Mia tugged at the sleeves of her Nirvana hoodie, pushing her sunglasses higher up her nose and adjusting her mask. The bustling energy of the mall enveloped her as she walked inside, glancing at her phone while scanning her surroundings. She stopped abruptly when a hand grabbed her arm.

Frowning, she turned to the source of the interruption, her eyes widening at the sight of a familiar face.

"Are you following me, Mia?" Zachary's smug voice froze her in place.

"Are you nuts?" Mia scoffed, pulling her arm free. "Why on earth would I follow you? And don't touch me!"

Zachary chuckled, his expression oozing arrogance. "If you're not following me, then why are you here?"

Mia tilted her head, lowering her sunglasses slightly to glare at him. "Oh, please. This is a mall. People come here to shop, not to obsess over their exes." She pushed her sunglasses back up and added with a smirk, "Still an idiot, I see."

Zachary's smirk grew wider. "You can't fool me, Mia. Last time we met, you were head over heels for me. Some things don't change."

Mia laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. "That was then. Now? I wouldn't bother. So, get over yourself and leave me alone." She waved him off dismissively.

"You're funny," Zachary sneered. "I could tell the media about this, you know. Imagine the headlines: Actress Mia Tran caught stalking her ex-husband!"

Mia rolled her eyes. "Go ahead, Zach. Let's see who comes out looking worse. For your information, I'm meeting someone."

"Who?" Zachary challenged, crossing his arms.

Her heart raced. She wasn't meeting anyone. Desperately scanning the crowd, her gaze landed on a figure walking nearby—a person in a hoodie, cap, sunglasses, and a mask. Without thinking, she strode over and looped her arm through theirs.

"There you are!" she exclaimed brightly, looking up at the stranger with a smile so sweet it could melt ice. "Honeybunch, I've been waiting!"

The stranger stiffened momentarily before glancing at her, clearly confused.

"Honeybunch?" Zachary repeated, looking between Mia and the stranger.

"Yes, my honeybunch," Mia said firmly, squeezing the stranger's arm as if to emphasize her point. "Zach, meet my... um... significant other. Unlike some people, they actually know how to stay loyal."

The stranger seemed to catch on. "Who's this, sugarplum?" he asked, his voice muffled but cooperative.

"Remember my ex I told you about?" Mia pouted dramatically. "Well, this is him."

The stranger nodded, turning to Zachary. "Oh, it's you. Nice to meet you—actually, no, it's not. But thanks for letting her go. Best thing that ever happened to me."

Zachary scoffed, clearly rattled. "Whatever. You'll probably end up breaking up with her, too. Can't wait for that news." With a final sneer, he stormed off.

Mia let out a relieved breath, releasing the stranger's arm. She bowed quickly. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry for dragging you into this! Thank you for playing along."

The stranger chuckled softly. "No problem."

"Still," she said, rummaging through her bag and pulling out a business card. "Here, in case you need anything. It's the least I can do." She straightened, giving him a grateful smile. "Thanks again!" Without waiting for a response, she jogged away, her heart pounding.



Ashley sighed as she tied her hair into a messy bun and adjusted her cap over it. She slid on her sunglasses and face mask, tugging the hoodie over her head. Blending in was key as she trailed someone she'd been investigating.

"Being a detective really kills the fun," she muttered, shoving her hands into her hoodie pocket as she strolled through the bustling mall.

Her casual surveillance came to an abrupt halt when someone looped their arm through hers.

"There you are, honeybunch!" an overly cheerful voice chirped, catching Ashley completely off guard. Honeybunch? Her brow twitched beneath her cap. What fresh chaos is this?

A grip tightened on her arm, pulling her from her thoughts. She cleared her throat, trying to maintain composure. "Who's this, uh, sugarplum?" she asked, her voice steady despite the cringe-worthy nickname she'd just uttered. Internally, she winced. Sugarplum?! What the hell, Ashley?

"Remember my ex I told you about? Well, that's him," the woman beside her explained, motioning toward the man in front of them.

Ashley glanced down at the woman—Mia—and then at the man. Recognition flickered, but she played along. "Oh, him." She nodded, her voice laced with faux disinterest. "Nice to meet you. Actually, no, it's not. But thanks for letting her go. Best decision ever." Her tone was light, but she couldn't help but roll her eyes at herself.

Zachary, Mia's ex, scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "You two won't last. Mark my words—this one's trouble."

Ashley smirked beneath her mask, her voice dropping an octave. "I'll take my chances. Thanks for the warning, though."

Mia waited until Zachary was out of sight before exhaling in relief and untangling her arm. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry for dragging you into that!" She clasped her hands together in apology. "Thanks for playing along."

"Not a problem," Ashley replied casually, though her curiosity was piqued.

Mia rummaged through her bag, pulling out a card and pressing it into Ashley's hand. "Here. I don't usually hand these out, but if you need anything, call me. Consider it compensation." She bowed her head quickly, glancing over her shoulder as she rushed away.

Ashley blinked, glancing down at the card. Mia Tran. A smirk tugged at her lips. "Well, maybe being a detective isn't so boring after all," she murmured, slipping the card into her pocket. "But seriously, honeybunch and sugarplum? That's a new low."

She laughed to herself as she headed toward the restroom. Her phone buzzed. Answering the call, she leaned against the sink. "Inspector," she greeted, her tone shifting to professional.

"Undercover? Really? Do we have to?" she muttered into the phone, eyeing herself in the mirror. With a resigned sigh, she added, "Fine. I'll update you if I find anything." She hung up, shaking her head.

The creak of a restroom stall door caught her attention. Ashley stiffened slightly as the person stepped up to the sink beside her. Through the mirror, she recognized Mia.

"Oh, if it isn't sugarplum," Ashley teased, smirking under her mask.

Mia froze, eyes wide. "W-what?!" She turned to face Ashley fully. "Aren't you—"

Ashley chuckled softly, pulling off her mask and sunglasses with a flourish. "Hey there."

Mia blinked in disbelief. "What the— You're not a guy?!"

Ashley's grin widened. "Surprise." She washed her hands nonchalantly. "Didn't expect that, huh?"

Mia flushed, stammering. "I—I didn't know! I'm so sorry!" She bowed her head repeatedly.

Ashley waved it off, grabbing a paper towel. "It's fine, really. But how about you make it up to me?"

Mia exhaled harshly. "What do you want, weird detective?" she asked, crossing her arms. "I have a few hours to spare, so maybe a simple compensation for your little help would suffice."

Ashley smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Just a coffee," she replied.

Mia arched a brow. "Coffee?"

"Yeah. Seems fair, don't you think?" Ashley said, pushing off the doorframe. "Unless you want me to start calling you sugarplum again."

Mia groaned, throwing her hands up in surrender. "Fine. Coffee it is. But no more nicknames!"

Ashley chuckled, gesturing for her to lead the way. "Noted. Let's go, sugarplum."

Mia shot her a glare but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips. "You're insufferable."

"And you owe me coffee," Ashley quipped, following her out of the restroom.