Chapter 80
Alexander closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said softly, "I'm just worried about you. I hate seeing you like this. It hurts me, you know?"
Did he really have to lay it out so bluntly?
Zoey knew she had been bottling up her anger with no outlet, and Alexander's words had just hit a nerve, causing her to snap.
Since they had known each other, she had only lost her temper once, the first time she saved him. She hadn't done it since.
Who would have thought...
"No one cares about me, so I've gotten used to handling things my own way," Zoey finally voiced her true feelings.
Heartfelt words for heartfelt words.
She believed Alexander when he said he was worried about her, so she naturally felt she should explain her own reasons.
After a brief moment of anger, Zoey was coaxed by Alexander into eating a few bites of porridge and even finished the dessert.
After eating, she did feel a bit better.
Once her mood relaxed, drowsiness set in.
"Sleep now, I'll stay here with you," Alexander patted the bed, signaling her to rest.
Zoey looked at him with wide eyes, "You won't try anything funny while I'm asleep, will you?"
Alexander's ears turned slightly red, "No, I won't."
He just wanted to steal a kiss on her forehead.
"Okay." Zoey trusted him, so she fell asleep beside him without any defenses.
This time, she had no dreams and slept soundly.
Until Alexander shook her awake.
Zoey slowly opened her eyes to see Alexander's anxious face. "What's wrong?"
"I couldn't wake you up no matter how hard I tried, so I got worried."
In reality, Alexander had fallen asleep next to her, but he had a nightmare this time, dreaming that Zoey had been killed.
He woke up in a panic and wanted to wake Zoey to make sure she was okay.
He had tried for an hour without success, which made him even more frantic, fearing she might be killed in her sleep.
Honestly, the thought was absurd, but he had never been this scared in his life.
Even Oliver was speechless, and he had arranged for several private doctors to be on standby to check on Zoey.
Zoey sat up and took a deep breath, "I slept too well, that's all."
It had been a long time since she had slept so soundly.
Ever since Verity died, she had been plagued by nightmares or insomnia, rarely getting a full night's sleep. She hadn't expected to sleep so well next to Alexander.
Could it be that he had some kind of calming effect?
"I'll have the doctor prescribe some supplements for you. Make sure to take them on time," Alexander said casually.
Zoey felt exasperated, "Supplements? I don't need any supplements."
She knew her own body well enough.
"The doctor just checked on you and said your deep sleep was due to a deficiency in your energy and blood, so you need to take them," Alexander now sounded less like a decisive leader and more like a nagging mother.
He was nagging just to get Zoey to take a supplement.
"It's really tasty, like candy. Look," Alexander said, popping one in his mouth.
Zoey looked at his lips, finding it hard to believe those pills could taste good.
And they tasted like candy? Did he think she was three years old?
"If you keep looking at me like that, I won't be able to resist," Alexander's voice grew huskier.
"Resist what?" Zoey hadn't caught on yet.
Alexander suddenly leaned in, his gaze fixed on her lips, dark and intense, "My urge to kiss you."
Zoey's heart pounded. She should keep her distance from him.
But at this moment, she was lost in this dangerous flirtation, unable to pull away.
"Alexander," she called his name in warning, but her voice was unusually soft and weak.
"I'm here," he responded in a low voice, his gaze growing hotter, "Do you want me to kiss you?"
"No," Zoey finally pushed him away, averting her eyes, "I have a complicated background and a grudge against the King family. You're from a prominent family; you shouldn't get so involved with me."
"When I like someone, I don't care about her background. I'll help her overcome any obstacles."
Zoey's heart raced even faster, "You might not care, but that doesn't mean your family won't."
"I'll make my family keep quiet," Alexander said, holding her shoulders and leaning in. As their breath mingled, he finally kissed her lips.
Soft, fragrant, and hard to let go.
But he did let go, not wanting Zoey to think he was a playboy.
Zoey's cheeks burned as she pretended to be angry, "You!"
What the hell! He actually kissed her!
Alexander leaned in again, "If you're upset, you can kiss me back."
Zoey pushed his face away, "Go back to your office. I need to take a shower."
"I have nothing urgent at the office. I can wait outside while you shower," Alexander said with a smile, "Or, do you want me to help you with that?"
Zoey was stunned. This wasn't the CEO she knew; this was a rogue!
"Alexander, are you always this gross with girls?"
Alexander was taken aback, "Gross?"
He remembered how Daniel would joke with Tamsin like this, and she would chase him around. He wanted Zoey to be more lively, so he imitated Daniel, not expecting to be called gross.
Zoey nodded, "A bit. If you weren't good-looking, I would've slapped you."
Alexander was speechless, "Fine, take your shower. I'll wait downstairs."
He turned and left, a dark cloud hanging over him.
Downstairs, he called Daniel and vented his frustration, leaving Daniel completely confused.
Alexander waited downstairs for half an hour, and Zoey still hadn't come down. He started to worry.
She hadn't fainted in there, had she?
He went upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door. "Zoey, are you okay?"
"Yes, but also no," Zoey's muffled voice came through, "I forgot to bring a change of clothes."
Blame it on Alexander's kiss, which had left her mind blank.
"I'll get them for you," Alexander said, not thinking anything was amiss until he opened her wardrobe and saw her underwear.
His face and ears instantly turned red.
This was a real test of his self-control.
"Zoey, open the door. I have your clothes," Alexander's voice came from outside a few minutes later.
"Just leave them by the door," Zoey's voice was clearly flustered.
"The floor is dirty," Alexander said with a smile. "What? Afraid I'll peek?"
The bathroom door opened a crack, and a wet hand reached out.
Alexander handed over the clothes, "Once you're dressed, come out. I'll help you dry your hair."
"No need," Zoey said, feeling a bit reluctant to spend more time with him. Today, Alexander seemed different, and it scared her a little.
She actually felt scared of someone, but it wasn't real fear.
It was the kind of fear that made her heart race uncontrollably.
"I'm just going to dry your hair. Is that so bad?" Alexander felt he had been too impulsive earlier, which was why Zoey was now scared and wanted to keep her distance.
"Are you sure it's just drying my hair?" Zoey looked at him with suspicion.