69 What was that about?

Zoey watched his broad back retreat across the room and shut the door without looking back. Biting her lower lip, Zoey couldn't stop her lips from stretching from ear to ear as she touched her lips.

"Why is he so flustered...?" She murmured, her cheeks blushing as the texture of his soft skin lingered on her lips. 

Zoey didn't mean to kiss his neck. She was just curious about his perfume — no joke. It just so happened she felt too drawn in it that she ended up leaving a peck on the side of his neck. 

Still, who would have thought his reaction would be over the top? It didn't seem that he lacked women in the past. 

Well, considering his personality, Zoey wouldn't be surprised if he was picky towards women. Regardless, it would be impossible that he had no ex girlfriends in the past. 

With that looks of his, that would be impossible, right? Little did Zoey know, looks wasn't Matthew Xi's problem. It was his status and attitude towards the opposite gender. He might be the most dashing man on earth, but holding such power and mixed with that attitude of his, one wouldn't dare seduce the man.

If only she would know about how carefree she could be around him, Zoey would probably propose marriage there and then. Fortunately, she knew only bits of who he truly was. 

"Whatever. He will stay here anyway. What a good day, indeed~" Shrugging whatever irrelevant thoughts she has in mind, Zoey plopped her back against the bed. Staring at the ceiling, Zoey's smile never left her lips as the occurrence earlier replayed in her mind. 

*****

Meanwhile, Matthew Xi headed straight to the garden of the hospital. His body's temperature wasn't going down to the extent that he might have a fever. 

"Hah..." Letting out his nth heavy sigh, Matthew Xi clipped his collar by his thumb and index finger. He used it as a fan to cool his body down. 

"What was she thinking?" Grinding his teeth in distress, Matthew Xi recalled what happened moments ago. 

The heat of her breath, and the softness of her lips lingered on his skin. Even though it happened minutes ago, he could still feel the remnants of the moisture of her lips. 

Luckily, Matthew Xi had a change of clothes before heading here. Or else, he wouldn't want to think about it. After all, his friend down there was on fire and also his body. It would be too embarrassing if one notice how his body reacted.

'She's crazy, she's crazy, I'm crazy...' Matthew Xi chanted these words alternately inside his mind. 

For Pete's sake! They haven't known each other that much, yet her actions were growing bolder with their every encounter. Who knows what she'll do if he stayed for tonight?

Should he ghost her? Leave the place and save his dignity? God... why was he even designed with this kind of character?

(A rare author's thoughts in the middle of the story: Sorry dear child... the story wouldn't continue if you're not designed to be like this. :D )

No matter how Matthew Xi beat himself if he shall go or not, he already gave his word that he'll stay. So much hassle just to protect his words. 

"*sigh*" Matthew Xi didn't say a word and only a series of sigh escaped his lips. He didn't want to remember the sound of her lips touching his skin, nor did he desire to feel the inexplicable sensation of her breath on his neck. 

Yet, no matter how he rejected the thought, it kept replaying in his head. Although he decided to stay, Matthew Xi wanted to cool himself first before going back. 

Knowing Zoey, she would continue to tease him. He didn't want losing more control than he already lost. Therefore, Matthew Xi needed to stabilize his mind and heart to control himself at the very least. 

After all, he couldn't seem to control the situation with Zoey or Zoey herself. Thus, he should restrain himself from snapping. 

With that thought in mind, Matthew Xi didn't notice that time passed and he was in the garden for more than an hour. If not because of the mosquitoes fawning on him, Matthew Xi wouldn't return to the room just yet.

***

Soon, Matthew Xi stood in front of her hospital room. Breathing a heavy inhale and exhale, Matthew Xi mustered the courage and his surface gradually returned to normal. 

Slowly, Matthew Xi slid the door opened and took a peek. Normally, Zoey would have exclaimed "darling~" in a sweet tone, but she didn't. Hence, Matthew Xi unconsciously tiptoed inside. 

To his relief, Zoey seemed she fell asleep while waiting for him. 'Hate being alone... right.' Seeing that she fell asleep even though she was alone, Matthew Xi felt that her reason for asking for company was a lie. 

Regardless, he was already there, so he might as well accompany her. Also, it was already late to go home. It was not like he couldn't, it just that the hassle was nothing compare to breaking his words. 

Just as Matthew Xi walked to the couch, he heard the sheet move. "Darling, you came back?" Still half asleep, Zoey smiled in relief upon laying her eyes on him. 

Matthew Xi turned his head to her and saw how she relaxed her shoulders. "Mhmm... I'll stay here. Go back to sleep." He said, nodding his head while Zoey rested her head on the pillow. 

As instructed, Zoey closed her eyes again and slept on her side — facing the direction of the couch. It relieved Matthew Xi that she seemed exhausted for some reason and slept instead of goofing around. 

However, he noticed something intriguing with that brief moment. Zoey, in his eyes, seemed alert for a second... to be exact, terrified. Upon seeing it was him, a relief glint flashed across her eyes before she smiled. 

'What was that about...?' Out of curiosity, Matthew Xi asked himself. However, he shrugged it off and tossed the thought on the back of his head. 

Matthew Xi also had a long day, so he was exhausted. Regardless of whether or not he could sleep on the couch, he'll find out once he tried sleeping on it.