Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

Meanwhile…

"That's an odd first meeting in this lifetime." Zoey muttered as she stared at her reflection through the mirror.

She was still inside the XI Corporation building. But, Matthew told her to get ready for work in the room across his office. 

It was almost similar to the room they had in the mansion; the design and some furniture were the same. If not the same, they were there to replicate the design of his room. It was for him to feel at ease, she assumed.

"There," Zoey smiled after buttoning up herself. "Paul is such a boy scout."

Zoey chuckled as Paul brought her clothes as per Matthew's instruction. From then and now, Paul never changed. He would execute every order given to him without any question. No matter how menial it was, he would do it.

"I wonder if he ever had a moment where he questioned the order given to him?" Zoey wondered but didn't dwell in her own question that deep.

Little did she know, Paul wasn't as perfect as she thought he was. There were a lot of moments when Paul spoke his mind to his boss. However, those times would be in the future.

"Hey." Just then, Zoey heard Matthew's voice from behind along with the door he closed behind him. She glanced at him through the mirror, a smile resurfacing on her lips before she turned around.

"Hey," Zoey called back softly, skipping towards him. "Done getting scolded?" 

She asked, her smile growing into a grin as she faintly heard Vivian's enraged voice earlier. Although Zoey was aware that Vivian was disappointed that her son was entangled with a woman like her, Zoey couldn't really get upset over it.

After all, there were a lot of things she needed to apologize to Vivian from their previous life. Zoey treated her mother-in-law badly even though Vivian only showed her endless love and care.

Therefore, Zoey felt that the younger version of Vivian was standing up for her older self. Zoey would accept Vivian's hostility with open arms. She deserved it.

"You're enjoying it, aren't you?" Matthew arched his brow as his hands crawled around her waist.

"Well," Zoey chuckled, shrugging her shoulders. "It's rare to see Xi Matthew getting scolded."

Both shared a brief laughter as Matthew stared at her. This time, Zoey was more relaxed around him, her hand on his chest while his were around her waist. She wasn't pushing him away and they were like real lovers.

"She wanted to arrange a wedding." After a while, Matthew informed her of her mother's plans.

For a split-second, Matthew saw her expression changed before she smiled again. "And?"

"I refused." Without a second hesitation, Matthew answered as he pursed his lips and smiled back.

"Ohh…" Zoey nodded in understanding. Her gaze was still on him, as if waiting for some valid explanation.

Although Zoey wouldn't like to get married just because they spent the night together, she wanted affirmation that Matthew planned to be with her -- marry her. She couldn't really trust this young Matthew because he was entirely different than her husband.

"Haha! It's not what you think. I refused because…" Matthew's words suddenly trailed off as they heard a sudden knock from the door.

They looked at each other in puzzlement before slowly averting their eyes towards the door. "It's me, I don't want to get surprised. Open it."

After a beat, they heard Vivian's snobbish voice from outside the door. Zoey bit her bottom lip as she pushed him away lightly.

"She really knows how to kill the mood." Matthew grumbled as he shook his head before dragging his feet to open the door.

Zoey could not help but chuckle as Vivian was traumatized evidently. Knowing her mother-in-law, she wasn't the person who would announce herself. Especially if it was her territory, Vivian would just bust the door open and prance her way inside.

"Yes?" When Matthew opened the door, he set his eyes on his mother's poker face.

"Move, you disappointment of a son." Vivian spat as she pushed the door open and went inside while Matthew stepped aside, not affected by his mother's remarks.

"Hmm?" Upon seeing Vivian's figure intrude, Zoey pursed her lips and stretched into a forced smile.

Zoey just stood there, frozen. She let Vivian peer at her from head to toe, as if the latter was criticizing her very soul just from her eyes. After a second, Zoey saw the disappointment flash across Vivian's face as if telling her 'How can my son like her?'

'Yeah, I know this isn't my best form, Mom. But I don't look that bad, right?' Zoey muttered internally as she never felt self-conscious around anyone aside from Vivian.

Well, Vivian was like a goddess. Even though she was already in her mid forties, Vivian was still very beautiful. What more when she was in her prime? Zoey had seen a few pictures of Vivian back in her prime and all famous celebrities wouldn't compare to Vivian's natural beauty.

She was Matthew's mother, after all. It would not be a surprise where Matthew got his genes.

"Mom, what do you want? I know Zoey is mesmerizing." Suddenly, Matthew broke the silence which snapped Vivian back to her senses.

Slowly, Vivian turned around and faced Matthew. Her right brow arched as she perked her chin up. "I have decided."

She said, causing Zoey and Matthew to furrow their brows. Vivian then returned her gaze back to Zoey and scoffed faintly.

"Mom, aren't we done talking about flash weddings?"

"No, it's not about that." Vivian shook her head lightly before crossing her arms under her chest. "You two, come with me today."

"Ah?" Zoey and Matthew cocked their head to the side, bearing question marks in their eyes.

"I will visit the temple. I need the monks to cleanse all your sins of lust and desire out of your souls." Vivian announced, causing Zoey and Matthew's faces to distort into one's utter ridiculousness. .

"Cleanse, what?" Matthew was quick to respond in disbelief. "But, Zoey and I have business --"

"Cancel it." Without letting her son argue, Vivian disrupted him with conviction. "You will come with me." 

Vivian affirmed while staring at Zoey. 

"Yes ma'am!" Instinctively, Zoey's back stiffened as she saluted before she could realize it.

"Good." Pleased, Vivian nodded in satisfaction before she headed outside.. Just as she brushed past her son, she scoffed at Matthew before walking out.