Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
He had forsaken several million¨Cdollar deals to hurry over, genuinely worried about Mia, only to find out it was just a game of truth or dare.
Timothy was furiou
“Mia, you’ve truly outdone yourself this time. Seriously, next time, even if you’re on your deathbed, just save yourself the trouble of calling me!” With that, he angrily turned around and stormed back to his car.
Mia hesitated to bring up her unsettling encounter with Keegan at the villa. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that Timothy would ridicule her if she decided to share the details.
At that moment, Mia spotted a luxurious car making its way out of the villa community.
As the car window rolled down, she found herself locking eyes with Keagan, who shot a glaring look in her direction.
Instantly, a wave of apprehension swept over Mia.
She hurried over to Timothy, who was on the verge of getting into his car, and warped her arms around his waist, embracing him tightly. “Darling, please don’t be upset,” she pleaded.
Timothy froze by the car door, shooting a questioning glance at Mia. “What are you up to now?”
With a forced smile. Mia responded, “I was just teasing you earlier. Let’s get in the car and talk.”
Timothy leaned against the car door, lowering his gaze to meet hers. “Explain yourself!”
Mia’s eyes shifted toward Keegan’s car, which was parked just outside the villa, overwhelmed.
She deliberately reached out, giving Timothy a gentle pat on his backside. “This isn’t the right place to talk. Let’s continue our conversation in the car.”
Timothy’s expression grew tense, his eyes registering pure shock. He couldn’t believe Mia had made such a bold move.
Caught off guard, Timothy found himself unexpectedly shoved into the car by Mia, his forehead colliding with the window in the process.
Gritting his teeth in frustration, he exclaimed, “Mia, have you completely lost your mind?”
Ignoring Timothy’s outburst, Mia hunched down to enter the car, forcefully slamming the door shut.
Leaning in close to the car window, Mia kept a watchful eye on the unfolding situation outside.
She watched as Keegan’s car drove away.
Mia’s tension eased as she released a sigh of relief. Had she successfully deceived Keegan this time?
She turned her head, locking eyes with Timothy once more, his expression now a mix of anger and disbelief.
Clearing her throat, Mia composed herself and suggested, “Why don’t you head back to your office? Give me a lift on the way, will you?”
Frustrated. Timothy yanked off his tie. “You want me to give you a ride? Why don’t you sprout wings and fly yourself? Mia, I’ve never encountered a woman as shameless as you!”
“Well, now you have,” Mia retorted.
Timothy angrily kioked the seat in front of him, frustration evident in his voice as he roared, “Both of you, get out!”
With that, Rodger and Heath promptly exited the car.
Sensing imminent danger, Mia also contemplated getting out of the car. However, Timothy seized her by the collar, forcefully yanking her back inside.
Confronting Timothy, Mia blinked innocently. “Didn’t you mention you were occupied? I won’t disturb you any longer. I can simply take a cab myself.”
“Do you think you can just fool around and casually walk away? Where did you gef that audacity?”
“It’s simply part of my nature to be bold. Do you believe me or not?”
“Mia, enough with the backtalk! I won’t hesitate to put you in your place!” Timothy exclaimed, gripping Mia’s chin tightly.
“Come on, speak up. Your constant attempts to deceive me won’t cut it. Just because Grandma’s on your side doesn’t mean I won’t take action against you,” he continued.
Terrified, Mia felt a cold sweat break out on her back, and she hastily apologized, “I’m sorry!”
Timothy’s hand came to an abrupt stop. “If apologies could solve everything, why would we even need the police?””
“What do you want then? So what if I touched your butt? You can just touch mine back!”
Mia’s words lingered, casting an unsettling silence inside the car.
Timothy gazed into Mia’s innocent eyes, feeling as though he were the antagonist in this scene.
In a fleeting moment, an impulsive urge welled up within him.
With his eyes fixed on the comer of her lips, Timothy leaned forward, choosing to silence Mia with a kiss in the hope of putting an end to her protests.
Mia found herself momentarily caught off guard.
What was he doing?
Attempting to resist Timothy’s advances, Mia tried to push him away.
However, Timothy remained unyielding, making it impossible for her to break free.
Mia’s eyes widened as she stared at Timothy.
His narrow eyes, reminiscent of the sea, appeared as if they could entirely engulf her.
Within the confines of the car, the temperature surged noticeably.
Mia tightly clutched Timothy’s shirt, but her grasp seemed feeble, caught in a struggle between resistance and surrender.
Finally, she bit his lip, causing Timothy to release a muffled groan and pause momentarily.
His eyes, now tinged with red veins, locked intensely onto hers.
Within the car, a profound silence took hold.
Wiping the corner of his mouth, Timothy shattered the silence with a piercing question. “Did you bite me?”
Mia locked eyes with him defiantly, her lips pursed. “So what if I did? Who gave you the right to kiss me out of the blue? That’s harassment! You’re acting like a rogue!”
A soft chuckle escaped Timothy’s lips. “So, now you understand what it feels like to be harassed? I merely offered you a taste of your own medicine. Are you struggling to handle it?” he quipped.
His retort momentarily silenced Mia, but she wasn’t ready to concede.
Stubbornly, she countered. “But I just touched you briefly, and y¨Cyou kissed me! That’s different!”
“From a legal standpoint, both actions carry the same criminal implications. There’s no distinction.” Timothy’s deep voice resonated, with his eyebrows raised slightly, and a hint of emotion flickered in his eyes.
Feeling uneasy in this position, Mia shifted her body and, blushing, requested, “So, could you let go of me now?
With one hand resting on the car door, Timothy had Mia cornered. “You did bite me, though. Do you have any suggestions on how we can settle that score?”
Mia was furious. Wasn’t Timothy being completely unreasonable?
Finally reaching her limit, Mia shot him an exasperated look.
“Mr. Barrett, that’s enough. I’m not here to provide additional opportunities for you to assert yourself. Let’s consider things settled after what transpired,” she retorted.
Clutching her delicate wrist. Timothy sneered, “What’s this? You’re hesitant with me but so open with other men?”
Timothy’s words hit Mia like a painful blow, causing her to tremble and a pang of hurt to resonate in her heart.
In Timothy’s eyes, Mia was consistently seen as a gold digger¨Can individual who, in his perception, would stop at nothing for money.
Resigned to the persistent label, Mia decided to embrace it more fully.
Lowering her gaze, Mia quipped with a smirk, “Certainly, as long as the new love measures up, there’s no ex that can’t be forgotten.”
In response, Timothy chuckled with exasperation. “Remember, we’re still in the waiting period for our divorce. It’s not finalized yet.”
Timothy’s eyes lingered on Mia’s seemingly innocent face, noting the subtle swelling of her lips. His gaze deepened as he observed her lips.
Unexpectedly, the sensation of their kiss wasn’t as unpleasant as he had anticipated. Perhaps he didn’t dislike it as much as he had initially thought.
“Is the bar for dating set so high now? Does it have to be with someone unattached? What’s wrong with someone going through a divorce?” Mia retorted.
“Mia, I never realized how sharp¨Cwitted you are. It’s a shame you’re not on a variety show.”
“Really? I couldn’t agree more. With my exceptional qualities, I see the period after our divorce as an opportunity for a fresh start.
“Mr. Barrett, your enlightening perspective is truly appreciated,” Mia quipped.
Ever since broaching the topic of divorce with Mia, Timothy’s daily frustration levels had soared.
Suddenly, a sharp knock echoed on the car window.
Wearing a stern expression, Timothy rolled it down and asked, “Who is It?”
“I’m the traffic officer for this area, and parking is not permitted here. I recommend relocating to a nearby hotel. *A middle¨Caged man in a bright fluorescent uniform asserted, appearing well aware of the situation.
Seeing the uniformed officer, Mia instinctively covered her face, overwhelmed with embarrassment.