Chapter 6 Supermarket Encounter

"Like me?"

Olivia was taken aback, stumbling back and hitting the tree behind her.

She stared at Charles, who was now just inches away.

That handsome yet intense face, those deep, unreadable eyes filled with emotions she couldn't decipher.

Ridiculous! This must be his new trick!

Was it fun for him to mess with her?

How could he possibly... like her?

Charles seemed amused by her startled expression, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he stepped closer, his voice low and enticing:

"Scared? So, what do you think... of me?"

His gaze locked onto her, like a hunter admiring prey caught in a trap.

"Want to... consider it?"

His eyes were too direct, too intense, carrying an undeniable force.

"No, no way!"

Olivia snapped back to reality, her cheeks instantly burning red.

Overwhelmed by panic and embarrassment, she almost blurted out, her voice changing pitch.

"Charles, you...you stay away from me!"

"No way we could be together, ever!"

With that, she pushed Charles away and ran out from under the tree, fleeing in a flustered state.

Charles stood there, watching her hurriedly disappear at the entrance of the field, surprisingly not feeling down about the rejection.

A low chuckle escaped his chest, carrying a hint of determination.

Interesting, it was getting more and more interesting.

If he weren't busy with his graduation thesis, he would really want to spend more time with Olivia.

The following days seemed to return to a semblance of calm.

Olivia attended classes as usual and worked at Petal Paradise.

In the dorm and between the Williams family, she carefully avoided John's gloomy presence.

Her interactions with Charles were minimal, as she only caught glimpses of him from afar on campus. Because of this, Mia stopped bothering her, allowing her to spend some peaceful time in the dorm.

John, however, remained active.

Every morning, when Olivia was forced to ride with him to school, she would hear him on speakerphone, casually inviting Charles.

"Charles, basketball at the usual spot this afternoon?"

"What movie is better than a game? I'm not going, invite someone else!"

"Whiskey & Wonders tonight? They got a new batch of good stuff."

"Pool hall, you in?"

"Dinner? Sure, I know a new restaurant that's pretty good!"

Olivia would put on her headphones, turning up the music, unable to help but complain inwardly.

'Don't graduates need to study?'

Charles, the perennial top student, was an exception, but John...he just played all day...

Whatever, it was none of her business.

She focused on studying, working hard, saving money, staying away from the Williams family, staying away from John—that was what mattered!

As midterms approached, the campus was filled with a tense and superstitious atmosphere.

"Olivia! Come on, let's go 'pray to Charles'!"

Lily excitedly pulled Olivia.

"Pray to Charles?"

Olivia looked up from her pile of books, confused.

"Why pray to Charles?"

Lily gave her a look that said, "How do you not know this?"

"He's a legend at our school! Always passes exams! Everyone secretly goes to his unused locker to pray; it's super effective! Come on, if we're late, we won't get in!"

So it was superstition, and about that childish prankster no less.

Olivia pulled her hand back, speechless.

"...Not going. It's too silly."

She had no interest in such pointless activities.

"Better safe than sorry!"

Lily pouted.

"Then... can you grab me a strawberry milk from the store later?"

"Please! I'll tell you some juicy gossip when you get back!"

"Alright."

Olivia closed her book, figuring she could pick up a few things for herself anyway.

The store wasn't crowded.

Olivia headed straight to the refrigerated section, grabbing the strawberry milk Lily wanted.

As she turned, her gaze inadvertently swept over the nearby shelves—a tall, familiar figure was leaning against the freezer, casually flipping through a can of drink.

It was Charles.

He seemed to have just noticed her, too, his deep gaze carrying a hint of surprise, quickly turning into a smile she couldn't quite read.

Olivia's heart skipped a beat, instinctively wanting to duck away.

"What are you hiding from?"

Charles's voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the store's background music clearly, carrying a lazy smile.

Olivia's steps halted, forcing her to look up.

They were separated by a few rows of shelves, their gazes meeting in the air.

Today, he wore a simple black hoodie, his messy hair casually falling over his forehead, less sharp than usual, more relaxed, but his eyes remained piercing, locking onto her, leaving her no escape.

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

The cold air from the freezer couldn't dispel the silent, subtle tension between them.

Olivia could clearly hear her accelerated heartbeat, her cheeks starting to burn again.

She tightened her grip on the milk carton.

Charles put down the drink, taking a few long strides to reach her, his tall figure bringing an invisible pressure.

He looked down at her, his gaze sweeping over her flushed cheeks, finally landing on the pink strawberry milk in her hand.

The smile on his lips deepened.

"Like this?"

His voice was low, with a hint of teasing.

"No! It's for a friend!"

Olivia immediately retorted, her voice a bit rushed.

Charles chuckled softly, not pressing further.

He naturally reached out, not for the milk, but directly past her, precisely grabbing a box of the cheapest instant noodles she usually ate from the shelf beside her.

Olivia froze.

How did he know she ate this?

Charles didn't look at her surprised expression, holding the noodles and her strawberry milk, turning to the checkout, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"My treat."

"No! I'll pay for myself!"

Olivia hurried to catch up.

Charles ignored her protest, heading straight to the cashier and placing the items on the counter.

As the cashier scanned the items, his long fingers had already held out a card, the motion smooth and natural.

Payment successful.

Olivia watched his back as he paid, her mind a mess.

What was this? Another misleading "care"?

Charles picked up the bag with the milk and noodles, turning to hand it to her.

At the moment their fingers touched, Olivia recoiled as if shocked.

Charles watched her flustered reaction, his deep eyes filled with more amusement, carrying a hint of rebellion and... a certain determination. He leaned closer, whispering in her ear in a voice only they could hear.

"Strawberry milk... suits you."

With that, he straightened up, not looking at her again, and left the store, leaving Olivia standing there alone.

After all, she was a young girl, easily swayed.

Holding the bag, her ears still tingling with his warm breath and that ambiguous remark.

In the scorching summer, her heart pounded like a drum, vibrating incessantly.