Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
She shook her head. “No, just asking. I’m over the age for that.”
At that moment, Patricia walked out of her room. “She had a knack for piano when she was young.
“Our neighbor downstairs bought an electronic keyboard, and she picked the pieces very quickly just by looking at the music scores.
“According to the neighbor, Mia was gifted at playing piano. Unfortunately, we were too poor to afford a piano and send her to piano lessons.”
Her eyes were slightly red. “If Mia had grown up with you guys, she would’ve grown up like a princess. She wouldn’t have needed to go through the mill.”
Claude’s mood turned sour at that.
Indeed. If that evil nanny hadn’t lost the young Mia, Mia wouldn’t have been wandering out there and suffering.
Solemnly, he said, “Anyone can start learning piano at any time. I came here to run a music academy in the city anyway. You can come and learn piano, Mia.”
“Can I really start learning it from now?”
He nodded. “The earliest time to start something is now.”
A bright smile adorned Mia’s face. “Great! I would like to try!” After all, she didn’t have to worry about money anymore now.
Besides, not being able to learn piano when she was young due to lack of money had always been a bitter regret. She would like to take the chance to make up for it.
Patricia turned into a happy bunny at the news. “You should definitely go for it, Mia. Claude is a piano teacher. He can teach you.”
Claude was still hiding the fact that he was a pianist. Later on, he would have to call upon his team to establish a piano academy in Bern City.
He had the responsibility to make his lie into a reality no matter what it took.
Mia and Claude shared a short conversation regarding the piano lessons.
When she returned from a toilet break, he was not in the living room.
She scrutinized the balcony, which was also empty. “Where is he?”
“He left because something urgent came up. This is the card he left for you.”
The sight of the black card churned mixed feelings in her. Ever since her brothers¡® career was booming, they kept giving her money.
She held the black card. “Aunt Patricia, should I accept this? You taught me to live with pride even though we were poor.”
“Silly girl. This is the money your brother gave you. They’re your family. I’ve asked, and Claude said that this is nothing to them. It’s your pocket money, so take it.
“You guys are a family, who’ll go through thick and thin together in the future.”
She grinned. “You’re my family too.”
“Mia, Dominic told me that it’ll take too long for you to settle the house installment alone. They can settle the payment for you first.
“Eva isn’t bothered by it either. You should give it a thought. You can pay him back anyway. It’s not a big deal.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“I’m glad to see how your family treats you well, Mia. Family members should help out one
“Since you have a family to depend on, why don’t you enjoy the privilege? Don’t be too rigid, Wind down a little. Not anyone can have such a caring brother, let alone six of them. What’s holding you back?”
Mia returned to her bedroom and Patricia’s words kept ringing in her ears. As Patricia had said, was Mia being too rigid in front of her brothers?
Her gaze fell upon the black card and she stroked her belly.
She took her phone out to call Dominic, who answered the call instantly. “Mia, what’s up?”
“Are you busy?”
“Nope. Fire away.” He placed his laptop down and strode to a quiet corner.
She recounted what Patricia had told her. “Dominic, do you think that I’m being too rigid in front of you guys?”
A soft sigh escaped him. “I know we found you very late, Mia. It takes time to bond between siblings. We’re willing to wait for you to accept us.”
Silence sat still over the line for a moment. “I would like to take the privilege then. Please lend me some money. I’d like to settle the house installment in one go.”
A smirk played on his lips. “Happy to be of service.”
The next day, Mia headed straight to the bank for an appointment to settle the house installment.
Right when she received a number, she bumped into Felix.
“Mia, what are you doing here early in the morning?” He sounded astonished.
Mia actually didn’t expect to run into Felix at the bank.
She let it register in her for a moment. “I have business here. What about you?”
He coughed. “Same.” He didn’t reveal his purpose and he appeared awkward for some reason.
A while later, an officer came up to them. “Miss, mister, are you here for a loan application?”
“Yes,” replied Felix awkwardly.
The officer returned an indifferent look. “Please wait over there. Miss, how may I help you?”
Her arm reached out, handing over the number. “I called this morning.”
The officer’s expression lit up with a pristine smile. “Ms. Bowen, please come with me. Our manager has been waiting for you.”
Such enthusiasm from the other party was out of her expectations. She cast an awkward glance at Felix before following the officer to the VIP room.
Meanwhile, Felix was surprised to learn that she was a VIP customer of the back. Only depositors of over a million dollars could enjoy such privilege.
He wanted to buy a house in Jeinburg, but all of his fortune was invested in the studio.
That was why he came to the bank for a loan. He wondered how much he could borrow.
Soon after, that same officer approached indifferently. “Give me the documents.”
Felix sat down and handed him an envelope in an attempt to earn some brownie points. “Please take it as a token of appreciation.”
The officer pushed the envelope back to him. “Mr. Quilter, honestly, it’s difficult for you to get another loan right now. Why don’t you look for another bank?”
Felix’s face fell. “What? I thought things were going well the last time we talked.”
“Mr. Quilter, you haven’t settled the loan for your studio. If you want to borrow so much money from a personal loan, the chances of getting an approval is low.”
His mood was toppled upside down, but he couldn’t vent it out at the officer.
He peeked a glance at the VIP room.
“Do you know that rich and young lady?” asked the officer.
Felix’s eyes lit up at his chance. He coughed before answering, “I do. We graduated from the same school and she’s working at my studio right now.”
“Impressive! How could you have someone as rich as her working for you? Dude, stop thinking of getting a loan. Why don’t you ask her if she’d like to invest?”
Felix gulped down his saliva. “What is she doing here, though?”
“To settle her house installment in advance. The figure goes up to millions! The money was transferred to her account last night, and she’s here to sign the documents.
“I expect nothing less from the rich. They can pay up millions in cash so readily.”
A daring idea played on Felix’s mind after he heard that.
Last night, during the blind date, the lady was turned off when she learned that he didn’t own a house in Jeinburg. That was why he wanted to borrow a loan to buy a house.
Yet, so coincidentally, he bumped into Mia, who paid off millions of dollars to settle her mortgage.
How great it was if he could use that money to buy himself a house!
Felix asked, “How long do I have to make a prior appointment to be eligible for a deduction?”
“It depends. About two weeks.”
Felix started to structure out his plan. If he could win Mia’s heart, she might not refuse his request if he wanted to borrow money from her.
After all, it was meant for their future! It could be their newlywed house in the future!
The more he thought about it, the more plausible he thought it was.
An hour later, Mia finally settled the procedures and exited the VIP room.
“You’re done, Mia?”
Mia snapped her head up only to see Felix walking up to her, her expression stiff. Yes, Whut about you? Got the loan?”