Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Mary and Bob’s reactions seemed unnatural after Felix’s confrontation.
Mary simply showed her true colors. She didn’t bother to put up the act of a good adoptive mother anymore, hurling profanities, “I don’t give a fig about that. We raised Mia, so she should give us money. Otherwise, let’s take this to court. We have nothing to be afraid of.”
Bob shamelessly added, “If you don’t give us her salary, we’ll come by your studio and cause a ruckus every day. We’ll make a tent here too. Let’s see who’ll outlast the other.”
Mary made herself comfortable on the floor. “Yes, this place looks decent. It’s spacious, bright and furnished with air-conditioners. It’s better than what we have in the village at least.”
Felix didn’t expect such shameless acts coming from the other party.
Mia, who was well-acquainted with her adoptive parents’ thick-skinned nature, was unfazed by the debacle that just ensued.
She turned to Felix. “Sorry for causing you trouble again, Felix. I’ll resign from my position today.”
As long as she resigned, there wouldn’t be any reason for Mary and Bob to cause a stir at the studio.
Felix frowned. “Mia, you should really think this through.”
Mary chimed in, “Mia, it wasn’t easy for you to get a job. Why quit? Our family relies on you. You mustn’t resign. Give it your best shot.”
Mia turned her attention to Bob and Mary. “In your dreams! I’d rather lose my job and sleep on the streets than give you money!”
“Watch your language, Mia Bowen! Do you think I won’t hit you here?” Bob, always vile¨Ctempered, seemed ready to resort to physical measures.
Felix stepped forward, grabbing him by the collar. “You can try me.”
One by one, male colleagues in the office marched forward intimidatingly, while some female colleagues stood by Mia’s side. It was a showdown.
“Why don’t we take a moment to teach you about the law, old lady? Torturing Mia when she was little is against the law. She could report you to the authorities, you’d be taken away,” one colleague stood up for Mia, talking pointedly to Mary.
“I know, right? How shameless of them to come here and demand money!” some women remarked.
Seeing themselves losing the fight, Mary and Bob took a few steps backward.
Mary placed her hands on her waist. “Just you wait, Mia Bowen. If you don’t give us the money, we’ll come back again!”
After the couple left, the helpless Mia looked at her supportive colleagues. “Thanks for helping out. I’ll treat you all to something later.”
Felix replied with a smile. “It’s nothing. We can tell they’re up to no good. How are you going to deal with this?
They don’t seem like the type to give up until they get what they want.”
Mia forced a smile. “That’s why I chose to resign.”
“No can do. That’s out of the question. If you don’t have money, I can lend you some,” Felix offered.
“No. It’s not about the money. I just don’t wanna give in to their taunts. If I start giving them money, they’ll leech off me until the end.”
Mia understood her adoptive parents¡® characters very well. So, she knew the exact solution for it.
Felix came up with another solution to help Mia. “If so, you can fake your resignation. You can come to work.
again when they stop causing a ruckus.”
“Thanks, Felix.” Mia still felt guilt gnawing at her conscience.
After all, Felix had made her an exception many times.
The commotion caused by her adoptive parents at the studio triggered a sense of remorse within her.
“You’re welcome. We’re friends, Mia. Feel free to reach out to me whenever you’re having a hard time. Don’t be a stranger.” Felix assured her, prompting squeals from the other employees.
A helpless smile played across Mia’s face as she went to order coffee for her colleagues.
Shortly after, she received a call from an unknown number. “Hello? Who is this?”
“Mia, did your adoptive parents come to you?” the mystery caller asked.
“Are you the person who told them where I work?” Mia questioned, her voice tinged with suspicion.
It puzzled her how her adoptive parents managed to find their way to the studio.
Shelly must have them!
“Mia Bowen, if you want a peaceful life, tell Timothy to unfreeze my cards,” Shelly threatened.
“Shelly Barrett, a proper apology might have helped. I could’ve talked to Timothy about unfreezing your cards.” Mia answered calmly.
Shelly screamed. “Mia Bowen! Are you demanding an apology from me? Wake up, girl!”
“That’s my line. Need me to put in a good word for you? Wake up, this is not a dream.” Mia then hung up and blocked the number.
Mia stayed under the radar the entire day. Since she didn’t have to go to work, she buried herself in books in the study hall at her college.
Felix called. “Mia, your adoptive parents stopped by a while ago. I told them about your resignation and an outstanding compensation for unfinished duties. They ran off so quickly I couldn’t catch them. I doubt they’ll come back.”
Mia beamed, appreciating his clever idea.
She focused on her homework and revision with peace of mind. As the sun was about to set, she received an unexpected call.
She looked at the caller ID and wondered why this person had reached her.
Mia double¨Cchecked the caller’s name on her phone¨Cit was indeed Timothy.
Perplexed, she mused, “Why on earth is he calling me? Could he have dialed the wrong number?”
The persistent ringing prompted her to answer reluctantly, “What do you want, Mr. Barrett?”
“Your adoptive parents tracked down the villa and demanded money from me.”
Mia was mortified, and a wave of embarrassment surged through her. “Drive them out. Don’t give them a single penny.”
“Deal with it yourself. I’m busy,” he curtly replied before ending the call.
After tidying up her belongings, Mia hailed a cab to the villa.
Standing before the house, memories flooded her mind. After all, she hadn’t visited the place since moving out.
A brief hesitation hung in the air before she pressed the doorbell.
The heated argument inside was audible even before the door opened.
It seemed like her adoptive parents weren’t alone¨CSharon’s voice joined the fray.
Mia’s heart sank to the pit of her stomach as she wondered why Sharon would be there.
Contemplating a quick escape, Holly swung the door open with a smile. “Mrs. Barrett, you’re finally back!
Come on in.”
Suppressing her unease, Mia entered and whispered, “What is she doing here?”
“I have no idea. Anyways, things are complicated now,” Holly replied.
Fully aware of the complexity of the situation, Mia acknowledged that if Holly hadn’t opened the door promptly, she might have turned away.
The moment Mia showed herself in the living room, all eyes fixated on her.
Mary initiated the confrontation. “Mia, you’ve finally graced us with your presence,” she said sarcastically.
She continued, “Tell your mother¨Cin¨Claw you hold the reins in this household! Your husband claims you make the final decisions, but she seems to disagree.”
Sharon was livid, her hands shaking uncontrollably with anger. “Answer me, Mia Bowen! Who’s the person with the final say here? Who are you to handle my son’s finances?”
Sharon had initially arrived with plans to redecorate the house for Timothy’s second marriage.
Never in her wildest dream did she expect Mary and Bob’s unexpected visit.
Mia sighed inwardly before addressing Mia with a frosty gaze. “There’s something I haven’t disclosed. Timothy and I are divorced.”
“What?” Mary’s expression soured.
“Mia Bowen, why keep such huge news from us? Why divorce someone as wealthy as him? Have you lost your mind? Mary lamented.
Sharon sneered, “Must I remind you that someone like Mia isn’t fit for my son? Especially with her embarrassing parents. I’m relieved they divorced. It would have been a stain on our family if words got out.”
Mia, who already hard a taste of Sharon’s sharp tongue before, turned away, pretending not to hear those awful remarks.
She looked across her shoulder at her adoptive parents.”Did you hear that? I was driven out of the place because I didn’t deserve all this. I have been living elsewhere for a long time now. I hope you’ll stop coming over here. It’ll be a disturbance to others.”
Mary voiced her skepticism, “Even if you’re divorced, he must’ve given you a lot of money. Give it to us!”
Bob concurred, “This is how it plays out in dramas. You must’ve received assets during your marriage. Hand over the money, and we’ll be on our way.”
“I hate to break it to you, but I parted ways with him without receiving a single penny. I was only able to marry him because of how shameless I was back then. We signed a prenuptial agreement¨CI won’t get anything after the divorce. So, give up,” Mia said.