing to him. Ivan wouldn't admit verbally, but he had already grown to like his current life. 

Or rather, he started to like peace. Instead of blood and schemes that he usually woke up to, he now wakes up looking forward to how his relationship with her would progress. 

Instead of learning the strategy to corner someone, he enjoyed learning her language. And instead of forgetting the future and living in the present as he could die anytime, he was starting to ponder over his future with her.

Ivan was never this eager to live. He never had this strong desire to protect someone or protect his relationship with someone. Even if things wouldn't go his way, Ivan knew wouldn't regret being a part of her life.

"Are you okay?" Cora asked innocently, tilting his head to the side as his last remarks came off as a little vague.

"Yes, of course I am." Ivan reassured with a satisfied nod. "I'm just happy, silly girl."

"I'm no silly." Cora frowned as she thought he was teasing her again.

"You're right; you're not. It is me who is silly." His subtle smile grew into a grin, petting her on the head.

Cora was a little annoyed that Ivan was suddenly treating her like a child. However, deep down, she enjoyed how his hand that was patting her head made her feel so secure and wanted. Thus, she let it slip and beamed him a smile.

"You and me, eat!" 

"Right! I'm starving!" Upon hearing her, Ivan remembered the reason Cora went up on the rooftop. That was for the two of them to eat lunch together. Thus, he exclaimed in Mandarin.

Cora chuckled as he sounded cute speaking in her language. "Let's go!" 

Ivan said enthusiastically. Cora nodded and took a step forward. However, just as she did, she halted in her steps.

Slowly, she moved her gaze to him down to his hand. There, Ivan's hands were laid open in front of her.

"Hmm?" Ivan moved his brows in an up and down motion, grinning as his fingers did a wave motion. "Hold! Hold!" 

Cora bit her lower lip, 'is it really okay to hold hands?' She wondered internally. She darted her eyes from his eyes to his hands.

For a second, Cora took a deep breath before her smile returned. Without further ado, Cora held onto his hands and pouted at him.

Meanwhile, Ivan found her slightly annoyed expression cute. He chuckled and the two of them went off with their hands intertwined.

*****

Meanwhile in Zoey's office…

Zoey stared at her phone bearing a poker face. She had her jaw propped by her knuckles, recalling her brief conversation with Ivan.

Obviously, Zoey mentioned that to divert his attention. However, that didn't mean the matter didn't need attention. After all, sooner or later, Zoey was aware that Ivan should choose just like she did in the past.

Whatever Ivan's decision would be, Zoey would support him. Be it he decides to be with Cora or choose the family he considered as real family, Zoey would respect it. After all, Zoey was conflicted as well before the incident with Inigo happened.

That incident pushed her to sever her ties with the Silva Family. Good thing, Nikolai was the head of the family that time and he gave her the permission. Or else, she would be on the run and wouldn't be the Zhou Zoey she was in her previous life.

"Weird…" Suddenly, Zoey's train of thoughts was put on a halt as she stared at her phone. Just now, she received a strange message from her darling sugar pie.

It says, "Ivan needs to choose sides, my love. We don't want your friend to be caught in a crossfire."

"Why would he say something like this?" Zoey muttered in confusion.

Part of her got an immediate and most reasonable answer of why Matthew asked her such a request. It was because once Matthew started to execute his plans, Ivan would surely be inflicted as Nikolai wanted Inigo dead as well.

However, another part of Zoey says otherwise. It was an instinct, but Zoey sensed that Matthew's reasons were entirely different.

"I should ask him later, I guess?" Zoey whispered before she shook her head to shrug unnecessary thoughts off.

"By the way, Boss Zhou, want to check the products for the Feng Estate before they get shipped out?" Suddenly, Mel poked her head from the gap of the door and startled Zoey

"Gosh, Mel. Can you knock?!" Aggravated, Zoey bellowed before she assisted herself up.

"Sorry for startling you, Boss Zhou."

"Whatever. Let's go." With that being said, Zoey prompted to quality check the products with all her personal thoughts thrown to the back of her head.

*****

[Matthew's secret mansion]

"I can't believe you kidnapped me in broad daylight!" Angelo scorned as Carter pushed him to the floor while the former raised his head to see Matthew's unfazed expression.

"You better believe that, teacher!" Wen exclaimed and chuckled. He was standing on the side with his back against the pillar; a good spot to foresee the entire lobby of the mansion.

"You!" Ignoring Wen's annoying comment, Angelo clenched his teeth as his eyes glinted as he stared at Matthew. "I knew from the very beginning that I couldn't trust you! What do you want? Kill me? Hah!"

Slowly, Matthew slipped his phone inside his suit pocket after sending his reminders to Zoey how much he loves her. Ironic with the situation he had at the moment.

"Kill you?" After a second, Matthew finally spoke calmly. "My orders were clear: invite you here because I predicted you'd do something silly on your own."

In a matter-of-fact tone, Matthew explained. To be honest, he knew that once Zoey returned, she would surely inform Angelo of their plans. Of course, as someone as prideful as Angelo, he would definitely disagree.

"Yet, you forced my men to use force. I don't think we should blame them." Matthew shrugged which didn't sit well with Angelo.

"It's all your fault…" Through his gritted teeth, Angelo scorned as he believed it was Matthew who changed Zoey's mind and ruined all their plans.

"I will kill you!" 

"Untie him." Upon hearing Angelo's threats, Matthew was quick to give his orders. 

"Master…" Paul and the rest who heard him furrowed their brows. Not that they couldn't protect their boss, but rather, Angelo's skills were still better than them. They didn't want to put Matthew's life at risk.

"Can you guys give that little fellow some slack? Just listen to your boss because before he kills him, he would kill me first instead!" Out of nowhere, a familiar voice of a man echoed across the spacious lobby of the mansion.

Angelo, who was ready to kill someone once they freed him froze. Slowly, he turned his gaze to the direction of the voice. 

There, Inigo was walking down the stairs as if the place was his. "You… what are you doing here?"