Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Then, she sat down to take a break. Had it not for Ginger, Mia wouldn’t have woken up this early.
Holding a plate, Ginger looked at the breakfast spread to pick her choice. Her eyes kept darting toward the door at times.
Not long after, Timothy trod into the restaurant.
Ginger waved happily. “Tim, over here!”
He finally heard her when he drew closer. Ginger, in a dress, stood on her toes and waved at him. She was adorable, like a puppy.
Smiling, he came up to her. “Are you here alone?”
Ginger uttered, “Mommy’s over there.”
Timothy lifted his head and noticed the napping woman in her seat.
He cast his gaze down at Ginger, who barely reached his thigh. “What would you like to eat?”
“I haven’t thought about it yet. The tables are too high. I can’t see.” Due to her height, Ginger couldn’t get a clear view of the food on the table.
“Come here.” He lifted her up, his voice deep. “What would you like to have?”
As her field of vision expanded, she exclaimed in delight at the array of options. Ginger held her plate as her head swiveled left and right before her finger finally settled on her desired dish. “That one. That’s it.”
Timothy strolled around the restaurant with Ginger in his arms. The sight was rather adorable.
Mia woke up and began searching for Ginger, only to see Timothy carrying her.
Mixed feelings stirred in her because it seemed like Ginger really liked Timothy. Ginger was all wreathed in smiles too.
Timothy looked younger in his casual clothes compared to when he was in his suits. Instead of a businessman, he appeared more like an eye candy in showbiz.
Suddenly, her heart throbbed. She clutched her chest, pouring herself a glass of water to soothe her nerves.
She couldn’t make sense of what was happening to her. It had been a long time since she last had a hard time breathing. Was it because she hadn’t been taking her medicine lately?
Mia pushed the thought to the back of her mind.
Timothy took Ginger on a brief tour around the restaurant before seating her at the table.
“Mommy.” Ginger grinned after the fruitful journey.
Mia’s eyes narrowed at Ginger’s plate. “No, no. That’s too much desserts.”
She took the plate and took half of the food. “You can only have these with vegetables and protein.”
Ginger pouted. She never grew to like vegetables.
Mia stood up, eyes on Timothy. “Mr. Barrett, should we go get our share?” He spared her a glance and nodded. They went to the buffet section.
Mia first grabbed vegetables, pumpkin soup, and boiled eggs for Ginger.
Her gaze went to him. “She can’t have too many desserts. They’re bad for her teeth.”
“Sorry, I haven’t babysat before.”
“It’s alright. I appreciate your patience with Ginger and keeping her company. She’s quite chatty, and my family spoils her. She must’ve been quite a handful for you these past few days, haven’t she?”
He answered indifferently, “No, she wasn’t anything like that.”
On the contrary, he was grateful to Ginger because he could meet Mia because of her.
Mia’s origin remained a mystery, and he still had many questions.
“Tim.” Luna arrived with breakfast for Timothy, only to find him in the restaurant with
Monalize.
Mia watched Luna make her way over, marveling inwardly at Luna’s resilience.
Just the day before, Luna had taken a tumble down the stairs, yet here she was today, full of energy.
With bandages wrapped around her head and band¨Caids on her wrists and knees, Luna still retained her beauty, undiminished by her injuries.
Their gazes locked, a silent conversation passing between them. Only they held the key to what transpired in those depths.
Mia smiled. “That fall was nasty, but here you are, standing tall. You’re quite the strong woman, aren’t you?”
As soon as Mia said that, Luna’s expression shifted.
There was mischief in Mia’s eyes. She never held back when dealing with a pretentious person. Not when she knew what Luna did to Ginger.
On top of that, Ginger liked Timothy¨Call the more reason for Mia to eliminate her potential competitors.
Timothy frowned at Luna. “What are you doing here?”
Luna let out a weak smile. “Tim, I’m alright now. It’s just scrapes. So, I came out to have a walk and have breakfast.”
Mia looked toward where Ginger was seated. “I’ll bring the food to Ginger first.”
She then made her way to Ginger. “Finish everything.”
“Mommy, is the bad woman here to cause trouble again?” Ginger was anxious.
“Relax. I know how to deal with people like her,” assured Mia as she placed the plate down. Then, she returned to the buffet section, to Luna’s side. “Ms. Maynard, there are better ways to show your feelings. You shouldn’t stoop that low. Besides, it doesn’t work that way.” Luna’s eyes dimmed, and she retorted, “Am I supposed to be like you? Throwing myself to a man shamelessly?”
Mia chuckled. “Your acting is so good. Have you considered a debut in showbiz?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. Tim will never accept you. There’s someone he cherished in his heart. He hadn’t forgotten about her for years.”
Mia arched a brow. “Enlighten me. What kind of woman is she?”
There was something off about Timothy yesterday. No man should be able to resist her offer yesterday.
Timothy, it seemed, had someone else.
Every muscle in Luna’s body screamed to rip Monalize’s face off. Monalize resembled Mia so much!
“Why should I? If you want to know, you can ask him yourself.” Luna sounded malicious.
Mia couldn’t tear her eyes away as Luna, with a pathetic pout, approached Timothy. The pitiful fa?ade on Luna’s face tugged at an unfamiliar irritation within her. It shouldn’t have bothered her. Yet, a niggling unease wouldn’t be quelled.
Mia simply placed a bowl of soup on her tray before her strides carried her to Luna. A pristine smile was on Mia’s face. “Mr. Barrett.”
A jolt of annoyance shot through Luna at Mia’s voice. Her smile faltered, hardening into a grimace.
As Mia approached Luna and Timothy, her ankle appeared to give way, causing the bowl of soup to topple and spill.
“Be careful!” Timothy exclaimed, surging forward to catch Mia.
Mia caught his arm, shrieking, “The floor is slippery. I would’ve fallen if it wasn’t for you, Mr. Barrett.”
“Tim!” Luna cried, a shrill squeak escaping her lips as she gripped the table’s edge, narrowly avoiding another fall.
Luna reeked of chicken soup, and her dress clung to her, hot to the touch.
Her reddened eyes stared at the duo hugging. Grievance was written all over her face.
Why did he save Mia and not her?
Timothy looked at her. “Are you alright?” His tone sounded calm.
Luna’s eyes were downcast to hide her delight. “The soup’s burning! I think I got scalded. Ms. Monalize, did I upset you somehow? You shoved me down the stairs yesterday, and now you spilled soup on me!”
“Ms. Maynard, I’m sorry. But the floor is too slippery! I twisted my ankle, too! I would have fallen like you if it hadn’t been for Mr. Barrett catching me. It was a complete accident.”
Mia’s innocent tone only served to infuriate Luna.
“The floor isn’t slippery. You did that on purpose!” Luna’s resolve didn’t waver as she refused to concede.
Quickly, Mia signaled to the restaurant manager. “The floor is too slippery, and I almost slipped. Please clarify the situation to this lady over here.”
The manager addressed Luna promptly. “Apologies, the humidity is high due to the recent rain. Let me arrange for a doctor for you, Ms. Maynard. We’ll take full responsibility.”
Luna was rendered speechless, not expecting the restaurant manager to take it upon himself so quickly. Left with no choice, she gave up.
Mia flashed a meaningful smile at Luna. “Ms. Maynard, you should hurry to the doctor. It would be a shame if it left a scar on you.”
Luna’s gaze involuntarily shifted to Timothy. It was as if she hoped for him to speak up for her.
“Go to the doctor,” his voice was flat.
The hope in her eyes faded.
Luna felt that Timothy had neglected her since Monalize entered their lives. If before, he would surely stand up for her without hesitation.