Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 123

The contract was handwritten, in strokes defiant and sharp–clear signs that the girl who penned it wasn’t in the best of moods.

Everard’s initial thought was that the kid had pretty good handwriting, not too delicate, but with a certain firmness to it. Then he focused on the content.

1. Hold hands once a day. If I don’t initiate, you keep your hands to yourself.

2. One kiss per week, on my terms. Other than that, don’t even think about it or dream about it.

3. No inviting yourself over to my place for dinner.

4. Don’t call me unless it’s absolutely necessary!

5. TBD. Will add more rules as I think of them.

Everard raised an eyebrow. Holding hands was already a daily routine; the kissing frequency seemed a bit low–surely exceptions could be made. As for dinner, a nod from her dad would sort that out, and for phone calls, “necessary” could be quite subjective.

As he mentally critiqued each rule, he looked up to see the girl staring at him seriously, her dewy eyes filled with solemnity, like a cat on the verge of a hissy fit, ready to pounce at any hint of bargaining.

He chuckled softly and answered, “Fine by me.”

Her tension eased at his agreement, and she picked up the breakfast she’d prepared and set it on the counter.

Everard, feeling proactive, took it and arranged the spread on the dining table.

him too wary to tease her. A few minutes later, she released his hand and asked

bemused. “I guess

pays that much attention to their clothing

relief was palpable. Synthetic fabric could cause static when rubbing against skin, which explained the tingling sensation during their hand–holding.

but knowing that the girl often had her own unique logic, which

off to

her backpack and headed out, saying.

hair bent over his phone, and Flame No.1 engrossed

them curiously.

arts instructor yesterday,” he

Cordelia was puzzled.

his throat. “Give me some time to train, and then I’ll be ready to challenge you

noncommittal “I guess good

lacked sincerity and suddenly kicked Flame No. 1, who was still pretending to

textbook to reveal a comic

was stunned. “I thought it was an actual

No.1 laughed. “See, I can read during class, and the teacher thinks I’m

Cordelia felt enlightened.

novel, while Little Parrot dabbed at her tears. Cordelia returned to her thoughts of Everard, wondering if he too used books as a facade, and

A white

chatted on the couch while her grandfather’s therapy session took place behind closed doors. Cordelia joined them, discussing the artwork she had chosen, and the painting Lorna had failed to sell–a matter of little consequence to Mathilda, who