62 Chapter 62 – Expensive Lessons and Twenty Minute Coffee Breaks
What difference does that make?” a
Language, Romeo.” She Isked mockingly. “Here’s a life lesson–quality women require quality investments. Premium cosmetics cost premium prices. I curated this collection specifically for Stella. She’ll adore it. But don’t give it to her on your first date- she’ll refuse. Wait until you’ve established something, then find the right moment.”
I spent the entire day staring at those bags, plotting my next move. This woman had completely scrambled my brain without giving me an ounce of encouragement. By evening. I was practically climbing walls with frustration.
“I only agreed because the girls invited me. We’re becoming friends. Her tone was
firm.
“Oh, she’s absolutely good, Chloe. I couldn’t hide my grin.
“Time to pay up, Romeo.”
“I have no idea what this stuff costs.”
“Felix, I think you made a mistake with the total.”
“Yes, we are.” Her smile softened everything.
This barely–eighteen–year–old had just schooled me in both business and romance. I didn’t know whether to be impressed or horrified.
“Then as your friend, I want to give you something.” I retrieved the bags from my backseat, placing them in her lap.
Stella was breathtaking. Her body curved in all the right places, that rich mocha skin practically glowing under the store lights. Those curls cascaded down her shoulders like silk ribbons I desperately wanted to tangle my fingers in. Every professional smile she flashed made my pulse race with thoughts of tasting those full lips.
When I asked for her business card, she handed me the store’s generic contact. Not even a flicker of interest. Challenge accepted, sweetheart.
62 Chapter 02 Expensive Lessons and Twenty Minute Coffee Breaks
Friday, I insisted on driving her home. She accepted. Before she could escape my car, I caught her hand.
“Shopping for my sister. She’s obsessed with makeup, but I’m completely clueless” I Bashed what I hoped was a charming smile.
Maybe not tomorrow, but eventually that dress would hit the floor, I thought, widening my smile. She thanked me, kissed my cheek goodbye, and as she closed the car door, I called out:
“So Stella, about tomorrow night…”
“Don’t be disgusting, West!” She scolded me like a disapproving mother.
So I bought the golden dress anyway, along with matching heels that would make her legs look endless. If she wouldn’t try it on, I’d find another way to see her wearing it. “I’m not accepting this, Adrian. I know exactly what game you’re playing.” Chapter 62 – Expensive Lessons and Twenty Minute Coffee Breaks
“Ah, the spoiling uncle.” Her smile was radiant.
“Something like that. Coffee break?”
I lingered with the girls, manufacturing reasons to stay close to this enchanting saleswoman. But she treated me like furniture – polite, distant, untouchable. When I suggested she model one of those curve–hugging dresses Chloe and Hazel were trying on, she shut me down faster than a steel trap.
“Pick something out. I’ll buy it.”
I glanced around, realizing how creepy I must look lurking here. We stood before an elaborate lipstick display, and I scrambled for believability.
“Sorry! Wasn’t watching where I was going.” My most disarming smile.
“Why not?” I didn’t let her answer. “Accept it, Stella. Wear it tomorrow. Please. You three will look absolutely stunning” I
led my most persuasive expression.
Damn. This little shark was about to fleece me.
I timed my exit perfectly, pretending to check my phone while walking directly into Stella’s path.
62 Chapter 02 Expensive Lessons and Twenty Minute Coffee Breaks
Nearly thirty thousand dollars. For makeup.
“Let me check. She compared receipts with angelic innocence. “Nope, Romeo. Exactly- right.”
“Just a quick one.”
“Depends which girl you’re planning to bother.” This teenager was a born negotiator.
“Deal.” We shook hands like business partners. “Come on, we’ve got two hours until her lunch break”
Ninety minutes later, I knew Stella had dumped her boyfriend last month after catching him with another woman who happened to be his coworker. What an absolute fool.
This kid was sharp. And ruthless.
“Adrian, I can’t.”
“Boss, don’t mess with Stella. She’s genuinely good people.”
“Buying him a video game his mother refuses to get.”
Thursday finally brought breakthrough. I leveraged Chloe’s plan for Damian to apologize to Hazel, agreeing to help only if Stella joined our lunch. Afterward, she finally gave me her number.
“Aren’t we becoming friends too?” I asked innocently..
before she could protest, catching her
“Picking you up at eight tomorrow.” I drove off before she amused headshake in my rearview mirror.
The next day, I returned like a man possessed, trying every angle to get her personal number. Nothing worked. Then Chloe and Hazel showed up, catching me
mid–desperation at the counter, practically begging Stella for any scrap of attention. They found my suffering hilarious,
“What’s your budget for this ‘sister’s gift“?” She was already calculating.
I headed straight to the mall, positioning myself across from her store like some lovesick teenager. She was inside helping customers, looking absolutely radiant. Eventually she’d have to leave, and I’d be waiting.
- Chapter 62–Expensivo Lessons and Twenty Minute Coffee Breaks
No problem. Here visiting your nephew again?”
“Stella, it’s just a gift. Like what I bought Chloe and Hazel. You’ll look incredible in this dress, and you deserve beautiful things. I won’t lie I bought it specifically for you. because it’s perfect.
I surveyed the tiny products around us. How expensive could makeup possibly be? If this kid had insider information about Stella, the investment would pay off.
I ducked into the cosmetics store opposite hers, trying to look casual. A petite girl with metal braces immediately approached.
“Well, depending on which one, your ‘sister’s gift‘ gets more expensive.”
“I’m still calling you Romeo.” She processed the payment with a satisfied smile. “Thanks
for making my monthly quota.”
I made those twenty minutes count, but she still didn’t offer her number. I spent the rest of the week haunting that mall like Stella’s devoted shadow.
The girl’s metallic grin told me she wasn’t buying it.
“Are you buying out the entire store?” She shook her head. “Then start talking while you shop.”
Walking into that boutique to catch up with Chloe and Hazel, I never expected to encounter perfection in human form. She moved like liquid gold, every step deliberate and graceful. This wasn’t just attraction – this was complete captivation by a living. masterpiece.
Her expression shifted to pure fury.
my cred
“It’s Adrian, Felix,” I corrected, handing over card to this tiny extortionist named Maya.
“Need help finding something special?”
She’d assembled one elegant case filled with cosmetics. Seemed reasonable enough. My phone buzzed with a bank notification, and I glanced at the amount casually.
“You’re relentless.” I shook my head definitively. She sighed, rolled her eyes, but smiled. “Fine, I’ll accept a gift from a friend.” She emphasized ‘friend‘ pointedly. “But you’re not getting this dress off me tomorrow night.”
82 Chapter 62–Expensive Lessons and Twenty Minute Coffee Breaks
“How worth my while? Her eyes gleamed with opportunity.
“She’s grabbing her purse. Give me your business card – I’ll have this delivered to your office so she won’t see you with it. Even her logistics were flawless.
Now she had my attention.
“Alright, but only twenty minutes.”
“Look, I just want to ask her for coffee. Let me hang out here as cover, and I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Mind if I join you?” She hesitated.
“Felix, call me. I want to offer you a position at my company.” I handed her my card and left.
“Matthew Emmanuel! Does this stuff really cost that much?”
“You’re not shopping for makeup. You’re stalking someone in that store.” Busted. “But I could help you… or I could call security about the creep watching my friend.”
“Ooooh! That’s going to be very expensive. Her grin widened. “You’ve got it bad for Stella. If you’re serious about spending, I’ll tell you everything about her.”
“Fine. It’s Stella.”
Stella scribbled her number on two cards for the girls, then dismissed me with a warning about her boss not appreciating customers harassing employees. The dismissal stung, but her fire only made me want her more.
Adrian’s POV
“What’s the damage limit, Romeo?” Straight to the point.
Monday morning, Chloe delivered the shopping bags to my office with a stern lecture.
63 Chapter 63 Unexpected Encounters and Electric Tension
