Hunter had never encountered anyone quite like her— so audacious, so unapologetically bold. He had been both intrigued and repelled, fascinated by her brazen approach to life.
The next time he had encountered her had been six months later, after their initial encounter in the restaurant.
He had decided to visit an orphanage home that his family's foundation supported. It was a routine check to ensure everything was running smoothly and to see if there were any additional needs the foundation could assist with.
As he drove through the gates of the orphanage, he noticed a familiar figure getting into a sleek black car. Her back was to him, but he recognized the confident stride, the perfectly styled hair, and the designer clothes.
His suspicion was confirmed when she turned to wave at some of the kids who had come out to see her off.
What was someone like her doing at an orphanage? His curiosity was piqued, and he was determined to find out more.
Hunter made his way inside and was greeted by Mrs. Jenkins, the kind-hearted woman who ran the orphanage. She was in her late fifties, with a warm smile and a nurturing presence that the children adored.
"Mr. Quinn, it's so good to see you," Mrs. Jenkins said, shaking his hand.
"It's good to see you too, Mrs. Jenkins," Hunter replied. "I have a few questions, if you don't mind."
"Of course, anything you need," she said, guiding him to her office.
As they walked, Hunter couldn't help but glance back at the entrance, where Delilah had just been. Once they were seated in Mrs. Jenkins' modest office, he got straight to the point.
"I saw a woman leaving as I arrived," he began. "Can you tell me who she was?"
Mrs. Jenkins smiled knowingly. "Ah, that would be Delilah Sterling. She's one of our most dedicated sponsors."
Hunter raised an eyebrow. "Delilah Sterling? She donates to the orphanage?"
"Oh, yes," Mrs. Jenkins said, her eyes lighting up with gratitude. "Delilah has been supporting us for a couple of years now. She makes generous donations every month and visits often to spend time with the children."
Hunter was taken aback. This was a side of Delilah he hadn't expected. The woman he had seen begging and scheming in the restaurant was also a benefactor to an orphanage? It didn't add up, but it intrigued him even more.
"What kind of donations does she make?" he asked, trying to keep the surprise out of his voice.
"She's helped us with everything from school supplies to medical expenses," Mrs. Jenkins explained. "Just last month, she funded the renovation of our playground. The children absolutely adore her."
Hunter nodded, absorbing the information. "That's impressive."
"Yeah. Delilah is a remarkable woman," Mrs. Jenkins said.
Hunter left the orphanage that day with a newfound respect for Delilah. Her actions didn't fit the image he had of her from their first meeting.
That night, Hunter couldn't stop thinking about Delilah. He replayed the scene at the restaurant and contrasted it with what he had learned at the orphanage.
The two sides of her didn't seem to match. On one hand, she was a gold digger who had shamelessly manipulated a wealthy woman for money. On the other, she was a generous benefactor who cared deeply for orphaned children.
Hunter decided he needed to know more about her. His curiosity was not just about exposing a gold digger; it was about understanding a complex, multifaceted woman who defied easy categorization. Delilah was a puzzle, and Hunter was determined to solve her.
Over the next few months, Hunter got Fred to hire an investigator to look into Delilah and keep tabs on her activities.
The investigator discreetly followed her, learned about her routines, and gathered information.
Hunter discovered that she was involved in several charitable endeavors, not just the orphanage. She volunteered at nursing homes and soup kitchens, organized fundraising events, and even sponsored scholarships for underprivileged students.
The more he learned, the more Hunter's initial perception of Delilah began to shift. She was still a mystery, but one that intrigued him deeply. Her contradictions made her fascinating, and he found himself increasingly drawn to her.
One morning, six months ago, while reviewing some of the information he had gathered, Damon walked into his office and sighed when he saw photos of Delilah on the desk.
"Still obsessed with your mystery woman, I see," he said, dropping into a chair.
Hunter looked up. "You wouldn't believe the things I've found out about her, Damon. She's not just a gold digger. She's so much more than that."
Damon raised an eyebrow. "Really? Like what?"
Hunter leaned back, his eyes distant as he recounted what he had discovered. "She's deeply involved in charity work. She's been supporting an orphanage, volunteering at soup kitchens, and funding scholarships. There's a side to her that's incredibly kind and generous."
Damon listened, his skepticism gradually turning into curiosity. "Really?"
Before Hunter could respond, Fred walked into his office. "I have news from the investigator," Fred announced.
"Go on," Hunter said, eager to learn even more about her.
Fred's lips twitched as though he was struggling not to laugh. "It appears Ms Sterling has taken an interest in you, and you're her next target," Fred announced.
"Huh?" Hunter asked in disbelief and Damon burst into a peal of laughter, leaving Fred no choice but to join in the laughter.
"I'm sorry, sir," Fred apologized as he tried to compose himself.
Hunter and Damon listened as Fred told them all he had heard from the investigator and when he was done, Damon raised a brow.
"So, what's your plan now? Are you going to confront her about it?"
Hunter shook his head. "No. I am trying to understand her better. I want to know why she does that. I need to see who she really is, beyond the façade. And to do that, I need to get closer to her."
Damon smirked. "Sounds like you're more than a little intrigued, my friend."
Hunter didn't deny it. Delilah had become more than just a target; she was a challenge, a puzzle that he was determined to solve. And the more he learned about her, the more he realized that the woman behind the mask was someone worth knowing.
"How do you plan to get close to her?" Damon asked, and Hunter smiled as an idea began to form in his head.
"I'm going to marry her," Hunter said with a smirk.
And just like that, the plan to get close to Delilah was hatched.