Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

When Matthew went to the lobby, he furrowed his brows, seeing Ivan sitting on one of the settee. Slowly, Matthew approached him.

Taking notice of the person approaching him, Ivan raised his head. His helpless expression made Matthew's heart pound relentlessly.

"Where is she?" Matthew asked under his breath. However, deep down, he already had the answer to his question.

Ivan looked away, out of guilt. He could've stopped her. But he didn't — he couldn't.

"She said she's taking a vacation." Ivan informed almost through a whisper.

Matthew took a step back, rocking his head back and forth lightly. He knew it. She wouldn't listen to him. 

"Niko called when you were away. He was outside Cora's apartment, delivering crap. I didn't know their entire conversation, but she just…" Ivan trailed off as he finished his sentence with a heavy sigh.

Ivan wanted to rush to Cora's apartment. However, he figured Matthew should know first. If both of them disappeared just like that, Ivan didn't know what Matthew would do.

"I see," Matthew nodded as he slowly pivoted on his heel. Ivan raised his gaze back to him, seeing that Matthew was about to walk away.

"Don't do anything stupid, Boss Matt." Ivan urged as he sensed something was off.

"Stupid?" Matthew repeated without looking back. "How come going to her is stupid?"

Ivan ground his teeth as he stood on his feet. Raising his chin as he took a deep inhale and exhaled.

"I know I'm not in the position and you can't take my word with a grain of salt. But, do you think going all out now will help anyone?" Ivan questioned firmly. 

Matthew turned around, the side of his lips stretched into a wicked smirk.

"How would I know? I don't care about anyone aside from her. Do you expect me to sit here and do nothing while she's with him?" Matthew spat out, his eyes glinting with malice and dismay.

"I've overestimated you. I thought you're smart." Ivan scoffed at him, purposely pressing Matthew's button. Ivan succeeded.

The next second, Matthew leapt towards Ivan, grabbing him by the collar as he lifted him up.

"What do you know?" Matthew's voice thundered like never before.

The very few people around instantly turned their heads in their direction. They were familiar with Matthew Xi, the ever composed and powerful businessman who had a fair share of influence in politics.

But now, everyone was surprised as it was their first time seeing him lose his cool.

"She has been fighting and protecting me for two lifetimes now! No, she has been fighting for every single one of us for two lifetimes. And you're telling me I should abandon her again? Are you telling me I should let her experience the torment she had experienced in your hands?" 

Matthew's eyes bloodshot red, grinding his teeth as his grip on his collar tightened.

"She was trusting and protecting people who ended up betraying her. You, Niko, Patrizio, Enzo, Zion, Kenneth…" Matthew ground his teeth as he paused, his fist trembling. "You pushed her to her death once, yet, here she is, protecting every single one of you again. I should just kill you myself, one by one. You don't deserve her."

Ivan furrowed his brows, utterly confused at these heavy words that bore genuinely deep grudge. Obviously, Ivan wouldn't understand where Matthew was coming from. However, he took his words as words of hatred that came not from experience but just out of whim.

"I don't understand your allegations, man. But, if you want to help her, do it just like she wants it. She wouldn't rest if she knew the people she cares about are safe. You don't have to worry about me. I am capable. Worry about yourself and the others." Ivan scoffed calmly, keeping his head clear, as he didn't want to clash with him.

Clashing with Matthew right now wouldn't help their situation. It'll only bring upon more chaotic results.

"I don't understand how hard it is for you, just like how you don't understand the guilt of watching her leave. You protect her in ways you'd both be satisfied, I'll protect her in my own ways."

"Your own ways?" Matthew chuckled with ridicule. "You mean protecting Cora? Not Zoey?"

Ivan's remaining expression immediately faded. His eyes were cold. "Protecting Cora and giving my sister the assurance that her friend, who is also my girlfriend, is safe. If Cora fell victim to Niko, or Zion, can you imagine what my sister would do to save them?"

Ivan scoffed, shaking his head lightly, as he couldn't believe Matthew had lost his rationale like this. But he couldn't really judge. He just had to knock some senses into Matthew's hard head.

"Being Nikolai's woman is the best of her options. But it can be worse if they can use everyone she cares about against her. The best option we have currently is to secure everyone so she could move freely." Ivan took a deep breath and paused. 

"I know Niko. He wouldn't hurt her or do anything to her right now. He's the type of person who likes forcing people to beg him. All we have to do is not let anyone be used for her to degrade herself to him even more. Get your sh*t together."

Matthew tightened his grip on his collar before he let him go. He took a step back, ruffling his hair in distress. Ivan had a point — a good point.

Zoey was a capable woman, especially in combat — Matthew wouldn't even compare. All they needed to do was not give Niko an option to break her. Until all Matthew's plans come together, he would hold back.

"Do what you have to do. I'm alright now." Matthew waved.

Ivan stared at him before he heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed like Matthew grasped his senses.

"Alright, then."

****

Meanwhile, Zoey stopped at the small inn not far away from the city. She had traveled for five hours, and it was already past midnight.

The inn, or rather the old designed house, was kept hidden in the depths of this old town. Not a bad place to hide. Moving her eyes towards the window, there were a few people walking around, guarding the house's surroundings.

Zoey leaned back against the leather driver's seat. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When her eyes opened, it was as if she turned off a switch in her head, as an evil smirk resurfaced on her lips.

She took an ipod and placed earplugs in her ear. She raised the volume to a hundred, playing 'dumb ways to die', and then lit up a stick of cigarettes before hitching out of the car.

"Lucifer is back to hell." 

Indeed, the vicious black cat was back.

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Author's Note:

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