11 Three dates

"Master—" Paul Qian's confused words trailed off when he had a glimpse of his boss' jaw clenched. That instant, he knew what to do — hide and don't show himself until the person outside was gone. Hence, without a word he hid inside his bedroom.

Meanwhile, Matthew Xi's brows kept on twitching as he approached the entrance. He never hesitated in his life decision however, this time he did.

Should he open the door or pretend he wasn't home? The headache Zoey had giving her was quite stronger than he thought.

His chest heaved with conflicting emotions, yet his hand moved, reaching for the doorknob before he pulled it open. As soon as he did, Zoey's her pair of twinkling eyes and the large grin on her lips welcomed him.

"Neighbor?" Exasperated, he cast her a dull look. Just by his expression, Zoey could read what he had in mind.

"Are you a stalker?", "Seriously, how can you be so persistent?", and "Didn't you say you know your limits? What limits are you even talking about?" Were the series of questions that popped inside Zoey's head upon laying her eyes on him. He might not say it out loud but Zoey's guess hit the bullseye.

"Pfft—!" Zoey snorted, biting her lower lip as she resisted from laughing out loud. Her reaction however caused his brows to arch. "Why? Aren't you pleased to be my neighbor?" She teased.

"This is near harassment..." Bearing a poker face, Matthew Xi paused as he wanted to address her by her name. However, he stopped for some reason.

"Harassment? But you like it, no?" Confident, Zoey tilted her head to the side as she blinked her eyes many times. Seeing him sigh heavily, rendered speechless, Zoey burst out of laughing.

"Kidding, just messing with you." Zoey conceded as she wiped the little tears of joy on the corner of her eyes. "How can I move here if there's no slot available?" said Zoey in a matter-of-fact tone.

He should know that since it's his neighborhood. Fortunately, Zoey didn't dwell on it and shrugged it off.

'So, she would move in if there's an opportunity?' Matthew Xi frowned with the thought. Until now, he couldn't understand why she was so persistent in accompanying him and even adding romance advances on the side.

It made him question if she was just truly concerned that he would run away from his debts or whatever. Regardless, no one chased after him as annoying, life-threatening, and bewitching like her! Yes, bewitching to the extent that it was annoying and life-threatening to him.

"Also, didn't I say I know my limits? Even if I want to, I can't move here because: one, it's far from work. Second, I'm cost cutting," Zoey raised her each finger while giving him the reasons. "and last, I need to miss you." With her last remarks, she winked as the side of her lips curled beautifully.

"I just came here because of this!" Zoey waited for his response yet, aside from witnessing that his tensed shoulder relaxed a bit, she lifted her other hand that carrying a small paper bag.

Puzzled, Matthew Xi knitted his brows before his curious eyes raised to meet hers. "Because of this?"

"I figured since you lost your phone, I will have to wait for you to contact me — I am a very impatient person." Zoey smiled, her 'pure' intention twinkled in her eyes, as she raised her brows and shook the paper bag on her hand, gesturing him to take it.

"Uh," Bewildered at the turn of events, Matthew Xi found himself receiving the paper bag as he stared at her cheerful countenance.

Since he wasn't talking, Zoey took the time to explain her condition after her careful 'research' and consideration. "Also, though I like money, I don't want it as the payment."

Erecting her three fingers up, she resumed. "Three dates. We'll date three times in my preferred time and day after that, we're good."

Matthew Xi blinked his eyes numerous times as he processed her words all at once. Examining her confident front, he was intrigued at her confidence and why three dates. "Three dates and we're good? What do you mean by that?" He repeated, ending it with a question mark as his brows knitted.

"Literal meaning. After dating me three times, I won't bother you anymore." Zoey shrugged her shoulders without a care. No one could tell if she was bluffing, but she was sincere about it.

"Until then, use that phone so I can contact you. You can return it later so I can still sell it afterward — I can't waste money, you know." She humored, which made her shamelessly giggled.

"Three dates..." Matthew Xi murmured as he slowly nodded his head in understanding. "Alright," he agreed his lips stretched a little.

"Great!" Glad that he agreed, Zoey clasped her hands together. "So, that's settled then. Goodnight~! your darling is leaving~" since she already dealt what needed to be dealt with, Zoey bid her farewell with a wink.

"Oh, alright." Still lost at their conversation, Matthew Xi heedlessly nodded his head, forgot to send her off as he remained standing in his spot. His gaze watched her skipping figure as she flatly hummed a tune.

She was happy for some reason and he didn't know why. She came there and purposely caused panic in his heart by calling him "neighbor", and then she went off after short minutes just like that.

Weird, really weird.

"Why three dates though?" He murmured as he was intrigued to know the answer that he failed to ask.

Little did he know, Zoey's afternoon was spent with "his" neighbors doing her so-called research. She asked around about the guy living at the last apartment on the third floor.

Fortunately, Paul Qian, the real tenant of the said apartment was kind though distant. Hence, the result in Zoey's "research" turned out great. The reason why she finally asked him out on a date was because of that.