#Chapter 34 – A Gift For Me?
#Chaptér 34 – A Gift For Me?
Third Person
Adrian’s private investigator enters the mall without raising any suspicion. He blends in with all of the other personal assistants and butlers that have accompanied the employers to the mall. He carries a small black bag around his side, a small yet high definition camera sitting just on the inside.
He walks through the mall, looking around at the extravagant and golden signs of each of the stores, taking in the luxury and wealth that exudes from the name brands. He reaches inside his bag, plucking the tiny camera from its spot, and continues to weave in and out of the stores.
He knows what Stella looks like and how she operates. Adrian has hired him to keep an eye on her ever since she threatened to divorce him. The private investigator thought that the pharmaceutical CEO needed dirt on his soon to be ex–wife, just like any other job he’s taken from other wealthy elite.
But to him, something feels off. There is something different with this case that he can’t quite put his finger on.
Adrian has been a good employer. He has given the private investigator all of the tools and information he needs to keep up on Stella. However, there is something off about the whole ordeal.
Typically, the man receives requests to find a lover cheating on their faithful spouse or he is told to go out and stalk vulnerable people because they are threatening to destroy a wealthy and powerful company. This, though? This feels like a husband who is clinging onto his wife who has already moved on from him.
The private investigator does not push into the matter, though, and always makes for sure that
The investigator spots Stella from across the grand corridor. She just entered a store filled with designer clothes and shoes. The man follows after her, making sure to keep enough distance so that the woman doesn’t catch on to him.
He lifts the camera up and presses the button. The flash does not go off, thankfully, and the faint clicks die as soon as they are heard.
The private investigator takes pictures of Stella as she weaves through the numerous amounts of clothes. What takes him by surprise, though, is that she is quick through the women’s section and heads straight for the men’s.
He hides behind a clothing rack, poking his head out as Stella inspects dress pants and matching suit jackets. He snaps a few more pictures before exiting the store.
The private investigator continues with this routine. He follows her, she remains none the wiser, and he snaps a few pictures so that he gets paid a hearty bonus for his quick efforts.
He glances up at the sign of the next store Stella heads into. It’s one that sells fancy watches. The inside of the store is barren except for its employees who stand behind glass cabinets with watches and other pieces of jewelry inside.
The private investigator remains outside, sitting in a massage chair while he watches from afar. The camera captures the images of Stella holding and pointing at watches, engrossed in her conversation with the sale’s employee.
After a few minutes, the private investigator turns to his phone, quickly transferring the data from the camera and to his phone through the SD card. As soon as the pictures are uploaded, the man creates a folder and emails
them to Adrian.
Investigator: Check your email. Just sent the photos.
Adrian
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#Chapter 34 – A Gift For Me?
As soon as I receive the investigator’s text message, I sit myself down at my desk and move to my emails inbox. I click on the new message and open the file with case, watching as dozens of photos load onto the screen.
My phone buzzes on the table beside me. I glance down arit and raise an eyebrow.
Investigator: I will have more photos in there soon. She is going on a shopping spree. Would you like me to see what she has bought?
My finger taps the desk at a slow and steady pace. I pucker thy lips and turn to the computer screen, looking at Stella’s face through the images. I pick the phone up and stare at the text messages finally deciding to type.
Adrian: Yes. I’ll transfer the money to you soon.
I place my phone on the desk, the screen facing the wooden material, and begin to scroll through the plethora of photos he has uploaded.
Stella is followed by an employee who pushes a cart filled with bags. Many of their logos are concealed, but there are a few that catch my eye. They are expensive and absolutely luxurious.
What is she up to? Is she planning a surprise for someone? Someone who is not me?
I have to turn away from my computer. The thought of Stella buying gifts for someone other than me makes me feel so nauseous.
I bet the gifts are for her precious Sebastian, a man who has slipped into the spot that I could be inhabiting. He’s a snake disguised as a friendly face. I am so sure that he is going to ruin Stella’s life.
But will I be there to pick up the pieces?
I turn my attention back to the computer screen. More photos have come in from the private investigator. The bags ‘ labels have been revealed and I am shocked to see how many of them are familiar to me.
There is a gift in there for couples; it is a matching set of blankets, mugs, and journals that encourages the couples to unite and come together despite their differences. There is also a box set inside the mall employees cart that is filled with body and massage oils.
I raise my eyebrow, my interest piqued at the sight. I clear my throat and turn my attention to other photos, scrolling through as much as I can, trying to see what else Stella has bought. The last set of images catches my eye.
There is a single bag at the top of the pile of items. The bag belongs to my favorite watch brand, the white and bold letters staring at me through the screen. A small smirk forms on my face as I lean back into the chair.
With one glance at my phone’s date, I come to realize that Stella and I’s wedding anniversary is in just a few days.
So…she must be shopping for me. It’s as plain as day. She still cares for me after all and I can’t help but admit that I feel so relieved by this revelation.
I pick up my phone and dial Stella’s number. The dial tone rings on before she answers. My breath gets caught in my throat and I lean forward to steady myself.
“Stella?”
“Yes, Adrian?”
“I was wondering if we could meet and discuss our marriage,” I cooly speak into the phone’s microphone, my eyes floating back to the photos of her on my computer.
I can imagine her face while we speak on the phone. She probably has that same scrunched up expression she usually has when she’s annoyed or is trying to hide something. How cute.
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#Chapter 34–A GIN FO
“Sure,” her voice is deceptively calm over the phone and is the complete opposite as to what Clara described, ” How about this Friday?”
Our anniversary.
Oh, how the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.
“That sounds good. I’ll meet you-
“At your office,” she interrupts me.
So, she wants to show off her gifts to me. This will be fun.
“Sounds like a plan, Stella. I’ll see you then,” I end the call and smile, knowing that she has finally come to realize that I am the best option there is for her.
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