Stella's POV
This week had been incredible for business. My sales numbers were through the roof, and I was finally hitting my stride at the boutique. Maya had left to work for Adrian after he offered her a position following a successful consultation. I was thrilled for her success, but her absence left me feeling oddly alone in the store.
Adrian had become a constant presence at the mall. Every single day during my lunch break, he appeared like clockwork, whisking me away for coffee dates that left my heart racing. He kept pleading for my phone number with an almost desperate charm, and I found myself enjoying the power I held over him. The irony wasn't lost on me that his own nephew had my contact information while he remained completely shut out.
