CEO'S SECRET CRUSH

Chapter 8 back to normality

DANIELS POV

It's been two and a half weeks since I dropped Mia home. Since then we have messaged each other every single day, sometimes I even ring Mia checking how she is.

Mia's mum's funeral was last week. Mia said it went smoothly and the sun shined brightly for her mum. I miss Mia alot and I hope she comes back soon. Even Leah and my mum are impatient to see Mia again. Leah says there always talking to Mia via texts and phone calls as well. And that they are becoming like best friends, which I think is great.

I'm currently sat in a board meeting and it seems to be dragging by so slowly.

RING RING RING

"Sorry everyone" I say pulling my phone out. "Okay everyone shh I need to take this" I say then I answer the phone.

"Hey, Mia how are you today?" I ask upon answering the phone.

"Hi Daniel, I'm okay but I've decided I need to come back to work. I need to get back to normality, As much as I love my friends and family I'm getting bored not being at work. she says.

" You can come back whenever you want, I will have it set up" I say smiling.

"Okay, well I plan to come back tomorrow so can I come to work Wednesday?" Mia asks.

"Yes of course you can, I will tell Michelle to expect you then" I respond

"Thankyou, I didn't disturb you with anything important did I?" asks Mia.

"No, I'm not busy" I say while staring at board members who are giving me daggers.

"Thankgod for that" Mia says.

"What time will you be arriving tomorrow?" I ask.

"I plan to arrive early evening" she replys.

"Okay, well how about I pick you up for work Wednesday morning on my way through?" I ask

"Oh, you don't have to do that" Mia says.

"Honestly, it's no problem we can catch up on the way" I say.

"Okay then, thankyou I will see you Wednesday morning then" she says.

"No need to thank me" I say.

"Well I'm that case I shall forget manners are a thing in future" Mia says while laughing.

"I don't think you will, your to politely mannered" I say.

"Your right, I will never forget what my parents drilled into me as a child, but I should get going it was just a quick phone call to make sure it was okay to come back to work" Mia says.

"Okay, take care. I will see speak with you later" I say.

"Bye" Mia says before hanging up.

"Sorry about that" I say then continue the meeting.

Once the meeting is finished I leave with Jenny who was taking notes.

"Sir, did I hear right that Mia will be back Wednesday?" Jenny asks.

"Yes you did. Please inform Michelle, also tell Michelle that Mia can have a few days easing back in. I don't want to have her overloaded" I say.

"Okay sir, I will let Michelle know right now" she says before heading off.

MIAS POV

"Dad its all sorted I'm going back to work Wednesday, are you sure your be fine here?" I ask him.

"Yes I will be fine, you don't have to look after me just come visit regularly" he says

"I promise I will. And you can always come stay with me, if you want" I say.

"I know, maybe in a few months Mia" my dad says.

"Okay" I reply.

"Now go see Rosie and baby Bella, I know you can't resist the baby cuddles" my dad says.

"Okay, I won't be long" I say giving my dad a hug before heading out to Rosie house.

A hour later I'm sat cuddle a adorable baby Bella.

"So your leaving me tomorrow?" says Rosie.

"Yeah, I just can't hack it at home without mum. I need to get back to work. As much as I love you all and will miss you all, I need some time to get back to normal. Do you understand what I mean?" I ask Rosie.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. But remember your always welcome to come stay with me" Rosie says.

PING

DANIEL

Hey Mia, I've sorted it with Michelle for you to start work again Wednesday. But if it gets to much you can always leave early or skive off in the staff room.

I quickly reply

Thanks Daniel it means alot. I haven't yet had time to let Leah know. I'm currently cuddling Bella, And spending a few hours with Rosie. Could you let Leah know for me please.

"Girl, what has you smiling?" asks Rosie.

"Daniel says he has sorted it for me to start work again Wednesday, but if I can't be bothered I can skive off in the staff room or go home early. What boss tells people that!" I say laughing.

"Hmm, I think you like him" Rosie says giving me a raised eyebrow look with a smirking grin on her face.

"Well yeah, they have all been so nice to me" I say

PING

DANIEL

Okay I will let Leah know for you. Enjoy your evening speak soon.

"Hmm hmm* says Rosie while smiling at me.

" What" I say while rolling my eyes at Rosie.

"Don't you what me, Mia Adams! I know full well you like him, infact I'd say you have a crush on him!" Rosie says.

"Okay, I may like him a little, but I don't think he likes me like that". I say

"Well you never know he might do, then you can have a huge wedding" says Rosie

"Girl, will you stop trying to marry me off?" I say laughing.

"Why not, he sounds nice and when he dropped you off my god he is hot! If I wasn't taken I'd bag him myself" says Rosie.

"Well I'm just greatful to have some friends in London now. Surpised one of them is my boss but still I'm greatful.

Anyway Rosie I need to ask a favour?" I say changing the subject

"What do you need chat up lines?" Rosie teases.

"No" i say laughing, "Can you and your dad keep and eye on my dad please. I'm worried he won't look after himself without me here. If he seems to be struggling your let me know so I can come and take care of him won't you?" I ask.

"Dont worry, my dad has already decided to do all of that" Rosie says.

"Thankyou and don't forget to send me loads of baby pictures" i say.

"Of course, that goes without saying" Rosie says.

Two hours later and I'm sat at my mums grave.

Mum i still can't believe your not here. I miss you everyday, I will never forget you or stop loving you. I've been looking after dad but it's time I went back to London. I hope you understand. I will come often to visit dad and I will ring him all the time as well. I have Rosie and her dad on the case, to keep an eye on him while I'm away. I don't know where you are but you will always live on in my heart mum. You taught me so much in this world. You showed me what living is really about. I will do my best so you can stay proud of me mum. Until we meet again rest and say hi to nanny for me. I love you. bye mum.

I say sat in front of my mums grave with a heavy heart. I sat a little while longer remembering all the fun times we had together.

I'm walking back home and my phone ringing.

RING RING RING RIN

"Hi Leah are you okay?" I say answering the phone.

"Daniel said your coming home tomorrow?" Leah says sound excited.

"That's right" I reply.

"Yay! I'm so excited, but I was thinking you didn't drive down and I'd love have a hour at the beach. So I thought, I could come get you plus it saves you getting a train back. After I've been to the beach I can come get you, what do you say?" Leah asks.

"You don't have to do that, just for me" I say.

"No it's not just for you, I haven't been to the beach in years. And Daniel said how you were both talking about the beach on the way down. So now I really want to feel the sand between my toes. Go on say your come back with me, it will be fun" Leah says.

"Alright how can I deny you the sun, sea and sand. What time are you coming down?" I ask.

"I will get to the beach for midday, enjoy the beach for abit then collect you around 2pm is that okay?" Leah asks.

"Yeah that's fine, thankyou" I say.

"Alright, I will see you tomorrow then" Leah says.

"Okay, I will send you my address in a text, see you tomorrow" I say.

After I hung up the phone, I quickly messaged Leah the address.

20 minutes later I arrive back home.

"Sorry I'm back later than expected dad, are you okay?" I shout going through the door.

"It's fine, how's Rosie and the baby?" He says.

"They are good, do you want a cuppa?" I shout while heading for the kitchen.

"No, I'm good. I have one here already" he shouts back. So I grab a orange juice from the fridge and join dad in the living room.

"Dad, I went and said goodbye to mum in the cematerary, I didn't want to rush it in the morning" I say sitting down.

"It's alright, what time do you want to leave tomorrow? I can drive you if you want?" my dad says.

"No, it's okay Leah just rang me. she is coming to the beach for a few hours tomorrow. After me and Daniel spoke about the beach when he drove me down, they talked about old days out here at the beach. Now she wants to go to the beach and said she would drive me back, since she is heading that way back anyway" I inform my dad.

"That's really nice of Leah, I'm glad your making friends in London it means I won't worry so much about you" my dad says.

"Yeah I made friends in a unexpected way, but I'm glad I have a few friends now as well. Although I'm nervous about going back to work" I say.

"Why are you nervous for?" My dad asks.

"Dad the last time I was in the department I was screaming and crying like a crazy person, I dread to think what everyone thinks of me" I say.

"No you are not a crazy person, you had a very good reason to be upset. Now you will go back and hold your head high because there opinions don't matter. You will be fine, I know you will because your my daughter and we are not scared of what people think! Are we poppet? " he says.

" Your right dad, I shouldn't feel embarrassed at all. I will wear my big girls pants and walk in as if nothing happened and show no fear! Just like you and mum raised me, confident and proud of who I am", I tell my dad.

"That's my girl" he says smiling.

The rest of the evening went by nicely, we had dinner while watching eastenders. Dad doesn't like it, but mum watched it all the time without fail so therefore dad watches it still.

I packed my things ready for the morning, I then had a bath before I climbed into bed. I'm going to miss this bed again, This home, my friends and family. I always do but I will call them all the time and visit often. I think to myself.

Before I knew it morning had come again. And it's time to go back to London today.

I spent the morning with my dad. Rosie came by with Bella and I had my final baby cuddles, while feeding Bella a bottle. I can't get over how adorable she is. Me and Rosie cried before she took Bella home and I promised to text Rosie everyday.

Then I quickly tidied around the house for my dad, even though he told me to leave it! he would be fine. I just wanted to lighten his load a little.

Before I knew it the time was 2pm and Leah had arrived.

I introduced Leah and my dad.

My dad thanked Leah for taking care of me.

Then I cried while saying goodbye to my dad, and he cried because I was crying.

I promised to text my dad when we arrived safe.

"Alright let's get this show on the road" said Leah as we pulled out the drive way.

"I'm going to miss this place, but I can't wait to have a normal routine again" I say to Leah.

"Well let's start it in sytle then" says Leah turning the radio up loud.

We both sang along to the radio and laughed as if we were best friends forever.

Half way down the motorway we stopped for mcdonalds.

"How about lunch Friday?" asked Leah while we were eating.

"Yeah, I'd like that" I say

"Okay, I will meet you outside the company at 12pm" she says.

"By the way Leah it's my treat as a thankyou for everything. Don't argue with me because I really want to do this" I say.

"Okay, it's your treat then" Leah replys smiling.

"Are you sure your ready to go back to work tomorrow? We could always go shopping instead?" Asks Leah.

"I want to go back to work, I'm just hoping people don't think I'm crazy" I say with a frown.

"Well if they do, I can always come throw a fake hissy fit and show them what crazy is really like" Leah says.

And we both laugh at that.

We are soon back on the motorway. Once we reach London we stop by a supermarket so I can grab some shopping. Then we headed back to my flat.

"Do you want to come up for a drink?" I ask.

"No, I'm going to head off home and wash the sand of my toes, but I will see you Friday for lunch" says Leah.

"Okay and thanks for the lift back, its been fun" I say.

"Bye Mia" says Leah starting the car up to drive away.

I wave bye as Leah drives off then head up to my flat.

I put the shopping away and then unpack my suitcase and bags.

Then I message Rosie and my dad saying I'm home safe, before getting an early night, the last thing I want or need is to be totally exhausted for my first day back at work tomorrow.

However it still takes me a while to fall asleep, as I keep thinking back over the past few weeks and how we have just buryed my mum. How I saw her one final time at the Chapel of rest. I was shocked how she just looked like she was peacfuly asleep, I was tempted to gently shake her arm saying, mum wake up like I did many of times in my life but I feared she would sit up shouting "what" and Id end up scream the place down from fear. So instead I didn't do that and just spoke of all the fond memories we shared as well as how much I'd miss her in the future, at Christmas times, birthdays and how I will do things to always remember my mum. My ultimate best friend. And that's how I fell asleep thinking of my mum.