My Mystery Mate is My Boss

Chapter 5: Buy a Gift for Luna

Grace’s POV

There were only a few places where a man as rich as Richard could get a gift for his Luna, and since anything requiring a commission was out, the Stella Mall was it.

This town’s luxury mall had every name-brand store you could think of, and all the ones most people couldn’t afford even to step inside. Many stores were VIPs only, and sometimes, during specialty sales, it was invite only. So, it's perfect for a gift for Mr. Morgans’s Luna.

Richard stepped out of the car, and I was quick to follow. The driver pulled off to wait in the garage, and we headed towards the entrance. A queue was standing outside the mall doors, neatly lined up behind velvet rope with guards posted for one of said ‘invite-only’ sales.

“Excuse me, no visitors beyond this point.” A guard barred our way, and I winced internally, schooling my features into a cool, professional smile.

It was just another day at work, just like when I was selling makeup. I could do this.

“Actually, we’re not visitors. We’re buyers.” I quickly pulled out one of the company’s business cards and handed it over to the guard. “Mr. Morgans is here to look at your collections for a gift for his Luna.”

Now, the guards seemed to recognize just who Richard was and were quick to change their tune.

“Apologies for the wait, Mr. Morgans,” he said, despite how we had no prior engagements or reservations. “Please follow me, and I’ll escort you straight to the VIP room.” 

Despite working here, I’d only heard rumors of the VIP room, which was specifically for the mall's wealthiest and most important customers. In this room, attendants would go between the various stores and show off the collections.

I was a bit overwhelmed but hid it well as we were brought to a lavishly decorated room with velvet-lined seats, standing mirrors, and a pedestal to stand on. ‘Focus on the job,’ I reminded myself.

“Welcome, Mr. Morgans. I’m Ms. Rue. I and the other attendants will be in charge of your visit today. We’ll present the very best of our collections for you and your wife to view.” The lead attendant greeted us professionally. 

Just—one problem.

“Oh, no,” I said awkwardly, stumbling over my words. “Mr. Morgans is my boss. I’m just his assistant in this endeavor.”

“She agreed to accompany me to choose a gift for my wife.” Mr. Morgans frowned, and Ms. Rue was quick to apologize.

“Well, the mall is currently doing a grand reveal of the newest line of Louis Vuitton bags. We’ll pull those along with some of our more popular styles. A bag is the perfect accessory and can be a lovely statement piece for your Luna.”

I had to give it to her, at least. They were all quick and professional. In mere minutes, the room was filled with attendants presenting various bags, with white gloves on, and showing off the different brands and shapes.

“…What do you think?” Mr. Morgans asked me, and I was quick to point out the best ones.

“The Hermes Birkin is a classic design and a good statement piece. It pairs well with casual or classy looks. Then there’s the new Vuitton bag—” I pointed out a few more bags, highlighting their best points, and honestly, I was proud when I finished.

Any of these bags would be a good gift, but I didn’t know who Richard’s Luna was. There was no way to predict her style, let alone if her taste leaned towards more expensive things. I was careful to point out classic styles and easy colors like black and brown leather, none of the bolder colors like fuchsia and orange.

“Those five are the ones you’d recommend?” Mr. Morgans asked after a moment.

“Any one of them would be a good gift.” I smiled.

“Your assistant is right. Many of these designs are often prebought and only put on display for the storefronts, but for you, Mr. Morgans, we can sell them right away.” Ms. Rue offered generously. 

For a moment, I thought the furrow of his brow meant he was unhappy before Mr. Morgans nodded.

“Very well, I’ll purchase those five mentioned then. Pack them up.”

“Right away, Mr. Morgans!” Ms. Rue looked excited while I was just surprised, my jaw almost dropping.

“The total will be 320,500,” one of the attendants said, ringing up the bags.

“I’d like to take a look at your jewelry as well,” Mr. Morgans said, standing up.

“Of course! Is there a preference for a certain style or brand?”

Richard looked at me, and I was quick to answer, even though I was still reeling at the thought of buying MORE gifts. Was this really not enough already?

“Tiffany—Tiffany’s is a good choice. They’re known for silver and diamond jewelry.” At least, I was pretty sure they were. None of this was exactly my wheelhouse, and I didn’t own anything that expensive.

Still, Richard took my word for it, and soon, we were viewing the best Tiffany’s had to offer. Money was obviously no object, so they brought out the true velvet-lined cases.

“This is part of the Rainbow Collection, focusing on seven different colored gemstones as the showpiece. This is from the red section. The large ruby in the center is, of course, the star and 15 carats, surrounded by smaller rubies along with diamonds and set in sterling silver.” The Tiffany’s attendant explained.

“The collection has yet to be released to the public. I’m sure it’ll be a fetching gift if your Luna is one of the first to own one.” Ms. Rue pointed out.

I’d never seen such a large gemstone, or such a beautiful necklace that I barely heard their next words.

“This piece itself is worth just shy of 100,000.”

I almost choked, barely managing to hold myself back. That was—well then. This was undoubtedly Tiffany’s best. Still, it really was pretty…

I barely noticed Mr. Morgans looking at me before he nodded curtly at the attendant.

“Good, wrap it up.”

“Of course, sir, it suits your wife perfectly,” the attendant said, making the same mistake and looking at me.

“Ah—no, apologies, sir. I’m just Mr. Morgans’s assistant,” I explained politely, inwardly wanting to tear my hair out.

Why was everyone mistaking me for a Luna—HOW were they mistaking me for Richard’s Luna?

I wasn’t dressed for such a role, nor did I really have the looks for it. I wasn’t ugly, but everything about the two of us was supposed to be strictly professional, and I would be failing in my job if everyone assumed there was something romantic going on.

There was already apparently drama in Mr. Morgans’s relationship with his Luna, and I didn’t want to stir the pot! He was my boss. That was it.

Richard didn’t correct them. He just stared at the other displays before pointing to another necklace in one of the cases.

“This one as well, the new arrival.”

“Of course, Mr. Morgans! That one has a refreshed look from the classic link design—”

That…was so much money, and he was throwing it around like people flinging litter in the streets. I suppose it really was nothing to him, given how rich he was. Still, working for such a wealthy man was kind of intimidating.

Carrying bags and boxes full of gifts worth decades of paychecks left me a bit weak-kneed, but I followed dutifully.

“You haven’t bought anything for yourself. Was there anything that interested you?” Mr. Morgans asked indifferently, and I wanted to laugh.

It wasn’t so much that I wasn’t interested but that there was no way I could ever afford it.

“It’s a bit out of my current price range, sir. Please don’t worry about it. Mr. Vanders has told me he’s parked in row B. I can have him bring the car around.”

“Don’t bother, it’s not far.”

I struggled a bit to keep up, the boxes almost blocking my sight, until suddenly, the top three were removed, and I could see Mr. Morgans as he leaned close enough for me to see long eyelashes framing such stunning blue eyes.

Then—the moment was over as he pulled away, the boxes in his arms as we continued to walk to the car.

Mr. Morgans came off as aloof, and sometimes demanding, but he wasn’t cruel—I don’t think so at least. There’s a quiet kindness to him, as if he’s afraid to get close or speak out loud and cause misunderstandings.

He was a man that was more action than words. Looking at all the gifts the two of us were carrying, I could easily see how earnest he was about this and trying to fix whatever misgivings he had with his Luna.

Richard’s POV

I inwardly sighed as Grace leaned close to me to place the gifts in the trunk of the car. Her soft vanilla scent was intoxicating, and that tailored suit followed her curves and made me want to tear it off of her.

She was gorgeous, with pouty lips that made me want to see them wrapped around something or gasping breathlessly, red and punishingly bruised. The desire to just fold her over a table or this very car was unfathomable, but the desire was there, even if I would never act on it.

No woman had ever had such a sway over me. Her scent was tantalizing and soothing in a way others had never been. Even my wolf was no longer so restless with her nearby, interested when no one else had ever caught its attention.

Hiring her for the company was a poor excuse to approach her. I needed to control myself around her, keep my distance as best as I could.

“Oh—we’re near Lacie’s.”

“Another store?”

“Lacie’s Workshop actually makes toys, stuffed animals, and such. It's nothing so luxurious as stores here, but they take on commissions. I have an order I’ve been meaning to pick up for my friend, Rachel,” Grace admitted shyly, cheeks flushing a fetching red. I spoke before I even realized it.

“We can stop there on the way back.”

“What? Are you sure, I can always—”

“I believe a stuffed animal is a classic gift to give a partner.”

“Well…it certainly wouldn’t hurt to gift them one,” she said, smiling softly.

The drive was quick, which didn’t help as I reminded myself that I was married, that I had a Luna, and that I had just spent the afternoon choosing gifts for her to try to FIX our relationship and apologize for ignoring her for so long.

I had to remind myself that I was off the market and there was supposed to be distance between myself and the opposite s*x.

The shop was set up as a little boutique with glass display windows showing off giant teddy pairs and patchwork rabbits in dresses and suits with robots and colorful building blocks to take up space.

“I’ll be right back. It should only take a few minutes for them to grab my order since I’ve already paid.” Grace slid out of the car and hurried into the store, happily chatting with a worker who went to get her order while she looked around the shop.

I couldn’t help but step out as well, heading inside, watching as she browsed a few accessories. Nothing like what we’d been looking at, but she seemed so excited, taking in the sight of the glass-blown penguin.

I picked up one of the dolls, looking at the smiling face and blond locks while something inside me curdled. I didn’t know if my wife would like something like this or the glass penguin Grace was looking at—I didn’t even remember what my wife looked like.

We were strangers who had never met—I couldn’t even remember the profile picture from when I was looking for a fast marriage, just that she was convenient.

Unbidden, I couldn’t help but think of Grace with her carefully styled curls and charming smiles from pouty lips, and I resisted the sudden urge to push her against a wall and kiss her breathless.

“This one might be cute for your Luna. Do you want to get it for her?” Grace suddenly spoke up, and I blinked, looking at the stuffed rabbit she was showing me—a cute thing, with button eyes and a pink nose.

“I don’t know if she’ll like it.” I didn’t know a single thing about her—I didn’t even remember her name.

“Well…sometimes it’s not about the price. I mean, yes, an expensive gift is nice. It makes you feel valued, and maybe you’re showing off just a little,” Grace laughed softly. “But the thought matters too. Things like ‘this made me think of you’ or ‘I got this for you because I thought you might like it.’ You’re really devoted to your Luna, and you’re really putting in a lot of effort for her, so I think she’ll love whatever you buy.”

Grace said it so easily, but she didn’t know how it’d been a year since I got married and hadn’t had a single conversation, didn’t even have a name, not anymore. Devotion? Effort? I was making up for all the effort I DIDN’T put in.

Still…I was trying—I wanted to try.

“I’ll pick some then…maybe this.” I picked up a stuffed animal that looked a bit like a cat but with a short stubby tail. “I’ll buy whatever you want, too.”

“Mr. Morgans, that’s a very generous offer, but I couldn’t—”

“Nonsense, you’ve helped me pick out so much. Get something nice for yourself, or a few things. I probably should’ve offered in the Tiffany’s…”

“NO!” Grace coughed before smiling shyly. “No, this place is perfect.”

“I could buy all of it.”

“Please don’t, one is enough.”

“At least choose a few, Grace.”

“Haha, alright, just a few though. Oh! What about this one for your Luna, though? It’s really popular right now and super cute.”

Grace held up a capybara with an orange on top of its head, and I stared, not taking it from her hands but just…watching her.

“Do you like it?”

“I mean—I’m not going to choose a gift for your Luna based on my preferences, but I do think it’s cute.” She said before giving me a reassuring smile. “Relax, you’ve gotten plenty already. It’s going to be an amazing gift.”  

“I’m just trying to give you your due payment. Surely you realize you’re worth more than a few stuffed animals,” I said, stepping closer to her. I watched Grace’s cheeks redden, turning flustered at my words, or maybe it was our proximity. It made me want to see just how far that red went down and what colors they’d turn if I just sunk my teeth into her skin like biting a ripe peach.

We were leaning closer. Grace’s eyes seemed to catch on my lips before suddenly, my phone rang, and she jolted back. The mood quickly changed, and I scowled, pulling out my phone.

Who could possibly be calling me, and did they have to choose now?