Chapter 659 - Dumb Ways To Die

As Zoey walked closer, a few men saw her approaching. She compassed her hand, skipping her steps to every beat of the song.

"Hey!" Called out a man who noticed her approaching.

However, Zoey only beamed him a smile, banging her head lightly as she hummed 'dumb ways to die.' A stick of lit cigarette was in between her fingers, seeing a man approach her.

"Invite a psycho killer inside~

Scratch a drug dealer's brand new ride…" Zoey sang.

When the man came close, Zoey smirked as she flicked the lit cigarette that directly hit his eyelid, barely missing his eye.

"Ah! sh*t!" The man screamed in surprise, covering his scalded eyes as he raised his gun to Zoey who was skipping her steps inside. "F*cking --!"

Just when he was about to shoot, a hand rested on top of his hand and guided it down.

"She's our lady boss. You better not hurt her if you don't want Niko to personally gouge your eyes out." A man said, causing the guard who was about to shoot the crazy girl skipping her steps towards the entrance of the house to look at him.

Patrizio Moretti.

Patrizio waved the others to hold their guns down, signaling them it was fine. After seeing that they saw his signals, Patrizio gazed down at the family member who joined after Zoey cut ties with the family.

"The black cat is back. You know the saying?" Patrizio smiled. "Don't cross the black cat. Get an eye patch or whatever."

***

"Dumb ways to die, so many dumb ways to die~" Zoey didn't have a problem entering the manor. 

She kept singing, humming, and skipping her way in. Inside the courtyard, no one was inside the traditional ancient house.

"Zia!" As she looked around, Zoey saw Nikolai spread his arms as he greeted her.

Zoey smirked, slowly removed her earplugs as Nikolai approached. "My fiancee! You did come back!"

Nikolai chuckled, as if he didn't force her to do so. Yet, Zoey only shrugged, tossing and catching her ipod in her hand.

"Ahh… this vibe…" Staring at her from head to toe and studying her demeanor made him smirk. "This is the Zia that I knew."

Zoey hid the urge to chuckle, shaking her head as she trudged forward, brushing past him as she patted his shoulder.

"Nice to see you." She said as she headed inside without a care for a longer chit-chat.

Nikolai smirked, smoothly turning his upper body back, his hands inside his pockets. He stared at her retreating back and chuckled.

He didn't expect her to return just like her former self. Nikolai expected her to be a little bit more defiant like a princess. How could he forget that Zoey was a smart vixen?

"Wait for me, dear!" Nikolai shouted as he followed her inside.

Zoey rolled her eyes upon hearing him. However, she had to keep this act together for a little longer.

'Ivan, I will trust you, just this once.' Zoey thought internally, hoping Ivan could calm Matthew down himself. Which Ivan did, miraculously.

Just like what Ivan had guessed, Zoey only needed to focus on herself. She could protect herself, if Zoey didn't have to consider other people. She's capable. But worrying for others was a hindrance for her; no matter how she denied she didn't mind it.

Inside the anciently decorated house, Zoey looked around. It felt very ancient being in this place. The scent of restriction wafted her nose, just like how ancient times were restrictive times to live.

"Where's the master bedroom?" She asked upon hearing footsteps from behind her.

"Oh? Sleeping with me right away?" Nikolai humored as he walked closer from behind her. 

His arms unhesitatingly snaked around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"I didn't know you missed me more than I did." 

He humored, casting Zoey a side eye. Zoey glanced over her shoulder -- over at him.

"Aren't you too close?" She arched her right brow, but not struggling from his embrace despite feeling utterly disgusted by his touch.

"Do you mind?" 

"What do you think?" As blunt as she was, Zoey didn't conceal the disgusted smirk on her lips. "Damn, you look like a pervert -- very low class."

"Ouch." Yet, Nikolai chuckled. 

Slowly, he withdrew his hand and created distance between them. As he walked beside her, he smoothly slipped his hand into her hand, his fingers in between the gaps of her fingers.

"Then, I'll show you!" He exclaimed, shrugging off her blunt remarks just now. 

Zoey gazed down on their entwined hands. He was holding her hand firmly but not enough to hurt her. Nikolai had a habit of holding her hand, for some reason, Zoey was never bothered by it.

But now, she felt disgusted.

Her body and heart… it was all Matthew's property. Yet, someone else was holding her. 

Unknowingly, Zoey was staring at their hand for some time. She wanted to pull her hand away. However, she knew it would be out of her old character. 

The old Zoey always gave Nikolai free access to her. Due to it, Nikolai didn't force himself on her in something more sexual. This minimal human interaction had kept his possessiveness at bay; it was as if it was all he needed.

"Bothered?" Zoey snapped back upon Nikolai's flat inquiry. "There are more things to be bothered about than just mere holding hands."

He hinted. She instantly grasped the idea.

"No, honestly." It was true, though. Zoey was not bothered; she's disgusted. "I just thought it's been a while."

Now, that was a lie, albeit not completely.

Nikolai nodded in understanding, a little appeased at her answer. "Well, then. Let me show you the master bedroom. You know, just like old times."

He raised his brow, casting her a knowing look. Zoey rolled her eyes but said nothing.

With that being said, Nikolai led the way without letting her hand go. He was like a child pulling his mother to show her something amusing.

The house wasn't that huge. Hence, they immediately arrived at the room he was using as his bedroom. 

Zoey moved her eyes around. There were a few weapons and guns on the small table as if they were merely toys for display. But she ignored them.

As they went inside, Zoey halted. "Right. I got you something."

Zoey pulled her hand away from him. However, Nikolai frowned and held her tighter.

"I won't go anywhere, dummy." She smirked, shaking her head lightly. Seeing this, Nikolai reluctantly let her hand go.

Zoey then slid her hands inside her black jacket. When she took out a packet of ice cream, she frowned.

"It melted." She muttered. "I'll just get you a new one…"

Before she could finish, Nikolai immediately snatched the ice cream from her hand. The corner of his lips curled into a charming smirk.

"I love you for this." He said, staring at the pack of ice cream with a smile.

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Author's Note:

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