Chapter 5: Marry me.

Before Mia could do anything, she spotted black cars approaching them.

"Shit!" She quickly got to her feet and ran off. The cars pulled to a stop, and Jayden dashed out, accompanied by bodyguards.

His heart froze when he saw Xavier lying unconscious. "Xav!"

Meanwhile, Mia ran as fast as her legs could carry, ignoring the bruises on her body while her heart thumped loudly against her chest.

"Shit! Shit!" she kept cursing as she ran into her apartment. She knew she was in deep trouble.

Grabbing her purse, she got out and flagged down a cab hurriedly.

"Kenz Hospital," she said, jumping into the passenger seat.

"Yes, ma'am."

All through the drive, her thoughts were flooded. 'What was he doing in the middle of the road?'

'Mia! You damaged that car. It must have cost a lot. And the delivery bike. Why did mom heart fail? The surgery isn't near till a donor is found.'

"We're here, ma'am," the driver announced.

Mia stepped out quickly, and paid him, hurrying into the reception.

Isabella and Tammy ran up to Mia when they saw her, worry evident in their faces.

"How's mom?" she asked immediately.

"No one is talking to us," Tammy sniffled.

"You're wounded, Mia. Did you get into an accident?" Isabella's voice laced with concern and Tammy gasped, running her eyes over Mia's arm.

"You're hurt, Mia."

"I'm fine," she forced a smile.

Dr Noah emerged before they could ask any more questions and they rushed to him.

"How's my mom?"

"How's Aunt?"

They asked impatiently.

"Come with me, Mia." Dr Noah said, his expression undetectable.

Mia gave Isabella and Tammy an assuring smile before following the doctor to his office.

"I don't want to lose mom," Tammy cried as Isabella pulled her into a hug.

Back at the doctor's office.

"Ms Lopez, your mother is in stable condition. But her heart is in a critical state."

Mia released her breath, at least her mother is safe at the moment, then she fidgeted.

"I'm doing all I can to get money for her surgery, Dr Noah."

"Do it fast, Mia. She mightn't pull through another heart failure."

"And a donor?"

The middle aged man sighed, adjusting his glasses, " We're trying our best, but we haven't found a donor yet."

"Can we see my mom, now?"

"Yes, you can. You should get treated too."

"Thank you, Dr Noah," Mia nodded solemnly, leaving his office.

Tammy raised her head from Isabella's shoulder when they saw her come out.

"What did he say?"

"She's fine now. You can go see her."

"Are you coming with us?"

"No, mom can't see me like this, I need to get treated, and I have to be somewhere, Tam."

Tammy's face fell, but she nodded, "Okay."

"You'll be fine, Mia." Bella squeezed her hand reassuringly and Mia smiled faintly.

A nurse came over, leading Isabella and Tammy to Ms Lopez ward, while Mia approached another nurse.

*

Xavier's eyes flew open, darting around the luxurious room, with huge royal curtains draped on the windows. He is in his room.

"He's awake," he heard the familiar voice of his personal doctor, as he checked his vitals.

"Mr Singh will need a lot of rest."

"Thank you Dr Williams, I hope he'll listen," Jayden chuckled and shook hands with the doctor.

"It's my pleasure, Mr Ruiz," Dr Williams replied with a smile and walked out.

"What happened?" Xavier asked, and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to remember everything that happened.

"Hey, man," Jayden walked over to him, and plopped down on a sofa. "How do you feel?"

Xavier opened his eyes and glanced at him, then he took his eyes away and Jayden's eyes narrowed.

"You should thank me, man!"

"Indeed," Xavier scoffed, getting out of his king sized bed. He rubbed his forehead, and his memories flashed back.

"Harper," he remembered the betrayal, driving to an empty road, having a flashback, and his car got damaged.

"I know I shouldn't have trusted her enough for you," Jayden sighed, taking his bottom lip between his teeth. "What do we do now, Xav? Lucas can't get that empire."

"Who was it? Who damaged my car?" Xavier changed the topic.

Just then, Silas walked into the room and bowed.

"What did you find, Silas?" Jayden asked. He had ordered Silas to find the owner of the motorcycle.

"We tracked the motorcycle's number plate to MacPherson Pizza."

"And?" Jayden probed, while Xavier listened intently.

"The rider turned out to be Mia Lopez, the same one Mr Singh had inquired of, weeks ago."

Jayden turned to Xavier whose brow was arched. "Do you know her?"

"She got kicked out at the audition," Xavier said, picking up his phone.

"The crazy chestnut haired girl?" Jayden questioned and Xavier's eyes gleamed for a second, then he turned to Silas.

"Bring her to me."

"Yes, Sir." Silas left immediately and Jayden's brows snapped together.

"What do you plan to do with her?"

Xavier walked into his closet, "Get back to work, Jay."

"You keep avoiding my questions, Xav. Fuck you!" Jayden strutted out of the room, clearly pissed.

However, Xavier's face remained cold as he changed into a black shirt, that clung to his well sculpted sexy abs.

*

[CAFE]

Mia sighed hotly, dumping her apron in the storeroom. She had gone to Mr Hudson, asking for his help, but the baldman didn't spare her a glance.

As she made to leave, ending her shift for the afternoon, Grayson appeared.

"I heard about your mother."

"Okay," her voice came out low and distant.

"I'll come visit. She'll be fine, Mia."

He hugged her surprisingly, but she didn't object. If it were to be a normal day, she'll have kicked him, but, she tried not to break down in front of him now.

"I... I need to go now, Gray. Thanks," she mumbled, disengaging from the hug to avoid stares. Grayson smiled, and Mia walked out of the cafe.

She needed to go to the hospital, her mother was getting discharged today and Mia had no money to settle her medical expenses.

She sighed dejectedly, she had to avoid the pizza shop as well, till she had enough to pay for the damages she caused to the delivery bike.

As Mia waltzed along the street, with her brain in turmoil, a black car screeched beside her and she flinched.

A man in a black suit stepped out and approached her.

"Ms Lopez," he called and Mia blinked. How did he know her name?

"How may I help you?"

"You have to come with us, miss," Silas said, his tone professional. Another huge man with a stern face stepped out, making Mia's heart thump in her chest.

Are they kidnappers?

"I'm not coming with you.!" she stated defiantly.

Silas exchanged glances with the bodyguard. Before Mia could say another word, she was swept off her feet. Her eyes went wide as she struggled against the muscular man.

Mia was about to scream when her nose got covered and she felt numb, losing consciousness.

*

Mia's eyelids slowly fluttered open, and she grimaced when her head pounded.

'Where am I?' she thought, then she remembered those men, they had kidnapped her. She jolted up, her eyes squinting to adjust to the rays of sunlight filtering into the room.

Her eyes roamed around the place, expecting to be in an abandoned warehouse, but she was welcomed with a deluxe study, with ornate furniture that made it appear as an expensively furnished office.

Mia moved her hands, but they were free. Weird.

She placed her feet on the plush carpet, with one thought in her mind. Escape.

"Where do you think you're going?"

The air around her turned frosty and Mia whipped around at the deep familiar voice behind her, and a gasp escaped her lips.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

She glared at the tall, imposing man staring at her with a blank look on his face.

"What does it look like?" Xavier gave her a questioning look.

Then it dawned on Mia.

"You kidnapped me! You asshole,"she shrieked, going for the door immediately.

"One more step, and you'll end up in jail for destroying my property," his icy voice, deep and threateningly made Mia freeze.

'He found out already!' her inner head screamed, sweat forming on her brow.

She slowly turned to face him, faking a smile. "Really? How much does that wretched car cost?" she asked boldly, and Xavier lifted his eyebrow amusingly.

Wretched?

Xavier's aura turned cold, sending shivers down her spine.

"Three million dollars."

Mia almost crumbled, she knew she was in trouble already.

"I have no money," she put on a straight face, "give me some time and I'll pay."

"I have no time for that. You might want the cops to take you right away," Xavier took his phone, and Mia tried to conceal her panic.

"I'll do whatever you want. Just don't ask for my body."

Xavier stared at her blankly, took steady steps to his desk and pushed a file toward her.

"Sign this."

"What's that?" Mia looked at the file, her curiosity piqued.

"A marriage contract."

"What?"

"Marry me," he said, his deep voice with a hint of command.

"Are you talking to me?" Mia asked, her eyes darting around his exclusive office, then her nose flared up in disbelief.

"You're sick! The nerves you have to abduct me here. And this?"

"You owe me," his grey eyes bore into hers, his hands tucked in his suit pants.

Mia glared at him, "I'll never marry you, Xavier Singh. You're arrogant! And rude! And grum..."

"Your mother's surgery bills," he cut her off. "I'll take care of it."

Her lips clamped shut at his words and her eyes widened.