Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
She had not intended to answer the call, but she thought it would be impolite of her since she had hitched a ride from his driver.
As the call connected, Timothy gritted his teeth. “Mia Bowen, how dare you delete my number!”
Her lips tightened. “I just did as your mother told me.”
“Are you her servant? Why are you following her orders?” He flared with anger.
His questions rendered her speechless, leading to a strained silence.
Mia’s gaze dropped to the ground. “Actually, there’s no need for us to keep in contact anymore, considering our relationship now. It’s best if we cut ties for good,” she said firmly.
“Why do we have to do it your way? How am I supposed to tell Grandma about this?” Timothy questioned.
“She won’t check your phone just to find out if we deleted each other’s contact number. Besides, we have nothing to do with each other after the divorce. Don’t exes have to act like strangers?” Mia countered.
The driver, overhearing the argument, broke into a cold sweat.
“Fine.” A snort preceded the call’s end.
Mia glanced out the window, gently caressing her slightly protruding belly.
“That’s right. We have nothing to do with each other after the divorce.”
She looked at her Twitter account and contemplated if she should register a new account.
Otherwise, sharing baby photos in the future would pose a challenge.
Mia arrived home find a worried Patricia.
“Mia, your adoptive parents found out about the demolition. They visited the old neighborhood this afternoon.
What should we do?”
“Don’t worry, Aunt Patricia. My brothers told me that they’d come over. We’ll scare them off by outnumbering them. Plus, you legally own that house. As long as you don’t sign the papers, they won’t be able to proceed with the procedures.”
“I see. That’s great. When you acquire another property, you’ll be able to marry someone with a decent background. After all, you own two houses,” Patricia said reassuringly.
“I don’t have plans for a new relationship for now,” Mia replied.
“You have to. Someone has to look after you, or people might pick on you,” Patricia said, her voice tinged with concern.
Mia understood Patricia’s worry for her wellbeing, but contemporary society worked differently from the past.
If Mia could fend for herself, she didn’t have to get married.
After reassuring Patricia, Mia received a call from Dominic. “Mia, our flight to Nord City is tomorrow.”
The news of her brothers returning home lifted her spirits. “Great! What time will you guys land? I’ll pick you up.
The next day, Mia arrived at the airport early to pick up Dominic and Eva.
Stepping out of the cab, she noticed a familiar red Maserati nearby. It wasn’t until Shelly and Maya opened the car door that Mia realized
Mia didn’t expect to bump into the duo at the airport. Judging by their lack of luggage, she doubted they were here for a trip.
She wondered if they were here to pick someone up.
The arrogant Shelly remarked, “What are the odds? Why do we see you everywhere we go?”
Mia replied indifferently, “I have the same question.”
The trio entered the airport, heading to the waiting area on the first floor.
Maya glanced at Mia. “Picking someone up too?”
Shelly grinned. “I bet she is. Her salary only allows her to travel by train and cab. How could she afford a flight ticket? It’s expensive.”
Mia’s eyelid twitched. “Are you sure you’ve had an education? Why is your maturity equivalent to that of an elementary kid? Does taking a flight fan your ego that much?”
“Who are you calling an elementary kid, Mia Bowen? I graduated from a prestigious university, unlike you who quit school,” Shelly snapped back, her ego clearly bruised.
“Oh, does buying a certificate from a random college count too? I think your idea of a ¡®prestigious university¡® is a bit off,” Mia added.
Shelly’s incessant buzzing was as annoying as a mosquito, pushing Mia to her limit.
Someone like Shelly needed a lesson to straighten herself up.
Shelly’s expression stiffened. Instead of rebutting, she zipped her lips and concealed her anger.
A mocking voice echoed in Maya’s head, “Shelly Barrett is the epitome of stupidity, but she was lucky to be born into a wealthy family. She’s raised with love.”
Maya glanced at Mia. “I’m here to pick my brother up. What about you?”
“Same here,” Mia responded calmly.
Since Dominic and Eva were coming, Mia wanted to pick them up. After all, they treated her very well.
A hint of surprise flashed in Maya’s eyes. “You have a brother?”
Maya wondered, aside from those irresponsible adoptive parents and Aunt Patricia, who else is there?
Shelly sneered. “Isn’t it a trend nowadays to call ¡®good friends¡® brothers?”
Only then did Maya grasp the situation, but in the wrong way.
Talking sense into a person like Shelly was impossible for Mia, so she simply walked to the other side to distance herself from them.
She didn’t want to share the same space with bad omens.
Mia checked the time. The plane should have landed safely by now.
Soon, Dominic called her, “We’ve just landed, Mia. Didn’t I tell you there’s no need for you to come all this way for us?”
“It’s fine. I don’t have any lectures, and I can take a day off from the studio.”
With her adoptive parents causing trouble, Mia had decided to stay away from work for a few days. It would also spare Felix unnecessary hassle.
Now that the old neighborhood was on the brink of demolition, her adoptive parents would be preoccupied for a while.
Knowing that Dominic and the others were coming brought a sense of security to Mia.
A smile spread across her face as she told Dominic on the phone, “Aunt Patricia went grocery shopping first thing in the morning. We should be able to have a piping hot meal by the time we get home.”
“Okay. But it’ll take some time before we reach the waiting area,” Dominic said before ending the call.
He looked at his wife. “Why don’t we walk out? Mia’s waiting outside. If we leave the airport by taking VIP
transportation, she might get suspicious.”
Eva nodded. “Sure. A little walk won’t hurt.”
The couple strolled through the bustling crowd when Maya’s call interrupted their peaceful moment.
Dominic’s face twisted into a frown as he answered, “Hello?”
“Dominic, I read that your flight has landed safely. I’m outside waiting for you. Let’s grab a meal together. I’ve reserved a table at restaurant,” Maya chattered.
His expression changed. How did she find out about the flight? His schedule was supposed to be confidential.
He responded, “There’s transportation waiting for us. I won’t be heading to the usual waiting area.”
“I’ll wait at the parking lot then.”
“No. I have something to take care of. You should get home first.”
With Mia waiting outside, Dominic couldn’t risk meeting up with Maya.
“I’m already here, Dominic. Don’t be such a stranger. I’ll go to the parking lot right away,” Maya said, ending the call before he could refuse.
It wasn’t easy to find out about the couple’s schedule. Maya rarely had the chance to get insider information about the couple. This was her one chance to get on their good side!
The fact that he was willing to attend her engagement ceremony was a huge deal.
Once she became Mrs. Barrett, and with Dominic as her backer, her status in Bern City would be elevated!
When that event came to pass, no one would dare pose a threat to her position. She would command the respect she desires.
Maya strategically approached Mia. “My brother and his wife are heading to the parking lot with a VIP cart. Is your brother here yet?” Maya boasted, her expression prideful as ever.
Mia raised her eyebrow. “Maya Lane, is there a daily quota for your show¨Coffs?”
“I didn’t mean it that way. I was just asking. Don’t be angry,” Maya replied, wearing a different expression.
Shelly added fuel to the fire, chiming in, “We should go. Mia’s just jealous of the privileges rich people like us have.”