chapter6.
Stella got to city hall early and was finishing her breakfast when Jennifer surprised her.
“Ms. Wallace, you’re here too?”
“I couldn’t miss such a big day.”
Jennifer smiled, handing Stella a check from her purse.
“Stella, you have to take care of Nathaniel from now on. This is what I can do for you.”
Stella’s eyes bulged at the check’s amount – half a million dollars.
“This is too much. I can’t…”
Jennifer cut her off with a warm smile.
“You’re worth it.”
“I’m worth it…” Stella echoed, wide–eyed.
Recently, she’d been haunted by the impending reality of being an orphan – unloved, unprotected. Her boyfriend of three years seemed to care more about her house, and her caregiver was mean to her because she had no parents to protect her.
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Stella felt like the world was about to abandon her. But right now, she felt a warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time.
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Stella’s eyes welled up after a long struggle. Words jammed in her throat.
“Ms. Wallace, thank you.”
“Poor thing. I can tell you’re in a bind, but too proud to ask for help, right? Listen, we’re about to be family, no need for false bravado. Just accept it.”
Jennifer said and stroked Stella’s hair gently.
Stella was moved. Those who truly cared feared they weren’t giving enough, while those who didn’t, like Jack and his family, only took.
Jennifer leaned in, scrutinizing Stella.
“Today’s your license day and you’ve skipped makeup?”
“Should I have worn some?”
Jennifer flashed a warm smile, “You careless girl. It’s a big day, spruce up for a fresh start. Luckily I brought my makeup kit. Let’s do a natural but great look.”
Stella let Jennifer work her magic.
Minutes later, Jennifer gazed at Stella, pleased.
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“Stella, you’re a stunner, why don’t you glam up daily?”
“Ms. Wallace, you don’t have to sugarcoat it.”
Stella assumed Jennifer was just being kind, she never saw herself as beautiful.
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In college, she’d been complimented on her looks. But dating Jack changed that. He’d criticized her makeup skills and work took her time. So, Stella rarely wore makeup.
“I really mean it. You…” Just as Jennifer was about to say something, a black Volkswagen stopped and interrupted her.
Stella was attracted by the figure exiting the car. It was Nathaniel.
He wore a black shirt and trousers with a slightly open neckline, looking relaxed and casual. As Nathaniel walked up the steps with his hands in his pockets, a gentle breeze came, his hair flowing and his deep and handsome face shining in the morning
sun.
Maybe she stared at him for too long, so Nathaniel turned to look at her, stunned slightly.
Stella was startled and immediately lowered her head. But she felt her move was too obvious, so she unnaturally tidied her messy, long hair.
Nathaniel’s eyes were fixed on Stella’s face. He doubted whether this was the woman he met yesterday.
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4/13 Stella’s skin was flawless, dotted only with a sprinkle of freckles. Her makeup was minimal, giving her a rosy, sun–kissed glow. Coupled with her gorgeous long hair, she looked breathtakingly beautiful – a stark contrast to her pallid look the day before.
Nathaniel came closer and then glanced at the check for 500,000 dollars in Stella’s hand, and his eyes suddenly turned cold.
He didn’t expect her to ask for money so soon.
Stella was pushed by Jennifer and stepped forward to say hello.
“Mr…”
“I have to return to the company for a meeting. Hurry up,” Nathaniel said and walked straight into the hall.
Stella was a bit embarrassed.
It seemed that Nathaniel really didn’t like her, so he treated her so indifferently. But for Jennifer, she just followed Nathaniel in without saying anything.
There weren’t many people in the City Hall today, and the whole process was over in about 20 minutes.
Stella took the marriage license, read the names, and went blank for a few seconds before believing she was married.
Jennifer looked at them happily, then leaned in to check their
TP
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“You two are quite the pair. I have an eye for this stuff.” Jennifer winked, pulling out a key and presenting it to Stella. “This opens Nathaniel’s place. Move in today, and start building that love nest. I want grandbabies, you know.‘
“Ms. Wallace!” Stella spluttered, too mortified to glance. Nathaniel’s way.
“Just Jennifer, dear,” she smiled.
“Jennifer… Enough, please,” Stella pleaded, flushing with embarrassment.
“Okay, okay. No baby pressure. But you’re married now, shouldn’t be living apart, right Stella?”
Jennifer looked at Stella expectantly and almost wanted to beg her to agree to live with Nathaniel.
Stella couldn’t refuse since Jennifer was so nice to her.
Moreover, she had obtained the marriage license, so the
separation was indeed unjustifiable, and Stella couldn’t just take money without fulfilling her duties.
She decided to listen to Jennifer first.
“Okay. I’ll move there today.”
With that, Stella felt a cold gaze from Nathaniel. She looked
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She thought he shouldn’t glare at her. If he didn’t want her to move into his apartment, he should tell Jennifer himself.
Nathaniel was slightly surprised. Few people dared to look at him like that. Stella was surprisingly bold.
But why was she so eager to move in with him?
Nathaniel squinted, turning away, “I’m heading back to work.”
Jennifer snagged his arm, annoyed, “Will the company crash without you?”
“Absolutely,” Nathaniel gave a curt nod.
Jennifer huffed, thinking she was the family’s backbone. She then shoved Stella towards Nathaniel.
Stella collided with Nathaniel, his tobacco scent enveloping her. She stumbled back in fright and slipped, but Nathaniel caught her, pulling her close again.
Jennifer snapped pictures, grinning fondly.
“Such a pity. A kiss would be better. How about…”
“Mom.”
Nathaniel cut off Jennifer’s babbling and adjusted Stella. His fingers naturally curled around her slim waist.
- al.
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Stella, blushing, sidestepped, thankful for Nathaniel’s intervention. Even though he didn’t fancy her, he didn’t just let her stumble. The thought of falling in front of everyone mortified her.
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Jennifer watched them and grinned, “Time for a hubby to drop his wife at work, huh?”
A hubby and his wife?
Nathaniel and Stella exchanged weird glances.
Stella quickly declined, “N–No need, I work nearby. I can walk.”
With that, she darted off.
Nathaniel watched her leave, feeling she was playing tricks. He then turned to Jennifer, “Mom, I’ll get the driver to take you
home.”
“Nope, I’m off shopping. You just go back to work. And. remember, don’t you dare bully Stella.”
With a warning, Jennifer slipped on her sunglasses and went off, breezily. Nathaniel then hopped into his car and left.
***
Stella punched in on time. As she sat down, her coworker and buddy, Christina Walker, came over.
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“Hey Stella, I heard our company’s changing things up.”
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Before Stella could inquire further, a meeting alert pinged their emails.
[Conference Room. Meeting at nine.]
With only three minutes to spare, they hurriedly grabbed their notebooks and scurried off.
Stella was an event planner at Woya, a famous ad firm in Cutas. They also did all sorts of successful events, from business to celebrity gigs.
Stella had just settled in the meeting room when Director Harley Barnes walked in, looking serious.
“Two announcements,” he started, prompting everyone to ready their notebooks for fear of missing any details.
“First, the boss wants us to plan a launch party for a new company. But the owner, a rich entrepreneur back from abroad, is picky – he’s already turned down five other companies.
“Second, the boss will choose a deputy director for the planning department between Stella and Sandra, based on who secures this project.”
Stella lit up at the news. If she got promoted, then she would not have to worry about Diane’s medical expenses!
“What’s the company’s name, Mr. Barnes? I’ll reach out,” she
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immediately asked.
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“Hold on!” chimed in Sandra Fisher, Stella’s work rival.
Sandra, a young, pretty returnee with a company–owning uncle, turned heads when she joined the planning department.
However, Stella, a regular employee, was often the target of Sandra’s mockery.
“Sandra, any issues?” Harley asked, confused.
“Mr. Barnes, I’m fine, but Stella… her mom’s sick, and she’s been off a lot. Can she handle it all? If she messes up, it’s unfair on the rest of us and bad for the company,” Sandra smirked, resting her chin lightly in her hand.
Sandra sounded victorious already.
Before, Stella didn’t bother playing games with Sandra, but she couldn’t miss this promotion.
Looking up from her notebook, she firmly told Harley, “I won’t let personal issues affect my work.”
Harley tapped on the table.
“Both of you, give me a plan in a week.”
“Okay,” Stella agreed.
“Fine,” Sandra grumbled, seeing Harley wasn’t budging.
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Then, Harley quickly reviewed last week’s work and ended the meeting.
Standing up, he pointed at Stella and Sandra.
“Follow me for some info from that company.”
“Okay.”
They nodded and followed Harley into the office.
Taking the document, Stella glanced at it briefly.
“Dalla Technology Group? Sounds familiar,” she thought.
She kept reading, expecting a long list of demands, but found only a simple one: a launch party fitting our company’s ethos.
A seemingly simple task, but tricky to execute.
“How is it?” Harley asked, settling into his chair.
Sandra, spotting the name “Dalla Technology Group“, smiled confidently.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Barnes. I won’t let you down,” she said.
“Good,” Harley approved, and then looked at Stella. “Your thoughts?”
“I’m clueless,” Stella admitted, lips tight. She couldn’t even
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grasp Dalla Tech’s demands, let alone commit.
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Harley frowned without blaming and continued, “Opportunity like this is scarce. Miss it, you’ll wait a while.”
He was hinting at an uncertain future promotion.
Suddenly, the office tension rose. Sandra even shot Stella a covert eye–roll.
“Back to work,” Harley dismissed.
“Alright.”
Then, Stella and Sandra stood up and exited the office.
Stella was anxious about a plan, but Sandra blocked her way.
“Stella, I won’t back down. Now that your mom’s sick, you don’t need to compete with me. I’ll look after you when I’m deputy director,” Sandra said, flipping her hair.
Stella was used to Sandra’s sarcasm, so these words couldn’t
hurt her at all.
“Thanks, but seems like you’ve always been ‘generous‘ to me. No need to now. Let’s let our skills do the talking,” Stella replied with a polite smile.
Hearing that, Sandra froze, her icy glare piercing through her perfect makeup.
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How dare Stella mock her inability to compete!
This was what Sandra hated about Stella!
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Sandra excelled in appearance, background, and all, yet Stella, a mere college grad, was the client’s darling, landing deal after deal!
So, the whispers comparing her to Stella infuriated her!
This time, she would beat Stella!
“Give it your all, so you can’t whine about being picked on,” she smirked.
With a swish of her hips, Sandra walked off.
Stella watched Sandra’s confident stride, puzzled.
“Does Sandra have a plan already?” she wondered.
Unwilling to let Sandra get to her, Stella went back to her desk and sifted through her files.
Seeing Dalla Technology Group, a thought struck her. Then, she pulled out a business card from her bag.
[Nathaniel Beaumont, 30, a programmer at Dalla Technology Group.]
That’s why the name sounded familiar! Nathaniel worked there! Maybe she could ask him about their company’s info and
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