The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Adrian's POV

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.

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.

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.

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.

When I asked for her business card, she handed me the store's generic contact. Not even a flicker of interest. Challenge accepted, sweetheart.

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.

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.

Monday morning, Chloe delivered the shopping bags to my office with a stern lecture.

"Boss, don't mess with Stella. She's genuinely good people."

"Oh, she's absolutely good, Chloe." I couldn't hide my grin.

"Don't be disgusting, West!" She scolded me like a disapproving mother.

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 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.

I ducked into the cosmetics store opposite hers, trying to look casual. A petite girl with metal braces immediately approached.

"Need help finding something special?"

I glanced around, realizing how creepy I must look lurking here. We stood before an elaborate lipstick display, and I scrambled for believability.

"Shopping for my sister. She's obsessed with makeup, but I'm completely clueless." I flashed what I hoped was a charming smile.

The girl's metallic grin told me she wasn't buying it.

"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."

This kid was sharp. And ruthless.

"Look, I just want to ask her for coffee. Let me hang out here as cover, and I'll make it worth your while."

"How worth my while?" Her eyes gleamed with opportunity.

"Pick something out. I'll buy it."

"What's your budget for this 'sister's gift'?" She was already calculating.

"I have no idea what this stuff costs."

"Depends which girl you're planning to bother." This teenager was a born negotiator.

"What difference does that make?"

"Well, depending on which one, your 'sister's gift' gets more expensive."

Damn. This little shark was about to fleece me.

"Fine. It's Stella."

"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."

Now she had my attention.

"What's the damage limit, Romeo?" Straight to the point.

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.

"Are you buying out the entire store?" She shook her head. "Then start talking while you shop."

"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.

"Time to pay up, Romeo."

"It's Adrian, Felix," I corrected, handing over my credit card to this tiny extortionist named Maya.

"I'm still calling you Romeo." She processed the payment with a satisfied smile. "Thanks for making my monthly quota."

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.

"Felix, I think you made a mistake with the total."

"Let me check." She compared receipts with angelic innocence. "Nope, Romeo. Exactly right."

Nearly thirty thousand dollars. For makeup.

"Matthew Emmanuel! Does this stuff really cost that much?"

"Language, Romeo." She tsked 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."

This barely-eighteen-year-old had just schooled me in both business and romance. I didn't know whether to be impressed or horrified.

"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.

"Felix, call me. I want to offer you a position at my company." I handed her my card and left.

I timed my exit perfectly, pretending to check my phone while walking directly into Stella's path.

"Sorry! Wasn't watching where I was going." My most disarming smile.

"No problem. Here visiting your nephew again?"

"Buying him a video game his mother refuses to get."

"Ah, the spoiling uncle." Her smile was radiant.

"Something like that. Coffee break?"

"Just a quick one."

"Mind if I join you?" She hesitated.

"Alright, but only twenty minutes."

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.

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.

Friday, I insisted on driving her home. She accepted. Before she could escape my car, I caught her hand.

"So Stella, about tomorrow night..."

"I only agreed because the girls invited me. We're becoming friends." Her tone was firm.

"Aren't we becoming friends too?" I asked innocently.

"Yes, we are." Her smile softened everything.

"Then as your friend, I want to give you something." I retrieved the bags from my backseat, placing them in her lap.

Her expression shifted to pure fury.

"I'm not accepting this, Adrian. I know exactly what game you're playing."

"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."

"Adrian, I can't."

"Why not?" I didn't let her answer. "Accept it, Stella. Wear it tomorrow. Please. You three will look absolutely stunning." I deployed my most persuasive expression.

"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."

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:

"Picking you up at eight tomorrow." I drove off before she could protest, catching her amused headshake in my rearview mirror.