Chapter 22
Mia’s POV
“Oh.” I quickly blurred my reaction with a smile. “Congratulations, Irene. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you, Mia,” she said, “I was kind of skeptical about telling you because I thought you’d be jealous or pissed.”
“Pifi, why would I?” I scoffed. “Xander and I are in the past. Besides, I don’t even have a single memory of our time together.”
glad you feel that way.”
I nodded, but I wished the whole of me would agree, too. As Irene started to fill me in about the wedding plans, I discreetly pulled out. my phone and texted Nathan: asking if he was busy.
His reply came almost immediately.
-I’m just finishing up. Want me to come save you!–
He knew me too well. I texted him back and within a few minutes, he shot me a reply. He was outside.
“Irene. I’m so sorry but I really must be going now. Something came up and Nathan’s here to pick me up.”
“Oh, he’s here?” Irene’s eyes widened with interest, and she strained her neck to glance towards the exit, hoping to catch a glimpse of
him.
“He’s outside. Do you want to say hi?”
“No, it’s fine,” her response was quick. “TI just see you guys at the get–together. Don’t forget to try on the outfit and tell me if you make any changes.
“Of course. See you!”
Time swooshed by like a whirlwind, and suddenly, it was the day of the get–together. I had forgotten all about it until Kendra casually slipped it into our discussion. I quickly had my stylist put something nice together for me before jumping into my car.
The event was in motion when I arrived and Irene rushed up to me the moment she sighted me.
“Mia!” She exhaled, her eyes running through my outfit. The sparkle in her eyes died as she gave me a once over, “You’re not wearing the outfit I gave you.”
“Oh,” I mouthed, knowing I had forgotten all about it. “There was a minor accident with it. Maybe next time.”
She didn’t seem pleased with my response, but she brushed it off, linked our arms, and led me towards the waiting guests. I looked around, unsure what I was searching for until I realized that Xander hadn’t attended the event.
With our armis linked, Irene introduced me to a bunch of our ‘mutual friends and we exchanged contacts. Contacts I knew I’d block the moment I left this place.
The event was a lot bigger than I imagined and trust Irene to have the media scampering around, snapping photos and recording every moment. She especially ensured that the two of us had quite a lot of photos together.
My lips were hurting from how hard I was fake laughing with the guests, and I noticed Irene’s gaze lingering around the hall from time
“I don’t see Nathan around. Is he waiting in the car or something?”
“Oh no, Nathan isn’t coming. He’s busy with an important case and d he might not be available for a few days”
“I see,” she nodded, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
The girls began to chat and squeal at every chance they got, bombarding me with questions about Amor Luxe and inquiring when the next collection would be released.
every step I took was accompanied by intense stares and the media
I scanned the room, searching for a way to escape from all of it, but ev clamoring me for a word or two.
6:23 AM & .
Chapter 22
Desperate to shift the attention away from myself, I turned to Irene with a smile and asked.
“What about your husband? I don’t see him around”
The room fell silent for half a minute before one of the girls chimed. “What do you mean husband!”
“Did Xander propose?” Another squealed excitedly.
“Oh my goodness. Are you guys finally getting married?”
Irene gave an awkward laugh, her eyes widened in distress.
1 flashed her an apologetic look, whispering: “Sorry, a slip of the tongue.”
The girls gathered around Irene, squealing and vying for a glimpse of her supposed engagement ring. The media erupted in a frenzy, swarming her with questions.
While Irene struggled to control them, fabricating excuses, I rose from my seat and walked out of the hall.
In my car.
1 shot Irene a text.
a text, making up an excuse for my impromptu departure.
An hour later, I was home and preparing to return to the office when Lona, the housekeeper, knocked on my door.
“Miss Walton, I found this in the trash, but it is in perfect condition, and I was wondering if it was discarded by mistake.”
It was the outfit that Irene had gifted me.
“It’s where it rightfully belongs, but you can take it if you like it,” I said.
Her eyes lit up excitedly, “Really? But it looks so expensive, Miss Walton. Are you
sure 1 can take it?
“It’s not worth as much as you, Lona. Trust me.” I said and she beamed, thanking me repeatedly. As she began to pack the dress and shoes into the bag, my attention was drawn to the design
The shoe was the exact pair Irene wore at the event.
My curiosity piqued and I collected the dress from Lona and examined it. Just like I suspected, it was the exact dress she had on too. Same color, same design. Everything!
Irene had purposely gifted me the same outfit she planned to wear to the event. I recalled the look of disappointment on her face when she realized I hadn’t worn it. I tried to think of why she could have done this, and it clicked in an instant she was trying to give a public impression that I was copying her.
The encounter with Xander and I at the media house had blown up but the whole thing surprisingly sizzled in a day. I hadn’t bothered about it but I had gathered my business partners together and cleared up the misunderstanding.
I had suspected that the whole thing was Xander’s doing but Irene being involved never crossed my mind. Of course, she would pass through the pressure of having to explain the situation of her boyfriend hanging out with his ex–wife, so instead of facing it, she was putting out the idea that I was envious of her. Hence, I was reaching for things that were hers.
I tried to think of her reason for being this desperate. Had my return tampered with Xander’s feelings for her?
I scoffed at the thought. Xander was never attracted to me. He only ever had feelings for Irene, so why was she insecure about my presence?
Did the mere sight of me infuriate her for no reason? Or was it plain jealousy!
Contrary to my expectations, Xander hadn’t shown up at the event. I had thought I’d be seeing him frequently since that day but I was wrong. Figuring out Irene’s intention, I had no doubt that he was cooking up something for me too, hoping to hit me hard with his next.
move.
I wasn’t fazed. As of matter of fact, I was looking forward to it, but it took longer than I expected. Actually, the next time Xander and I crossed paths was a month after he threatened me, and it came with a shocking surprise.
2/3
Chapter 22
Desperate to shift the attention away from myself, I turned to Irene with a smile and asked.
“What about your husband? I don’t see him around.”
The room fell silent for half a minute before one of the girls chimed. “What do you mean husband?”
“Did Xander propose?” Another squealed excitedly.
“Oh my goodness. Are you guys finally getting married?”
Irene gave an awkward laugh, her eyes widened in distress,
1 flashed her an apologetic look, whispering. “Sorry, a slip of the tongue.”
The girls gathered around Irene, squealing and vying for a glimpse of her supposed engagement ring. The media erupted in a frenzy, swarming her with questions.
While Irene struggled to control them, fabricating excuses, I rose from my seat and walked out of the hull
In my car, I shot Irene a text, making up an excuse for my impromptu departure.
An hour later, I was home and preparing to return to the office when Lona, the housekeeper, knocked on my door.
“Miss Walton. I found this in the trash, but it is in perfect condition, and I was wondering if it was discarded by mistake.”
It was the outfit that Irene had gifted me.
“It’s where it rightfully belongs, but you can take it if you like it,” I said.
Her eyes lit up excitedly. “Really? But it looks so expensive, Miss Walton. Are you sure I can take it?”
“It’s not worth as much as you. Lona. Trust me.” I said and she beamed, thanking me repeatedly. As she began to pack the dress and shoes into the bag, my attention was drawn to the design.
The shoe was the exact pair Irene wore at the event
My curiosity piqued and I collected the dress from Lona and examined it. Just like I suspected, it was the exact dress she had on too. Same color, same design. Everything!
Irene had purposely gifted me the same outfit she planned to wear to the event. I recalled the look of disappointment on her face when she realized I hadn’t worn it. I tried to think of why she could have done this, and it clicked in an instant: she was trying to give a public impression that I was copying her.
The encounter with Xander and I at the media house had blown up but the whole thing surprisingly sizzled in a day. I hadn’t bothered about it but I had gathered my business partners together and cleared up the misunderstanding.
I had suspected that the whole thing was Xander’s doing but Irene being involved never crossed my mind. Of course, she would pass through the pressure of having to explain the situation of her boyfriend hanging out with his ex–wife, so instead of facing it, she was putting out the idea that I was envious of her. Hence, I was reaching for things that were hers.
I tried to think of her reason for being this desperate. Had my return tampered with Xander’s feelings for her?
I scoffed at the thought. Xander was never attracted to me. He only ever had feelings for Irene, so why was she insecure about my presence?
Did the mere sight of me infuriate
her f
for no reason? Or was it plain jealousy?
Contrary to my expectations, Xander hadn’t shown up at the event. I had thought I’d be seeing him frequently since that day but I was wrong. Figuring out Irene’s intention, I had no doubt that he was cooking up something for me too, hoping to hit me hard with his next
I wasn’t fazed. As of matter of fact, I was looking forward to it, but it took longer than I expected. Actually, the next time Xander and I crossed pathus was a month after he threatened me, and it came with a shocking surprise.
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