Call me Darling

March 6, 2019, 3:28 PM.

"So your name is Matthew Xi, huh?" Zoey muttered as she turned and walked backward, her eyes on his blank yet still elegant visage.

Matthew Xi, though been given his clean bill of health, struggled to walk properly. His every step laced with discretion not to pressure his healing wounds.

"Mhmm," He hummed as a response, his eyes glanced at the inquiring pair of eyes before him.

It has been days since he introduced himself yet, Zoey never once called him by his name. Aside from Browny, she would usually call him "hey", or just "you". Hence, this was the first time he heard his name from her lips.

"Sounds familiar, " Zoey pressed her lips together as she shrugged her shoulders before pivoting her heel, walking straight again.

Matthew Xi remained silent as he gazed on her shoulder. "Actually..." Just as he was about to suggest why it sounded familiar, Zoey spoke, interrupting him midway.

"You have the same name as someone popular — you know Xi Corporation? You have the same name as the company's CEO." Zoey thought of the oldest and most powerful company in their country and other areas internationally.

When she heard him introduce his name for the first time, Zoey was slightly taken aback. After all, that man's name was well-respected in the business industry.

However, considering the place where they met, it was most likely that he was the same guy. A man like Matthew Xi — the godly businessman — wouldn't be roaming around in a common street, right?

Therefore, Zoey assumed that he just had the same name as the man. After all, the Xi Clan was a well-respected family.

Each family member, even extended family members of the said family were part of the entertainment industry, have positions in the government or excelled in the business industry.

Overall, one could say that it was a family of gifted people... and the man that was standing at the peak was a man named Matthew Xi. Thus, Zoey couldn't be blamed to assume that he only has the same name.

Besides, Zoey had a glimpse of that man and he was far from what the man behind her.

"I do," Matthew Xi observed Zoey's reaction. Since she seemed to be deep in thought, her speed decelerated, making him catch up to her and walked side by side.

"Tch," clicking her tongue, Zoey stopped when they reached the entrance of the hospital. Her gaze peered at him from head to toe. "Life is truly unfair." She sighed and shook his head.

Matthew Xi furrowed his brows, puzzled at her remarks. He knew life was never fair, but what's her point here?

"You got to live at the same timeline as that Matthew Xi, but the difference in status is vast." Referring that though the Matthew Xi before her, and the business magnate who has the same full name, Zoey was certain that the way they lived was a complete opposite of the other.

"Just be glad that he's an ugly shorty — that's your edge." Zoey motivated him by extending her arms and patted his shoulder while nodding her head.

"Ugly shorty...?" The corner of his eyes twitched, did she just insulted someone to boost his confidence?

"Mhmm, whether you believe me or not, I have seen the guy and..." Zoey paused as she gestured him to come closer.

Intrigued, Matthew Xi leaned down, letting her whisper whatever silly lie that would come out from her mouth.

"All I can say is, when God poured the trait to have good looks, he was asleep." Feeling sorry for the man, Zoey sighed as she has to use this method so as to not demotivate him. Well, it was not that she was lying though as she already had a glimpse of the said man.

Matthew Xi peered at her apologetic mien, his face distorting slowly. He was unsure if the reason why he was rendered speechless was because she sounded sincere and pure for comforting him in spite of insulting others, or how she appeared to believe her lies.

"Anyway, I haven't introduced myself. My name is My Darling." After some time, Zoey skipped a step back, away from him. Her lips curled, grace glinted her eyes as she 'introduced' herself.

"You can just call me Darling, for short." With that, Zoey winked as her right canines twinkled for a second.

A faint sigh escaped from his lips as he shook his head. He was already lost of words hence, he could only resumed on his tracks, stepping down on the stairs at the entrance of the hospital.

Truly, she's a ridiculous person to talk with. First, her unnecessary consoling, then the next second, her romantic advances.

"Tch, playing hard to get." Zoey glared at his retreating figure as she snapped her tongue and brushed the few strands of hair off of her face, before following him from behind.

This was just the start of their fun journey — she thought. Thus, although she was a little annoyed at how humorless he was, she hastened her pace and followed him. "Hey wait! I'll drop you to your place."

"No," Without a pause, Matthew Xi instantly rejected her good offer.

"Why? Did you forget you owed me?" Zoey continued walking by his side but all her attention was on him.

"And I'll owe you more if I let you drop me off in my place." He explained which somewhat made sense.

Although he doesn't have a penny on him, but earlier today, he already called someone to meet him at a certain place. So, he could say he already has a plan of riding a cab and then pay it when he arrived at his destination.

"What? But, how can you guarantee me that you won't run away after today?" Her logic seemed to work like magic as he stopped in his tracks. Matthew Xi slowly turned to meet her playful chocolate eyes.

"I..." His words trailed off as he couldn't give her a proper answer. She was correct. Although in his eyes, she might be a con, however, she did pay for all his fees and even provided him clothes to wear on his discharge.

Therefore, words weren't enough to reassure her that he would pay her back. She was truly troublesome and smart for throwing him in a dilemma — how cunning.

"I just need to know where you live, alright? So I can visit you when I collect my collections." Zoey raised her brows in an up and down motion suggestively.

She had been observing him for quite some time. The reason Zoey noticed that he would usually use righteous logic in everything — giving Zoey the advantages she needed. Matthew Xi blankly stared at her triumphant front and a helpless sigh slipped from his nose.

'Why am I in such a situation, again?' In great distress, Matthew Xi felt like having a headache as he contemplated on things he must consider before giving her an address.