Xander’s POV
“Mia made an awesome comeback, poor girl went through so much after the accident. She even lost most of her memories. Do you think she might remember who you are?” Luke Hamerman, CEO of Banners Enterprise, mused.
His question wavered as my gaze remained fixed on Mia who was now making her way around the hall, a huge smile plastered on her face as she greeted her guests.
As I sipped my wine, I noticed she deliberately avoided eye contact, she looked at virtually everything else but me. I found myself intrigued and puzzled by the woman before me, trying to break through her unfazed demeanor and see what actually lay beneath her reserved behavior.
Luke started to talk again, and now two of our associates had joined us: I could hear their voices, but my brain could barely pick up their words. Mia looked the same yet so different and it was questionable.
After she left. I had hired and dispersed some seasoned detectives to track her down, but they had all reported with no positive results, a few of them had concluded that she must have passed away in a sudden fire that erupted at an airport. For the entire four years of her disappearance, there was no news about her.
I was ladened with guilt for the years that followed, it was the major reason why I was yet to propose to Irene. The fact that I propelled Mia into leaving with our baby stuck in my mind like a stubborn splinter, refusing to be dislodged and constantly reminding me of my regretful actions.
When she started to walk out of the hall, I took it as my y cue to approach her, finally convinced that she was avoiding me That encounter ended badly than I expected.
me on p
purpose.
Her shutting me out was logical but we made a whole ass baby together, did that also skip her memory? Didn’t we have to talk about it? Whatever she felt towards me should not discard the fact that I got her pregnant
Somehow a part of me screamed foul play. This was our first encounter after four years, but despite her changes, I recognized a bit of familiarity with her. The way she reacted to my touch, I knew she meant to pull on an irritated facade but beneath it, I saw her struggle.
Mia
had been so completely swept up in her love for me that even my slightest touch would send shivers through her, leaving her weak and melting in my arms.
She could fool everyone else with her words, but with me, she would need more than words.
Determinedly, I emptied my wineglass, collected two drinks from the proffered tray, and went after her.
She walked out of the restroom minutes later, her makeup even heavier now.
I obstructed the doorway, making it impossible for her to walk away without brushing past me.
Loffered her one of the glasses, “Join me.”
Her naturally rosy lips, now coated in a red lipstick, curled into a smile. “Maybe some other time, Mr. Schaeffer.”
Earlier, she didn’t know who I was and now she did. An unintentional deviation?
“I see you recognize me now,” any brow arched knowingly.
“I was enlightened. It’s an honor to have you here, Mr. Schaeffer; I heard it was a tough decision to make.” It was hard to miss the hint of mockery.
“Again, thank you for the invite, I have to go now”
Was Mia toying with me? I repositioned myself in the doorway, in a way that Mia would have to shove me aside to walk out, but I knew she wasn’t strong enough to do so.
“We need to talk,” I said, prying at a subtle request. However, my tone came out more stenly than I intended, sounding more like a warning than a gentle request.
After a thoughtful pause, Mia spoke softly, “I have only two minutes to spare, Mr. Schaeffer.”
It was more of a question than a statement.
“That’s enough.” I told her and stepped aside, offering her my hand. She cast a small glance at my outstretched palm and reached out.
Chapter 121
but instead of placing her hand on n
on mine, she surprisingly collected a glass of wine from me and led the way.
“I looked you up when I received your invitation, there wasn’t a single information about you online.
“Yes, my father didn’t want any exposure until the big reveal. It was his way of protecting me after..” She hesitated. “After what happened.”
I glanced at her, her expression was blank, revealing nothing.
“So, Mia-
“I’d prefer if you address me as Miss Walton,” she cut me off. “Only my closest friends refer to me by my first name and I don’t think we are close enough to be informal with each other, Mr. Schaefer.
“Closest friends?” I almost scoffed, “I don’t think you know who I am.”
“I know as much as I need to. We were married and then we got separated, but that doesn’t make us friends. You don’t have to pull on this facade and act like we’re cool; there’s nothing between us anymore; hence, we can even be rivals.”
“Rivals,” the word tumbled off my lips with a haphazard smile. “Is that what you want?”
Do you not already think of me as one? There are rumors that my company poses a threat to yours.”
“A threat?” I couldn’t help my laughter. “That’s the most absurd thing I’ve heard today. Amor Luxe doesn’t stand a chance.”
“It’s good to know you feel that way. Mr Schaeffer. After all, the sky is big enough for everyone to soar, people need to get off their high horses and touch some grass, don’t you think?”
Her gaze was straight ahead but the shot was rightly fired. Instead of anger, I was amused. A fierce Mia was something I never thought I’d get to see in my lifetime but as much as it was slightly annoying, it was quite amusing too.
“If you feel this way about me, why did you invite me to your opening?”
“The invitation was randomly dispersed to the elite, I was not in charge of it,” she took a sip of her wine nonchalantly. “And I was simply quoting a saying. Mr Schaeffer, I’m sorry if you felt attacked.”
Annoying? Scratch that. This was fun! I knew she intended to get a reaction out of me but I maintained a calm smile. Mia hated me and she was making no move to hide it.
“A lovely collection you presented there. When I walked in here, the last thing I expected to see was the reality of your designs. Believe it or not, it was mind–blowing
“I was told,” she finally glanced at me but it was just a brush of her sight before she averted her gaze ahead. “You knew my designs?”
“You showed me every piece as you sketched. You always wanted me to see it first before anyone else.” My mind raced back to those moments; Mia’s innocence was obvious, and her love for me radiated in every moment we spent together. Unlike most women, Mia never fidgeted whenever she told me how much she liked me. She felt everything else but fear.
Does that mean we were friends! Did we love and trust each other that much?” Her legs continued to move as she asked.
“Love and trust?” I shrugged, releasing a small sardonic laugh. “Maybe you had those feelings, but it was different for me.” At my Mia abruptly halted; her gaze remained ahead, but an expression had started to fix its way on her face.
my words.
“Friends?” I scoffed the word like it was the most ridiculous thing to have ever been said. “Maybe you considered me one, but in all honesty, I never thought of you as a friend, Miss Walton. Never.”
With every word I released, Mia’s grip tightened increasingly around the glass. Her face clenched, a familiar glint dancing in her eyes, 30 glaringly that even her attempt to mask it with a smile was not working for her.
I watched her, keeping my reaction simple despite the sparkle in her eyes.
“There you are, beautiful,” a lanky figure stepped in between us, dark–haired and attired in a blue suit. “I hope I’m not too late for that dance?”
He held out a hand, urging her to take it. Mix quickly averted her gaze, her throat bobbing as she gulped.
“Of course not, babe. Let’s go!” Mia’s eyes lit up rather too brightly as she placed her hand on his. “It was lovely talking to you, Mr Schaeffer. Enjoy the rest of the party!”
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