The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 55

55 A Perfect Day, An Unwanted Encounter

## Hazel’s POV 1

“Chloe, I swear if you ask me to move that couch one more time, I’m walking out of this apartment,” I laughed, collapsing dramatically onto said couch.

Chloe’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she surveyed Noah’s nearly-finished apartment. “I just want everything to be perfect for when he gets back tomorrow!”

I watched my best friend bounce around the living room, adjusting throw pillows for the fifth time. Her enthusiasm was contagious. After weeks of Noah being away on business, Chloe was practically vibrating with anticipation.

“It already looks amazing,” I assured her, gesturing around the stylishly decorated space. We’d spent all morning unpacking boxes, arranging furniture, and hanging artwork. “Noah will love it.”

“You think so?” Chloe bit her lip, suddenly uncertain.

“I know so.” I stood up and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “But what you’re forgetting is that Noah won’t care about the apartment. He just wants to see you.”

Chloe’s cheeks flushed. “I’ve missed him so much. Two weeks felt like forever.”

“Which is why,” I said, steering her toward the kitchen, “you should plan a proper welcome home. Something private. Something romantic.”

Her eyes widened. “Like what?”

“Dinner? Wine? You in something that’ll make his jaw hit the floor?” I waggled my eyebrows suggestively.

“Hazel!” Chloe laughed, shoving my shoulder playfully. “But… that’s not a bad idea.”

“It’s a brilliant idea,” I corrected her. “And we’re going shopping for it right now.”

Two hours later, we were navigating through Haven Harbor Mall with shopping bags dangling from our arms. We’d already picked up ingredients for Chloe’s special pasta dish-Noah’s favorite-and a bottle of expensive wine.

“We need one more stop,” I announced, steering Chloe toward the upscale lingerie

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55 A Perfect Day, An

boutique at the mall’s far end.

Chloe planted her feet. “Hazel, no. I have plenty of nice things already.”

“Nice isn’t enough for this occasion.” I tugged her arm. “Come on. My treat.”

“Your treat? Absolutely not.”

“Yes,” I insisted. “Consider it a thank-you gift for helping me find my job at Sterling”

“That was months ago!”

“And I’ve been meaning to thank you properly ever since.” I gave her my best pleading look. “Please? Let me do this for you.”

Chloe relented with a sigh. “Fine, but nothing too crazy.”

The boutique was elegant and intimate, with plush velvet seating and soft lighting. A saleswoman with a tape measure draped around her neck approached us.

“Looking for something special?” she asked.

“My friend needs something jaw-dropping,” I answered before Chloe could speak. “Her boyfriend’s returning from a business trip tomorrow.”

The saleswoman smiled knowingly. “I have just the thing.”

She led us through racks of silky, lacy creations, pulling items in Chloe’s size. Soon, Chloe disappeared into a fitting room with an armful of lingerie while I settled on a nearby couch.

“What do you think?” Chloe emerged several minutes later in a midnight blue lace set that made her blonde hair glow.

“Noah will die,” I declared. “In the best possible way.”

We went through several more options before settling on the blue set and a second one in champagne silk. As the saleswoman boxed them up, I spotted a crimson lace teddy on a nearby display.

“That one’s new,” the saleswoman noted, following my gaze. “Would you like to try it?”

I hesitated. I hadn’t bought lingerie for myself since… well, since before Leo was born.

“Yes, she would,” Chloe answered for me, plucking it from the display. “Your size,

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right?”

Before I could protest, Chloe had pushed me toward an empty fitting room. I slipped into the teddy, surprised by how it transformed my body. The deep red contrasted beautifully with my pale skin, and the cut emphasized curves I’d forgotten I had,

“Let me see!” Chloe called Impatiently.

I cracked the door open. Chloe’s jaw dropped. “Holy shit, Hazel”

“Too much?” I asked uncertainly.

“If by ‘too much’ you mean too perfect, then yes.” She shoved the door wider. “Look at yourself!”

I turned to the mirror, truly seeing myself for the first time in ages. Not as Leo’s mom or Mr. Sterling’s assistant, but as a woman-young, beautiful, desirable.

“I’ll take it,” I decided impulsively.

Chloe clapped her hands together gleefully. “That’s my girl!”

After paying for our purchases-ignoring Chloe’s protests when I insisted on buying her sets-we headed toward the mall exit, chatting excitedly.

“What are you going to do with that red bombshell?” Chloe teased. “Hoping to catch someone’s eye?”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s just for me. Sometimes a woman needs to feel good for herself.”

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