The Email [Yandere Boss x Reader]

Chapter 20 - Buy it

I took a deep breath before entering Hayes' sprawling mansion, mentally bracing myself. After unburdening to Jake and Sarah, I felt raw and emotionally drained.

Hayes was seated on the plush couch, laptop open as he typed away. He glanced up as I entered. 

"You're still working?" I blurted out, surprised.

He gave me a tight smile. 

"Well, I decided to keep myself busy while you were out with your friends." There was an undercurrent to his tone that made me uneasy.

How did he know I was with Jake and Sarah? I thought internally, a shiver running down my spine.

I pushed the thought away, not wanting to borrow more trouble. 

"Whatever, were you waiting on me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.

"Yes, I was. My father said shopping helps calm women down," he replied easily, standing up from the couch. "So let's go."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as he approached me. There was something off about his demeanor, a intensity simmering behind his eyes.

"Oh, um, I didn't realize we had plans," I hedged. "I'm actually feeling a little drained after earlier..."

His expression didn't falter, that tight smile still in place. "Don't worry, darling, a little retail therapy will do you good. You've been so stressed lately."

The words were said with warmth, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was a thinly veiled command, not a suggestion. My instincts screamed to get out of there, but I found myself nodding mutely.

Hayes' smile widened as if he could sense my capitulation. 

"Wonderful. Let me just grab my wallet."

As he turned away, I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling very small and alone in the cavernous room. 

What was happening? 

When had the man I knew become this person I no longer recognized?

I jumped slightly as Hayes' hand landed on my lower back, guiding me towards the door. Forcing a smile, I fell into step beside him, all the while feeling like I was trapped in a waking nightmare.

The drive to the upscale mall was uncomfortably silent. Hayes kept shooting me sidelong glances, as if checking to make sure I wasn't going to bolt.

I stared resolutely out the window, trying to ignore the knot of dread in my stomach.

Once we arrived and started browsing the high-end boutiques, some of the tension finally began to ease. Despite my reservations, there was something soothing about losing myself in racks of stylish clothes and shiny new accessories.

"This color would look lovely on you," Hayes murmured, holding up a silky emerald blouse.

I managed a small smile, taking the top from him and holding it up for inspection. 

"You're probably right."

His face lit up at my agreement and he quickly flagged down a salesgirl to start a fitting room. As I tried on various outfits, Hayes played the doting boyfriend - complimenting, encouraging, even cracking a few jokes.

It was...nice.

Familiar.

For a little while, I could almost convince myself that everything was normal between us.

By the time we left the mall, my arms were laden with shopping bags and I actually felt lighter, the weight of my worries temporarily lifted. Maybe some mindless consumerism was just what I needed to reset.

"Thank you for this," I said impulsively as Hayes opened the car door for me. "I...I had fun."

He beamed at me, looking so much like my old Hayes that my heart clenched. 

"I'm glad, darling. You deserve to be treated like a queen."

I ducked my head, unexpectedly shy at the endearment and the warm affection in his gaze. As we drove back to the mansion, I couldn't help studying him from the corner of my eye.

Was I making too much of things?

Maybe my mom's reappearance had just sent me into an irrational spiral of suspicion and doubt. Hayes loved me, that much was clear from the way he doted on me.

The nagging feeling that something was off gradually faded as I watched the city lights pass by. By the time we arrived home, I had decided - I was going to stop looking for issues where there weren't any. My mom was gone, Hayes was here, and that was what mattered.

I gave him a soft smile as he helped me inside with my purchases. For now at least, I could let myself relax and enjoy being taken care of. Maybe that was exactly what I needed.