Her alluring lashes fluttered coquettishly along with the curl of her lips. With their short distance, he got a whiff of her subtle and yet delectable scent of vanilla.
"I can pay you," he said, drawing his throbbing head back, away from the tip of her finger on his chin.
"Hmm?" Retracting her finger, Zoey tilted her head to the side. "From the consumption of fuel, the interior upholstery of my car, car wash fee, laundry for my damaged clothes, and labor — you'll pay for it?" Zoey arched her right brow as her gaze was glued on his undeniably great facial features.
"Yes, including medical bills." Sounding as if he was just in the middle of a formal settlement, the man slightly nodded his head.
However, as expected, Zoey wouldn't let it go just like that. This time, she leaned a little closer while her lips curved into a doubtful frown.
"Really? Plus an added interest of 30 percent?"
Although the man felt dizzy, he remained composed on the surface. However, his dry and pale lips betrayed him, revealing how weak he was at the moment.
Regardless, he could not let this woman take advantage of him — for their peace of mind. Hence, despite the coldness that began to seep through his nerves, he accommodated her. Little did he know, it was naive of him to consider that Zoey just wanted some peace of mind.
"No, ten percent." He calmly refused and negotiated. "I would have complied with your demands. However, due to the name you have used to my admission form, I believe I have to negotiate."
Upon hearing his straight-laced response, Zoey was quite surprised. Clearly, he's in his vulnerable state, the reason why she was taking advantage of the situation.
Whether he has the ability to pay her with cash or not, it doesn't matter to her. If he could pay, that's good. But, if he has financial problems, it would only add to her dominance.
"Mister, aren't you a little ungrateful to your heroine?" As shameless as she was, Zoey feigned disappointed before she leaned forward, reducing the gap between them again. "I thought you were more clever. Say, how about the trauma last night? Trespassing into someone's property and taking them as your hostage... is money enough for the emotional and mental damages?" Zoey paused as a fake faint sigh escaped from her nose.
"After all, I can't sleep last night, afraid that it will happen again." Frowning, Zoey's gaze never once left his pair of russet eyes that were scanning her profile.
The man weakly gulped. In his mind, the woman before him was a knowledgeable and professional con. She wasn't even concealing whatever conceited intention she has. Hence, the man gravitated on how to deal with her while keeping his silence.
"Hmm? Also, it's rude to throw money to someone who helped you in spite of what you did." Slowly, Zoey narrowed her eyes as her gaze traveled from his face down to his neck and upper physique.
Nodding in satisfaction, Zoey then returned her eyes back to his humorless russet eyes. "But you know, I always prefer people's services..." A sly glint flashed across her eyes, as it oozed with mischief.
Just then, Cora Ma who sent the medical professionals off and also, took their last reminders returned to the room. As soon as she stepped her foot inside, Cora Ma instantly heard Zoey's last remarks which caused her eyes to widen and her ears to flap.
Turning her head to the bed, there, Cora Ma distinguished what was her friend was doing! The predator had sharpened her claws to devour her prey after fattening him up!
"Hey, hey, hey!" Cora Ma prompted to the bed. The moment she approached Zoey, she held her on the shoulders and pulled her back from the poor guy.
"Hehe, sorry about my friend." Distress, Cora Ma awkwardly chuckled as she apologized on Zoey's behalf. "She's just a little tired since she haven't slept last night. Anyway, you need to rest — doctor's note." She added before casting Zoey a warning gaze.
Zoey immediately frown for Cora Ma's meddling. She was just starting to have fun and yet, she intervened. What a bummer.
"Let's go, Z?" Pulling Zoey by her shoulder, Cora Ma widened her eyes as she grinned, showing her teeth. Her expression was screaming 'Z, have mercy to the sick person', which obviously Zoey read correctly.
"Bummer." Zoey murmured as she helplessly complied and followed her friend outside the room.
"Z, I know he's your type but, can you move your exploits when he recovered?" On their way out, she whispered in dismay.
Cora Ma pitied the man because not only he had a name Browny Brown on the patient's name card, he has to experience Zoey's seduction in his state!
"He just regained consciousness and he must be in shock with whatever you proposed." Cora Ma sighed heavily as she knew the extent of Zoey's capabilities.
"In shock? You think he's an innocent victim?" Casting her friend a side glance, Zoey pursed her lips. After their short conversation, the man's temperament and how he casually respond to her despite his current state piqued her interest.
"No, but, say whatever you want to say if he recovered, alright? In that case, you can settle it with a good conscience." Cora Ma sighed in distress. She didn't think too much in her friend's question because Zoey had always been like that.
"Yeah yeah, whatever." Zoey only shrugged her shoulders until they completely left the hospital room.
Meanwhile, as the two ladies were whispering with each other while taking their leave, the man particularly had his eyes on Zoey's back. Although she appeared like a simple woman, wearing a thick black hoodie jacket, jeans, sneakers, and wore light makeup, the man believed that she wasn't as simple as she appeared today.
"Services..." He murmured when the door slid closed. After a second, the side of his lips curled into a subtle smirk as an unreadable glint flashed across his eye.
"What a weird con."