Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

"Huh, now that's interesting. I'm short-tempered as well. I wonder what would happen if I push a little further?" Unfazed by Matthew's warning, Nikolai smirked as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his leg.

"You will never know until you try." Matthew challenged as his subtle smile drastically turned devious.

Upon seeing the glint that flickered across Matthew's eyes, Nikolai's eyes lit up. Now, in his eyes, the man who was dating Zoey seemed interesting.

The already tensed air drastically grew more suffocating than it already was. Zoey let out another heavy sigh as she turned towards Matthew.

"Darling, that guy is hopeless. You shouldn't waste your time with him." 

Zoey just wanted to have a peaceful lunch with Matthew. Knowing his tight schedule, she knew Matthew only had limited time to spend with her for the rest of the month. Hence, it was useless to spend that little time bickering with Nikolai.

"That's a little harsh, Zia." Niko chuckled, shaking his head as Zoey's remarks didn't even sting. "Well, that's why I like you. I still remember your slap during our first kiss!"

Zoey gasped upon hearing his last statement. Kiss? What?! Zoey was in disbelief how Nikolai was pushing his luck this far.

Heavens! Zoey never had any intimate interaction with Niko! Was he trying referring to that time in the past where they nearly kissed accidentally? Neither of them had that intention; Nikolai was well-aware of that!

"Excuse me?" Zoey scoffed, looking at him in dismay.

"Oh, come on! It's already in the past! I'm sure your boyfriend wouldn't mind something so lame." Niko argued languidly, pleased at the reaction he received from Zoey.

*BANG*

Amidst Nikolai's chuckles, he stopped as he felt something past on his side. Immediately, his eyes landed on Matthew and his empty hand that was raised to his shoulder-level.

"I told you, didn't I? I know a few people and I don't have a very long patience." Matthew, without a trace of emotion in his voice, uttered.

Zoey gasped as she didn't expect that coming. She knew that there were people protecting her from afar as per Matthew's order. However, she didn't expect that Matthew would really command his men to shoot a warning shot.

Slowly, Zoey turned her head to the window. There was a small hole in it. Then, Zoey shifted her gaze to the couch. A few centimeters from Nikolai's ear was also a hole. That's so close!

"Just when I thought things were already interesting, I thought wrong. The fun is just beginning!" Yet, this turn of events only thrilled Nikolai.

Niko slowly stood from his seat, fixing his eyes on Matthew's figure bearing that wicked smile on his lips. He raised his forefinger, grinning from ear to ear. "Do you know what happens if I move my finger?"

Zoey arched her brows while Matthew's visage remained unchanging. She didn't know what Nikolai was up to, but for some reason, she felt restless.

'My gut is telling me that something unpleasant is about to happen.' Zoey exclaimed internally, feeling her heart drum against her chest.

"To be honest, I do feel so as well. I like surprises, after all. Should we see what this finger can do, Mister…?" Nikolai mused, gesturing a finger gun  and pointed it straight at Matthew.

"Niko…" Upon seeing his stance, Zoey called through her gritted teeth.

Niko was crazy, even Zoey could not help admit that she hadn't seen the depth of his craziness. Thus, Zoey raised her guards because upon noticing the gradual change in Niko's behavior, the worse had yet to come.

"Whatever you're planning, don't. I'll kill you myself if you try to touch even the tip of his hair."  Zoey's eyes glinted, threatening him as she braced herself for what's to come.

"But didn't he just try to shoot me? Why can't I return the favor, Zia?"

"Niko…" For the last time, Zoey called him out through her gritted teeth.

"I won't do anything, Zia." Without breaking his gaze away from Matthew, Nikolai smiled. "If you ask nicely."

'That's it," Upon hearing Nikolai's tauntings, Zoey's last straw of restraint snapped. Save the brewing war between them? Huh… what a ridiculous thought of her.

Zoey glanced at Matthew's side profile. "Darling, I know I promised you. But…"

Before Zoey could express her apologies about breaking her promise to him not to involve herself in something dangerous, she heard the window shatter.

Nikolai sprung away from his position like a bolt of lightning as he dodged the bullet directly aimed at him. The only person who wasn't fazed by this was Matthew.

"You dodged it, I commend your sharpness. I wonder, though. Will you even have the leisure to raise your hand if this office is being showered by bullets?" Matthew asked, bearing his flat tone.

Matthew's eyes remained on Nikolai's figure as he watched his wicked expression briefly change into panic. Whether it was in his previous life or the current timeline, Matthew was willing to personally have Nikolai's head.

However, since he promised Inigo to have that job, Matthew held himself back. Still, Matthew wouldn't let him talk to Zoey as if she was his property. 

Zoey was no longer in the Silva Family. Hence, Matthew wouldn't let Nikolai have anything to hold Zoey down. He was well-aware that Zoey hadn't taken action because she was afraid she would endanger him.

Matthew didn't need that. Therefore, that second shot was her declaration to Zoey that he was not afraid to be in the same dangerous situation with her.

"Huh, now you've done it." Nikolai muttered as he chuckled evilly.

Zoey glanced at Matthew for the last time and understood his silent message. 'Trust him, Z. His men would protect him.'

She convinced herself internally, taking a deep breath as she closed her eyes. 'This office will soon become a battlefield. I didn't want this, but…'

"Hey, sis!" Just as Zoey prepared herself mentally for the war to start, Ivan's jolly voice suddenly broke the ominous air looming in the office.

As soon as Ivan barged inside Zoey's office, he widened his eyes seeing the three people in the office. Three people who shouldn't be in the same place! 

"Oh, sh*t…"