Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“I think Felix is fine. He’s good¨Clooking and has potential. Only people of the same world can last long together.
Mia nodded in agreement. “You’re right. It has to be someone from the same world.” A self¨Cmocking glint flashed in her eyes. “Sorry for ruining your mood, Gina.”
.
Gina reassured her, “Hey, it’s no big deal. You’re going to hit it big someday, considering your growing reputation. You won’t be trailing behind these rich people. We can be the main characters of a rags¨Cto¨C riches story!”
They went their separate ways, and Mia returned home.
Since Dominic had taken care of the demolition, Mia’s adoptive parents didn’t have the guts to cause a scene at her place anymore.
Mia could finally have some peace of mind.
She went to work as soon as her lectures finished.
Her colleague approached her. “Mia, are you busy this weekend?”
Mia thought, “The weekend? That’s tomorrow.”
She snapped back to reality. “Yes, I’ve got plenty of free time.”
“Could you cover for me this weekend? Something came up at home, so I need to take a leave.”
“No problem.”
Mia usually spent her weekends at the studio. There were a few colleagues who would do the same.
Since she had no plans, she gladly accepted the request.
It wasn’t the first time anyway.
Felix ordered cups of coffee in the afternoon. “It’s on me. We landed a big client recently.”
Someone asked, “Does that mean we’re pulling overtime this weekend?”
“Bingo. Brace yourselves for the workload in the coming days. You can take turns for leaves after that.”
Felix handed Mia a cup of coffee. “Hope you’re not put off by the news.”
“I’m free this weekend anyway. I’d be a fool not to earn more money when I can.”
She looked at the coffee in front of her. “I don’t like coffee, Felix.”
Mia’s concern lingered¨Cwhat if someone had tampered with the drink? She preferred not to take any chances.
Her food preferences changed ever since she got pregnant.
“You don’t like coffee? I remember you liked this coffee brand a lot back in college.”
The colleagues became nosy. “Gosh, Ms. Quilter remembers your past favorites, Mia.”
Someone chimed in. “Mia, isn’t our boss young, handsome and caring too?”
Mia was rendered helpless. Now that her colleagues were playing matchmaker, she was at her wit’s end.
Seeing her discomfort, Felix stepped in. He gave the colleagues a look. “Enough. You guys are crossing a line. I’m looking out for Mia as her superior. She’s our top designer.”
A wave of relief washed over her when she heard that. She had no idea how to react to this kind of situation.
Once the colleagues dispersed, Felix lowered his voice. “Mia, don’t be stressed out. My feelings for you are my business. Don’t overthink it.”
After giving it a thought, she raised her head. “Felix, actually, I—“
“Alright, I know. Just focus on your work. By the way, you’re in charge of this project. I feel more assured to leave it in your hands.”
“Is it the interior design project for a villa?”
“Nope. It’s for an engagement ceremony. The client has high demands, not only for the venue but also the decorations. They requested us to go to them for a discussion.”
An engagement ceremony?
It reminded Mia of Maya and Timothy’s engagement, but she pushed those thoughts aside.
“Felix, I don’t think the studio has accepted this kind of order. We specialize in interior design, not wedding planning,” Mia said.
“I know, but this is an exception. We must accept this order and do our best. It’ll bring us to further heights. Please, Mia,” Felix pleaded with her.
Since he had put it that way, there was no way she could refuse it. “Okay. Give me more commissions in return. My monthly mortgage installment is high.”
“That is for sure.”
Felix turned around and returned to his office before making a call.
He began his flagrant bootlicking towards Maya. “Ms. Lane, I’ve talked it out with my team. We’re all geared up for it.”
“Really? Great! I’ve heard that you have Mia Bowen working at your studio. With her involvement in the
“Don’t worry about it, Ms. Lane, Everyone on my team is capable and willing to accept challenges. If you have any complaints, just tell us. We can change the plan accordingly.”
The corner of Maya’s lips curled upward. “Thanks.”
“Don’t be. It is truly our honor that you’re giving us this opportunity.”
“How sweet of you. But please, keep this engagement a secret. I hope you won’t reveal who the bride and bridegroom are before the engagement ceremony.”
“Don’t worry, Ms. Lane. I’m the only person who knows about it for now. My lips are sealed.”
Maya’s smile brightened. “I can share the decorations online after the ceremony. Hope it can boost your studio.”
Felix was thrilled. “That’s fantastic! Thank you, Ms. Lane.”
The call ended with Maya in good spirits.
What kind of expression would Mia wear when she saw Maya and Timothy at the engagement ceremony?
Maya began looking forward to the engagement ceremony, which would be held on the day after tomorrow. 1
She pulled her phone out to call Dominic.
The line got through quickly and she grinned. “Dominic, are you busy these days? Is it necessary when you’ve only bought such a small company?”
Maya was aware of Dominic’s return to Bern City and that he personally followed up on the acquisition. It must be important to his work and hence he gave it so much importance.
Mia’s luck still annoyed Maya. Dominic happened to acquire that company at that moment. If things went differently, that old man’s daughter might’ve taught Mia a lesson.
Instead, Wilhelmina became the scapegoat in the end.
“This is work¨Crelated,” Dominic’s tone was calming.
He would never keep Maya in the loop by saying that his efforts were all for Mia. Not only did he come to the city in person, but he had also personally acquired that company.
No longer pestering him with questions, she changed the topic. “You should be done with your work by now. My engagement ceremony is on the day after tomorrow. You and Eva have time to attend it, right?”
“Yeah.” He contemplated momentarily before continuing, “I have something to tell you after the ceremony ends.”
“What is it? That’s such a cliffhanger. Why don’t you tell me right now?”
He refused without a second thought, “Now’s not the time.”
A sense of foreboding loomed over her. Left with no choice, she could only rein her curiosity in. “I’m going to get married not long after the engagement. Grandma promised to give me those collections once I get married.
A crease was formed between his eyebrows. “That won’t do.”
Maya was taken aback. “Why not? Grandma promised.”
“Maya, you should know that Grandma promised to give them to her biological granddaughter, not you.”
Tears of anger pooled in her eyes. “Dominic, don’t I deserve to be your sister? It’s been years.”
She had flaunted about being his sister in front of Shelly from the beginning. Now, a lot of people know that her family would give her an abundance of wedding gifts and were envious of her.
Now that Dominic refused, what should she do?
If nothing was shown at the wedding, would everyone make fun of her?
He said calmly, “Maya, I personally think that I have treated you well all these years. You haven’t forgotten
Maya was stunned. She never forgot about it.
However, years of living in luxury as Ms. Lane had her put her old memories at the back of her mind,
She perceived herself as the true Ms. Lane. After all, the true Ms. Lane would never return to the Lane farmity, she believed.
Menace tinged her face, but her voice remained steady with a touch of plea. “I haven’t forgotten. I know who’s the reason I’m able to come this far too. But I’m still Ms. Lane in public. If the wedding gift is too shabby, people will laugh at us.”