Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Mia accepted the flowers, causing a commotion among her colleagues and earning a triumphant smile from Felix.
He knew that winning Mia’s heart was a piece of cake. After all, she was divorced before.
Next, Mia threw the flowers onto the ground. Silence filled the place.
Felix’s expression went stiff. “Mia, what’s the meaning of this?” He didn’t see that coming.
*I guess actions speak louder than words.” Her expression was devoid of emotions. “Felix, I don’t think we’re compatible and I don’t like you either. This has nothing to do with my relationship history.
“It’s simply because I don’t like you so I will never accept your feelings.” This time, she reckoned she had made herself very clear.
As the boss, Felix felt his ego took a serious hit with this happening in front of his subordinates.
Again, there was only silence.
Sensing that something was wrong, her colleagues began asking questions.
“Mia, do you really not like him at all? So many big companies reached out to you when you won first place, but you chose this little studio. Wasn’t it because of him?”
“Yeah. Mia, we’ve watched how you get along with him. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We truly wish you guys the best.”
Mia calmly responded, “I chose here because Felix promised me that I didn’t have to come to the office on weekdays and that I could come on the weekends. I have school, so I can’t work full-
time.”
At this point, she thought that she had said enough.
Felix’s expression was cold. “Mia, come to my office.”
She nodded, thinking that it was a better idea to settle the issue privately. Given his ego, he wouldn’t be able to handle the scene in front of so many people.
She figured that she should bring up the article too.
After entering the office, she spoke up. “Sorry, Felix.”.
“Don’t be. I just don’t get it. What part of me is not good enough that you don’t like me?”
I grew up being i the spotlight most of the time. Not to mention that he was also a popular figure on campus. A lot of ladies had a crush on him.
He had always been careful in selecting the right woman to be his girlfriend. After all, his future wife should be a boon to his life by having a powerful family background.
He dated once throughout his college life. His ex¨Cgirlfriend was rich and pretty. Unfortunately, her family forced her to break up with him when she was going to study abroad.
Felix knew that his ex’s parents frowned upon his family background. It ultimately became a sore spot for him, hence the journey of starting up a studio himself.
Once his business finally was on the roll, he thought the other party might regret their decision for underestimating his potential.
For now, Mia was the perfect candidate because of her loving brothers. Since she had divorced before, she might not be able to find a good man.
Felix was single and capable, so he was confident that she would fall for him.
Could it be that Mia was the same as his ex? That they were gold¨Cdiggers who looked down upon him?
Mia was feeling helpless and decided to blurt the truth. “Felix, you’re not the problem. Feelings can’t be forced.
*Besides, I’m actually in the process of divorcing my husband, so, to be exact, I’m still married. We’re incompatible in all ways.”
If she didn’t make herself clear, Felix would definitely misunderstand again.
He didn’t see that downright rejection coming. Then, his course of thought took a different turn-
was Mia rejecting his feelings because she wasn’t divorced yet?
If so, it wasn’t the time to give up!
Like a devoted man, he confessed, “Mia, I can wait. It’s alright.”
There were many benefits he could gain from marrying Mia. He had everything calculated.
Thus, it didn’t matter if it would take time. He could take his chances to prove his sincerity for her in front of her brothers.
“You still don’t get what I mean, Felix. You don’t have to wait for me because I don’t like you. Which part of this sentence do you not understand?
“Besides, I saw you and Mrs. Quilter at that famous restaurant having a meal with a young lady.
You gave her the same roses. It was a blind date, wasn’t it?” She finally unmasked his true colors.
There was a shift in his expression as he didn’t expect her to run into him there.
He quickly explained, “Mia, I thought it was a dinner date with only my mother. I didn’t know she
“What about this article?” She took her phone out and opened the article.
“Mia, I just found out about it a moment ago. I don’t know who shared it. If you’re bothered by it, I can explain it to them. Don’t worry. I won’t let it affect you.”
Mia wasn’t going to let him have it his way. “Until when are you going to keep this show going on? You released the article, didn’t you?”
Felix went slightly stiff. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mia. How could it be me? It has nothing to do with me.”
She gestured at his computer. “According to the IP address, that article was released through. your computer. Why don’t you check out your browser history?”
The revelation stunned him. He didn’t expect her to be able to find out that he was the one.
Hurriedly, he made up an explanation. “Mia, I did that because I like you so much. I simply want to prove to you that I’m serious about you and that I don’t mind that you’re divorced. But after hearing what you said, I was planning to delete it.”
“Then delete it, right now.” Mia’s calm and indifferent tone stupefied Felix. The immediate request caught him off guard.
Their stare¨Coff lasted for a moment until he turned to reach for his computer to delete the article.
The article went trending on the campus website. If it was there for another few days, word about it might even get out of campus ground.
If the public learned about his scandal with Mia, it could boost his business!
Things were finally working out ever since Mia started working for him. The studio performed way better than before.
If they got married and ran the studio together, they might be able to bring the career to a pinnacle!
While those calculations went on in his head, he deleted the article.
He quickly raised his head, looking at her. “Everything’s deleted. Will this do? Look, I know I wasn’t thinking straight in this. I was wrong. Don’t be angry.”
Mia refreshed the campus website page. The article was gone.
A sigh of relief escaped Mia before her eyes were on him again. “Felix, since things had gotten ugly today, I think it’s best I quit.”
“Don’t, Mia! I was wrong about today. You don’t have to quit.”
“I don’t want to come here anymore, Felix. Sorry.” Her stance was firm this time. It no longer felt right to work here anymore.
Her tone was calm. “I’ll forego the resignation letter since I’m not an official employee anyway. I think a word with you will do. I’ll figure things out after my graduation.
“Mia, I know that you’re angry at me. This position will be always open for you. You can come to work officially after graduation. You’re always one of us.”
“We’ll see when the time comes. I should get going.” Mia didn’t want to stay for any minute longer.
Returning to her table, she packed up her stuff and assigned her orders to her colleagues.
One of them asked carefully, “Mia, are you quitting?”
“Yes. That was the plan from the beginning. I didn’t quit only because I had outstanding orders. Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions.” She then left the studio with her stuff.
Stepping out of the studio, she felt the weight lifting off her chest.
Mia headed back to her college and went to the study hall. An annoyed Gina rushed up to her.” Felix has crossed the line! How could he spread a rumor?
Mia, you should hold him accountable for it. Don’t let him go this easily!”
“If I do that, things might get big. We won’t be able to bring him down in any way. Women are always the victims when it comes to scandals.
“He’s held high in repute on campus, too. Things won’t go as we wish it to be. This is the best that can be done.”
Gina stared at Mia in astonishment. “Mia, I feel like you’ve grown up a lot. Those words, I’m truly impressed.*
Mia chuckled. “Is that a compliment?”
This was her second time becoming a victim of awful rumors.
At first, there was anger.
However she had talked to Jason a lot and he taught her a lot of things regarding the law, as well as the cases he encountered.
Mia learned a lot from Jason.
She looked up to her brothers, and they each had their own talents.