Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Timothy grew annoyed. “Inappropriate ideas? You’re the one with the dirty mind!”
“Well, if you think I entertain inappropriate thoughts, feel free to point them out. I’d be happy to explain.”
Mia refused to back down, maintaining a defiant gaze on Timothy.
Timothy glanced downward, catching sight of Mia’s innocent, dark eyes
His throat subtly tightened, and he unconsciously licked his lips.
In a husky tone, he uttered, “You were the one who brought up sweet¨Ctalking.”
“And what if I did? Didn’t I sweet¨Ctalk you back then?”
Indeed, Mia had dedicated each day to understanding Timothy’s preferences, anxiously awaited his return from work, and carefully considered when and how to express herself.
She had to meticulously choose her words, ensuring they always aligned with what he wanted to hear. Wasn’t that considered a form of sweet¨Ctalking?
Heath, standing nearby, unintentionally caught wind of their animated conversation and discreetly took a few steps back.
He preferred not to eavesdrop on anything he shouldn’t and potentially become a target for
Timothy’s wrath later on.
Beneath Timothy’s usual noble and aloof demeanor, there hid a surprising array of tricks up his sleeve.
Looking at Mia, Timothy’s tone turned cold as he uttered, “Mia, you can shut up now.”
Any other woman might have blushed and fallen silent upon hearing those words, but not Mia.
Shamelessly, she argued back, her face visibly agitated.
Indeed, Timothy had never encountered a lady with such a robust and assertive personality like Mia!
Feeling upset, Mia muttered, “You initiated the argument. With a clear conscience, one sees things in a positive and pure light. If your mindset is tainted, everything you perceive becomes tainted too!”
Timothy was taken aback by her response.
The discussion came to an abrupt halt.
Timothy remained silent as Mia lowered her head, attempting to regain her composure.
It was all Timothy’s fault; his words had provoked an unintended reaction from Mia.
The atmosphere between them grew increasingly awkward.
Mia gazed up at the ceiling, sensing the uncomfortable silence. She pressed on, “By the way, you still haven’t answered my question.”
Why was Mia shamelessly persisting for an answer?
Timothy remained fixated on his laptop, appearing somewhat distracted.
Upon hearing Mia’s inquiry, Timothy’s throat tightened. “Aren’t you aware of the reason?”
“What? Am I supposed to know?”
Mia found the situation increasingly perplexing. She stared at Timothy, attempting to decipher the meaning behind his gaze.
In response, Timothy countered, “You seem quite concerned about why I ended my engagement with Maya.”
Mia’s gaze intensified with frustration. Abruptly, she averted her eyes. “No, it was just a casual
“Why are you so interested to know?”
Mia exhaled deeply. “I want to understand the reason so I can tease Maya. It’s a perfect opportunity. I can’t let it pass.”
Timothy was caught off guard.
Well, it seemed like Timothy had misconstrued Mia’s intentions.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Timothy shifted his attention to the document lying nearby.
“You shouldn’t hold onto this document. It’s better to keep it confidential to avoid impacting the
Barrett Group’s stock price. After all, the successor issue is a significant matter.”
“I anticipated you’d say that, but this document is just a piece of paper. We don’t have a child, after all.”
Mia continued calmly, “Besides, our main focus has been ensuring Grandma Laura’s surgery proceeds smoothly.
“Regardless of the decisions made during this period, I won’t dwell on them, and I won’t take them seriously.”
Timothy nodded, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before acknowledging, “You’ve undergone quite a transformation during this period.”
Having witnessed Mia’s true character, Timothy found himself reevaluating his preconceived notions about her. She was not the person he had initially perceived her to be.
Mia responded nonchalantly, “I’ve decided to resign soon, so it doesn’t matter who you choose to love.”
Upon hearing this, Timothy couldn’t help but frown. “Mia, can’t you take things seriously for once?”
“Sure, but this is simply the way I express myself. If you’re looking for something pleasant to hear, it comes with an additional cost,” Mia quipped.
Timothy smirked. “Alright, how much are we talking about here?”
Mia replied casually, “Not much, let’s say a hundred dollars per word.”
She had no intention of prolonging the conversation.
Timothy’s deep voice unexpectedly interjected, “Should I transfer it to your bank or through
Venmo?”
Mia looked at Timothy in surprise. She had intended it as a light¨Chearted jest, but his response left her utterly taken aback.
Was he taking her joke seriously?
Mia seemed to be gradually loosening up, while Timothy, on the other hand, was revealing a touch of shamelessness.
Timothy reached for his phone, seemingly about to transfer the money to her.
Mia couldn’t help but blurt out, “Are you that eager to be sweet¨Ctalked by me?”
Immediately realizing her mistake, Mia bit her tongue in regret for her thoughtless words.
Timothy shot a meaningful glance at her and remarked, “Well, it’s not entirely out of the question.”
Mia’s face turned red, and she averted her eyes, murmuring, “Once Grandma successfully recovers from her surgery, perhaps we can discuss handling the divorce procedures at the courthouse.*
As her words hung in the air, a heavy silence settled between them.
The ambiguous atmosphere that had abruptly enveloped them just moments ago dissipated in an instant.
Timothy regained his composure, leaning back in the cold metal chair. A heavy sensation weighed on his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Timothy’s gaze shifted to Mia. He pursed his lips before breaking the silence, “You know, it might not be strictly necessary to pursue a divorce.”
Mia couldn’t believe Timothy’s words.
She looked at him incredulously, convinced that she must have misheard his words.
Though Mia comprehended each word Timothy spoke, when strung together in a sentence, Mia struggled to grasp the full meaning.
What did Timothy mean by saying it’s not strictly necessary to get a divorce? Did that imply it was optional, or was he suggesting the opposite?
Sensing Mia’s gaze, Timothy’s expression grew awkward.
“What I’m trying to say is, I don’t have any particular criteria for a spouse.” he said bluntly.
“Considering Grandma’s fondness for you, your presence could have a positive impact on her health. Hence, I’m contemplating the idea that you can continue being Mrs. Barrett.”
After Timothy’s unexpected revelation, Mia felt as if her brain had gone blank for a moment, leaving her in a daze.
A profound silence hung in the air. Mia looked at Timothy and moved closer to him.
Timothy lowered his eyes, meeting Mia’s inquisitive look.
He maintained his composure as she drew near, catching a whiff of her subtle yet pleasant
His eyes held a profound depth, with only the silhouette of Mia reflecting in his gaze.
Unexpectedly. Timothy’s heart raced. Why was Mia getting so close?
Was she perhaps stirred by his words?
Just then, Mia reached out, gently pulling Timothy’s head toward hers. Their foreheads met in a tender collision, and their breaths intertwined in the shared space between them.