Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

"Brother Matt," As soon as Kenneth reached Matthew in the garden, he called out. 

Kenneth trudged closer while the man in the garden remained calm. His eyes were on the roses not far away from him. They swayed along with the wind. 

"Until when will you be associated with that man?" When Kenneth stopped closer to his side, he sighed in frustration. 

"It's interesting." Matthew just gave him a side eye for a brief time, and then averted his gaze back to the flowers. 

"I thought you'd dispose of him?" Upon hearing that two words reply from him, Kenneth's lips angled down into a frown. 

"I thought so too," He chuckled, shaking his head as if he found this amusing. "But something happened, and someone needed him." Matthew shrugged, inhaling and exhaling as Zoey's face crossed his mind. 

"Someone?" Still bearing the same disappointed frown, Kenneth queried. "Brother Matt, who are you associated with this time?" Upset, Kenneth sighed in distress. 

"If only I'd know you'd get fascinated about the black market, I wouldn't have told you about it. Now, you're being involved with those types of people." Out of frustration, Kenneth complained while shaking his head. 

It was his fault why Matthew got associated with this kind of stuff. Since Kenneth came from a political family and he's an heir, all classified information wasn't classified to him. 

He was raised to be a part of politics. Kenneth was first thrilled about some secrets that this country holds. Hence, he often told Matthew about them. 

Although Matthew often seemed disinterested in most of the things Kenneth tells him, he reacted when he heard about the black market. 

Not that Matthew didn't know it existed. It was the fact that Kenneth told him more details about their locations and how it works. 

After that, it only took a day before Matthew made his first purchase in the black market! Kenneth wouldn't fret about it if that was only the problem. 

However, Matthew was now associated with notorious people like Don Cecil and other big ganglords. Despite this fact, the Bai Family couldn't just apprehend him. After all, they don't only have a strong tie with the Xi's, but also they were for generations, and still were, the Xi Family's underdogs.

Why? Because the Xi Family guaranteed that the Bai's had their position secure in the military. Thus, they protected the Xi's while the Xi's protected what's theirs. 

It was a trade for a lifetime. It was one of the reasons why the Xi family needed someone like Matthew as a head of the family to shoulder all these heavy responsibilities. 

Still, who would have thought that Matthew would be involved in this? Now, even if the Bai's bump into someone like Cecil inside the Xi properties, they wouldn't take action because they have Matthew Xi's immunity. 

"Ken, one way or another, I'll still be associated with this kind of thing." Matthew shrugged, stating his words in a matter-of-fact tone. "Although not for long, I know I'll be in the same situation." He added, glancing at Kenneth who was frustrated, but at the same time, appeared to be blaming himself. 

Inside Matthew's mind, he knew for a fact that he'll be in the same situation with or without Kenneth mentioning it. He had been fascinated by the goods that were being sold in the said community. 

For example, he bought Dredd at one of the auctions. A rare lion species that was said to be only two in the world; an untamed lion that he managed to tame and became part of his family. 

"*Sigh* Another long sigh slipped past Kenneth's lips as he dragged his feet to the chair around the garden table. Without a word, he plopped down, "Ahh..." He released another one of those long sighs out of frustration. 

"The Xi family has everything in the world; why would you even risk your life like this?" Still exasperated at the thought of Matthew's situation, Kenneth rubbed his palms against his face. "Aren't you dating? I mean, what if she gets in danger and those notorious peoplel target her because of you?" 

Kenneth ruffled his hair, recalling that Zoey, his savior, was dating his best friend. He must admit though, he sort of liked Zoey. However, he's not crazy enough to put a wedge between Zoey and Matthew. 

After all, he liked her because she's cool and understood him deep down. It was just a simple inkling that could grow into love for a friend or love for a romance. Either way, Kenneth entrusted Zoey to him — although he knew for a fact that he didn't have the right to do that. 

"Why risk it?" Matthew glanced at the vexed Kenneth, his expression unchanging. "It's interesting." He shrugged, giving the summary of his simple reason. 

"Do I need a reason not to have fun?" He wondered, reaching for the pistol that was on the table. "Also, how could I know the extent of my powers if I don't see the other side of the world?" He caressed the barrel before cocking it and then pointed in a specific direction. 

"How would I know how terrifying people could be if I don't associate myself to the worst people alive?" He closed his one eye, aiming in the direction where the muzzle was pointing at. 

After a second, Matthew pulled the trigger as the bullet landed on one of the roses, before it fell down to the soil. Kenneth found his actions amusing. "In simple terms, I learned things in my preferred methods; methods where I can have a little fun. I'll stop once it's no longer interesting." 

Matthew just shrugged, playing with the pistol around his finger before placing it down on the table. "But, yes, I am dating." He paused, smacking his lips as he leaned down. 

His leg rested over the other; Dredd then approached and lay on his feet like a normal cat. "However, I think I'll be the one in danger if I get associated with her more." He gave Kenneth a knowing look, before his hand slid out of his pockets and reached to Dredd's mane. 

"Huh?" Puzzled at his last remarks, Kenneth furrowed his brows. He witnessed how the side of Matthew's lips curled into a meek yet real smile. 

"I don't know. My instinct tells me she's far more dangerous than Cecil and my instincts have never failed me, yet." He said, petting Dredd's silver mane that looked shaggy but soft as a cushion. 

"You mean Zoey?" Still confused, Kenneth clarified. But the moment he addressed her by her first name, the atmosphere in the air grew colder. "Ahem! I mean, Miss Zhou?" The instant he realized what he said wrong, Kenneth corrected himself immediately. 

"I wonder if Dredd will like her." Instead of answering his further inquiries, Matthew muttered while staring at his beloved pet. 

Dredd let out a soft roar, soothed by the physical interaction with his owner. Its eyes slowly closed, before it felt asleep while Matthew kept on stroking him. 

"Bro..." Since Matthew changed the subject, it was Kenneth's cue to drop the subject. His best buddy, although young at age, has a great mind. He wouldn't have everyone wrapped around his fingers if he was not capable. 

Therefore, Kenneth decided to ask about the other reason for his visit. "By the way, the car was delivered to her yesterday. Why did you upgrade the customization than what she suggested?" He asked. 

"Just because," Matthew shrugged once again, smiling as he kept stroking his pet to his heart's content.