Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

Zoey pursed her lips into a thin line, her heart throbbing uncontrollably for a different reason. She felt intimidated, his aura gave him a different vibe she couldn't point out. "You lied too…" Her words nearly came out as whispers as she looked away.

"Why?" Unfazed by her act, Matthew still peered at her bearing eyes void of affection.

"Same question, why?" Instead of giving him the answer he sought for, Zoey returned the question. Well, he kept lying earlier too, right? What was he so mad about when she used the same method? Not that she was harming him in any way.

For a good two minutes, neither of them made a sound as Zoey stayed in her position while Matthew kept staring at her. When he had enough silence and answer in mind, his lips slowly parted. "I told you… I like you, Miss Zhou." Without a pause or the slightest hesitation, he expressed the real reason behind his lame excuses.

But what about her? What's her excuse? 

"How about you?" A second after he gave her his clear answer, Matthew threw the question back to her. Deep down, he didn't want her to lie as his mind would automatically doubt her every word and every action she would do. However, part of him wanted to hear some satisfying answers even if they were lies.

Zoey didn't answer immediately, His straightforward answer caused her whole being to freeze. It wasn't the first time she heard him say those words, but this time, her heart felt the weight of his words. They were heavy… never thought how these words would make her resolve down which felt more like a burden at the moment.

However, regardless of what she felt, her lips moved before she could even realize it. "Same reason as you." As soon as she realized the words that slipped past her lips, Zoey's eyes widened as she abruptly faced him.

She covered her lips, having an immediate urge to slap her mouth for defying her mind and listening to her heart more. Alas, no matter how much she regretted speaking without a thought of the consequences, she couldn't turn the time back. After all, in this lifetime, time permanently ticked without a delay or a stop.

What happened, happened. What was said was already said. That's that. No more second chance in life, no more reset. One mistake and it would be over for her and him. Not that Zoey never trusted his heart that it wouldn't fall for her. What she was most afraid of was that his love for her would bloom earlier, which would make it hard for her revenge against Inigo.

Matthew scrutinized her shock and panic-stricken expression. This was his first time seeing genuine expression plastered across her face. Even her fake tears didn't give the same feels unlike now. Meaning, she was telling the truth — but afraid of something upon the realization.

"I see…" He uttered, nodding his head in understanding. "So you like me too, huh?" He clarified, having the strong feeling that he needed to clear this first so she wouldn���t be able to twist her words in the future.

Little did he know, this sneaky little miss wouldn't need to twist her words in the future as she was about to do it now. "Yes! I mean, who would dislike you, Mister Xi? You're like every girl's dream!" Since her words were facts and she has mastered the art of lying, Zoey sounded so natural even the nastiest soul would fall for it.

However, her answer might've worked for her, but that didn't sit well with the latter. His eyes grew darker, glinting dangerously, which she was well-aware of as she stared at them. Yet, she didn't want to take her words back as she didn't want him involved with her yet.

'Not now, Z. He'll be endangered… you'll lose him again.' Zoey reminded herself internally, telling herself that she shouldn't act reckless regarding this part of her heart. Even if it would enrage him causing him to vent his anger against Z Image Group, Zoey would choose that instead of endangering him.

Heck. Zoey was already willing to give up her love if she had to. Just so he could live until he grows old. She would just love him from afar if they reached that point in this story. She had already vowed to make sure they lived peacefully in this lifetime even if it meant she would be alone and lonely… even love wouldn't break that resolve because she already experienced losing everything — she couldn't lose them all permanently.

In her point of view, as long as she knew they were alive and were happy even without her, Zoey would accept that. Be it Cora, Ivan, Nikolai, or Matthew, if they could live safely in this lifetime, Zoey could continue living protecting them.

"Zoey… why?" Upon hearing his gentle tone, Zoey snapped from her trance as she looked up to him in shock. She expected that it would enrage him, force himself on her, or threaten her. But he wasn't.

Instead, by the looks of it, he was curious, wondering about something deeper. "Have we met before?" Matthew asked once again. His eyes carried uncertainty. "I like you, but I dislike when you dwell on your thoughts deeply." He remarked, honest and straight-forward as always.

Of course, her answer didn't amuse him in any way. However, witnessing how her eyes lost focus, as if her mind wandered somewhere he could never reach, his agitation turned into worry. Why does he feel that there was a deeper meaning behind her lies?

Matthew was never a fan of lies, even if they're white lies. Alas, in her case, part of him desired to know more. His heart already understood, but his mind couldn't comprehend what his heart deciphered.

Another minute passed since he dropped his inquiry, but she didn't answer.. When she did, her eyes flickered with firm resolve. "Do you believe in time traveling?" Her eyes looked at him straight in the eye as she asked the same question she asked to Cora