The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 25

On Thursday, Cordelia received a message from Ronan: [Take a leave on Monday and pick up my

grandfather with me.]

[Monday?] Cordelia, irked by Ronan's frequent leave requests, asked for clarification.

[Is there a problem?] Ronan asked.

Cordelia was at a loss for words with Ronan's retort.

[What time do I need to leave?] Cordelia asked.

[Three in the afternoon. We’ll be back Tuesday morning.] Ronan replied.

Just as Cordelia was relieved that she was only taking a two-hour leave, she received another

message: [Cordelia, I found another one of Logan's diaries, do you want it?]

This was from Whitney, Logan's mother.

[Of course I want it. Where is it?] Cordelia replied.

[It's at the place where Logan used to teach. We've already collected all his belongings, but this diary

was found later. I thought you might want it. You can contact the principal of the elementary school

where Logan used to volunteer.] Whitney replied then sent Cordelia the principal's contact info.

The principal told Cordelia that the area was pretty poor and didn't have delivery services, so Cordelia

had to go get it herself.

Cordelia had already made plans with Dr. Devon to visit her mother over the weekend, so she knew

she wouldn't be free. Since Ronan wanted Cordelia to visit Barney's at three on Monday, she decided

to take the whole day off and go to Cedar Hollow in the morning.

She thought getting a day off would be a piece of cake, but her boss Jordan wasn't too pleased.

"Cordelia, you just got confirmed and you're already taking leaves so frequently. Is that appropriate?

Monday is our busiest day, and you always take leave on Monday. Do you realize how much work your

colleagues have to cover for you?" Jordan said.

Cordelia thought to herself, ever since Deanna came, even Jordan's attitude had changed.

Seeing that her leave request might be rejected, Cordelia said, "It's Ronan who asked me to take

leave."

After a while, Jordan replied, "Go and come back as soon as you can."

Turns out, dropping Ronan's name did work.

Cordelia happened to bump into Ronan at the first training session of Lumos Star. Her good friend

Brooklyn had been selected as a Lumos Star and had to attend a one-hour staff training after work on Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Friday.

Cordelia waited for Brooklyn next to the training room.

Ronan arrived to pick up some documents he had left behind. He seemed taken aback when he saw

Cordelia, and she was equally surprised.

"You haven't left yet?" Ronan asked her.

Cordelia quickly stood up, responding with the respect an employee should show to their superior, "Uh,

no, I haven't left yet."

Lumos Star was Ronan's training program, and he was supposed to attend the first training session.

"You better explain what happened last time." Ronan said to Cordelia as he was about to leave. After

all, they hadn't really cleared up the last incident, and Ronan had been angry at the time and hadn't

listened.

"Well, Ronan, don't you think you owe me an explanation about you and Deanna?" Cordelia looked up

at Ronan.

Ronan grinned smugly, "Do I need to explain anything to you?"

His meaning was clear, no, he didn't.

"A husband and wife should be loyal to each other. Mr. Evans, you don't think our marriage license is

fake, do you? Our relationship is for real! Why is it that you can do whatever you want in this situation,

and I am left feeling trapped? You owe me an explanation first." Cordelia said.

Ronan had just wanted to remind Cordelia not to overdo it, but she had countered him.

"Are you jealous?" Ronan said, casually rolling up his sleeves.

Cordelia chuckled, "I'm not that petty. But ever since Deanna arrived, my position in the company has

become difficult. I'm just defending myself. If our marriage is made public, everyone will think I've been

deceived. Also, Mr. Evans, being labeled as two-faced isn't flattering. Any flirtatious behavior with your

ex during our marriage can affect the company's stock price. You’d better be careful."

Ronan paused in adjusting his cuffs. Every word Cordelia said made him feel seen through. Yet Ronan

didn't let his emotions show for too long, "So in the future, you'd better stop hanging around hotel

entrances wearing other men's clothes." Thinking about what happened that day, Ronan was a bit

upset, his tone becoming harsher.

"I always act above board. I won’t embarrass you, but don’t give me a hard time either." Cordelia said.

Ronan left the room, his face dark. She might have forgotten, he had spent fifty million dollars on her.