Leilani had been scouring the phone mall for an inordinate amount of time, hoping to find her ruined phone but to no avail. It appeared that the model was out of stock.
She glanced down at the shattered device in her grasp. Earlier that morning, she had gone out after breakfast before heading to the bank to withdraw all her funds, unsure of what amount Nelson had deposited.
To her astonishment, it wasn't as much as she expected, which was why she was searching for a more modest phone to save money for her brother.
Letting out a sigh and muttering under her breath, she made her way to another section of the mall when suddenly someone bumped into her from behind.
Quickly turning around, she opened her mouth to yell at the person, but her rage dissipated when she saw who it was.
"Jones?" she called out in disbelief.
The young man looked just as surprised as he also exclaimed her name, "Is that really you, Lani?"
"Do I look like someone else?" Leilani asked sarcastically, causing Jones to shake his head.
"You never change, Lani," he says with a smile.
Rolling her eyes, Leilani didn't appear too pleased to see him and retorted, "Yeah, I never change. Isn't that why you left me?"
"No, it wasn't like that, Lani. You know how much I loved you, don't you?" Jones's eyes reflected his pain and regret.
Leilani didn't confirm or deny his statement, just staring at him as if he were speaking a foreign language.
"Let's hang out and catch up once you're finished here," he suggested, batting his eyes cutely in a way he knew she couldn't resist.
When he saw that Leilani still wasn't ready to agree, he added softly, "Please, Lani."
"Fine," she finally agrees with a grunt, "but I have to take care of my business here first."
She continued walking, leaving a grinning Jones to follow behind.
With a grin, Jones trailed after Leilani as she marched ahead.
Meanwhile, beyond the walls of the mall, Herbert observed everything unfold with ease.
Particularly, he kept a watchful eye on Leilani, as instructed by his boss. But what he discovered left him stunned - she was strolling around the mall with a man, chatting and enjoying each other's company.
Without hesitation, he reached for his phone and dialed his boss.
"Hello, sir. I'm not sure if this information is of any use to you, but Mrs. Carter - I mean, Miss Hernandez - is currently accompanied by a man in the mall," Herbert coughed and cleared his throat before continuing.
"Are you just going to sit there and do nothing?" Nelson barked through the phone, causing Herbert to flinch and move the phone away from his ear.
"Apologies, Mr. Carter. I'll head there immediately," Herbert stammered, but Nelson cut him off.
"That won't be necessary. Just tell me the location and I'll handle it myself," he replied curtly before ending the call abruptly.
As Herbert relayed the location to his boss, he couldn't help but wonder if he had made a mistake by reporting such information. He couldn't understand why his boss would lose his temper so easily - was he in a bad mood?
Meanwhile, Leilani had settled on a new phone, although it was slightly more expensive than her previous one. With her purchase in tow, she and Jones emerged from the mall and waited for a cab. Suddenly, a flashy car screeched to a halt in front of them.
Leilani recognized the driver and her heart skipped a beat as he stepped out of the car. Time seemed to stand still as his strong and commanding presence filled the air, drawing attention from those around him.
Astounded, Leilani blinked thrice in disbelief, hoping to dispel the notion that she was hallucinating.
What was his purpose for being present in this place?
"What are you doing?" His voice carried a tone of sternness more pronounced than usual.
"I came to purchase a mobile phone," Leilani responded naturally, attempting to maintain composure under his penetrating stare.
He shifted his gaze between Leilani and the man standing beside her, who appeared perplexed.
"Who is he?" Nelson inquired.
"It is of no concern to you, Mr. Carter. Our deal exists solely within your abode," Leilani met his intense gaze courageously.
"Oh," Nelson uttered with disinterest, briefly glancing at her hands. "Is that why you are not wearing your wedding ring?" His tone was both dull and sharp.
Jones was equally bewildered. "You are married, Lani?" He hesitantly asked, his expression betraying a hint of hurt.
"No, Jones. I am not married," Leilani replied, attempting to deny it before Nelson interjected.
"Yes, she is married," he stated in a tense manner, his muscles visibly tensing. "I do not know who you are, young man, and trust me, I have no desire to know. However, it is inappropriate to be seen with a married woman, do you understand?"
He behaved like an overbearing child who discovered someone competing for their favorite toy.
Leilani's stomach churned with disgust, her countenance revealing her displeasure.
"Stay out of my affairs, Mr. Carter. You are not my husband, so do not mislead others," she nearly shouted at him before turning to Jones.
"May I have your phone so I can input my number?" She did not finish her sentence as his hand suddenly gripped hers tightly.
"Let this be the last time I catch you with my wife, do you understand?" His words were laced with a warning, his angry gaze meeting Jones' confusion.
"You are hurting me," Leilani cried out as his hold on her hand intensified. Without another word, he pulled her away hastily towards his car.
Herbert, who had been standing beside the car the whole time, quickly jumped into the driver's seat as soon as Nelson entered the vehicle.
As the car began to move, Leilani forcefully pulled her hand away from him and glared at him.
"What was that?" she demanded.
"What was what?" Nelson returned her glare.
Leilani huffed and shifted in her seat, unable to contain her anger. "Why did you do that? That was my boyfriend, just so you know. And the deal never said I couldn't have a boyfriend."
Nelson's hands clenched into fists as his imposing figure trembled with anger, his jaw tight and then relaxed. It seemed the last thing he expected was for Leilani to admit to having a boyfriend.
"The deal clearly stated that you are mine until after three months," he snapped, his anger barely contained.
Leilani fell silent and remained quiet for the rest of the journey.
But as soon as the car pulled into the parking lot, she turned to face Nelson directly. "You're ruining my life and I hate you for it. I can't wait for this deal to end and for you to disappear from my life forever."
"I hate you, Nelson!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face.
"Leilani!" Nelson shouted, but she quickly got out of the car and ran into the house, afraid of what he might do if he caught her.