Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
After spending the morning on campus, Mia was getting ready to go out for lunch when Jeremy called her. “Mia, I happen to be at your university today for a discussion. Are you available for lunch?”
As Mia descended the stairs, her eyes caught sight of a black luxury car parked at the roadside. Was this Timothy’s car?
Upon spotting Timothy’s car, Mia promptly responded to Jeremy over the phone, “Absolutely. I’m currently outside the study hall. Would you mind meeting me here?”
“Sure thing, I’ll be right there.”
After ending the call, Mia remained standing alone outside the study hall. Though she noticed Timothy’s car, she refrained from approaching it, pretending not to have seen it.
Before long. Timothy emerged from the car, his eyes fixed on her. Feeling his gaze, Mia diverted her attention to the sky above.
“The rain last night was intense, but today’s sky is remarkably clear and blue,” she mused silently.
“What are you staring at? Is there a UFO up there?” Timothy’s resonant voice disrupted her thoughts.
Standing on the steps, he watched her, reminiscent of their encounter the previous night.
Unable to ignore him, Mia turned to face Timothy. “There’s a flying cow up there. Didn’t you see it?” she remarked sarcastically.
Timothy was taken aback by her retort. His eyes were tinged with red as he had barely slept throughout the night.
His mind was consumed by Mia’s words. She claimed it had consistently been her unreciprocated love, asserting that he had never held any feelings for her.
Timothy had meant to clear things up the previous night, but Claude had cut him off.
Timothy’s expression turned somewhat awkward as he admitted, “Actually, what you said last night wasn’t entirely true.”
Mia looked at him in surprise, wondering what she had said the night before.
“Mia!” Just then, Jeremy’s voice interrupted. He briskly walked over, noticing Mia standing face¨Cto¨Cface with another man.
Jeremy’s eyes momentarily darkened; nonetheless, he quickly flashed a charming smile as he approached. “Mia, I’ve brought you a little treat. It’s the perfect time for a snack.”
Mia glanced at the snack box in Jeremy’s hands. “These are from that famous snack place near the university, right? There’s usually quite a queue. I’ve encountered the crowd so frequently that I’ve given up trying to buy anything.”
“Well it just so happens that I have a junior colleague who works there part¨Ctime, and he brought me a portion. What a coincidence to have such connections, am I right?” Jeremy replied with a polite expression.
As Jeremy finished speaking, he felt a cold gaze fall upon him. Confidently, he turned to look at the man standing on the steps, expecting him to back off.
However, as Jeremy realized the man’s identity, his expression abruptly changed¨Cit was Timothy.
Jeremy almost lost his balance, stuttering as he spoke, “M¨CMr. Barrett?”
Timothy’s narrow gaze intensified as he glanced at the snacks Jeremy had purchased. His thin lips formed a cold line as he remarked, “You seem to be getting rather close to my wife, don’t you think?”
Sensing Timothy’s hostility. Jeremy quickly clarified, “Oh, no, you’ve misunderstood. Mia and I are simply classmates.”
“The tone in which you say her name sounds rather affectionate.”
“No, no, Mia is just naturally friendly. We all casually address her by her name. There’s no deeper significance to it!” Jeremy swiftly clarified, his survival instincts prompting his response.
Though he desired to grow closer to Mia, he certainly didn’t want to provoke her ex¨Chusband, Timothy.
Observing the unfolding situation, the corner of Mia’s lips twitched. What exactly was Timothy trying to insinuate?
Unable to endure Timothy’s expression, she swiftly turned to Jeremy and suggested. “Weren’t you planning to treat me to lunch? Let’s go. I’m hungry anyway.”
Sensing the tension, Jeremy nervously glanced at Timothy. “Mr. Barrett, do you have any plans for the evening?”
Mia promptly interjected, remarking, “Considering he’s the CEO of the Barrett Group, he’s always occupied with numerous responsibilities. It’s unlikely he has any spare time.”
With that said, she was about to usher Jeremy away.
However, Timothy calmly descended the steps, glancing at Heath beside him. “Do I have any plans for the evening?”
Heath swallowed nervously. Timothy indeed had plans for the evening. However, given the current situation, Heath knew he couldn’t acknowledge it.
He quickly replied, “There aren’t any plans tonight.”
Timothy nodded solemnly and he shifted his gaze to Jeremy, his dark eyes carrying an overwhelming intensity.
Just as Jeremy was about to reply, Mia swiftly intervened, “Even though Mr. Barrett is available, it’s unlikely he would join us for street food.
“Given his wealthy background, he tends to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants and has a palate for refined tastes.”
Jeremy felt a cold sweat forming on his forehead. He couldn’t help but wonder why Mia seemed to hold such strong opinions about her ex-husband.
It seemed as though Mia was subtly hinting that she wasn’t keen on dining with Timothy.
Timothy’s gaze narrowed. “Well, I’ve grown weary of Michelin-starred restaurants. I’d like to experience street food for a change.”
Jeremy reluctantly nodded. “Since you have the time, let’s all go together. There’s a decent Cagon diner near campus. I’ve arranged for a private room with the owner.”
At the mention of Cagon food, Mia swiftly grew quiet, choosing to withhold any further remarks. Knowing Timothy’s refined taste, he might not appreciate the hearty flavors of Cagon cuisine.
With that settled, they made their way to the Cagon diner.
Hidden within an alley and off-limits to vehicles, the diner required a short walk to reach it.
The cobblestone pathway was somewhat slippery, and the surroundings were not particularly clean or hygienic, with a constant flow of people.
Mia cast a glance back at Timothy, who trailed behind her. He was clad in a bespoke suit, meticulously groomed from head to toe.
His custom-made leather shoes gleamed immaculately, with even their soles appearing cleaner than the nearby walls.
Walking along the path, he seemed entirely out of place amidst the surroundings.
Indeed, a man of such refinement belonged in Michelin-starred restaurants and places frequented by luxury cars, befitting his status.
As they walked, someone from a nearby shop accidentally splashed water, narrowly missing Timothy.
Despite his quick reflexes, his trousers bore some water stains, accompanied by an inexplicable odor.
Timothy promptly retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket, wrinkling his nose as he covered his mouth and nose.
Observing his disheveled state, Mia paused and remarked, “Mr. Barrett, I’ve mentioned before that this place isn’t suitable for you. You should leave.”
Seeing Timothy in such a plight, Mia couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
Jeremy now regretted selecting this eatery. Although it boasted delicious food, it clearly wasn’t appropriate for someone of Timothy’s stature, a wealthy tycoon.
Upon hearing Mia’s remark, Timothy calmly folded away the handkerchief, slipping one hand into his pocket as he stepped forward.
Observing Timothy’s approach, Mia lifted her head, questioning, “What’s the matter?”
Timothy walked past her with an air of indifference, leaving behind just three words, “Lead the way.”
Watching his figure, Mia couldn’t help but comment, “You’re going the wrong way; it’s not in that direction.”
With that, she began walking in the opposite direction, her expression betraying a hint of complexity.
Timothy paused momentarily, masking any discomfort in his demeanor before following after her.
After a brief stroll, they finally reached the Cagon diner.
By the time they arrived, there was already a line forming outside the restaurant. However, Jeremy had made a reservation, so they were able to bypass the queue.
Upon entering, Timothy’s shoes made contact with the greasy floor, and he immediately caught a whiff of a pungent odor, causing him to cough involuntarily.
Mia couldn’t help but notice Timothy’s complexion turning red from the coughing fit.
Feeling concerned, she approached him with a tissue, but in the process, she accidentally slipped on the greasy floor herself.
Mia was taken aback by the slippery floor and exclaimed in alarm.
“Watch out!”
“Mia!”
Both Timothy and Jeremy reacted swiftly, extending their arms to catch her.
Instinctively, Mia reached out and grabbed onto them. She couldn’t help but notice a muffled grunt from Timothy, a clear indication of pain.
Looking down, she realized she had inadvertently grabbed Timothy’s injured right hand from the night of the accident during the heavy rain.
Timothy had shielded her during an abrupt stop in the car, injuring his arm in the process. It seemed his arm hadn’t fully healed yet.
Mia promptly released Timothy’s arm and reached for Jeremy’s arm to steady herself; she wanted to avoid any further injury to Timothy’s hand.
However, Timothy perceived this scene differently.
Observing Mia let go of his hand and lean toward another man, Timothy’s gaze hardened, and his mood turned sour.
Timothy cast a displeased glance at Jeremy. Why did it consistently seem as though men were always appearing by Mia’s side, displacing one, only for another to take his place?