Chapter 589 Eight-Pack Abs, Touch It
Zachary looked up at the sound of the voice. It was Maeve.
She had just come in from outside, still bundled up in a long down coat, fluffy earmuffs, and gloves.
Zachary lowered his hand and shook his head. "Nah, I'm good."
Maeve glanced at the cigarette still burning in his hand and frowned. "The doctor said, with your condition, you should really quit smoking and drinking."
Zachary responded to Maeve's advice with a dismissive grunt.
Maeve opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, she noticed Zachary's icy demeanor soften as he looked at something. His tense features relaxed.
After politely excusing himself, Zachary walked away.
He approached Winona, naturally wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "What are you doing out here?"
"Looking for you. You've been gone so long, I thought you fell into the toilet," Winona teased, glancing in Maeve's direction. But Maeve had already walked away, leaving only a vaguely familiar profile. "Someone you know?"
"Nope."
The test results for the medication had come back, confirming it would have an impact on people. However, the extent of the effects and specific symptoms were still uncertain.
Zachary decided not to tell Winona about it. Even if she knew, she couldn't help, and it would only add to her worries.
Whether Winona knew or not, he would still cooperate with the treatment, so it didn't really matter.
Winona frowned. "Why do I feel like I've seen her before?"
Zachary pinched her cheek, turning her head back to face him. "You didn't even see her full face, and you think she looks familiar? With your ability to recognize people, who doesn't look familiar?"
Winona raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying I'm blind?"
"No."
It was just a minor incident, and she quickly forgot about it. Since both Frank and Zachary had been drinking, Winona had to drive. "Dad, why don't you stay at Regal Oaks? The place you used to stay hasn't been cleaned in ages; it's probably dusty."
Frank had been in Mode City recently. "No need, I've already booked a hotel."
He glanced at Zachary in the passenger seat. "If you're going abroad, you'll be gone for at least a month or two. Someone here is already quite resentful, so I won't add to the tension."
Spending the holidays in a hotel would inevitably feel lonely, but Frank insisted, so Winona had no choice but to drop him off at the pre-booked hotel.
Back at Regal Oaks, as soon as they walked in, Zachary hugged Winona from behind, resting his chin on her collarbone. "Do you really have to be gone that long?"
Winona placed the car keys on the shoe cabinet, opened it, and took out their slippers. Zachary clung to her like a human-sized doll. "It's not certain yet. The decision is up to the higher-ups. Caleb mentioned it might be a rare opportunity for further training, but the exact duration will be decided in a meeting."
Winona turned in his arms, cupping Zachary's face to make him look at her. "Our department's pretty broke, so even if it's just a few people, we can't afford to stay abroad for a month or two. Most likely, we'll do some preliminary work on paper, then a quick field trip, including the competition, no more than two weeks."
Zachary frowned, staying silent.
Winona teased, "How about you become a sponsor?"
"Not a chance."
Sponsoring was out of the question. He was already restraining himself from using underhanded methods to stop her. Zachary looked at Winona's bright smile and leaned down to kiss her deeply.
On the 6th, Rebecca invited them out for a late-night snack. "Let's just go through the motions and soak up some of the New Year's atmosphere."
Rebecca had been dragged around by her mom to visit relatives since the 1st, listening to endless nagging about getting married. She finally managed to steal some free time.
Since Rebecca was alone, Winona didn't bring Zachary along. It would be awkward for him to be the only guy while they chatted.
Winona stood at the entrance, changing her shoes, trying to avoid Zachary's pitiful gaze. "I'm just going out for a quick bite. I'll be back soon. Rebecca's alone, and it would be awkward if I brought you along."
Zachary didn't say anything, but his face was full of sorrow.
"I'm leaving now."
As she said this, Winona felt a bit guilty, like leaving an eager puppy at home. She quickly reached for her bag.
Before she could grab it, Zachary took her hand.
Winona turned to him. "What's up?"
Zachary guided her hand under his shirt, pressing her palm against his firm abs. "Eight-pack."
"What eight-pack?"
Winona realized he meant his abs. She knew Zachary had been hitting the gym twice a day, rain or shine, but she didn't expect he was working on his abs.
And he was determined to get an eight-pack.
Zachary said, "So don't go looking at anyone else."
Winona's cheeks flushed, her palm burning against his hard muscles. "Okay, I won't look at anyone else."
She tried to pull her hand away, but Zachary held it in place, increasing the friction.
Winona could clearly see Zachary's growing physical reaction, which only intensified.
She didn't dare move, afraid of provoking his desire. Zachary had no restraint in that area, always eager to prove he was more than capable.
Rebecca was already waiting at the snack bar. If she was too late, Rebecca would never let her live it down.
Zachary's voice was husky. "Do you want me to take it off and show you now?"
Winona's palm was sore from rubbing against his abs. She wanted to smack him with her bag. "Show me what? Who said I like eight-packs? I prefer six-packs."
She added, "Eight-packs are ugly."
Zachary was stunned.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Winona yanked her hand free.
Her palm was indeed red and burning.
Winona grabbed her bag, quickly opened the door, and ran out. The door slammed shut, and her voice echoed in Zachary's ears. "Just kidding, you dummy."
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