Chapter 653 - Goodbye

Soon, Zoey and Kenneth reached the Z Image office. Kenneth watched her as she picked up her things and was about to hitch out of the car.

"Hey," He called out, catching Zoey's attention.

"What?"

"Uh, nothing?" 

"Don't act so oddly. Yes, I'm being sensitive so I don't like you romantically, alright? Friends — I'm friend zoning you and you should respect that." Zoey blurted out to ease the uneasiness enveloping her heart.

"Ahaha!" Kenneth laughed, shaking his head lightly. "I'm saying, take care. You should stay away from that stressful underground stuff. Don't lose your mind about that unnecessary stuff."

"What do you know?" Zoey mumbled as she shook her head. "Anyway, thank you for the ride."

Upon saying so, Zoey prompted to hitch outside the car. However, just as she opened the door, she turned around when he called her out once again.

"Zoey," 

"What?!" Annoyed, Zoey arched her brow.

"I wanted to tell you that I'm happy that you're with Brother Matt." He said gently, catching Zoey off-guard.

"What's wrong with you?" Zoey muttered as the uneasiness in her heart heightened.

"I don't know." Kenneth shrugged playfully. "I just think I wouldn't accept this defeat if it was someone else."

Zoey remained silent and sighed. "Can you stay for a little while? I mean, in my office."

"Be sensitive, duh?" Kenneth scoffed and cast her a look of disdain. "I might think you're trying to invite me for something else. I told you, you're overthinking things."

"It's because you started speaking nonsense." Zoey rolled her eyes.

"Haha! I'm sorry, then." Kenneth raised both his eyes up, conceding in defeat. "I just thought of saying that since I move on pretty fast. I might like you today, but after saying my piece, I might like you as a friend tomorrow."

"Whatever." Zoey shook her head, flinging her legs out of the car. 

When she was outside, she leaned down, her hand over the door. 

"You take care on your way back." 

Kenneth only nodded and gestured a nonchalant salute. Zoey stared at him for a little while before closing the door.

Unlike usual, Zoey stared at the pavement for a little while longer. Since the car wasn't moving, she waved and mouthed, "Go."

Kenneth who was staring at her from inside the car chuckled. "Gosh… she makes me think I have a chance."

He muttered, shaking his head. However, deep down, he knew Zoey was just merely doing things as a friend. Hence, to stop himself from thinking further, he started the engine and slowly sped away.

Zoey watched the car pick up its pace. She let out a sigh and shook her head.

"I wish I'm just overthinking because of everything that's happening lately." 

She murmured. Zoey then walked her way inside the Z Image Building. As soon as she stepped her foot inside the building, her worries about Kenneth's safety gradually vanished.

Why? Her company was blowing up like usual. Hence, Zoey soon forgot about it as she was out to burn her employees alive.

***

Meanwhile, Kenneth slowly picked up his pace and constantly glanced at Zoey. She was watching him speed away, making him chuckle.

"Really. I should stop taking her actions as something more than what it is." He muttered, shaking his head.

To avoid thinking more, Kenneth accelerated his speed until he left the area of her building. As he drove, a subtle smile resurfaced on his lips.

To him, he felt relieved that he told Zoey about the secret he had been hiding. Although his moving on pace was fast, Kenneth knew this one would take time.

He never liked someone like Zoey. The reason he liked Zoey was because of her strong character. Therefore, meeting someone who was twice or thrice stronger and more inspiring than Ruby, he had fallen for her.

Still, Kenneth knew his limits. He knew that Zoey was someone whom he could never tame. Only Matthew could do something like that. Just like how Matthew tamed Dredd.

How ironic that the thought of it made him chuckle. Surely, Kenneth respected Matthew, although, sometimes, the man was annoyingly perfect. The rich parents always used him just to compare to their children.

As Kenneth drove in peace, he glanced at the rear mirror. His brows instantly furrowed seeing the same car behind him.

"Huh?" Kenneth carefully switched lanes. 

He didn't get to see the plate number the first time. But the second time, Kenneth had seen and remembered it. He had a good memory. So, he instantly knew the car driving on the other lane and speeding next to him was the same car.

"What the…?" He muttered as the car just oddly drove at the same pace as him.

For some reason, Kenneth's heart started throbbing loudly. Slowly, he saw that the window was rolling down.

The second he saw a circular metal pointing at him, his eyes widened as time ticked slowly. The next thing he heard was a continuous bang of a gun, riddling his car, until his car crashed to the side.

****

Later that day, at Z Image CEO's office.

"Sis, I'll be dropping Cora off. Will your boyfriend pick you up?" asked Ivan as he stood by the door.

"Just go if you're going. I don't want another Mel announcing their leave." Zoey waved nonchalantly without moving her eyes away from the monitor.

"er…"

Just then, Zoey heard her phone ring. Slowly, she blinked and shifted her eyes toward the phone right beside her computer.

As soon as she saw Matthew's name, her eyes brightened up. Without a second hesitation, Zoey picked it up.

"Darling~!"

Ivan who saw Zoey's sudden change of demeanor shook his head. "Okay, then…" 

Before he could finish his words, Ivan trailed off as Zoey's pale grew pale.

"Sis?" He called out, but Zoey dropped her phone as the life in her eyes left her eyes.

Alerted by her strange reaction after picking up the call, Ivan rushed inside.

"Sis?" He asked, shaking Zoey's shoulder.

Zoey raised her head to him, her eyes welling up but not saying anything.

"What happened?" He asked worriedly. He never saw Zoey enter such a shocked state, her lips trembling.

"Ivan…" Zoey whispered. "He…"  She choked as she wobbled back on her chair, shocked at the terrible news she had just received.

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Author's Note:

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