Love Me Or I Die

CHAPTER 16

“If you’re not eating the other bowl, then I will eat it.” Daniel crossed his arms across his chest. Even though it was not a very scrumptious feast, he somehow still liked it.

If the extra bowl on the table was not for him, naturally, it was for her.

Lucia opened her mouth, and her dazed look made Daniel’s eyes slightly lighten. She actually had moments when she was silly. He thought this woman was not capable of anything else other than to be at loggerheads with him and also making him angry.

He lowered his head, and he suddenly bit her lips. He remembered the taste—it was sweeter than any other women. He had had so many women before, but he liked her lips the most. He couldn’t resist them.

They were amazingly soft and enchantingly sweet.

He finally let go of her, and her hands rested on his chest. Her snow-white face was a deep touch of the red color. Beneath her forbearing strength lies a girl who was, in fact, easily moved.

Just a small gesture from him could make her once dead heart beat again. The influence the man had on her was unnervingly beyond what she expected.

‘What if…’

She lightly shook her head. She did not dare think further, for she was really afraid to continue the thought. That particular outcome was something she could not take.

Suddenly, a hand covered her eyes, blocking all the light to shine on her eyes.

“Let’s stop fighting for a little while. I’m tired today.” Daniel’s huge palm covered her eyes, preventing her from seeing the shadows that suddenly appeared in his black eyes.

“Let’s go.” He removed his hand, and for the first time, he took her hand and interlocked them. He felt her perspiration on her fingers.

He pursed his lips and decided not to ask.

On the dining table, they split the bowl of porridge, half for her and a half for him. It was an extremely quiet morning. It was the type of morning that would make people feel relaxed, except that after the relaxation might come to another solemness.

Lucia occasionally raised her head to look at him. She tried to figure him out but to no avail. He was acting really weird that day.

“There’s a banquet I need to attend tonight. You’re coming with me.” He took a piece of napkin from the side and wiped his fingers. “I’ll get someone to send the dress over later. You just need to wear it and dress up prettily.”

He stood up and took his briefcase. He commanded, “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

Once finished, he turned around and walked out, not even giving her the right to reject him. Yes, she must go. If he wanted her to go, then she had to.

The door closed with a thud, leaving her alone in the villa again. She let out a sigh and cleared the dishes, but she did not know what she wanted to do at that moment.

She walked into the bedroom, intentionally avoided looking at the wedding photo on the wall that was constantly reminding her of how her marriage had begun.

It started with her love. It started with his hatred.

She opened one of the drawers at the side and retrieved a notepad and a pen. She sat in front of the window. The hair at her forehead fell softly against her eyes. There was no excessive declaration, just gentle proximity as her entire body exuded a natural quietness.

This was her personality.

The tip of the pen turned, and with a few strokes, she had drawn an outline. Her swift strokes formed some male features on the white paper in an instant. A few thick lines formed a characteristic male face, thin lips, and sleek, long eyes that held magnificence. After a few more strokes from her hands, his features became 80% similar to him.

She turned a few pages forward. They were all him—all the pages had him.

The angry him, the cruel him, the cold him, and now, the peaceful him.

But none of her drawings had a smiling one or even a friendly one.

She hugged the sketchbook tightly to her chest. The sunlight seeped through the windows and sprayed onto her.

If only they could stop fighting for a few days more.

She subconsciously laid her fingertips on the back of her hand. If this continued, will her love eventually end up like her soul?

Lost in the end.

The house still smelled like him; faintly of tobacco and his aftershave. She lowered her head, her lips lifting into a smile unwittingly, holding a trace of simple satisfaction. It was heartbreaking.

He was a man of his words. An hour later, the clothes were really sent over.

Lucia sat by the bed, staring dejectedly at the clothes in the box. They were pretty, but they didn’t suit her. The clock on the wall read 7:35 pm, and he would be reaching here soon.

She bit her lips softly, took the clothes and took off the cotton shirt she had washed countless times. She changed into the exorbitant evening gown.

She looked at herself in the mirror, wanting to hide herself away. She had never worn something so revealing. Under the subtle hemline of the dress were two slim, long legs. If she was not careful, she could easily expose herself.

And her back, almost her entire back was revealed, making her feel embarrassed and humiliated. Did he really wanted her to go wearing such dress?

She let her hair down, and it reached her waist, covering her naked back. She turned around. The clock on the wall was at eight o’clock sharp. Familiar footsteps sounded from the door.

The man opened the door, staring at her blandly, eyes flashing briefly with something she could not catch, but she knew it wasn’t that of a pleasant surprise.

“Let’s go,” he softly said. He occasionally glanced at her legs that peeped out from her lace skirt. His mind was occupied with something else.

“Daniel, I…” She placed her hand on her chest. Her conservative self felt as if she was not wearing anything, making her feel extremely embarrassed.

“What’s wrong?” He looked down at the watch on his wrist. “We don’t have much time. If there’s anything else, hurry up.”

He did not seem like he was in a hurry, but it was a command not to be defied. His time was precious, so it was better not to let him wait too long.

“No, it’s nothing.” Lucia opened and closed her mouth, but said nothing in the end. Walking behind him, her eyes gleamed with a dull sorrow. She actually wanted to ask if she could not wear the dress. Because clothes like such made her feel like those hooker girls dancing at the club.

But he probably would not agree.

“The dress is beautiful.” He suddenly spun around to face her while she was in the middle of her jumbled thoughts. It was not clear whether or not he meant it, but he looked at her up and down, and indeed, she was breathtaking. The evening gown was extremely revealing, or in other words, almost as if she was wearing nothing. It showed her ample breasts, her long, slim legs, and a beautiful back that made his imagination run wild.

“Really?” Lucia’s dim eyes instantly brightened again. Is that really so? Beautiful.

Daniel just focused on driving and said nothing this time. A gust of wind blew, and she hugged her arms tightly. Why is it that she felt so cold, though?

The car stopped. He walked out of the car, his large figure was extremely pressurizing and overpowering. In front of others, he was always the strong, determined, and cold-blooded CEO of the Daniel's Group.

When she walked out, the air outside was cold, making her turn her body slightly to the side. People passing by her would unanimously take another close look at her, eyes filled with a shred of surprise. But most of it was mainly disdain, and even a subtle dominance, making her feel extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed.

“We’re going in.” Daniel held his arm out, his face expressionless. Lucia lightly nodded her head and sneaked a peek at him. She did not know if he had made her dress like this on purpose.

When the two of them walked in, the chandelier shone onto them—the light fell perfectly on both of them as if they were the golden boy and jade girl. The man was dashing and handsome. His lips curved, and his defined features oozed with coolness. Even without smiling, he was already the center of attraction at the venue.

And the woman by his side, the sight of her body donned in the dress was stunning, not to mention her face. Even the boldest woman would not dare wear such revealing and figure-hugging clothing. Her figure was indeed good, but she seemed promiscuous. It revealed so much skin. Her pale face showed mild traces of helplessness, her eyelashes also slightly curled. It was meant to be sexy, but she still managed to give off an air of innocence.

Daniel’s words were not a lie. She looked really beautiful with the dress on. It was beyond beauty; she could awaken the beasts in men.

“Dan, who’s this?” A woman wearing a long silk skirt walked over with a perfect smile. Her exquisite features were extremely gorgeous. The figure-hugging, back-revealing dress she wore accentuated her voluptuous breasts further.

“My wife, Lucia,” he casually introduced, taking a glass of wine from the side. The word ‘wife’ sounded a little aloof.

“Oh, so it’s Mrs. Daniel!” The woman extended the ‘oh’. Her smiling red lips seemed to have added something, making Lucia bite her own, unsure of how to reply.

What’s the relationship between the two of them?

“Hello, Mrs. Daniel. I’m Yvette, Daniel’s… friend.” She lusciously smiled, her answer seemingly implied something more. Someone who could address him in this manner cannot be simply just friends like she said they were.

“Hello…” Lucia turned to look at her, but Yvette just shot her a smile that seemed to imply something.

“Dan, I have something to tell you. Can we talk alone?” Yvette touched her wavy wine-red hair that was naturally oozing with charm, making her attention-grabbing. She was passionate and sexy. Her red lips looked as if they were coated with nectar, enticing people to kiss them.

Daniel put down the wineglass in his hand. He then removed Lucia’s tight hands from his arms.

“I’m leaving for a bit. Stay here for a little while.” He lifted his eyebrows indifferently and turned around heartlessly, leaving with Yvette. Lucia could only dumbly stare at their retreating figures. At that moment, she felt as though she was abandoned, and somewhere deep inside, a part of her heart clenched.

She turned back. She lifted a wineglass with trembling hands and drank it, wanting to give herself some courage. She held the wineglass tightly with both her hands, feeling as if everyone was looking at her.

She didn’t recognize anyone. Their gazes were neither friendly nor polite.

“Mrs. Daniel, it’s been a long time.” A stranger’s voice rang from beside her. She raised her head to look at the man who had, unbeknownst to her, stood in front of her. It’s been a long time? But they have never met each other before.

“Who are you, if I may ask?” Her eyes were filled with slight confusion, mixed with naivety and innocence. Yes, it’s those eyes. The man’s eyes suddenly lit up, his hand also took a wineglass from the side. He swirled the wineglass in his hand, the corner of his eye darkened with an obvious ill intention.

“Have you forgotten, Mrs. Daniel? We met on your wedding day. I will never forget such a scene… I remember it as if it just happened yesterday.”

His eyes landed on her long legs that were partially hidden by her dress. His blatant ogling made her feel uncomfortable.

The incident he was talking about was something she would never forget, too. It was humiliating and embarrassing. She recalled the eyes she felt on her legs the day she fell. Such an understanding made her feel as if she was naked and being mocked by everyone.

“Mrs. Daniel, this is my name card. Feel free to contact me if there’s a need.” The man stuffed a name card into her hands, his hand accidentally brushed against her breasts. Or maybe it was not an accident.

She stepped back in a hurry, her grip loosening, and the name card fell to the floor. She did not pick up the name card but declined him in a low voice.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t think there will be any need for me to contact you.” She turned around, not wanting to talk to the man any further.

The man put down the wineglass in his hands and crossed his hands across his chest, admiring her naked back. “Acting all high and mighty even though you’re dressed like that?” The man’s voice was thick with sarcasm. “I’ll give you however much money you want. I wonder what Daniel’s wife will be like in a bed. It makes me anticipate. I have slept with countless women, but sleeping with you will be a first.”

His voice was not loud, but a number of people had heard him. They were smiling with mockery, making her feel extremely embarrassed. She wished she could dig a hole and throw herself in, and maybe fall to her death.

She gripped her hands tightly and walked out in big strides. There was no noise outside. It was extremely quiet. But when the cold air blew, she felt an unspeakable chill.

It was a chill to the bones, a chill to her core, an excruciating chill.