The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife novel Chapter 62

62 The Don Juan’s Pricey Gambit

## Adrian’s POV 1

I spotted her the moment I walked into the jewelry store. Her dark hair fell in soft waves around her delicate face, and her smile lit up the room as she helped a

customer. I froze in my tracks.

“Sir, can I help you?” a different sales associate asked.

“No,” I replied automatically, my eyes still fixed on the stunning woman across the store. “I’m just browsing.”

”

I pretended to look at watches while stealing glances at her. Her name tag read “Stella.” A perfect name for someone so radiant. When she finished with her customer, I casually drifted toward her counter.

“Hello, how can I help you today?” she asked with a professional smile.

Her voice was soft and melodic. I completely forgot the reason I’d entered the jewelry store in the first place.

“I’m looking for… a watch,” I stammered, pointing randomly at the display case.

She raised an eyebrow. “That’s a women’s diamond bracelet.”

“Right. For my sister.” I recovered quickly. “Her birthday is coming up.”

Stella showed me several options, her slender fingers handling each piece with care. I barely looked at the jewelry, too fascinated by her expressive green eyes and the small dimple that appeared when she smiled.

“Would you like to see anything else?” she asked after I’d declined five different

bracelets.

“Actually, I’d like to see you. Outside of work.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

Her smile faltered. “I’m sorry, I don’t date customers.”

“What if I don’t buy anything?” I flashed my most charming grin.

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“Then you’d just be a stranger asking me out, which is still a no.” Her tone remained polite but firm.

I left empty-handed but determined. I couldn’t get her out of my mind. The next day, I returned to the mall and spotted her in the food court during her lunch break. She was alone, reading a book.

I approached her table. “We meet again. Mind if I join you?”

She looked up, surprised. “You’re the indecisive watch guy.”

“Adrian Cole,” I corrected, extending my hand.

“I’m on my break,” she replied, ignoring my hand.

“Perfect timing then.” I sat down anyway.

She closed her book with a sigh. “Look, Mr. Cole-”

“Adrian, please.”

“Adrian,” she amended. “I appreciate your interest, but I’m not looking to date anyone right now.”

“We could start as friends,” I suggested.

“I have enough friends,” she replied, gathering her things. “Excuse me.”

She walked away, leaving me feeling like an awkward teenager rather than the successful businessman I was. This hadn’t happened to me since… well, never.

Two days later, I was back at the mall, sitting on a bench outside the jewelry store. I must have looked conspicuous because a young woman from the makeup kiosk across the way approached me.

“You’re stalking the hot jewelry girl, aren’t you?” she asked bluntly.

“I’m not stalking,” I protested. “I’m… strategizing.”

She smirked, tossing her pink-streaked hair over her shoulder. “I’m Maya. And you’re wasting your time. Stella doesn’t date customers. Or stalkers.”

“How do you know her name?”

Maya rolled her eyes. “Mall employees talk. Plus, I’ve been watching you watch her for

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62 The Don Juan’s Pricey Gambit

three days.”

I straightened my tie, embarrassed. “Is it that obvious?”

“Painfully.” She plopped down beside me. “I could help you.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “Why would you do that?”

“Because…” She pointed to an elaborate makeup kit at her kiosk. “That limited-edition collection costs $850, and my commission would be sweet.”

I chuckled despite myself. “You’re blackmailing me for information about Stella?”

“Blackmail is such an ugly word,” Maya grinned. “I prefer ‘mutually beneficial exchange.””

“And what exactly would I get for my $850?”

“Everything you need to know: her full name, her schedule, what she likes, and what happened with her ex that made her swear off dating.”

My interest peaked. “She had a bad breakup?”

“Oh honey, you have no idea.” Maya wiggled her eyebrows. “But that information costs

extra.”

“You’re something else,” I laughed.

“So we have a deal?” She extended her hand.

I shook it, amused by her audacity. “You remind me of my cousin Chloe.”

Twenty minutes later, I walked away with an absurdly expensive makeup kit and a wealth of information about Stella Martinez. She was 28, lived alone after breaking up with her cheating fiancé six months ago, and loved Italian food. Most importantly, she took her afternoon coffee break at the café near the east entrance at 3:15 PM.

The next day at 3:10, I positioned myself near that café. When Stella appeared, I timed my approach perfectly, “accidentally” bumping into her.

“Oh! I’m so sorry-” I began, then feigned surprise. “Stella, right? From the jewelry

store?”

She recognized me immediately. “Mr. Cole.”

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“Adrian,” I corrected again. “What a coincidence. Just grabbing coffee before a meeting.”

“Right.” She didn’t look convinced.

“Let me buy you a coffee to apologize for nearly knocking you over.”

She hesitated, checking her watch. “I only have fifteen minutes.”

0

“Perfect. That’s all I need to convince you I’m not a complete weirdo.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “I’m not sure that’s possible in fifteen minutes.”

But she let me buy her coffee. Progress.

We talked briefly about normal things-the weather, the mall’s recent renovation, nothing personal. As she prepared to leave, I took a chance.

“Would you consider having lunch with me and some colleagues tomorrow? Strictly professional. I promise.”

She looked skeptical. “Why?”

“Because you’re interesting, and I’d like to get to know you better. My assistant and VP will be there. Very public, very safe.”

She considered it for a moment. “Just lunch? With other people present?”

“Just lunch,” I confirmed. “One hour of your time.”

“Fine,” she finally agreed. “But just as… acquaintances.”

I grinned triumphantly. “I’ll take what I can get.”

The next day’s lunch went even better than I’d hoped. My assistant Sarah and VP Marcus were perfect buffers, keeping the conversation light and inclusive. Stella gradually relaxed, even laughing at my jokes. When lunch ended, I offered to drive her home since it was pouring rain.

“That’s not necessary,” she protested.

“It’s no trouble,” I insisted. “Besides, I have something for you.”

Curiosity won out, and she accepted the ride. In my car, I reached into the backseat and pulled out a large box wrapped in simple silver paper.

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