Chapter 1

"A dead body of a suspected rape victim was found here at Hotel Krista this morning at eight o'clock. This is the fourth dead body that has been found in the said hotel. Right now, the investigation into the said crime is still ongoing..."

She pressed the T.V. remote to change the channel. She had already had a stressful day and she didn't want other things to think about.

She harshly leaned to the couch as she crossed her arms. That Kristie! She couldn't help but snarl at her co-worker everytime she remembered what happened earlier.

Her phone rang and fished it out from her pocket. She heaved a sigh and answered the call without even looking at it.

"Yes?"

"Girl, what's up? How are you?"

"Really, Stephen?" she asked mockingly when the caller spoke loudly. She rolled her eyes. She violently grabbed the popcorn that was on the centre table and filled her mouth with it without hesitation.

"Fine! You're not good. Why didn't you speak earlier?" Stephen said, referring to what happened in the office earlier.

Brooch Incorporated launched a new drinking product; a water, which is an energy drink, actually. They've been told to think of the best demographics that the company could cater. She even discussed her idea to Stephen. And when the Marketing team shared their ideas with the boss, she was so shocked!

Kristie laid out almost the same idea as hers. She wasn't sure if Kirstie had been listening to them earlier. But the fact that she and Kristie have the same idea, she just can't accept that!

"Girl, that's Sir Spade! Do you think he will give my idea a chance? And besides, that witch has already laid my idea! I'm really sick of it!"

She groaned in annoyance. She harshly heaved a sigh.

Kristie is Sir Spade's favourite employee. Being one of the trustworthy employees of Brooch and having the longest tenure in the field, Kristie will definitely get what she wants. Whatever the woman says will be immediately approved by their CEO. If only she could torture Kristie right now, she would have done it.

She really despises her. Big time!

"You know what, Shen? That's what she gets for sleeping with the boss," Stephen said mockingly.

That's the rumours at their office. All of them think that Kristie is hooking up with Sir Spade. Well, they haven't proven that yet. But the way the two acted when they're at work, they really doubt it.

Shen just groaned in frustration. "So, you're telling me to do the same?"

Stephen laughed at what she said. "You're crazy! What's that? Promoting your body with new marketing skills?"

"I really hate that girl!" she snorted over the phone. It seems like her anger to Kirstie just elevated because of Stephen's laughter.

"Anyway, girl! Thanks for the chocolates. Please bring another one tomorrow."

"Duh? I always bring chocolates to the office everyday. And this is the first time you thanked me," she nagged while rolling her eyes.

She had this secret admirer who sent her chocolates and flowers every night. Just by remembering that thought, she looked at her wrist watch.

"Oh, wait! It's already eight!" Shen exclaimed to the other line. Stephen squealed to what she said.

"Check your mailbox, girl! Then I'll have my chocolates tomorrow!" Stephen giggled to the other line.

"Yeah, yeah! I'll get it right now!" she said then stood up to go outside. "You're the only one who can finish my chocolates."

"Girl! It's like you're going to finish a box of chocolates by yourself. Be grateful that I'm helping you to finish it."

She just shook her head. The phone was still up and upon going outside, a bunch of red roses together with the box of chocolate was already in the large pink paper bag. It was hanging near her mailbox.

"The chocolates and flowers are here again," she said to the other line.

In the past three weeks, this secret admirer of hers didn't fail to send flowers and chocolates. Whoever it is, that person is consistent because at exactly eight in the evening there is automatically a large paper bag hanging near her gate. Every gift from that secret admirer is always accompanied by a letter. She concluded that it may be just close to where she lived.

"Hooray for the chocolates!" Stephen exclaimed. "So, does the secret admirer have a letter? Read it quickly!"

"You look more excited than me, aren't you?" she said in sarcasm.

She took it and hurried back inside the apartment. After sitting on the couch, she immediately opened it.

"So, what does it say?" Stephen asked.

"There's nothing, girl." She picked the rose stems one by one, but nothing was there. She opened the box of chocolate and there, she saw a yellow sticky note.

She took it and placed the box on top of the coffee table. She gasped at what she read.

Hope you had a great day today...

Love,

Third

"Girl? What? Are you still there?" Stephen asked. She just crumpled the sticky note then threw it in a nearby trash bin.

"Hope I had a great day. That's what it's called," she said to her friend. If only this admirer of hers knew what happened to her today.

Again, she heaved a heavy deep breath. Her blood pressure seems to elevate every time she remembers what happened earlier. That Kristie was really a thorn in her throat!

"I hope everyone has a secret admirer, right?" Stephen squealed. "Wait, don't you intend to acknowledge that?"

Shen rolled her eyes. She picked up the popcorn again. She was not satisfied, instead, she just put the bowl in her lap.

"I've been thinking a lot about my performance at work, Stephen. Then you want me to get to know this sender?"

"Just chill, girl! I mean, aren't you at least wondering who this guy is?"

She thought about what her friend said. Who really sends her chocolates and flowers all this time?

"So..." she trailed off. "Do I need to look for him? Right?"

"It's up to you, girl."

She started eating popcorn one by one. This secret admirer of hers will soon celebrate its first month of sending chocolates and flowers, but has not yet shown even a single strand of its hair to her.

She finds it creepy. But she can feel that she knows this admirer of hers.

"Wait, does Mr. Secret's gifts always have an inclusive note?"

She frowned at Stephen's question. "Y-Yeah... why?"

"Maybe there are clues in the notes. Is it still with you?"

"I threw it away," she said, then switched the T.V. channel. She doesn't like late night shows anymore. More dramas and nonsense shows.

"Oh," her friend said regretfully. "Keep the notes next time. You know... maybe one of these days he might introduce himself in a note."

"His name is Third. That's always on the note, eh."

"So, do you know anyone who has the same name?"

That question made her stop from eating. She wondered if she actually knew anyone that has a name Third. But she's not that friendly. And she could only count all her acquaintances with her ten fingers. At work, only Stephen is her close friend.

"None." She shrugged. "Besides, does it matter? Well, you're the one who's more excited than me when I receive something like this."

"Of course, girl! It will be just a waste if you're gonna throw it away, right?"

She just laughed at what Stephen said. They had a few chit chats before they ended the call.

She looked at the fresh red roses. She stood up and took the flower vase filled with red roses. This is also the flower she received last night. She changed the flowers with the new ones.

Ever since her secret admirer came into her life, she also changed her routine at night. Every night she changes the flowers in the flower vase. It would be a shame if she throws away the flowers. Every night she puts the box of chocolates in the fridge. And every time she finished reading the note attached to the gifts, she immediately threw it in the trash bin, not minding what the message was all about.

She understood what was written there, but she didn't want to waste time comprehending its message. Well... what for? She was sure that this secret admirer of hers would also stop sending flowers and chocolates in the long run.

And she's certain of that. Especially since she doesn't really show interest with those gifts.

But inside her, she also wanted to know who's behind those things.