The moment Stefan and Cayenne reached France, he received a call from Chris.
"Yes?" Stefan answered as soon as he pressed the accept button.
"Sir, someone investigated your marriage with the lady boss. We found the private investigator but we're on step late. The information was already given to his employer. We tried to trace it back but every means of communication was cut off. There was no wire transfer to trace as well because the transaction was paid through cash."
"Just let it be. The people will know about our marriage sooner or later. There's no need to worry about it." Stefan responded while pushing their suitcases in front of him. "I'm hanging up now."
"Have a nice trip, sir." Chris put down his phone after the call ended.
Stefan pocketed his phone as well and walked towards the exit gate with Cayenne. Since they weren't in City A, the two of them weren't disguising at all. They walked around normally like what other people do.
"Chris something about our marriage?" Cayenne inquired as they got out of the airport.
"Hn. Someone checked our marriage information."
"Is it from your family?"
"Nope."
"I see." She didn't press on this matter after that. "Let's forget about it and enjoy this vacation. It's not all the time that we get this chance."
Stefan held her chin and tilted her face to make her look up to him and he pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I agree with my darling."
"If you won't agree with me, who else will you agree to?" Cayenne retorted with a raised brow. Stefan chuckled softly as he pulled her to a hug. "There are so many people." Cayenne mumbled.
"So, what? You're my wife. It's only natural that I'd be clingy to you."
"Fine. Fine." Cayenne just hugged him back while waiting for their service to come and pick them up.
Stefan kissed the top of her head but when he looked into the distance, there was a chilling coldness in his eyes. 'Why are there so many people trying to get in our way?' Stefan thought deeply. He just successfully warded off Arthur away from Cayenne but now someone's trying to get in between them. Although, he didn't know who the person was, his gut feeling was telling him that they're onto Cayenne this time.
Valentine's Day was just around the corner which was why Stefan brought Cayenne to Paris. This place is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
Most lovebirds would wish to visit this City of Love with their partner and enjoy the scenery that the city brought to them. Stefan was no different than them. He wanted to spend his first Valentine's Day with Cayenne in this city. After all, Cayenne also wanted to visit this place.
Aside from this, he needed to bring her away while his surprise was being constructed at home.
'I'm so excited for this trip. Which place should we visit first?' Cayenne thought while looking outside the window of the car. She looked prim and proper but her eyes would light up every time she sees something interesting outside.
"Do you like the scenery outside?" Stefan whispered close to her ears. Whenever there's a chance, he would always grab it and flirt with her. He licked the base of her earlobe which sent shiver down her spine and she glared him. "Don't like it?"
"Stop it. There's another person inside the car." Cayenne pushed him a little but Stefan caught her hand and kissed her inner wrist. "You, lustful idiot. Don't let other people see your true side."
"That's fine. Many people knew that I'm a wolf."
"And you're proud of it? Do you want me to kick you?"
"Honey, don't be harsh. I just wanted to try having it inside the car."
"Don't you dare." Cayenne looked at him with sharp gazes. "Don't forget, this isn't your car."
"So, we can do it if it's our car?" Cayenne took a deep breath and pulled his collar, pressing their lips together. "Shut up now, will you?"
"Okay. I can see that my wife is shy. I won't pursue this matter for now." Stefan moved even closer and wrapped his hand around his waist.
'Tsk! So possessive.' Cayenne commented mentally while linking their hands together. 'But I like it.'
The two of them arrived in their hotel and to make sure that Cayenne will enjoy her stay, Stefan chose a hotel which has a nice view of the Eiffel Tower.
As soon as Cayenne saw the view outside their glass window, her eyes widened in joy and amazement. "This is beautiful."
"It's even more beautiful at night." Stefan told her while taking care of their things. "Are you hungry? We can eat first before taking out our things."
"Okay. Let's go and eat first."
As they ate their brunch together, in City A, a man pushed back his spectacles on the bridge of his nose while reading the documents he received. His long and purplish hair was tied at the base of his neck with a silver rubber band. "So, it's true. She really got married."
"Sir, she is indeed married to Mr. Dumrique, however, don't you think it's weird that the news only got out this time. If there wasn't an accident during that wedding reception, people wouldn't even know about this."
"I know. They're hiding their marriage on purpose." He responded while looking into the photos of Cayenne and Stefan. "I got rid of Arthur five years ago. I can do the same now."
"So, what are your plans?"
"Slowly buy the shares of Madeline Park until you get more than fifty percent."
"Why chose that park? It's not even in this city."
"Madeline Park is just one of the amusement parks that he owned. And since it's not in City A, he won't be paying much attention to it. By the time he noticed this, it will be too late. I'm chipping off his business piece by piece."
"I understand sir."
He remained seated on his swivel chair while scrolling on the pictures that shows both Cayenne and Stefan having fun together. "Am I late again this time? Are you really in love with him? After all the things I did, don't you have the slightest bit of love for me? Do you still even remember me? If he's no longer successful, will you come and look at me?" He kept talking even though no one was answering his questions.
He recalled the times they spent together when they were in primary and secondary school. He still remembered her innocent smile that Arthur likes to monopolize. He still remembered how much Cayenne hate him after he was framed by Arthur. Five years ago, he just ruined their relationship to get back with Arthur. Using Kirin was the best chess piece he had. He just didn't anticipate that the moment he comes back, she'd be someone else's wife.
'Wait. If I remember it correctly, fifteen years ago – " he immediately sent a message to his secretary and had him dug out some information involving Alexander Dumrique. It was still fresh in his mind since Cayenne had been so devastated on that same year. 'If everything's connected then, isn't it the best way to ruin their relationship. Once that happens, I can go and comfort her.'
He already made plans in mind, hoping that the result he was anticipating would come true.
Even with the danger and evil plots lurking in their lives, Cayenne and Stefan still enjoyed their vacation. They went sightseeing, shopping, eating and do whatever they can do to make the trip worth of their time.
Valentine's Day was slowly approaching so, Stefan talked to one of the hotel managers to help him with a romantic dinner on the 14th of the month. He wanted it to be special for the two of them. He wanted it to be memorable given that it was their first Valentine's date together.
"Which flower would you like us to prepare, sir?" the manager showed him pictures of different flowers and most of them were roses.
"I want to give a bouquet of red tulips for my wife. Can you do that?"
"That's not a problem sir. How about your food and wine? Do you have any preferences?"
Stefan and the manager continued to talk since Cayenne wasn't around. He only sneaked out of his room with the excuse of meeting a business partner downstairs.
'Good thing that Ayen didn't make a fuss about being alone.' Stefan thought to himself on his way back to his room after the discussion.
He was busy securing their relationship but other people were busy thinking how to ruin it. It's the nature of the society. Some people can't just stand seeing others being happy. Some people would even covet someone else's partner knowing that doing so is a wrong thing.