MY IDEAL MARRIAGE

Chapter Four: The Investigation

The weekend was finally over. Monday morning brought the usual rush of employees into Xandor Group, but Bella was already seated in the interview room, reviewing the last few application files.

The Human Resources department had shortlisted several candidates for the company’s new recruitment exercise, and as the newly promoted Operations Director, Bella insisted on personally interviewing the final applicants. She believed that a company's greatest asset wasn’t its technology or profits. It was its people.

“Next applicant,” she called.

The door opened, and a tall, lean young man walked in, dressed in a neatly pressed navy-blue suit.

“Good morning, ma’am.”

“Good morning,” Bella replied with a polite smile. “Please, have a seat.”

The interview began. Leo answered every question calmly and confidently. His knowledge of business operations, logistics, and inventory management impressed Bella, and she couldn’t help but glance at his résumé once more. His qualifications were excellent.

After nearly twenty minutes, Bella closed the file. “That’ll be all, Mr. Leo. Thank you for your time.”

Leo stood up but hesitated before reaching the door.

“Ma’am…”

Bella looked up. “Yes?”

“Do you think I’ll get the job?”

Bella smiled gently. “If your qualifications meet our requirements, I don’t see why not.”

Leo lowered his head. “I really need this job. My previous company hasn’t paid us for six months. My mother is sick, and I need to take care of her.”

Bella’s expression softened. She nodded reassuringly. “I’m sorry to hear that. We’ll contact you once the interview process is complete.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Leo bowed slightly before leaving the room.

The moment the office door closed behind him, the respectful smile on Leo’s face disappeared. He walked straight to the parking lot, took out his phone, and dialed a familiar number.

The call connected almost immediately.

“Boss.”

A calm voice answered. “Report.”

“I’ve met Miss Bella Xandor.”

There was a brief silence.

“And?”

“I did my findings. The rumors about her were wrong.”

Ethan remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

“She’s hardworking, professional, and she treats everyone with respect. She genuinely cares about the people working under her. I’ve interviewed enough managers to know when someone is pretending. She wasn’t. If anything, she’s the kind of leader people would willingly follow.”

Another moment of silence followed.

“So,” Ethan finally said, “what’s your conclusion?”

Leo glanced back at the towering Xandor Group building. “If the company reflects the woman managing it, I’d say they’re worth investigating further.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair. “Good. Keep your identity a secret. I don’t want anyone knowing you’re working for me.”

“Understood, Boss.”

The call ended.

A smile crept across Leo’s face as he looked at the building behind him. “Interesting. We will just have to find out if this is worth the shot,” he said.

***

It was past three in the afternoon when Bella was ready to leave work for the day, but it was raining heavily outside.

“Not again,” she muttered.

She could feel the cramps in her stomach. It was just the start of the week, and now this. She needed to get some personal items from the store, and the bloating in her abdomen was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. She also needed to get something to eat.

Soon, Bella packed up her things and left for the store.

A few minutes later, they arrived at Bliss Mega, one of the biggest shopping malls in the city, owned by a group of foreign investors. It was still raining when they arrived.

Her driver stepped out first, opened the door, and held an umbrella over her.

“Thank you,” Bella said. “Just park somewhere. I might take some time inside the store.”

She glanced at him before adding, “Also, would you like me to get you anything? It’s quite cold.”

“No, ma’am,” her driver replied.

Bella noticed the slight cough in his throat.

“Okay,” she said before stepping into the mall.

She walked over to the coffee stand. “Please, I’d like to pay for two cups of coffee. I’m going into the mall now, and I know I won’t be able to get coffee there, so let me pay now. I’ll pick them up when I’m heading out.”

She smiled, and the girl at the coffee stand smiled back.

“Okay, ma’am.”

Bella paid for the coffee and then walked into the mall.

She made her way to the ladies’ section and picked up a few items before walking to the cashier.

“Excuse me,” Bella said. “Where can I find the Daisy sanitary pads?”

The cashier gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, ma’am. We haven’t restocked them yet.”

Bella frowned. “Why?”

Before the cashier could finish speaking, a gentle voice came from behind her.

“You can get them at the store across the mall, dear.”

Bella turned around.

A graceful woman in her late fifties smiled warmly at her. “I used to be the only one who bought that brand from this store,” the woman said with a soft laugh.

Bella smiled back. “It’s just too bad. Their sanitary pads with a cooling layer work really well for me, especially during heavy flow. They help ease the cramps.”

The woman smiled knowingly. “Come with me, dear. There’s another store across the mall. They should have them.”

As they walked toward the other side of the mall, Bella suddenly felt a sharp cramp shoot through her abdomen. She winced and stopped in her tracks.

The older woman quickly supported her and helped her sit on one of the chairs near the coffee stand. “Are you okay, dear?” she asked, concern evident in her voice.

Bella forced a smile. “Yes, ma’am. It’s just a little cramp.”

“Does it happen often?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What do you usually take for it?”

“I drink hibiscus tea. It’s usually this painful during the first two days. I’ve been so busy with work that I forgot to restock my toiletries.”

“I see,” the older woman said with a gentle smile. “A hardworking young lady.”

She gave Bella’s hand a reassuring pat. “You stay here. I’ll be right back.”

“Ma’am…” Bella called after her.

But before she could finish her sentence, the older woman had already walked away.

Bella tried to compose herself. Did I miscalculate? she wondered.

Her period wasn’t due until Wednesday. Although she often experienced cramps a few days beforehand, they usually became unbearable only when her flow started.

Still lost in thought, she barely noticed the older woman returning. Beside her stood a man in a suit, holding a small shopping bag. His damp shoulders suggested he had just come in from the rain.

“Here, dear,” the woman said, handing Bella a tablet and a bottle of water. “Take this. It always helps with my cramps. I hope it works for you too.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”