Mia's POVAfter Ethan left, my mother put the rest of us to work, cleaning up the kitchen. My father walked over to me as I washed up a few dishes in the sink and put his arm around me. He kissed the top of my head and squeezed me tight.“I’m so proud of you. It seems like all my baby’s dreams are coming true.”“Thanks, daddy.” I said, smiling. “I love you, kiddo.” He said, before letting me go.“I love you too.” I smiled and continued to wash the dishes. My dad excused himself and retired to the living room while the rest of us girls cleaned up the mess from breakfast. “Lewis.” My dad said, just before leaving. “Come join me. Otherwise the women are going to put you to work.”“Oh, Mark!” My mother was annoyed. “Men do chores in this house too.”“It’s fine.” Allie shrugged. “Go ahead, babe.”Lewis sprinted out of the kitchen, clearly thankful for an out. Allie laughed and shook her head as she cleared the table. “What do you girls have planned for th
Ethan's POVAfter breakfast at Mia’s parent’s house, the day was nonstop. I had Hector take me straight to the warehouse site for the mall project. I had a feeling Victoria was still working overtime to destroy my project, and I wasn’t about to let her win. When I arrived at the job-site, the head contractor, Darren Wess, was already there. As soon as Hector opened my door I was ambushed by the local news crew. Cameras flashed and journalists shouted questions at me as I stepped out of the car. “Mr. Black!” One shouted. “Tell us what you plan to do about the homeless crisis in Greenbrooke.”“Mr. Black!” Another called out. “Is it true Victoria Sinclair bribed most of your workers? Is she trying to sabotage you because of your romantic history?”I waved them off as I pushed through the crowd. Hector created a barrier around me with his hands as we made our way onto the job-site. Darren Wess was already talking to his team of workers about the day. He nodded at me as I jo
Mia's POVEmily and I were trapped. Jake had cornered us and there was no escaping him now. We huddled together at the end of an aisle, praying that Jake would come to his senses. He was acting like a menace, and I wondered how he could have gotten to this point. “Jake, don’t do this.” Emily tried to reason with him. I was suddenly so grateful that I had a friend in the military. I hoped she could find a way to get the gun from him. “Shut up!” Jake said, pointing the gun at her.His eyes were crazed and his hand was shaking as he pointed the gun. We both trembled with fear, wondering how he could do this.“Why are you doing this?” I asked through tears. “Get up.” Jake said to me.I didn’t move. I couldn’t move.“I said get up!” Jake shouted as he sent two gunshots through the roof. I jumped as I stood to my feet, shaking with fear. “Please.” I begged. “Let’s just talk about this for a second.” “I swear to god.” Jake looked at me with spiteful a
Ethan's POVWe all seemed to be frozen in time as Mia held Emily in her arms. I couldn’t believe that Jake had actually shot her, and I prayed, for his sake, that Emily was still alive. “Don’t just stand there, you idiots!” Mia shouted at the three of us as we all stood there watching. “Someone call 911!” The three of us snapped out of our trance as we hopped into action. Hector ran behind the front desk to use the phone while I kicked the gun away with my foot and pushed Jake to the floor. I bound his arms behind his back and held him tightly.“It’s okay, baby.” I said to Mia as she held Emily. “It’s going to be okay.”She nodded, but I could tell that she was terrified. After Hector hung up with the police, he came over to take Jake from me.“Go ahead, sir.” He said. “I’ve got this guy.”“Thank you.” I nodded as we traded places. I ran to Mia’s side and wrapped an arm around her as she tried her best to stay calm. She was shaking as she held Emily, and I cou
Mia's POVHours seemed to pass while Ethan and I waited to hear word on Emily. During our time of waiting, Ethan was gracious enough to call her family and arrange for them to come to the hospital. He was absolutely amazing, and I was so grateful that he was with me. Finally, a surgeon came out of O.R. to talk to us. “For Emily Thompson?” He approached us.“Yes.” I said, as we both quickly stood to our feet to greet him. “How is she?”“She’s stable.” The surgeon added. “I’m Doctor Branson. I was the head surgeon in the operating room.”Doctor Branson shook both of our hands before continuing. I was desperate for more information and I prayed that Emily was okay.“She’s got a long road of recovery ahead of her.” Doctor Branson said, honestly. “But we do believe she’s going to pull through.”“Oh, thank god.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Doctor Branson.” “Absolutely.” Doctor Branson smiled. “Emily’s currently being transported to a room in I.C.U. Once
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 POVAnother notification letter, this one from the university. I already mentioned that I was not going to continue my post-grade, so why do they even bother? I can’t afford it for now. I need to focus on my work and my family.I throw the notification letter and clock out, ready to get back home. Whatever happens, mom’s meals will save the day. And after the mess I made today with the visitor from Mayor Pippins, I really need comfort food. Maybe tomorrow I won’t have a job anymore, so I pick up the newspaper on my way out, decided to search for anything that is around for me to apply for.I swipe a tear away from my eyes; I can’t believe I might have screwed up the best job I have had in my entire life, and all of this because of my big mouth and my temperament.But I take a deep breath and straighten myself, I can’t let this pull me down. I am going to make it, for me and my family. This, I promise myself.-Ethan's POVI had a dreaded call with my board of directors tonight
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