Pretending with the Billionaire

Mia's POV“Miss Jones. We kindly request that you make the full payment of 1.530U$$ by October 27th, which is Seven days from the date of this letter. Failure to pay the outstanding balance by the given deadline will result in further legal action being taken.”I read out loud the letter one more time before wrinkling it and throwing it to the trash can. That was the letter that changed everything for me. I had to accept that my “dream job” was not making me enough earnings for me to keep my independence.My parents did not object last week when I asked if I could go back to live with them, my sisters did not oppose either. So why was I bitter about this? Ah, yes, my aspirations of becoming an independent woman.I believe reading unlocks the soul. If I could, I’d read every day. I’d remain in my own little world, filling my thoughts with new stories and adventures. Yes, that’d be something. Sadly, I have to make a living. But as the old saying goes, do what you love and you’ll never

Mia's POVToday’s lack of a call from Mayor Pippins is a good sign. A sign that I still have a job, and that I still can make things work here. I pray the heavens I can stay away from trouble from now on.There was a book missing. Samuel Richardson’s famous Pamela was nowhere to be found. I checked the library’s log online to see who had last checked it out, but to my surprise, it said the book had been returned two weeks ago. So where was it? I scoured the classical novels section, hoping it was just out of place.Nothing. I felt surprised. I didn’t lose books. I had managed to keep every book in its place for the last five years and I was not about to break my record today.I heard the library doors open but I didn’t bother to leave the classical novels section to greet whomever had entered. I had already retrieved my step stool and was practically hanging off the top shelf trying to find the missing book when I heard an unfamiliar voice say my name. “Mia?” The voice said. It s

Ethan's POVMayor Pippins asked if we could meet at his office this morning. I reluctantly obliged, and we agreed to meet at ten. I was hoping to have some alone time to rest, but he was insistent that we meet.Hector, my driver, was waiting for me just outside the hotel. He opened my door for me and gave me a polite nod as I approached the car. Hector was more of the silent type. I never quite knew what he was thinking, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I liked our quiet relationship of respectful nods and hushed car rides. It was like we were completely comfortable with each other.On our way, I managed to secure another property across the ocean, this time in England. I will need to pay a visit to the location sometime soon to ensure all is in order, but the property was worth it.Another email from the hospital showed the extensive list of expenses for Lily’s treatment. I clicked and authorized all the payments; everything I do is for her. I was about to close

Mia's POVEthan and I had a plan to meet at the library to discuss my choice. I paced back and forth in front of the building while I waited for him to arrive. I hoped I was making the right decision. My stomach churned while I waited, and I wondered what the hell was taking him so long. Finally, after what felt like several eternities, I saw his black SUV approaching in the distance. I let out a sigh of relief as the truck pulled up to the curb. Ethan’s driver gave me a polite smile as he came around to get his door for him, and I smiled back. Ethan stepped out and straightened his suit while another man stepped out behind him. The pair walked over to me, and Ethan extended his hand toward me to shake.“Hello, Mia.” Ethan started with a charming smile. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”“You too.” I smiled, looking over to the strange man that accompanied him.“I’d like you to meet Ryan Parker.” Ethan said, politely. “Ryan is my business partner and long time friend. He’ll be a

Ethan's POVI arrived in New York late in the evening. I was too exhausted to call Mia but I set a reminder on my phone to call her first thing in the morning. Hector dropped me off at my building around eleven-thirty at night. I rode the elevator up to my apartment and climbed right into bed. Thoughts of Lily and Mia meeting filled my head as I drifted off to sleep.I awoke early the next morning with a slight headache. I dragged my feet to the bathroom to look for aspirin. I swallowed two pills and proceeded to get ready for the day. Ryan and I had talked about getting together today to discuss other prospects in Greenbrooke. I had just put on a clean shirt when I heard a knock at my door. I slipped on my house shoes and made my way to the door. Ryan was holding two cups of coffee when I opened it. He handed one to me and I thanked him as he came inside.“How was your flight?” Ryan asked, taking a seat on my couch.I sighed. “Awful.” taking a sip from my coffee. “There was turbu