With a curve of lips depicting happiness, Julian opened the lunch box in front of the secretary.
“Look! Isn't this sandwich very tempting?” he asked before pulling up a chair and sitting closer to the table. A second later, the man pushed the box towards the girl.
“This is the whole wheat breads with a beaten egg, sliced green vegetables, scallions, and tomatoes. Take a look! Isn't the yellow color so pretty? This is because the chicken eggs used are also a choice,” he explained, pointing to the thick-looking bread filling.
With a flat expression, Mia looked at the object of the CEO's presentation. For some reason, her brain kept imagining Katniss' action in Julian's kitchen.
“Then, pay attention to this!” the man continued, sliding his index finger to the other side of the lunch box. "This is also the best vegetables and fruits. All the ingredients in this lunch box have been carefully calculated, both in terms of ca
"Mister Herbert?" Mia sighed in disbelief."Yes," Julian nodded awkwardly.The man realized that his statement was indeed odd. He hadn't said that he had reconciled with his father thanks to Katniss.“But you don't have to worry, Mia. I can handle it. Later, when all the problems have been resolved, I will tell you everything.”Hearing the explanation that seemed gray, the secretary's brows furrowed deeper. She knew that the man was hiding something from her."Is everything okay?" she asked in a hanging tone.Keeping his extremely stiff lips to curled up, Julian nodded. "Of course," he said through a pinched vocal cord.Not knowing what else to say, the man patted his lover's arm. "Let's go to the elevator. I don't want to keep Dad waiting," he said while pressing the awkwardness.With a straight face, Mia followed the CEO's footsteps. Her hand that gripped the strap of the bag, was sweating coldly, holding back the
While the camera was on the baby, Gabriella could freely observe Mia. The girl sitting beside her was clearly gritting the teeth. Her hands trembled in annoyance, while her breath was heavy because of the disappointment. The secretary's heart had never been so hot and sore.“Hi, Little Prince! Do you like your new toy?” Katniss repeated the question.With a heavy heart, Gabriella answered while imitating a child's voice. "Yes, I really like it, Auntie. Thank you very much.""Wow, thank goodness!" the model sighed while bringing her hands under her chin."What did you give to Little Prince?" Julian asked, sounding relaxed.“Educational toys. I think about your nephew's future better than you do,” Katniss said in a familiar voice, putting salt on the secretary's inner wound.Seeing that Mia had been hiding in the shadows of her head, Gabriella couldn't bear to continue. While faking a smile, she lifted the phone so that
"Why don't you go over to them, Miss? Wouldn't it be that if you were there, the suspicions could be straightened out?" the driver asked, clarifying the question.After ending the contemplation, Mia suddenly let out a bland laugh. "It's a waste, Sir. My presence will not change anything," she said, shaking her head faintly."Why?" the driver replied in an uphill tone.“Because it's impossible for me to beat that girl. She's too perfect. I am nothing compared to her," the girl explained before looking down in regret.“Are you and that woman competing?”Receiving such a question, Mia again maintained silence. Blinking, she pondered the driver's words.“You said you couldn't beat that woman. Doesn't it mean you're competing? Or … have I misunderstood?” the old man asked again.Silently, Mia counted her heartbeat. As soon as she came to her senses, she let out a faint sigh. "Why do I feel like I'm comp
Once again, Mia studied the blue flower in her palm. While wiping the tears that warmed her cheeks, the girl took a deep breath.“I shouldn't be discouraged. Many people love and support me,” the secretary muttered before shifting her gaze to the photo album on her lap.Without wasting any time, Mia put the letter and resin on the table. After that, with a faint smile, she slowly opened the album.As soon as the girl saw a photo of herself in a wedding dress, a small laugh broke the silence.“Mom will be surprised to see this,” Mia muttered as she scanned the pictures of her and Julian in front of Jack.The faces captured in the picture looked very stiff. People who did not know the truth, would surely think they were indeed a couple who were nervous about the sacred promise.“Jeez, why is Julian like this? He's so ugly,” Mia mumbled, saying something that went against her heart.After turning the p
"Is my appearance too flashy?" Mia murmured as she had been sitting behind the desk. With a bent neck, she looked at the clothes on her body. “Other employees keep looking at me.”After exhaling quickly, the secretary turned on the screen in front of her. While waiting for the computer to be ready, she reflected again. “What response will Julian show when he sees me later? Hopefully, he will like my new look.”After nodding briefly, Mia pushed the chair against the table. Just as her hand was about to reach for the mouse, a baby's voice suddenly caught her attention.“Cacacaca!”The secretary's eyes automatically widened. “Am I hallucinating? Why do I hear Cayden's voice?"As the girl blinked, Gabriella stepped in and gave a warm smile. “Look at your auntie's new style, Little Prince! Isn't she very charming?""Ya ... ya ...!" Cayden exclaimed before laughing and leaning on his mother.G
For the first time, Julian broke out in cold sweat from Mia's anger. The man realized that his words had cut the girl's heart. After swallowing hard, he ventured to touch the shoulders that rose and fell to compensate for the great pressure in the lungs.“Mia, please don't misunderstand,” he said in a soft voice."I understand. I really don't deserve to wear clothes like this," the secretary replied without turning around. “Please go to your room, Sir. Your job awaits."Instead of stepping back, Julian grabbed the girl's wrist instead. "We have to talk."With furrowed brows, Mia jerked her hand away. "There's nothing to talk about, Sir. Everything is clear. Girls like me don't deserve to wear expensive clothes."Not wanting to lose control again, Julian grabbed the girl's arm. "Come with me now or the whole company will find out about our relationship.""Are you afraid that people will find out that Julian Evans is in a rel
"You're not mad at me anymore, are you?" Julian asked, tilting his head. Quick as lightning, Mia waved and shook her head. "Of course not," the girl denied awkwardly. "Why should I be angry? It's just lunch together. Moreover, Mister Herbert is coming with you,” she continued before forcing a smile. A second later, the man stroked his lover's hair. "Thank you, Mia. You are indeed the kindest and most understanding woman.” Receiving such praise, the girl's guilt deepened. Not wanting the burden to increase, she immediately tapped his watch. "We've been stalling for too much time, Sir. Let's get to work!” "Wait a minute, Mia," Julian said, holding the girl's arm. "There's one more thing I need to ask." "Can't you wait for a break?" Mia asked with raised eyebrows. Folding his lips, the CEO shook his head. “Dad will definitely come early and use up all the break time.” After a brief deliberation, the secretary finally sighed. "Okay
Mia glanced at the clock on the wall, then turned to the door. Break time had ended five minutes ago, but Herbert and Katniss had not yet left the room.“What are they discussing? Is it so much fun that Julian forgets about today's meeting?" the secretary grumbled before looking down languidly. She felt helpless when being faced with indecision regarding feelings.While supporting her chin with one hand, Mia tapped her finger on the side of the tablet. Her brows furrowed, expressing how difficult the judgment she was going through was in her mind. After a few blinks, the girl finally got up from the chair and took the tablet. Just as Mia was about to take a step, the door she was aiming for, suddenly opened."Where are you going?" Julian asked, hurrying over."I am just about to remind you of the meeting, Sir," Mia answered with an even face. Her heart couldn't decide which expression was the right one to display.A second later, the CEO rubb