Chris
As I stepped into the spacious office of the next property owner, a warm smile greeted me, instantly putting me at ease. The woman behind the desk exuded a sense of professionalism and genuine kindness, a stark contrast to the tension I had felt earlier with Rebecca Stone.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Jensen. I'm glad you could make it," she greeted me warmly, extending her hand for a handshake.
"Thank you for having me," I replied, returning her smile as I shook her hand firmly. "I must say, your property seems quite promising."
Her smile widened as she gestured for me to take a seat opposite her desk. "I'm glad to hear that. We pride ourselves on providing excellent facilities for businesses like yours," she said graciously.
As we delved into the details of the property, I found myself impressed by the array of amenities it offered. The heated shed for equipment storage, outdoor office space, and on-site restrooms were exactly what I needed for my growing landscaping business. The woman, whose name I learned was Mrs. Thompson, patiently explained the various rental, leasing, and buying options available, giving me the flexibility to choose what best suited my needs.
After discussing the terms and weighing my options, I thanked Mrs. Thompson for her time and expressed my intention to make a decision by the following morning. She nodded approvingly, acknowledging the importance of taking the time to consider such a significant investment.
"It's wise to give it some thought. I'll be here whenever you're ready to discuss further," she assured me with a warm smile.
I gathered her contact information and bid her farewell, feeling optimistic about the potential of securing a suitable space for my business. As I stepped out of the office, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the kindness and professionalism Mrs. Thompson had shown me—a stark contrast to the tension and manipulation I had encountered earlier.
Leaving the office, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Mrs. Thompson's professionalism and genuine demeanor had reassured me that there were still good people to do business with. I made a mental note to follow up with her first thing in the morning to finalize my decision.
As I stepped out into the fresh air, I was greeted by Mark, the driver who had been waiting for me. His friendly smile put me at ease as I climbed into the car.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Shayla. How did the meeting go?" Mark inquired, his tone polite and professional.
"It went well, thank you," I replied with a smile. "The property looks promising, and I'm considering my options."
Mark nodded, his eyes focusing on the road ahead as he navigated through the city streets. "That's good to hear. Do you have any other appointments scheduled for today?"
I shook my head, grateful for the breather after a long day of meetings. "No, that was the last one for today. I'll need some time to review everything and make a decision."
Mark nodded understandingly. "Of course, take all the time you need. Would you like me to drop you off at Chris's?"
I considered his offer for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yes, please. That sounds perfect right now."
As the car glided through the streets, I couldn't shake the feeling of relief that washed over me. Despite the challenges I had faced earlier in the day, I was grateful for the progress I had made in finding a suitable location for my business. With a sense of optimism and determination, I looked forward to the possibilities that lay ahead.
As I chopped the lettuce, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. The sound of Ethan and Shawn's laughter filled the kitchen, and for a moment, everything felt right. Cooking dinner together had become a routine for us, a way to bond and unwind after a long day.
"Hey, Chris, can I put the salsa on the table?" Ethan asked, grinning as he held up the jar.
"Sure thing, buddy," I replied, nodding towards the table. "Make sure to put it in the middle so we can all reach it."
Shawn, who had been diligently wiping down the countertops, chimed in, "I'll get the plates and utensils ready!"
With everything falling into place, I glanced over at the door and caught sight of Shayla standing there, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched us. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, and I couldn't help but return her smile.
"Hey, Shayla, you're just in time for dinner," I said, gesturing for her to join us. "We're having chicken tacos tonight."
Shayla stepped into the kitchen, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she took in the scene before her. "It smells amazing in here," she remarked, her voice soft yet filled with affection.
As she moved closer, Ethan and Shawn turned their attention towards her, their faces lighting up with excitement. "Mom! You're just in time! We made your favorite!" Shawn exclaimed, rushing over to give her a hug.
Shayla chuckled, returning Shawn's embrace before ruffling Ethan's hair affectionately. "You guys did a great job," she praised, her gaze flickering over to meet mine. "Thank you, Chris, for taking care of them."
I nodded, feeling a swell of pride at her words. "It's my pleasure," I replied, my heart swelling with warmth as I watched Shayla settle in at the table with us. Tonight, surrounded by the ones I cared about most, I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn't felt in a long time. And as we sat down to enjoy our meal together, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them as a family.
As the kids excitedly recounted their day to Shayla, I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. They described our pirate adventures in the backyard pool with such fervor, and Shayla's eyes lit up with delight as they spoke. Eventually, she ushered them off to bed, tucking them in with gentle words and kisses on their foreheads.
Once the kids were settled, I knew it was time to have a serious conversation with Shayla about the security concerns I had been harboring. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction as I broached the topic.
"Shayla, there's something important I need to tell you," I began, my voice soft yet firm. "After the incident with your trash being searched through, I decided to install a doorbell camera without your knowledge."
Shayla's eyebrows furrowed in surprise, and I could see the mixture of emotions playing across her face. "Chris, why would you do that without telling me?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration.
"I was worried about your safety, Shayla," I explained earnestly, reaching out to grasp her hand. "With everything that's been happening, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone might be targeting you because of me or that you might have a stalker."
Shayla's expression softened as she took in my words, and I could see the understanding dawning in her eyes. "I understand, Chris," she said softly, squeezing my hand in reassurance. "I haven't been very open to the idea of cameras, but I can see why you felt it was necessary."
I nodded, relieved that she wasn't angry with me for taking matters into my own hands. "Let me show you the footage," I said, pulling up the feed on my phone to demonstrate. "It's only focused on the front door, nothing invasive."
As we watched the footage together, Shayla's gaze remained fixed on the screen, her expression thoughtful. Once the feed ended, she turned to me with a determined look in her eyes. "Chris, I had an encounter with someone named Rebecca Stone today," she began, her voice tinged with urgency. "She made it clear that she's after you, and she's willing to use her influence to make things difficult for me."
My heart clenched at the mention of Rebecca's name, and I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you and the kids safe, Shayla, and don't worry about Rebecca, ill take care of her" I vowed, my voice unwavering. "I can assign Mike as your permanent bodyguard and arrange for one for the kids as well. It'll be at my expense for the time being until things settle down with your work."
Shayla's eyes softened with gratitude, and she reached out to place a hand on my arm. "Thank you, Chris," she said sincerely. "But I don't want you to address Rebecca, she will just feel like its my fault if you shut her out. It will just confirm in her mind we are dating and I'm somehow 'in her way' as she put it" Shayla rolled her eyes clearly mostly annoyed by the encounter. I nodded and she continued.
"I'm definitely going to need some serious help"