The Return Of His Ex Wife
Chapter 14: Stalker Alert

Chapter 14: Stalker Alert

Tara’s POV.

"Why is everyone so anxious like this?" Ella said to me as she noticed the whole staff on edge. I thought I had put on my brave face but it turned out I must have been shivering too in fear. Or anxiety?

"Because, I’ve never really had friends over. And certainly Richard too."

"Your life sucks, but I respect you. You do well to keep your personal life away from the crowd. But still, you guys need to stop panicking!" Ella said. She was about to add more when there was a ring on the door bell.

"He’s here! Oh my goodness, the future love of my life is here!" Ella screeches irritated me but I shrugged it off and made it to the entrance. Richard was beside me, a happy smile spreading on his face.

The door opened, and this gorgeous Lucifer stepped in. With a giant box on him. I didn’t know why it seemed so pitiful watching as he struggled with the heavy load...what the hell was he carrying!

Then three other men in suits walked in with wrapped gifts and boxes that in just a fraction of a second, made my house look like Santa’s lair where he kept presents. Finally, Arlo placed the box down, groaning as he embraced relief. This man was handsome, I wasn’t going to deny it.

His lovely blue--tux again!--was seated nice on his well-built body, jet black hair styled neatly. I could still see the tattoo sneaking out from the collar of his tux. He made his way over to me with a flirtatious smile that made my stomach churn, made the goddamn butterflies flutter in my belly. Then he leaned lower to meet Richard’s gaze.

"Hello handsome," he chuckled, "how are you?"

Our eyes turned towards the door as these men dragged--or carried?--in the most beautiful piano I’ve ever seen. Wait, a piano?

Everyone’s attention was still fixated on the piano when two ladies walked in with trays filled with...snacks?

Arlo was there grinning, feeling all proud of himself. "These are buttermilk cookies! I made them myself."

More and more boxes were moved in, then packed plates of specially prepared dishes.

Ella and I exchanged a puzzling gaze as if to say; "are you seeing what I’m seeing!"

Richard stood in front of him with a questioning look, then he called out his name to get his attention.

"Oh what is it, Richard?" Arlo asked.

"Are all of these gifts for me?" He asked, scratching his head. I couldn’t help but agree with Richard’s question. Arlo just laughed.

"Of course!" He responded. Those piercing green eyes glared at mine again, making my insides churn. I didn’t understand how one man could be that...charming. It annoyed me.

"Well, welcome to our home." I finally said, breaking that uncomfortable eye contact. "This is my friend, Ella. Ella, this is–"

"

–Ella reached forward, hands reaching for him like a snack launching an attack. "I’ve heard so much about you! It’s so lively having you here in our home. Feel free. Be yourself–"

"Okay...that’s enough, Ella." I said through gritted teeth, hinting that she should behave herself with Richard being present. She didn’t look too happy but she managed to get a hold of herself.

"Nice to meet you, Tara’s friend." Arlo said, and there was a pleasant feeling in the way he pronounced my name–Tara what is wrong with you!

"Mom. Can we go now?" Richard said to me and I gave him a go-ahead smile.

"Have fun, okay?" He nodded.

"Can I show him around, mummy?" Richard asked and I nodded. Once they’d both gone, and I watched those extra service Arlo had hired walk out the door, a panicking breath escaped from my lips.

Ella came towards me. "Are you okay? Come on. Spill."

"Spill?? I just let a man in and handed him over to my six years old son to show him around my house! Ella, of course I’m not okay!"

Ella looked me up and down. "Okay, now you’re just being dramatic. There are cameras everywhere, maids keeping an eye on Richard, this dude is the brother of your son’s school principal, plus he’s an Hernandez!"

This made me calm down a little. "Maybe you’re right."

"That’s not what we should be talking about! How about we focus on Arlo’s crazy crush on you! Obviously, none of these gifts are for Richard." Excitement filled her eyes as she spoke.

"What? You’re crazy, Ella. You know that right?" I rolled my eyes as she went on giggling. "Of course you know that."

"I’m serious." Ella pressed on, "clearly, he’s probably excited to be here than you can imagine. This is some romance shit presenting itself to you. He’s rich, and handsome and from what some girls say, he’s fucking good in bed too."

My face squeezed in disgust, embarrassed for her. "Who says that?"

"Well, that’s probably what girls would say. Don’t you think?"

I walked away from her, heading towards the gifts arranged on the floor. Curiosity took over me as I checked them all out, very expensive stuff!

"Okay, fine. Don’t sleep with him. But use him! Clearly, he’s throwing himself out there for you."

"Don’t you get it? Now I even hate him more. If he thinks he can sleep with me by getting close to my son? That’s just desperate, and disgusting!"

Ella shook her head in disagreement, "no no, don’t get me wrong now. Clearly, he likes your son--"

My phone rang out, cutting Ella off. I was stunned to see it had been my personal assistant, Mathew that was calling. Ella continued checking out the rest of the gifts while I picked up.

"Hey, what’s up?"

"Ma’am, I don’t want to make you worry, but I just found out that you’re being stalked." He said, and I had to take a moment to understand what he’d meant.

"A stalker? What the heck! Do we need to get the police on this?"

"It’s Derek, ma’am. He’s been keeping a close tab on you. We see some of his men following you about at work, and I don’t even know if he’s gotten your home address yet. Or if that’s what he’s planning."

"Are you kidding me right now? Why would he...this is crazy!" I couldn’t believe Mathew. Surely, Derek was a lunatic, an arrogant fool! This was exactly something he could do. I felt my breath quickened by the minute, still I hid from Ella as I listened to Mathew.

"We’ve caught some secret up addresses trailing your accounts and have blocked them of course. I just wanted you to know about this, not to make you worry, alright?" He said.

"Ma’am, are you still there? Can you hear me?"