How did he know about her mother's surgery?
"How did you..." Mia tried to form words out of her lips, but his deep voice cut her off arrogantly. "I am not a patient man, Mia." 'What a pompous jerk!' Mia thought, eyeing him, "I thought you were engaged already." She remembered Isabella broke the news that the CEO of X-World Entertainment announced his engagement. Xavier's sharp jawline hardened, "did you say something?" "I didn't!" Mia snapped, reaching out for the contract, then she ran her hazel eyes over the details, "Shit! Stuck with you for a year? Why not six months? Or three months before getting a divorce. I can't put up with your shitty attitude. And what's with the damn rules here. You think I'm some..." "Bring the cops in," she heard him say into an intercom and Mia's lips went shut immediately. She didn't want to go to jail. Her mother might die before she get released. How can a man be so heartless? 'Just keep shut, Mia. Even if we work our ass out for three years, we won't be able to pay for the damages and mom's surgery,' her subconscious mind yelled. 'Fine!' Mia yelled back, raising her eyes to find Xavier's piercing gaze on hers. She won't deny his cold demeanor scares her but she won't let him see that. "I'll sign this damn thing, not because I'm afraid of going to jail, but for my mother." Xavier ignored her, sizing her up. He ran his cold eyes around her. 'Such small frame for a sassy attitude, how interesting' he thought. "Do not fall in love with me." "Don't try touching me also, pervert," Mia fired back, and he raised an eyebrow, letting out a low chuckle. "You should get a mirror. You do not attract a man, like me." "You wish," Mia pressed her lips in annoyance and signed the contract. "Are we getting married tomorrow?" Xavier turned to the window, gazing outside, "I do not want my father getting suspicious. The wedding will be planned appropriately. And Mia..." he paused, his eyes darkening and tone icy. "You will wish you were never born, if you dare betray me." Mia said nothing, her brow creasing in a frown, she pushed the door knob and left the study. Coming out of the study, she gasped loudly, mesmerized by the exquisite marbled hallway. 'Is this heaven?' There are so many doors as she found her way down the glittering stairs. Her mouth fell open at the beauty of the mansion, every part of the luxurious house screamed wealth, power and fame. Mia was lost, and someone bumped into her, spilling liquid contents on her shirt. She snapped out of her reverie, remembering she's in Xavier's mansion. "That bastard," she cursed. "I'm sorry, Miss. It was a mistake," Her eyes landed on a woman, clearly in her fifties. "Who are you?" Mia asked, pissed about everything. "Nanny Irene, I'm Mr Xavier's..." "Fuck off," Mia barked, uninterested in whatever she's about to say. She knew she acted rudely but she's beginning to dislike everyone and everything related to Xavier Singh, except Harper Hernandez. Harper is her favorite celebrity and role model, she has won three awards in the last three years and Mia wanted to be like her. As Mia made her way out of the mansion, battling the urge to fawn over the fancy fountain, a chaffeur ran up to her. "Master ordered I take you wherever you want." Mia shot him a glare, "I can go on my own." "Ma'am, he strictly ordered..." "I said I'll go on my own!" she yelled this time, making him flinch. * [KENZ HOSPITAL] Mia ignored the nauseating feeling creeping up within her. She hates the smell of hospitals. Bracing up, she knocked gently. "Come in," came the voice of Dr Noah and Mia pushed the door, walking into his office. "Good day, Dr Noah." "Have a seat, Mia," he gestured, smiling warmly. "Thank you," she muttered, fidgeting with her nails. "Your mother is getting discharged today, I'm sure you must have been informed." "Yes, Dr Noah," Mia swallowed. How does she tell him she had no money to settle the bills? "I.. I wanted to.." "Oh yes, I remember. Your mother's expenses got cleared already," he smiled, pushing a receipt toward her and Mia gasped, knowing who it is. "Thank you, Dr Noah," she returned his smile. * Mia walked into her mother's ward. Mrs Lopez is sitting up on her hospital bed, and she seems to be in a happy conversation with Tammy. But they turned their heads when she entered. "Mia." Mia's lips quirk up in a smile as she ran up to hug her mother. "My baby," Mrs Lopez cooed, then her face dropped. "Have you been eating well?" Tammy chuckled, "Mom, don't be like that, Mia has been working." Mia breathed out, her eyes studying her mother. She isn't going to break the news to them yet. She turned to Tammy, "Thank you for staying with mom, Tam." Tammy giggled, "Goodness! Mia, she's my mom too." "Come here my babies," Mrs Lopez arms stretched wide as her daughters embraced her tightly. * [L-Galaxy Entertainment] Lucas smirked triumphantly, swiveling on his chair. 'He must be going crazy now, or perhaps too shocked to cut off his own engagement publicly,' he laughed at his own thoughts. 'Dad will be so disappointed." The door swung open and his expected surprise stormed in. Lucas ran his eyes over the sexy red dress that hugged her body as she marched to him. "Hey, sister-in-law," he mocked. Without thinking twice, Harper sent her palms hard across his cheek. "You coward!" she yells, tears brimming her eyes. Lucas' smile faded for a second, then he burst into laughter. "Do you love my surprise?" "You fooled me. You claimed to love me, but all you wanted was to get back at your brother. What the fuck did he do to you?" Harper raised her hand to strike him again, but Lucas caught it, twisting her hand behind her back, and she hissed in pain. "I helped you sweetheart. You should be glad. He's only using you to get what's mine." Lucas pulled her closer, his breath fanning her skin, and she began struggling. "I don't care if Xavier uses me!" "Really?" The corners of his lips curved in a cruel smirk, his eyes running down her exposed cleavage. "You shouldn't care if I use you either. Right sweetheart?" Harper noticed the hungry desire in his eyes and she panicked, but his grip tightened. With a snap of his fingers, the door locked automatically. She tried kicking him but a hard slap from Lucas burst her lips, and she could only cry as he ripped her gown apart. "Nooo.. please..."[X-World Entertainment] "Our last movie hit the records with a hundred percent increase in views and ticket sales than we expected, Mr Singh, making it the top searched entertainment topic," the man at the front in a business suit presented. And there were sighs and nods of approval. In the spacious board room, Xavier sat at the head of the table, his grey eyes bored, he's on a shining blue tux, with his navy blue shirt buttons undone. His dark hair is styled to the side, he has his back on the exclusive chair, exuding an aura of authority. The long conference table filled up with his workers, then the director, Mr Martinez stood up, adjusted his suit and faced him. "Mr Singh, the new movie project and modelling sector are progressing well. Following our last success, new investors have showed their interest in collaborating with us, and we're using the same female lead, Harper Herna..." "Replace the female lead," Xavier cut him off, his voice commanding. Eyes turned to Xavier, b
After leaving Bella's studio, the taxi halted in front of Mia's small home. She took steady steps to the front porch and breathed out, before walking into the house. The emptiness of the sitting room welcomed her, she flung her bag towards the couch, before striding to her mother's room. When she got to Amelia [Mrs Lopez] room, she pushed the door open and peeked inside. Amelia was sleeping peacefully, a quilt covering her. Sitting quietly on the bed and gazing softly at her mother, Mia moved her fingertips to Amelia's chestnut brown hair, stroking it gently. Mia had a striking resemblance to her mother, hazel eyes, heart-shaped red lips, thick lashes and pretty delicate features, unlike Tammy who took after her father's light brown hair and deep brown eyes. After Mia watched her mother for a while, not wanting to wake her up, she secretly slipped out into the averagely furnished sitting room. Her eyes darted around, then it fell on a photo album. Her steps were slow as she
"Is this Mia?" Xavier thought. She looked entirely different. Clad in a red strapless gown, long and elegant, with bodice made of silk, hugging her curves like a second skin. A high slit ran up her thighs, and Xavier's eyes darkened at her exposed skin, tanned and flawless, glittering under the soft lights. Her neck was adorned with a small piece necklace, made of Jade. Her hazel eyes sparkled, and her chestnut brown hair was packed in a tight bun, with few messy strands beautifying her face, her make-up light. Mia's cheeks burned under Xavier's scrutinizing gaze. But when she got into the car, she snapped, "You've got no manners, Xavier Singh." Taken aback by her rudeness, Xavier's cold demeanor returned and his cold gaze went to his laptop. "I'll advise you remain quiet till we get to our engagement party." Mia's eyes turned to Xavier, refusing to be intimidated by his imposing presence. "Why the hell won't you inform me about the party? What if I was..." He suddenly slammed
Mia immediately recognized the similar features between Xavier and the older man. He had grey eyes and dark hair, his steps exuded command and power as he finally got to where they stood. His arm was wrapped around the woman, a brunette with brown eyes. Mia noticed she had no resemblance to Xavier. Was that his mother? She didn't know much about the Singh family, except what the media potrayed. "Father," Xavier called, his grey eyes unmoving. "Welcome son," a small smile played on Mateo's lips as his eyes scrutinized Mia. Mia held her breath, anticipating his approval. She didn't know if she should care or not. She's not his real fiancee anyway. "Is this my daughter in law?" "I didn't come with anyone else," Xavier replied coldly. "Good evening Sir," Mia tried to be as polite as possible. "Sir?" Mateo chuckled, "She's beautiful, son. You should call me dad from now on, my dear." "Yes... dad," A warm hue appeared on Mia's rosy cheeks. Xavier raised his brow questioningly
"Nothing comes without a price, Ms Lopez." He said in a low voice, flashing her a cocky grin. "Are you willing to do anything to get the lead role?" "Yes, I am." Mia hoped he wouldn't say the words she had been familiar with over the years. She chewed on her bottom lips nervously, and watched as the man leaned back on his plush chair, and Mia could feel his hungry gaze feeding on her delicate curves. "Just one night with me.. Mia Lopez." He dropped the words she had been scared of, and her head banged. Not again! "A night with you?" she spat, disgusted. "You're sick!" The man's annoying laughter filled her ears, and she grabbed her bag, feeling suffocated in his office. After trying so hard to show him what she got during the audition, this was all he could ask for, just like others. "This is a lifetime opportunity. You won't want to miss it." Mia glared at the slightly older man and he pushed a written piece of note to her. Her eyes darted to the note and t
★THE NEXT DAY★ "Shit!" Mia banged her fists on the blaring alarm clock. With a loud groan, she mumbled some words and snuggled under her duvet for comfort. Can't she get a little more sleep? "Mia," her mother's voice approached her room and her door swung open. "Good gracious!" Mrs Lopez exclaimed, taking in the awful state of her daughter's room in disbelief. In a second, she yanked the duvet off Mia's body and Mia felt a loud smack on her ass. "Mom! What was that for?" She cried in pain, rubbing her aching butt. But when her eyes darted around her untidy room, Mia gave her mother a nervous smile. "What have you been doing these past weeks?" "I've been busy, mom." "Busy?" Mrs Lopez sent Mia a disapproving glare, picking up a comb lying carelessly on the floor. Mia knew what was coming next. "Mom!" "You should learn from your sister!" "I'm sorry!" Mia ducked the comb thrown at her, and her legs tangled with a heap of clothes and she wobbled, falling into
His father was asking him to get married? "You do not tell me what to do," Xavier replied curtly, his expression unreadable and Mateo let out a low, deep sigh while Camille flared up. "Darling, why are you doing this? Lucas has a wife already." "Xavier doesn't have a girlfriend!" Lucas voice was filled with hatred, and he gripped Mitchell's comforting hand tight. Mitchell raised her head and shivered when her eyes locked with Xavier's piercing gaze. 'Why is staring at me?' she thought and avoided his eyes. When the atmosphere remained tense, Mateo's face turned stoic as he spoke with finality. "If Xavier doesn't get married, the empire will be given to Lucas." * [X-WORLD ENTERTAINMENT] Xavier shut his eyes, brushing his tongue lightly on his thin, attractive lips. "You've worked so hard to please your father. You've gotta do what he says, man." "I do not have to get married," Xavier said calmly, and his best friend, Jayden, chuckled. "Chill, man. If you don'
Jayden posed elegantly, his arms wrapped around Sophia Logan, a sexy model as several shots were taken. Jayden is one of the popular models in X-World, and has won many awards. His handsome features made other models, artists and actresses gush, but the stares of admiration weren't directed to him alone, but to the hot CEO, who sat resplendent on a black shining chair with his legs crossed. His black tailor made suit, and his dark gaze, exuding an aura of authority took the breath of everything present in the large studio. They are all trying to compose themselves under his piercing grey eyes, which scrutinized them. No one wanted to get on his bad side. After taking a break, Jayden strolled casually to Xavier, hands tucked in his pockets. "You'll get them peeing on their pants soon, man." Xavier shifted his gaze to him, his neatly combed hair falling on his perfectly sculptured face. "Why is that?" "Those eyes could kill, Xav." Jayden chuckled, collapsing on a chair. His as