Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

"He is someone I want dead." Her eyes flickered with killing intent, jaw tightening at the thought of Inigo. Matthew wouldn't know about him if Inigo didn't show himself. She wasn't stupid not to conclude the obvious because there's no way Matthew would know the name if Inigo didn't make his existence known to him.

"Was he with you the entire time?" Her eyes remained fixed with him, asking questions that she already knew the answer to and was only seeking for confirmation.

For a moment, Matthew remained silent as he kept his eyes contact with her. "Yes." He replied, nodding his head lightly. 

Although Zoey had already figured Inigo was with him, hearing it gave her a different kind of fear that was slowly creeping to her heart. It was as if someone splashed cold water on her, leaving her with entire body freezing.

She could feel her shoulders stiffen, her fingers went cold, and her entire being trembling. Zoey's eyes skimmed Matthew briefly, looking for any wounds or signs that Inigo hurt him. Fortunately, she found nothing or else, she would wreak havoc and trace Inigo's whereabouts then and there.

"It's okay." Matthew squeezed her cold hands lightly before loosening it. "He didn't hurt me nor do I feel that he wants to." He reassured, nodding his head.

However, Zoey shook her head as she chuckled in mockery. "Wrong." She paused, averting her eyes away from him as a heavy exhale escaped from her nostrils. "Don't believe whatever he said. That man only has one purpose…" Her words trailed off, slowly looking up once again to meet his gaze.

"That is to make me experience the same hell." Without further ado, Zoey dropped the sole reason Inigo was still alive and thriving to survive. In her previous lifetime, Zoey confirmed that Inigo's drive to live was for her to suffer.

He killed Matthew and by doing so, she lost her unborn child. After that, he assisted Zachery to execute his plans to dispose of Cora, causing mental damage to Zion. And then, Enzo… Inigo had played everyone dear to her: her family, friends, and Matthew.

Inigo made her live in hell for a year. He had pushed her to the brink of insanity. The reason Zoey wanted to act fast in this lifetime so they wouldn't have to share the same fate. She didn't want to lose them; never again she would let that happen.

Matthew studied Zoey's menacing front which he had never witnessed before. He could feel the fear in her aura, but above all, she reeked of bloodlust. That second, he could barely recognize the woman in front of him. 

She wasn't the same Zoey he knew. She wasn't playful nor she was acting smart and cunning. The woman in front of him was someone who gave him the vibe of a cold-blooded person. It was as if she was the most dangerous person one shouldn't mess with.

"Don't." While he was silently studying her, Zoey's lips parted once again and spoke. "If you ever meet him, avoid him at any cost. Never let your guard down." Her eyes unwavering, staring straight as his pair of russet eyes as if she was seeking his affirmation to heed her one and only request.

"I won't." Since Matthew could sense the urgency in her request, he didn't argue and just agreed. Still, deep down, he couldn't ignore the feelings that there was more to this. The feeling of seeing just the tip of the iceberg. Whatever it was, Matthew wanted to get to the bottom of it.

After all, if Inigo wanted him dead, he would have done it the first time they bumped into each other. Yet, he didn't. Just what was going on with them? What was the source of this hate Zoey had towards Inigo?

More importantly, why did Inigo sound like he truly cared for his well-being? As if unlike Zoey's evident will to have his head, the man wanted something else? Matthew was bothered with all these questions that disabled him to ask further questions.

"Good." After a minute of silence, Zoey nodded her head as she exhaled. "I won't lose you again." Without looking away, her other hand held his hand that was holding her other hand. "Never again." She affirmed, stretching her lips into a subtle smile while Matthew stared at her in confusion.

"Did he kill me?" He asked, taking her claim as a time-traveler in consideration although it sounded silly for him to even believe that. "I mean, in the future." He clarified, thinking he needed to clarify his question.

Her silence gave him the answer he was seeking. Thus, he nodded his head in understanding. "I won't die easily." He affirmed, guiding her hand to his lips. "Don't worry. Your fear won't come true the second time." Slowly, Matthew placed a soft peck at the back of her hand which magically calmed her raging nerves.

Zoey's eyes softened as his last remarks touched her heart. "Mhmm," She could only hum a soft tune, agreeing with him.

After all, even if Matthew wouldn't do anything, Zoey had already planned not to experience the same hell. May she be the most cruel person existing in this world if that was the only way to change their fates. 

That was her and only reason for living in this second chance at life. Thus, she's putting her life on the line once again not to exact her revenge, but to protect everyone she cared for. She wouldn't let them lose their lives in the hands of that psycho who only wanted to destroy her life.

****

[THE DAY OF ZOEY'S DEATH]

"Pray that we won't be living in the same timeline, my old friend. I will be your karma." With that being said, Zoey pulled the trigger. The loud bang and blood splatter immediately tainted the already tainted concrete ground.

"No, Zia, no…" Under his breath, Inigo muttered as he ran to her collapsing body. He glinted with his knees, catching her figure before it completely fell to the ground. "No…" His hand trembled, shaking her lifeless body as his complexion paled.

"Zia…" The blood flowing out of the hole in her temple tainted his arms as it dripped down, soaking him in a pool of blood. Just then, Inigo raised his head to the figure walking inside, his eyes lifeless as if he just realized his incoming defeat.

"You!" Through his gritted teeth, Inigo's hands that were holding her shoulders tightened and soon after, another loud bang followed which caused him to drop dead.