Anonymous gift

"Hey Lucas, I have good news and bad news. But don’t worry, I can handle the bad news," Wale said, holding his phone to his ear. It was evening, and he was in his hotel room. This was the city where he was meant to have a business meeting with Omega Corporation. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he stamped his right foot against the floor.

"Alright, let’s hear the good news first," Lucas replied.

"I’ve found Maya."

"Maya? Your ex-wife? Or the lady from the hotel?"

"Mrs Maya, my one and only, has been found."

"That’s fantastic! And the bad news?"

"She’s engaged to Mr Grayson, the son of Mr Jackson, the founder of Omega Corporation. But I’m on a mission to break them up."

"How did you find out?" Lucas asked.

"Come over here. You’ll be negotiating for me. I can’t just use my power recklessly, there needs to be room for negotiation. If Grayson doesn't accept my negotiation, then I will know what to do. I want you here by tomorrow morning."

"I’ll do whatever it takes to bring back the woman you love. By the way, what were you going to tell me last night? I asked about the lady at the hotel, but you said you were disappointed."

"I don’t have the patience to explain it over the phone. Come tomorrow, and I’ll tell you everything. But I suspect my half-brothers were involved."

"How so?" Lucas pressed. Before Wale could reply, there was a knock at the door.

"Asher’s back. I’ll tell you tomorrow or better yet, come tonight." He ended the call and turned to face the door as it opened.

"Asher, welcome," he said, standing to shake the man’s hand. "How did it go?"

"Boss, I’ve located her house. It seems she lives alone."

"My Maya lives alone?" Wale asked sharply.

"Yes, sir."

"How do you know that?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"We traced Mr Grayson to his house. They don’t live together," Asher replied.

Wale began pacing his suite, deep in thought. He stopped by the window, then turned back to Asher.

"What time is it?" he asked, even though he was wearing a watch. His mind was too scattered to focus. All he could think about was Maya.

"4:55 pm, sir."

"What does Maya love the most?" Wale asked, staring intently at Asher. The man hesitated, visibly uneasy, before replying slowly.

"I don’t know, sir. But most women love beautiful things."

Wale sighed. He shouldn’t have to ask such questions if he’d been closer to her when they were together.

"Take me to the most expensive diamond shop. I want to get her a gift."

"Boss, does that mean you’re planning to see her tomorrow?"

"No, today. I’ll see her today," Wale said firmly, raising his voice. "Let’s go." He grabbed his coat and headed for the door. They hurried downstairs and left the hotel.

At the diamond shop, Wale approached the manager.

"I want the most expensive jewellery you have," he said. "It’s for the woman I love."

"Of course, sir. Would you like to take a look first?" the manager asked politely.

"No, just bring me your finest diamond necklace," Wale insisted.

The manager disappeared briefly and returned with a dazzling diamond necklace.

"Pack it in a gift box," Wale ordered. Turning to Asher, he added, "What are you waiting for? Hand him the credit card."

After the payment was completed, they left the shop. The necklace had cost ten million dollars, and Wale had also purchased a pair of diamond earrings. As the car sped towards Maya’s house, he wrestled with how best to approach her. Words had never been his strength, but all he wanted now was to win Maya back.

They arrived at her house around 6:30 pm, as the day turned to dusk. Wale held the gift box tightly in his hand, considering his next move.

"Asher, how can I give Maya this gift without her rejecting it?" he asked.

"Let me do it," Asher offered.

"How?" Wale asked, curious.

"I’ll leave it on her doorstep with a short note saying, ‘I love you.’ We can come back tomorrow morning."

"Hmm, good idea. But just those three words might not be enough. Shouldn’t I express my feelings more clearly?"

"It’s better if she doesn’t know it’s from you right away," Asher suggested.

"Another brilliant idea," Wale agreed. He spent ten minutes writing a heartfelt note, pouring his emotions onto the page. He then placed the note inside the box and wrote "I love you" on the outside. Handing the box to Asher, he said, "Go on, and be quick."

Wale watched from the car as Asher walked to the front door and disappeared from view. Minutes later, Asher returned, looking calm.

"How did it go?" Wale asked eagerly as Asher climbed into the car.

"Perfectly. I knocked on the door, and she responded almost immediately. I left the box on the doorstep and walked away. She must have opened it by now."

Wale leaned back in his seat, a small smile playing on his lips. For the first time in years, he felt a spark of hope. tomorrow, he thought, would bring him closer to Maya.

**************

Maya’s pov

“Who is knocking on my door at this time?” I muttered, irritated. Hearing the knock again, I called out, “Who is that?”

I wasn’t expecting anyone. Could it be Hazel? If she had come to her senses, I still needed to be cautious around her.

I stood up and went to the door. To my surprise, no one was there.

“Who was knocking?” I murmured, stepping outside to check the compound. As I peered around, my foot bumped into something.

“What’s this?” I exclaimed. A box lay at my feet, beautifully wrapped and undeniably elegant. Intrigued, I picked it up and brought it inside.

Excitement surged through me as I opened it. Inside was a dazzling diamond necklace with matching earrings. I gasped in admiration. Then I noticed a note tucked neatly in the box.

The words on the note caught my attention immediately:

“From Anonymous.”

“Who is this?” I whispered. “If it were Mr. Grayson, he would’ve signed his name. And Wale? No, he doesn’t even know where I live. Could it be…?” My thoughts trailed off.

The jewellery was exquisite. I couldn’t resist trying it on. Standing in front of the mirror, I fastened the necklace around my neck, the diamond pendant resting perfectly on my chest.

“So beautiful,” I murmured, admiring my reflection. A heart-shaped pendant, glittering like starlight.

But my joy was short-lived. As I returned to the living room, I noticed more writing on the other side of the note. Curiosity got the better of me, and I picked it up.

“Hi, beauty. I hope by now the necklace is already on your neck… It’s one thing to love, but another to find the right person. Love me back as anonymous for now.”

“Anonymous?” I muttered, frowning. “This isn’t Grayson.”

Just then, my phone rang. It was Grayson.

I rolled my eyes and hissed under my breath, reaching to remove the necklace. “He’s the one,” I muttered.

Answering the call, I said sharply, “I saw your gift, but I’m not interested.”

“What gift?” he asked, confusion evident in his voice. “I didn’t send you anything. What are you talking about?”

“Oh,” I said, feeling slightly awkward. “Never mind. I thought it was from you. Maybe it’s from a friend.”

“Hmm… okay. I actually called to ask how your tomorrow looks.”

“Grayson, I’m still shocked by your confession. Leave me alone. I haven’t forgiven you for deceiving me.”

“Your ex-husband will come after you soon. Why can’t we be together? I’ll do anything for you. You’re my wife, remember, you signed a one-year contract marriage with me.”

“With Hudson. Take note.”

“I am Hudson.”

“The Hudson I know is in a coma,” I said coldly, my anger rising.

He hesitated before speaking. “I’m sorry I deceived you. You’re so beautiful, I couldn’t resist. And the way you touched me… I’ve never felt anything like it before.”

“Say one more word about that, and I’ll hang up,” I snapped. “Are you not ashamed of yourself? I still can’t believe those moments happened. Don’t remind me. I’m not in love with you.”

“But I love you,” he said softly. “You’re already caring for my daughter. What’s left is to care for us, for this relationship.”

“You know what?” I cut in.

“What?”

“End this call. I’m done listening to your so-called love.”

“Will I see you tomorrow?”

“No. Good night,” I said firmly, hanging up.

I leaned back, disgusted. I still couldn’t believe I’d used my hands to touch Grayson like that. What was I thinking?

The next day, I resolved to stay home. I slipped into a light gown with a bra, deciding to let the day pass quietly.

Suddenly, there was another knock at the door.

“Grayson again!” I groaned, storming toward the door. My irritation was high as I prepared to tell him off. But when I opened the door, the words froze in my throat.

It wasn’t Grayson. It was someone I never wanted to see again and his eyes were on my nipples against my light gown.