Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

[Z IMAGE BUILDING]

Ivan gazed up as he stared at the old building which was also the main and only office of Zoey. Looking around, he wondered how Matthew's men managed to find the perfect spot to guard this place from a distance.

"He got the balls, though." Ivan whispered as he recalled what happened earlier today.

He didn't expect Nikolai's name coming out from Matthew's mouth nor did he expect to hear his alias from him. Despite discovering Matthew knew more than he should, Ivan didn't feel threatened. If anything, he was amused.

Not many had the guts to utter the knowledge they knew or even walk around free after threatening him. That just proved that Matthew was more than a bored young master who didn't know what he was getting involved with.

"Still… what's up with his last remarks?" He muttered, his expression blank as he ruffled his hair. 

How could Matthew bring up understanding him now? For some reason, although Ivan could more or less guess what Matthew meant, he didn't like the idea. 

Why? Matthew dropped a name, but Ivan could only think of one woman that successfully piqued his interest. There's only one woman, but Ivan was certain it was nothing but a growing friendship.

He was helping Cora to communicate with him better so he could argue with her without feeling frustrated. Also, Cora was Zoey's dearest friend. He didn't want his sister's friend to be in a bad situation because it would only worry Zoey.

"Forget it!" Frustrated, Ivan grumbled as he shoved his hand inside his pocket and headed inside.

He didn't want to spend the night in Matthew's place -- that place was suffocating and less welcoming. He didn't have enough money to book a room for the night as he lost his money gambling. 

Thus, he only had one place where he could stay for tonight for free and without anyone bothering him: this building. Zoey had her small room here and he could use that.

Soon, Ivan reached the main office. Since he was the 'janitor' in this building, he had all the spare keys around that granted him access everywhere. Ivan has never been more proud of his position in this place.

With a bright grin plastered on his face, Ivan inserted the keys to open the door. To his surprise, it was not needed as the door was left unlocked.

"Huh?" His brows instantly furrowed as he raised his guard. "Someone's inside?" 

He muttered as he slowly opened the door in full discretion. The lights were off, but a desk lamp was left switched on, granting light in this obscure room.

Ivan's steps grew lighter until he didn't make the slightest noise anymore. Looking around, he tried to sense someone's presence as he prepared himself for the worst outcome.

"It's coming from there." He whispered as his gaze moved to the direction from where he could hear a faint humming. 

His eyes settled on Zoey's office. The door was slightly open with lights coming out from the gap. Slowly, Ivan approached Zoey's office and the humming grew distinct.

The closer he got, the more he discerned it was a woman's humming. His brows furrowed yet, he didn't lower his guard because Zoey was a woman too but one shouldn't lower their guard around her.

With those thoughts in mind, Ivan peeked through the gap but he could only see a shadow. 

'What is she up to?' He wondered internally. 

Since it was a woman and he wasn't hearing anyone else, Ivan assumed the person who infiltrated the building, humming harmoniously as if she was confident even if everything went south. Using his finger, Ivan pushed the door open ever so slowly.

"La la la~" As soon as the door opened and he entered, the humming grew louder as his eyes scanned where it was coming from.

"I am alone in this gloomy night, my heart is…" At the same time, a figure came out from Zoey's small room inside her office.

Cora, who was singing, froze as soon as her eyes laid on the figure on the door. Just like her, Ivan slowly moved his eyes on her figure and he felt his back stiffen.

There stood Cora, with only a towel wrapped around her. A small towel was over her head, holding her dripping hair as if she just came out from the shower.

The two stared at each other, frozen. After a second, Cora squealed as she covered her towel clad chest as she dropped to the floor and curled as if she was naked before him.

"Kyah!" 

"Oy! What are you doing here?" Upon hearing her ear-piercing squeal, Ivan snapped as he gasped and stared at her in disbelief.

However, he soon realized that she probably didn't understand him. Thus, he repeated using one-word sentences.

"You. Why. Here?"

Cora ground her teeth, still on the floor as she cast him a glare while covering what was already covered. 

"You! Why you here?" She clasped the towel tightly as soon as her glare met his gaze. "Look there!" 

She added in a shout as her face turned red because she witnessed his sneaky gaze drop down. Ivan nearly choked as he immediately looked away, his blood traveling to his face as he cleared his throat.

'

"Don't return the question, little bird. I came here because I don't have a place to stay for the night. I swear I didn't know you were here!" Ivan explained without looking at her or even bothering to think whether she understood him.

Yet, his heart pounded like crazy. Not that he had never laid his eyes on a woman's body before. He had seen enough, but why was his body reacting this way? How weird.

"Geez! I don't understand this idiot!" 

Cora mustered her courage to stand up before she sprinted back inside.

"Go away!" Was the last thing Ivan heard before he heard the door of Zoey's room slamming close.

"Ahh?!" Upon hearing her last remarks, Ivan's face distorted as he instantly turned his head to the shut door. "Hey, I just said I don't have a place to stay for the night so I won't! You hear me? I won't go away!" 

Ivan clicked his tongue in annoyance as he realized she didn't understand him. "You. get dressed and come out! I won't go away. Me. Sleep!" 

Ivan repeated as he stomped his way to the old couch inside the office. "Did she think I am planning to do something to her? Hah! Me? Never." 

He added with a scoff before he plopped down, spreading his arms over the back languidly.. Little did he know, Ivan would eat all his words as staying in the same place with her would be more challenging.