1 A New Chapter

If anyone had told Mia how well her life would turn out a year ago, she would have doubted. Just a year ago, she was an uncertain college student whose goal was to graduate at the top of the class so she would have a lot of job opportunities, but she had thought it wouldn't be possible to beat the top student who happened to have a strong backing, but she graduated as the top of her class. Even that hadn't been enough to give her a great job, but here she was, as the assistant to the minister of welfare in their country. Another strange thing was that she was dressed in a trim grey trouser suit and red stilettos with a matching red handbag while stepping out of an official government car.

Mia wearing a suit and stiletto was weird!

"Miss Lucas." The valet greeted her with a smile as he took her car keys from her. 

She smiled and thanked him before taking confident steps towards the 7-star hotel where she had a business meeting. 

She caught a reflection of herself in a mirror as she walked by. Her make-up was modestly done and her hair was in a low bun. She looked like a complete businesswoman even though she wasn't really in that line. 

She smiled contentedly. 

At 24, her life finally turned out great. 

"Mia Lucas." She offered her name to a lady who led her towards the seat reserved for her and the people she was meeting. A young man in his early thirties stood up when he saw her and shook hands with her. 

His handshake lingered for a while until she pulled hers from his with a little force. 

"I am happy to meet you like this, Mia." 

"It's Miss Lucas." She reminded him of a monotone. 

He chuckled lightly, "You don't have to be so cold." He tried to reach for her hand across the table, but she pulled back immediately, noticing it and frowning at him. 

"What do you think you are doing?" She asked, trying to remain calm. 

There were a lot of pros to having a job like hers. But the major con she hated was the fact that she always had to make sure not to lose it. Whether in public or private, because you never know who is watching. 

"Mr. Greg, I would appreciate it if we simply focused on the reason we are here. I thought Miss Parker was joining us." 

The corner of his lip curled upwards as he withdrew his hand. 

"She had an impromptu meeting in the office." 

Mia sucked in the air deeply. She was getting to that point where she would blow up. 

"You do realize this meeting cannot be held if she isn't here? Why didn't any of you mention it to me?" She was already picking up her bag. 

"Hey! Okay, relax. We don't have to talk about work every time. We can also discuss something else."

"NO", she cut in. "I already told you I am not interested. I have a fiance."

"A fiance who is never available?" He scoffed. 

"You keep saying that, but you are never wearing a ring. Nor have I ever seen any men around you. Trust me, I know there hasn't been a man in your life for the past year." 

"You are stalking me now?" She asked, angry. 

"Not stalking. Just wanted to get to know you but you are making it tough for me." 

She stood up abruptly. "Then maybe I don't want you to know me. And if you were stalking me, you should have done a good job." She pulled down the collar of her shirt and took out her necklace. The pendant of the necklace was a beautiful diamond ring. 

Greg's eyes dimmed when he saw the ring and a frown appeared on his face. 

"I have a fiance. Never try this again." 

With that, she walked out of the restaurant. 

When she got to the car, she sighed deeply and looked ahead. Her life had turned out great. 

She had a wonderful job that paid her well, friends who loved her, and a fiance who adored her.

But his absence was taking a toll on her. Mr. Greg wasn't the first man who had tried to get her to go out with him. The list was getting longer by the day and she was sure it wouldn't end anytime soon. Her mentor was also trying to link her up with his son, but she kept pretending not to get the hint. 

"Just a few months." She reminded herself. 

Her busy schedule and the fact that she kept travelling from one country to another wasn't making it easy. Leo was also busy, so they have not been keeping in touch too much. 

She took out her phone and looked at the picture of Leo which was her screensaver. He had sent her the picture a few months ago where he kept a silly face with his tongue out. 

She smiled. 

"He is worth it." She muttered to herself. Leo was worth the wait. 

She was about to put down her phone when it started ringing. 

Her face lit up when she saw it was her friend, Mira Bill, face-timing her. Maybe their other friend, James Black, was back?

She immediately answered the call but frowned when she saw Mira's dishevelled look. 

"Are you drunk?" Mia asked when Mira started to giggle immediately after the call connected.

"Just a little!" Mira responded in a very high pitched voice that made Mia wince. 

"Where are you? It's late there!"

"Michael is here darling. We... went to a club together. Look, Mia, I have made up my mind that... I am going to do it today!" She said, too passionately for Mia's liking. 

"Do... what?" Mia asked hesitantly. 

"I am finally going to have sex with Michael today! We are going over to the house. Don't worry, I'll use my room. Wish me good luck. And don't call to change my mind."

Before Mia could say anything else, the call was disconnected. 

Mia stared at her phone in horror. 

"Oh no!" She cried. 

James was coming today. He had been on a program abroad since his graduation, so he hadn't been able to fully return. He had told her he was returning today and asked her to keep it a secret from Mira because he wanted to surprise her. 

Mia immediately dialled Mira's number to let her know it was a bad idea, but Mira must have been set on her mission because her phone had been turned off. 

She only hoped James wouldn't return or at least, Mira wouldn't take him to the room she had practically stolen from James. 

Wait... Why does this feel familiar?

(It was the same way she met her fiance.)