Chapter 624 - Reward

"All this talking made me thirsty and hungry, my love. Are you not?"

Matthew smirked as his fingertips played with her hair. Zoey suddenly felt her throat parched as her cheek heated up.

"What do you say?" He insinuated, casting her a knowing look.

His eyes slowly gazed down from the first two unbuttoned buttons of her blouse. Just unbutton another one, and Zoey's cleavage would surely peek through.

Knowing this, Matthew raised his gaze back to her once again. Part of him felt displeased that Nikolai had the chance to spend even a second with her alone.

Hence, there was this man's pride swelling up within him. Also, he missed her. Even though it was only hours since Zoey went home to the Kwan's household.

"I say, we better eat something that can really fill our stomach. Darling, love wouldn't fill our stomach, only our hearts!" 

Zoey humored, giggling as she indulged him, watching his playful smile fade away. When the corner of his lips settled in a down curve, Zoey cupped his cheek.

"Darling, don't frown. Are you threatened after meeting Niko?"

"Him." As flat as the dead's pulse, Matthew corrected which came vague to her. "Don't call him by his first name so casually."

With that same flat tone, Matthew moved his gaze away. He disliked it much more than he despised the entire existence of Nikolai. That wicked man who would be a threat to them if left unwatched.

"Oh ho! Xi Matthew!" Upon hearing his last remarks, Zoey chuckled in delight.

"What?"

"Just when I thought you had a drink in broad daylight! You don't reek of alcohol, but jealousy."

The corner of Zoey's lips stretched into a grin. Matthew, from her previous life and now, was always straightlaced. 

It was a rare sight to see him jealous. But now, he was showing it without a second hesitation. Even though Zoey would normally think it was a toxic trait in a relationship, she found it otherwise at the moment.

"Am I being toxic to find this… fascinating?" She asked, sporting a playful grin on her lips.

Matthew studied her playful visage without much change in his poker face. 

"Yes, you are."

When Matthew answered, it was the last straw of Zoey's restraint as she laughed out loud. She laughed and laughed, until tears started to form on the corner of her eyes.

Initially, Matthew found her teasing a little annoying. After all, he was jealous. Yet, Zoey was just laughing it off.

But, as he watched her laugh, his heart began to ease. His eyes slowly softened and before he knew it, the side of his lips curled up into a subtle smile.

"I think my girlfriend is crazy." He muttered, shaking his head in defeat.

His remarks only intensified Zoey's laughter as she loosened her hand on his cheek. She then held her stomach, rolling her back on the couch.

Her laughter was too loud that everyone outside the office halted. Slowly, the Z Image staff turned their attention towards the door of Zoey's office.

"Did Boss Z… snap?" Luigi turned to Mel and asked.

Mel glanced at her colleague but said nothing. She then shifted her gaze back to the door. 

"I think so."

Mel sighed, shaking her head as she continued on her work. One after another, everyone returned to their office duties until Zoey's laughter subsided.

Back in Zoey's office, Matthew watched Zoey with a poker face. Soon, she recovered as she exhaled through the gaps of her parted lips.

"Are you done?" asked Matthew as he didn't expect her to laugh for that long.

"Yes! Sorry, ppft --!" Zoey repressed herself from laughing even more, gluing her lips together as she shut her eyes closed.

"I'm done laughing, I swear." She said with her eyes closed.

Matthew sighed as he shook his head. Who would have thought calling her crazy would bring such delight in her heart?

"Baby, I only have thirty minutes. Paul has been strict with my schedule." After letting out another sigh, Matthew checked his wristwatch.

Matthew only told Paul to give him a two hours break. After that, Matthew needed to fulfill his duties as the backbone of the XI Corporation. 

Just the thought of it, exhausted Matthew. If this was before, he would never have perceived being the head of the XI Corporation to be so bothersome. However, things had changed.

Twenty four hours was not enough to complete everything. Not to mention, he had to deal with Nikolai and Inigo; all the while protecting everyone dear to him.

Not that Matthew regretted taking responsibility for Zoey's problems. It was the opposite. He wanted to focus on dealing with Nikolai as soon as possible instead.

How could he do that if he had to deal with the XI Corporation's affairs?

"Hai hai!" Zoey nodded, having a complete understanding of Matthew's tight schedule.

"There's a canteen just a few blocks away. Food is nice and cheap!" She proudly announced, winking at this beautiful man she had laid her eyes upon.

"If you like it there, then so be it." Matthew shrugged nonchalantly.

With that being said, Zoey nodded as she sprung back on her feet. However, just as she did, Matthew held her hand and pulled her back.

Zoey was caught off guard. The second thing she knew, she was on his lap. Her hands on his shoulders as she got a whiff of his minty breath.

"I agreed to the place you want to eat." He paused, and Zoey raised her right brow suspiciously.

"My reward?" 

He added in a knowing tone. Zoey was rendered speechless for a second as she blinked her eyes.

When Zoey recovered, she widened her eyes and ground her teeth.

"Darling, this is my office. It's not soundproof." Through her gritted teeth, Zoey said as she cast the door a brief glance.

"Your mind is dirty. I'm not asking for that." Matthew chuckled before he leaned forward.

Within a second, his lips touched hers for a second. "This is what I was asking for."

With eyes glinting, suppressing his inner desires from taking over him. However, just as his eyes traveled across her beauty, he wanted more.

"Forget it." He whispered under his breath before leaning once again. This time, however, it wasn't a mere peck.

This time, he pressed his lips deeper until a moan escaped her lips and slipped directly into his mouth.