Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Seeing Dana had fallen for her offer, Maya replied instantly, “In fact, I’ve been thinking about this on my way here too. But I haven’t had the chance to ask Mia, so I came to you first.”
Dana mulled over her response. How should she reply?
“Are you the one I’m looking for?” Maya continued in a suggestive drawl. She had just retold the entire incident, promising Dana countless benefits. Anyone with a bit of sense in them would know what to do.
She was all too familiar with the discrimination and contempt Dana faced as an orphan. Thus, she was certain that Dana wouldn’t hesitate to seize her only opportunity, just like how she did with Dominic.
Only then was she able to lead a luxurious life.
In the next instant, Dana nodded her head in guilt. “I’m the one you’re looking for.”
A triumphant smile played on Maya’s lips. Visibly touched, she took Dana’s hand and cried, “Is it really you? You have no idea how delighted I am!
“It’s been years since we last met, and we’ve all changed. If it wasn’t for the piano piece, I wouldn’t have recognized you.”
Dana forced a smile. “Yeah, we all look different when we grow up, don’t we?”
It was about time for Maya to throw in the question. “Oh yeah, how did Mia know that piece as well?”
“I¨CI taught her. We’re from the same orphanage, after all. I cherished our bond, so I taught her the piece.
“Really? So, she’s from the orphanage too. When was she there? Was she at the orphanage when I was there?”
Sweat began to clad Dana’s forehead as guilt overwhelmed her. In a hurry to come up with a shoddy excuse, she blurted, “Maybe. I can’t really remember. But Mia doesn’t remember anything either.
“She fell sick when she was.a child, and she couldn’t remember anything from the orphanage.”
“Did she really forget everything?”
Maya finally knew why Connor and the Lane cousins didn’t discover Mia’s identity despite having spent so much time with her. She had lost her memory.
Even God was helping Maya. She could barely contain her glee. So, it turned out that Mia had forgotten everything that happened at the orphanage.
Dana probed cautiously, “Ms. Lane, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Mia.”
“No need for that. Of course, I trust you. You’re the friend I trusted most when I was a kid, after all.”
Holding Dana’s hand suddenly reminded Maya of the way she used to hold Mia’s hand. She looked like a doll back then, and she remembered telling her that they were best friends.
Indeed, her best friend had given her a glamorous life.
A weight had been lifted off Maya’s chest. As long as Mia couldn’t remember what happened at the orphanage, the Lane family wouldn’t know she was the real daughter of their family.
She found Connor to be too nice to Mia, though. Was this because they were cousins?
This thought plunged her into a state of unease. Why couldn’t Mia just disappear forever?
It was already absurd enough for her to marry Timothy three years ago when he was still in an induced coma. She risked marrying a man who would be dead anytime.
Nevertheless, Maya underestimated Mia’s ambition. Why didn’t she see through her back then?
Suppressing the doubt arising in her chest, she glanced at Dana. “Give me your contact. We’re friends from now on, okay?
“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to let my assistant know. He’ll sort it out for you.”
“Oh, sure. Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. You’re my only best friend,” Maya chirped, flashing a warm smile at Dana. Seeing how tempted she was, Maya had a bold idea. Maybe she could use Dana to get rid of Mia.
Standing upright, Maya’s nonchalant gaze loomed over Dana. “I’m busy, so I have to leave now. We can go for tea and shopping next time. I’ve got some gifts for you too.”
“No problem. Go ahead.”
Dana watched Maya leave after adding her contact. She pinched her arm until it turned red, finally realizing that it wasn’t a dream.
It wasn’t a fictional story. It actually happened!
Thrill riddled her as she realized she finally seized her opportunity to shine. The thought of her work being published or adapted sent her reveling in joy.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Mia.
Dana almost dropped her phone. Did Mia find out? Or did Maya go to her instead?
Though Dana had never done something guilty in her life, she found it impossible to turn down Maya’s offers. It was only natural for her to act for her own advantage.
As an unattractive orphan who had no one backing her up, almost everyone sneered at her.
At least Mia looked decent, and she was courted by rich and attractive bachelors. She’d be able to live her life in contentment even if she wasn’t Maya’s best friend.
However, things would be different for Dana. It would be the end for her if she was no longer Maya’s best friend.
A cold glint flickered in Dana’s eyes as she glanced at the caller ID. “Mia, I hope you don’t blame me for this. I’ll also help you out once I succeed, but just help me out this one time.”
She didn’t answer the call.
Meanwhile, Mia found it strange. Didn’t Dana tell her that she would come to the concert and that she wanted the conductor’s autograph?
Thanks to Claude’s connections, she secured a chance for Dana to take a picture with her idol and receive his autograph. Yet, she didn’t pick up her call.
Nevertheless, Mia texted her.
“Dana, I got his autograph for you. If you want to take a picture with him, come to the hall now.”
Chancing a glance at Claude, she said, “My friend didn’t answer my call. She’s probably busy.”
“It’s fine. You can still take the autograph for her.”
Mia nodded. She figured Dana was probably being held up by something, so she couldn’t make it to the hall. She knew how badly Dana wanted a picture and an autograph from her idol.
She couldn’t help but wonder whether Dana was in any trouble.
Mia heaved a sigh of relief once the events in the hall ended on a good note. The efforts all this while were worth it, and she had successfully completed her credits.
She spun around and glanced at Claude. “Let’s go, Claude. The meal’s on me today.”
“Sure.” It was a rare sight for him to see Mia this overjoyed. It was a good show indeed. Not only did it give her enough credits, it gave her a chance to perform on stage.
It was perfect.
Mia suddenly remembered something. Glancing over at Claude, she inquired, “Claude, are you close with Maya?”
Mia meant to ask earlier, but she was interrupted by Maya’s sudden appearance.
Claude’s expression shifted slightly. He was caught off guard by her question. “Maya knows how to play the piano as well. She wants to join our orchestra.”
“So she’ll be joining in the future?” Mia asked curiously.
“In her dreams! I won’t let her join. She isn’t talented at all.” Claude’s tone was laced with disdain. There was no way he’d let Maya join the orchestra.
Given Maya’s influential family background, Mia thought it wouldn’t be difficult for Maya to join the orchestra if she wanted.
Just as they were about to leave backstage, Kennedy went up to Mia and asked, “Mia, it’s all thanks to you that the event ended splendidly. Why don’t you join us for a meal?”
Mia didn’t expect this at all. She really didn’t want to entertain them since she only did it for the sake of her credit.
Claude took note of her uneasiness. Glancing up at Kennedy, he replied, “Sorry, but we have an appointment later. Maybe next time.”
Kennedy was aware of his identity as the general manager of the orchestra. He figured that he thought highly of Mia’s talent as well. Knowing that he couldn’t afford to offend him, he replied servilely with a smile, “Sure, no worries.”
Mia heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Claude rejected his offer in her stead.
As she left with him, she spotted a luxury car parked nearby. It was Timothy’s car. She quickly withdrew her gaze after a brief glance.
Scrambling into Claude’s car, she chanced a glance at the rearview mirror, but she couldn’t discern Timothy’s expression.
Timothy narrowed his eyes as he watched Claude’s car leave. There was a complicated look in his eyes. Glancing over at Heath, he asked, “Did you find out why Mia was close to the Lanes?”
Heath hesitated. “Not very specific. But it seems like the Lanes began to get close with Mrs. Barrett ever since you proposed a divorce.
“It does seem strange, but there are no significant findings from our investigation.”
“You gotta be kidding me. Keep investigating then!”
The way Mia left with Claude lingered in Timothy’s mind. Feeling frustrated, he winded down the window to get some fresh air. Little did he expect Maya to dash over at him.
*15 BEARS
“Tim, you’re still here.”
He winded up the window instantly and kicked the driver’s seat. “Go!”
His car zoomed off, leaving Maya stomping her foot in chagrin, looking positively sullen. He had been giving her the cold shoulder ever since her scheme to get Laura to undergo surgery had been exposed.
Blake approached her and said, “Ms. Lane, why does it have to be Timothy? There are so many rich bachelors in Bern City. You can just date any of them.”