SIXTEEN (being Wife and Mom)

Mia arrived the mansion by midday, this time, she dressed in the most casual way. George led her in and soon they were seated having lunch.

They ate their meal in silence. The clinking of the cutlery was the only sound heard over the awkward silence that filled the room.

Ethan suddenly decided to fall back on manners; he was the one, who finally broke the silence,

"…So, how was your day?" The question was directed to Mia.

She scrunched her brows and looked behind her just to be sure he was talking to her.

"Me?" She pointed to herself; her mouth was stuffed with food.

Ethan was about to say something rude, but decided to hold his tongue.

"Yes Miss Anderson, who else would I be talking to?" He sighed,

"Oh, I just wasn't sure you were capable of saying nice things." She sneered, Noel had to laugh,

"Any who, my day went well…Actually I spent the mornings indoors doing nothing." She mumbled,

"What exactly do you want from me?!" She said trying to sound fierce,

"An apology—"

"Huh?!"

Ethan let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed his temple,

"….What I mean is that…I owe you an apology. I overreacted the last time you were over and said some things I shouldn't have said."

Mia paused her meal and pinched herself twice,

"What are you doing?" Ethan questioned,

"I just want to make sure this is actually happening." She chuckled, "It's a rule that wealthy people never apologize, but you sir just did—"

"For once in your life, can you be serious!" He finally snapped.

"And here I was thinking you were a changed man." She sighed, Ethan gritted his teeth and his brows furrowed,

"You don't understand how much this is important to me!"

"What are you even talking about?" Mia questioned,

"I need a favor from you. Mia." He blurted as fast as he could,

"Oh." Mia replied dryly,

"So that's why we're here."

Ethan let out a loud sigh,

"You know what? I'm done, I can't do this." He slumped into his chair, it was obvious he was about to have a meltdown.

"George please make her understand." He mumbled as he abandoned his dinner and went up the stairs.

"What's his deal?!" She mumbled as she watched George walk over to side.

George walked over to side and requested to have a conversation with her.

---

"...Whoa! This place is massive!" Mia's exclaimed as she followed George to the balcony on the west wing of the mansion.

"How many rooms are there?" She continued,

"... Five, six, seven....I've lost count." He replied in a bored tone.

"Okay??.... So what is it that you wanted to talk about in private?" She asked,

George let out a small sigh and judging by the look on his face, he was feeling reluctant.

".... Whatever it is, it's okay to share." Mia encouraged him.

"Ahem, yes!" He cleared his throat, "How do I put this—"

"Any how you want." Mia smiled.

"Right." He nodded as he rubbed his hands and blew air into them. He took in a deep breath and exhaled, Mia gave him a puzzled look as he began,

"....So there is project in Japan that Mr. Chairman was really interested in, we called it the "Kenato Project." You'll get to know about it later. Bottom line is that....Mr. Chairman was trying to purchase this property, we were already in the final stages of finalizing the deal when Mr. Kenato--the owner called to say the deal was off—"

"Oh!" Mia exclaimed,

"Yes, he said he wanted the best for the property and since it has deep historical roots, he would only sell to a buyer who is a family man."

"Tsk!" She tutted, "A family man?!"

"Yes Mia, I may have told Mr. Kenato that the Chairman is a family man and now he wants him down in Japan with his wife and son, now that's where you come in—"

"I come in?"

"Yes, Mr. Kenato believes the Chairman has a wife...."

Mia rubbed her forehead and chuckled,

"So let me get this straight, you want me to play wife and mom to both of them in Japan?"

"Yes." He exhaled, "Think of it as a vacation and if it's about work, no need to worry, the—"

"No need, it's like this moment was destined to be, there's a situation at my company, so I have an entire week off." She mumbled.

"So is that a yes?" He quickly asked,

"…Um, I really need to think about this—"

"There's no time to think!" He snapped,

Okay?" Mia darted her eyes,

George let out a loud sigh and rubbed his temple,

"Look, I'm sorry for yelling at you, I'm under a lot of pressure and you're the only one who can save us now but you have to make a decision right now, we'll need to make certain arrangements if you say yes. So please Miss, make a decision."

"…Well, can't you hire someone to do this?"

"If it were that easy, we wouldn't be here right now, you're the only female after Mrs Pena that Noel has warmed up to, you're the only one he's comfortable with."

"Really?"

" And that's why we need you Mia…To pull this off, I assure you, you won't regret this, and we're also going to pay you for your—"

"I'll do it." She cut in,

"Sorry?"

"I said I'll do it, why would I say no to a free trip to Japan." She chuckled.

George breathed a sigh of relief,

"Oh thank goodness, you're a lifesaver!" He grabbed her hands and shook them.

"....But on one condition." She smirked,

"Anything!" George replied,

Mia laughed nervously,

"....Um, well Mr. Chairman has to be nice."

George nodded,

"We should probably go inside."

"Right."

They returned to the dining room, Noel was quietly eating his lunch, Ethan had returned and was repeatedly tapping his fingers against the table. His face perked up as he watched them walk in.

Mia smiled and quietly took her seat, while George returned to his position. The suspense was killing him so he turned to George,

"....Well?"

"I'll do it." She smiled at him.

Ethan's lips twitched a little,

"Thank you." He murmured, he could hear the stiffness from his own voice.

"....Um, do you have a valid passport?" He asked,

"....I do, but…I haven't used it in a while." She chuckled.

"....It's fine, George will help you get ready and brief you on everything else." He told her.

"We leave tomorrow, by 11:00am, don't be a minute late.... we'll be working on schedule.

Mia nodded,

"I'll take my leave now." Turning to Noel who had been smiling quietly the whole and said,

"We're gonna have fun together, okay!"