I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Not mine, but I wish it was, hehe.


Mark led me to the nice black limo waiting outside my apartment building. The driver opened the door for us and I climbed in.

"So, how long have you worked for MM." I had taken to calling my mystery man MM since it was way easier.

Mark smiled, not wanting to answer the question right away.

"Don't worry, I won't press too hard."

"About three years."

"Why did you come to Trenton?"

"My mother was from here. She recently took ill and I came to help her."

"Aw, that's so sweet."

"Well, none of my other siblings would do it, so I sucked it up and came here."

I nodded. I knew what that felt like before Val moved back here.

"So what do you do?"

"Odd jobs. Whatever needs to be done. I'm here to help you, like an assistant of sorts."

"An assistant? Look, what you're doing is very nice, but…"

"Trust me, you're going to need me. I hold all the power."

"Power?"

He just nodded, not divulging anything more.

When we pulled up to the spa, I stood there gaping.

"Whoa. This place is huge."

Mark smiled at me and guided me to the entrance.

The woman behind the desk and looked up. She smiled at me and Mark, saying, "It's good to see you, Mark! How are you?"

"Just wonderful, Kelly. We have a special guest today. Miss Plum is here for the package."

Package? What package?

Kelly nodded and typed a few keys on the keyboard, nodding. "Okay, I have a Miss Plum scheduled for at two." She smiled at me, handing over a brochure. "Here's what we offer. Just pick what you want and I'll set it up for you."

Anything? I looked at them with surprise. They chuckled at me.

"Don't worry about it. It's all part of the power."

Apparently, it was. Power to pick anything. I scanned the brochure, picking a few massages, manicure and pedicure, facial scrub and a wax.

"Um, Kelly?" I asked, sliding closer to the desk. "Can I get…um," I moved farther away from Mark, who smiled and pretended not to hear. "Can I get a Brazilian?"

She smiled at me. "Sure, I'll put that down."

I blushed a little. "Can you not put it down as a Brazilian, but as just a wax?"

She nodded. "I sure can."

I turned to Mark. "Don't tell him, either."

"Not a soul."

"Thank you." I said, feeling relieved.

"Now if you'll just follow me, we can get you started."

I nodded and followed her. I gave Mark a small finger wave as I left the waiting room. He returned my wave and sat down to wait with a magazine.

After being rubbed, scrubbed, waxed and plucked, I was ready to meet the world again.

"Wow," Mark said. "You look stunning."

"Are you nuts?"

"Your skin and eyes are glowing. You should do this more often."

I blushed. "I'll think about it."

He turned back to Kelly. "Thank you, Kelly. You've been a doll."

"All in a day's work."

"Well I would most appreciate it if you kept Stephanie's name in your book."

"I will do that. Thank you for joining us today, Stephanie."

"Thank you for everything that you've done." I waved at Kelly and followed Mark out. "Well, where to now?" I asked him as I got situated in the limo.

"Here," he said, handing me another letter. He chuckled at me as I opened it enthusiastically.

Stephanie-

I hope that you enjoyed your spa day. I'm sure that you look even more beautiful since I saw you last. Now that you're more relaxed, its time for the next phase of your day. Sit back, relax, and let me take care of you. You deserve it more than you know.

I read the note a few times and looked back at Mark. "So where are we headed?"

"The mall."

Oh boy!

We ended up at the big Newark mall instead of Quaker Bridge. I wondered where I was going to be shopping. Assuming that there was a plan.

"Okay, Miss Stephanie, go and shop." He handed me a credit card.

"What? No, I can't accept this…" I said, stroking the American Express Black card. With my name on it.

"I have strict orders to give you this card. Take it, please?"

At the word please, my reserve began crumble. It was a gift. A very expensive gift… I started to shake my head. "It's either this, or you go sit in the car and I pick everything out for you."

No way. He was not touching any underwear I get. I sighed, "fine."

Mark smiled. "Go buy whatever you want."

"What?"

"It's an unlimited card covered by my employer. Don't worry about how much you're spending."

I was feeling queasy about this again. I wasn't so sure this was a good idea. However, it was that or have Mark pick out anything.

He smiled, knowing I had crumbled completely. "I'll send the driver with you. He can hold your bags."

"Assuming I buy more than my hands can carry."

"You will." Was all he said.

I looked back at the mall. It looked so big and I wasn't sure where to start. Macy's was the best place, I guess.

Four hours, seventy five hundred and two Big Mac meals later, I was heading back to the car.

"Don't say anything." I said to Mark and his smirk.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He handed me another envelope.

Stephanie-

I hope you enjoyed the shopping and overindulged yourself. I had a few things in mind if you chose not to shop, just in case. I'm sure that you're exhausted and you deserve to sleep. Don't worry, I was the one in your apartment with the help of your landlord and replaced your sheets and mattress to the little slice of heaven that you deserve. Don't worry about the money. Nothing is more important than your happiness.

Sleep well.

I looked back at Mark and smiled.

"I take it that it was a good day."

"The best." I drifted off to sleep.

Mark and the driver helped me get all of the bags into my apartment. It looked like I had bought a brand new wardrobe. Maybe I had.

"Where will you go?" I asked Mark, walking him to the door.

"I have a meeting with my employer and then I'll be heading home."

"Can you deliver a message to him?"

He smiled. "I can."

I blushed a little. "Can you tell him thank you?"

"Of course. Goodnight, Miss Stephanie."

"Goodnight Mark."

That night, I went to sleep feeling happy.

And loved.