When Blood Turns Cold

Emerald and Amy made the most of their Friday off from work, savoring a rare chance to relax together. After much convincing from Amy, Emerald finally agreed to watch a movie. By the time the credits rolled, Amy looked satisfied, while Emerald stretched and stood up from the sofa.

"I'm going to get ready," she said, heading to her room.

Although she had skipped her morning obligations due to the lingering effects of last night's alcohol—her throbbing headache and clumsy movements rendering her unfit—she was now feeling better. With her energy somewhat restored, she realized she couldn't neglect her commitment to attending Lisa's extra classes.

At the thought of Lisa, Emerald sighed deeply. The last thing she wanted was to bump into David again. Though their previous encounter hadn't been unpleasant, she simply wasn't in the mood to entertain any new friendships today.

Her mind was still clouded with the events of the past few days, and the idea of putting on a cheerful face for someone new felt exhausting. She just wanted to focus on her studies, get through Lisa's extra classes, and retreat back to the comfort of her home.

Emerald slipped into a white, knee-length flowy skirt paired with a sky-blue button-down shirt neatly tucked in. The outfit radiated elegance and simplicity, just the vibe she wanted for the day. She completed the look with cream-colored heels that complemented her outfit perfectly.

Her glossy black hair cascaded over her shoulders naturally, adding a soft touch to her appearance. Standing in front of the mirror, she quickly applied a layer of primer and BB cream to her face, giving her skin a fresh, radiant look. A swipe of lip gloss added a subtle shine, and she finished off with a spritz of her favorite perfume—a comforting scent that always made her feel confident.

Emerald grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and waved goodbye to Amy.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you?" Amy called out.

Emerald smiled softly but shook her head. "I'll be fine, Amy. Thanks, though."

It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the offer—it warmed her heart—but she had always prided herself on her independence. She didn't want to impose on anyone, especially when she could manage independently.

As she stepped out, the cool breeze brushed against her skin, and she made her way to the bus station. The rhythmic sound of her heels clicking against the pavement accompanied her thoughts as she walked. Despite everything, she found comfort in these quiet moments of self-reliance.

Two hours had flown by as Lisa and Emerald immersed themselves in a mix of study and conversation. What began as a focused math session soon spiraled into a lively discussion about the evolution of human beings, peppered with tangents about biology and history.

At one point, Emerald found herself explaining why she hadn't made it to school that morning. Lisa listened attentively, nodding with a mix of curiosity and understanding, before seamlessly steering the conversation back to academics.

Finally, they rounded off their time together by working on Lisa's English essay. Emerald was patient, offering suggestions and corrections, while Lisa scribbled furiously.

Emerald glanced up from where Lisa was diligently working on her essay, her eyes narrowing slightly when she saw a familiar figure approaching. David strolled into the room, hands tucked casually into his pockets, with Titan, his loyal canine companion, trotting alongside him.

Lisa's eyes lit up the moment she noticed him. "Uncle David!" she screeched in delight, abandoning her pen and paper as she launched herself at him.

David caught her effortlessly, his usual reserved demeanor softening into a warm smile. He pecked her cheek affectionately before gently setting her down. "Alright, little one. Go on and finish your work," he said, gesturing toward the unfinished essay.

Lisa giggled, skipping back to her seat, while David made his way to the couch and sank into it with an air of ease.

"I thought you didn't finish work until late at night," Emerald asked, raising a curious brow. She distinctly remembered him mentioning that during their outing not long ago. Her tone was light, but there was a hint of suspicion in her gaze.

David froze, clearly not expecting the question. For a moment, he struggled to come up with a response before offering a casual, "I didn't have much to do today."

While his face remained composed, Titan, standing loyally beside him, fought the urge to roll his eyes—or worse, burst into laughter.

'Not much to do today?' Titan thought sarcastically. 'Boss rearranged his entire schedule the moment he found out Lisa had an extra class, just so he could be here and see Emerald.' Of course, Titan didn't dare voice his thoughts aloud. Instead, he remained silent, his knowing gaze flickering between the two humans, his amusement barely concealed.

"I see," Emerald replied, her tone calm and seemingly convinced. However, as she glanced at David, Amy's words echoed loudly in her mind.

Emerald had brushed it off then, unwilling to entertain the thought. But now, with David's unexpected appearance and his somewhat flimsy excuse, even a fool would recognize the truth in Amy's statement.

David sat silently, watching as Emerald patiently helped Lisa finish her work. Once Lisa was done, she excused herself, leaving the study area, and Emerald began gathering her things. She stood up, adjusting her dress and running a hand through her hair, her movements deliberate yet graceful.

Then, as she glanced at David, a mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes. For a brief moment, their gazes met, and David couldn't shake the sudden wave of nerves that hit him.

Titan's eyes widened in disbelief. 'Is the Almighty CEO... nervous?' he thought to himself, utterly stunned. This was a far cry from the commanding presence David exuded at the Dawn Group, where a mere glance from him could freeze anyone in place.

For once, it seemed David was caught off guard—not by business, but by the woman standing before him.

"You wanted us to hang out, right? I'm free tomorrow," Emerald said with a playful tone, her eyes sparkling as she teased David. He let out a quiet sigh of relief in his head, glad that she was willing to go along with the idea.

"Sure, I'll pick you up at your apartment," David replied smoothly, his usual confidence returning.

Emerald raised an eyebrow. "Don't I at least get to know where you'll take me?" she asked, a hint of displeasure in her voice.

David smiled warmly, enjoying the playful back-and-forth. "It's a surprise," he said, his grin widening.

Emerald rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. "See you tomorrow, then. Bye," she said, her tone light but final, before turning and leaving the room.

David watched her go, a subtle anticipation building in him. Titan, standing by, gave a quiet, knowing glance but said nothing. For once, David seemed more excited about this "surprise" than he cared to admit.

Once Emerald was out of sight, David's demeanor shifted back to his usual cold, businesslike self. The warmth and playfulness that had briefly surfaced vanished, replaced by the sharp, commanding presence that everyone at the Dawn Group was familiar with.

"Call the driver and pick up the documents from my room. We're heading back to the office. I need to finish my work," David instructed in a crisp, no-nonsense tone.

Titan, who had been quietly observing, gave a subtle nod before following David as he turned and walked out, his footsteps echoing with purpose. The shift was so abrupt that it almost felt like a different person entirely—one who didn't have time for anything outside of his relentless drive for success.

As David sat in the back seat of the car, with Titan in the front alongside the driver, he reviewed the documents in his hands. After a moment, he looked up and spoke with a calm, measured tone.

"I'll attend the meetings scheduled for today, but please postpone the ones for tomorrow," David said, opening his laptop to catch up on other tasks.

"Understood, sir," Titan replied promptly, making the necessary phone calls to adjust the schedule as per David's instructions.

Dawn Group was a conglomerate with a diverse range of industries under its belt, including airlines, hotels, malls, cosmetics, automobiles, and more. Managing such a vast empire made being the CEO a demanding role, but David had been prepared for this responsibility from a very young age.

He had spent his early years accompanying his father to the company, absorbing the ins and outs of the business world. His keen interest and promising abilities didn't go unnoticed. When the time came for his father to step down, having built the company from the ground up, he passed on the reins to David. With the transition, his father entrusted him with full authority, ready to retire after a lifetime of hard work.

Now, David stood as one of the top three most successful bachelors in the country, a symbol of his relentless drive and business acumen.