Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia)

Chapter 4

Cordelia stepped into the shop that looked modest from the outside, only to find it was more like a mini-mart on the inside, spanning well over a thousand square feet. Several aisles stocked with an array of items stood erect, much like the aisles of a supermarket.

Oddly, for such a sizable store, no customers were shopping. Only two men stood near the checkout counter by the entrance.-

With a smirk and cute fangs that suggested he was probably an employee, one of them was trying to appease the other, a gesture that seemed to have irritated the man beside him.

The angry man was dressed head-to-toe in black, a pair of jeans, and a button-up shirt. His head bowed, short hair partially obscuring his sharp features. One hand casually tucked into his pocket while the other had the shirt sleeve rolled up to reveal a forearm with long, defined fingers resting leisurely on the countertop. He had an aura that screamed 'trouble.'

At that moment, both men were staring at Cordelia as she entered. The “cute-fanged” employee's plastered smile froze into a grimace as if he'd seen a ghost.

Cordelia paused as a wave of confusion washed over her.

It took ten seconds for the eerie silence to break when the apparent owner finally spoke with an unsettling tone. "What can I get you?"

His voice, surprisingly, was quite melodious.

After a brief hesitation, Cordelia nodded. "Yeah, you got any bottled water?"

"Yeah." The man motioned to his employee, whom Cordelia dubbed 'Little Fang,' "Go fetch one."

With a snap of his fingers, 'Little Fang' scampered off toward the fridge in the corner.

Soon, a bottle of water was on the counter.

Bending her head to open her wallet, Cordelia inquired, "How much is it?"

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her, the bottle of water being pushed toward her as the man's deep, magnetic voice floated down from above. "On the house, girl."

Startled, Cordelia looked up.

The man towered over her. Leaning slightly forward, his strikingly handsome face was mere inches from hers. His deep eyes seemed to hold endless depths, sending a shiver down her spine.

This man was dangerous. She needed to keep her distance.

As she stepped back, her mind clouded over, a warm current rushing through her chest as if something within her was awakening.

Then, a sharp pain exploded in her heart, as if something had brutally stabbed and stirred within her!

Cordelia doubled over in agony. Her forehead beaded with cold sweat. A whispering voice seemed to echo from afar, yet it felt so close, chanting. "Love or die... love or die..."

The pain escalated, becoming so intense that she struggled to breathe!

The crippling sensation made it clear that this was no joke. But where could she find a romance on such short notice?

Just then, a large hand grasped her arm. She looked up to meet Everard’s icy gaze. "You okay?"

As darkness threatened her vision, on the brink of passing out from the pain, Cordelia clutched his hand tightly.

"I’m rich and can hold my own in a fight. Be my boyfriend, and I'll have your back." she said.

...

The agony subsided slightly with those words.

They worked.

Cordelia exhaled in relief.

"Shh!" A sharp inhalation came from 'Little Fang,' who had returned with the water, his eyes wide with shock. When Cordelia glanced his way, he quickly waved his hand. "Don't mind me. Go on."

How could someone have the guts to confess to his boss? The spark of gossip ignited in Calvert's eyes, barely veiling his exhilaration. He wished he could scream or live-stream the epic scene to the rest of the crew! Who could have imagined their boss in this scenario?

No matter how rich she claimed to be, could she match their boss' wealth? And as for her ability to fight, could it even compare to his?

He thought this girl must have sensed they were keeping tabs on her and came to make a mockery. How would the boss handle her? Would he whisk her away or kill her?

The shop fell silent.

Cordelia's chest still throbbed with pain, but it no longer clouded her thoughts.

The man before her was no ordinary citizen. The menace he carried suggested he was from the underworld. And considering the shop's bleak state, it wasn't likely profitable. So, money and toughness should entice him, right?

Her thoughts were clear. Though she was still puzzled by the mysterious voice, engaging in a faux romance was a small price to save her skin.

But the man's response was slow in coming. His gaze narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his stoic face.

Who would confess their love upon first meeting?

Just as Cordelia considered seeking someone else if he refused, the man finally spoke, "Everard Watkins."

Hearing it, her eyes widened in disbelief.

He continued, "That's your boyfriend's name."

...

The pain vanished entirely, leaving her feeling surreal as if everything had been an illusion.

Dumbfounded, she stood frozen until Everard handed her the water bottle, his voice casting a spell. "Girl, you should be in school."

Stepping out into the scorching sunlight, Cordelia glanced back at the shop.

Had it all been a dream, or had the man done something to her? What on earth had just happened?

The school bell rang, snapping her out of her reverie. With a dazed step, she headed toward the school.

Inside the shop, Calvert sidled up to Everard. "Boss, although you're a catch and all, she's clearly up to no good. Why'd you play along? Didn't her looks sway you?"

Everard's chilly glare silenced Calvert instantly, prompting him to stand up straight and shut his mouth.

-

After lunch in the school cafeteria, Cordelia faced a series of exams. Finishing early as usual, she idled downstairs for over an hour until Juliana finished hers, and they both climbed into the Delaney family's car.

Larry, the driver, had been with Sanderson for years and liked Cordelia by association. Upon her entry, he asked with concern, "Miss Cordelia, how was school today?"

Cordelia glanced out the window, responding, "It was okay."

"Psst," Juliana chuckled softly and hinted, " Cordelia, the results and rankings are out tomorrow!" After her comment, Juliana watched Cordelia from the corner of her eye, curious to see her reaction.

Cordelia turned her head to gaze out the window, her eyes still shrouded as if in a mist, silent as the grave, as if Juliana's words hadn't reached her. This aloofness sparked a sudden irritation in Juliana's heart.

As the car made its way home, passing down that familiar street, Cordelia caught sight of a sign above a shop they had visited at noon, Midnight Scent.

A question began to bubble up within her. What exactly did this shop sell?

The car didn't slow, flashing past the shopfront, and with her curiosity piqued, Cordelia failed to see the figure of Everard lounging behind the counter. He seemed to sense something, his gaze piercing through the window, eyes flashing with a sharp brilliance.