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Chapter 24
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In the CEO’s office at Evercrest Group, Shawn was sitting pretty his fancy desk, typing away on his computer. Suddenly, his assistant, Eric Lewis, knocked and walked in.
“Mr. Guzman, Mr. Merritt from Radiance Jewelers sent over the ring and necklace.” Eric gave him two boxes all tied up with
nbbons.
Just put them on the desk.” Shawn said.
But Eric didn’t leave right away. Shawn looked up and asked, “What’s up?”
Eric took a moment, then pulled out a brown envelope from his pocket. “The receptionist gave this to me. She said a lady left it for you yesterday. She saw you were out with Ms. Grant and didn’t get a chance to give it to you.”
Eric wasn’t sure if he should take it in the first place. He knew lots of people tried to get Shawn’s attention by leaving stuff at the front desk.
“Give it here,” Shawn said. When he heard it was from a lady, he couldn’t help but think of Natalie. Even though he knew she wouldn’t came back, he secretly hoped she would show up one day.
Eric passed the envelope to Shawn, who ripped it open quickly as a flash. And there it was, a bunch of bills–30 thousand dollars–spilling out onto the desk.
“Who just hands over cash like that? And only 30 thousand dollars?” Eric said, his eyes popping out of his head. To Shawn, that was just enough to grab a fancy meal. But seeing Shawn staring at the money like it was a ghost, Eric g there was a story behind it.
got the feeling
Shawn was rooted to the spot, his gaze locked onto the money, that instant, he was convinced it was from Natalie. Memories flooded back to him, of how after their breakup, she had only withdrawn 30 thousand dollars from his account, leaving the rest untouched. She’d made it clear she didn’t want more. ‘Is this her way of returning the money? Does this signal that she’s completely moved on? Shawn pondered.
His heart started pounding like crazy as he wrestled with those thoughts. He swung his head towards Eric, his tone laced with anxiety. “Find out where the person who left this cash is staying. Get on it, and hit me up the minute you get any info.”
Eric had never seen his boss so worked up, so eager to find someone. “You got it, Mr. Guzman. I’m on it,” he said before he dashed out of the room.
As soon as Eric was out of sight, Shawn slumped back in his chair his eyes fixed on the stack of bills on his desk. He hands on his head, his forehead all wrinkled up as he thought hard
put his
The moment he glimpsed the contents of that envelope, Shawn’s only thought was to locate Natalie, to discover her address so he could rush right over to her.
Yet, with the room now empty and just him and his thoughts, a sense of calm began to seep in. Even if he managed to track down her place, what then? Their marriage had ended in divorce, severing the ties that once–bound them. She could be well on her way to a fresh start, and perhaps, he reasoned, it was for the best to just let things lie as they were.
Eric was really good at his job. As soon as he started looking into it, he discovered that the person who had left the money was Shawn’s ex–wife, Natalie. And super fast, he tracked down that she was staying at Platinum Apartments.
Even though they never had a big, fancy wedding, their marriage wasn’t exactly a secret. Everyone close to Shawn was aware that Natalie was Mrs. Guzman.
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But through the years, there was always Tracy sticking by Shawn side. Some people even mumbled that Shawn and Natalie’s marriage was kind of like a setup by Henry, and that Stwn’s heart was really with Tracy. As soon as Tracy rolled back into town, Shawn and Natalie went their separate ways so lie could be with Tracy
But seeing how Shawn was acting earlier, Eric got the feeling there was more to the story than what everyone knew. Still, he figured it was best to keep his boss’s personal drama on the hush hush and just stick to the tasks at hand.
He gave Shawn a ring to spill the beans. “Mr. Guzman, I’ve got news. It’s… it’s Ms. Wilson. She’s crashing at a friend’s place at Platinum Apartments-
“Got it: just hit me with the address, Shawn interrupted, not letting him finish. But then a thought hit him. Why send the address when I could have Eric take it to her in person? 1le still unted to pass on that card from their divorce; it was only fair for her to have it.
“Forget the address. Just help me get her the card later, Shawn anded.
“Got it.” Eric said, but he was a bit confused. Just a little while ago, Shawn was all hot and bothered to find out where Natalie was, and Eric figured he’d be sprinting over there as soon as he got the address. Now, it looked like Shawn had a change of heart, wanting Eric to be the one to take the card to her.
There was something Eric hadn’t had the chance to tell Shawn yet. He’d found out that Natalie wasn’t by herself; she was living with two kids who, from what he could tell, were probably hers.
Could it be that after the divorce, Ms. Wilson got married again and had a family? Did Mr. Guzman already know about this, and that’s why he thought it wasn’t right for him to go see her in person? Eric pondered.
After ending the call with Eric, Shawn pulled open the top drawer on his left. There it was, a bank card–exactly the one Natalie had left in his study way back four years ago.
He gazed at it for a beat, then put the ring box from his desk next to the card in the drawer and closed it. He went back to his tasks, but not long after, Tracy got in touch.
“Shawn, I didn’t want to bug you ‘cause I know you’re swamped, but I’m feeling kinda uncomfortable. Do you think I should head to the hospital?” she said.
“How are you feeling now?” Shawn asked. “I’m coming to get you, and I’ll take you to the hospital. Just hang out in bed for a bit, and I’ll be right over.”
“Okay, don’t speed. Your work is important. I had some water and I’m feeling a little better just lying down
“It’s cool. Work can wait. I’m out the door now,” Shawn said, grabbing the necklace box that Eric had brought in earlier that day and making his way out of his office.
“Okay, I’ll be waiting, Tracy said, ending the call. She felt a little thrill of excitement.
She was aware that after the auction, Radiance Jewelers would be sending the items to Evercrest Group for Shawn. As the afternoon wore on and he hadn’t called, her eagerness just grew. She was dying to try on that pink diamond ring, so she
with a little story to get Shawn to come over. If it was for her, he’d surely bring it along.
came up
Shawn showed up at Tracy’s place, driving himself, and when she answered the door in her PJs, she beamed. “Shawn.”
“How are you feeling? Let’s get you dressed, and I can take you to the hospital,” he said.
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Tim feeling a lot better now. I really don’t want to go to the hospital, Tracy confessed. She didn’t have any serious problems; she just wanted Shawn to come over.
“Come on, be sensible. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you’ll be on the mend, Shawn gently persuaded.
“Shawn, I really don’t want to go. Just stay here with me for a bit Tracy said, pouting and playfully tugging at his arm in a
cute way
“Alright, but you should at least rest in bed. Have you eaten anything?” he asked.
“Not yet. I’m not very hungry,” she replied, went back to her bed and lay down as Shawn had suggested.
I’ll whip you up some risotto. You can’t just skip meals,” Shawn aid, heading towards the kitchen. After a bit, he came back into the room, pulling a gift box from his pocket. “This is for you
Tracy’s heart started pounding with excitement as she took the present. She ripped it open right away, but her smile slipped a little. It was the necklace, not the ring she’d been hoping for.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you like the pink necklace from the auction?” Shawn asked.
“I love it. Thank you. Shawn, Tracy quickly said, putting on a smile as she leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek. “Shawn. could you help me put it on?”
Shawn took the necklace out of the box and clasped it around her neck.
Does it suit me?” Tracy asked.
“Sure does. He nodded.
“Shawn, will you stay with me tonight?” Tracy’s voice got softer, full of hope.
“Charles just hit me up. He’s chilling at the bar and wants me to swing by. Plus, I gotta catch up with Aaron about something. You’ll be cool hanging out here by yourself while I’m gone, right? Just make sure to eat some of that risotto later,” Shawn
“Okay…“. Tracy responded, doing her best to mask her disappointment. But since she knew Shawn had things to do with Aaron, she didn’t push him to stick around.
Shawn got to his feet, gearing up to head out. As he made his way to Starlight Bar, he was aware that he was indeed planning to hit the bar, but the part about meeting up with Aaron was just gentle letdown for Tracy.
