The Billionaire's Pretend Wife

Chapter 15

When Mia heard him calling her with that particular word, she was about to stand up, which made her almost stumbled. 

"Eh, be careful."

Leon was quick to react. His hand reached out to her waist and arm, effectively helping her balance herself. She was lucky not to fall or it would be so embarrassing as the first impression.

The closeness of their bodies made Mia very self-conscious. Although she wasn't looking straight into Leon's eyes, she could feel his on her. 

The position made her as if he was hugging her. Mia hurriedly put some distance between them.

Inwardly, she gulped while trying to calm her nerves. It's been a while that so many people had put their attention on her.

"Thank you." She tried to smile brightly, hoping that it didn't look like a wince.

The intense stares with various expressions bore into the two of them. Mia could even feel those eyes so clearly; curiosity, doubt, surprise, and lastly, dislike.

Leon assessed her from head to toe. She saw him frowning which made her heart full of doubts.

"Follow me," Leon said and was about to take a step forward when he suddenly stopped. Mia looked at him with questioning eyes.

She was startled when Leon grabbed her hand out of nowhere. His gloomy expression disappeared, and his mood seemingly had become better.

Mia didn't notice that Leon had stolen a glance at their intertwined hands. He merely coughed and gave her a hint to follow him along.

"I brought you some food." Mia's expressionless face cracked, showing an insincere smile. Those that weren't close enough wouldn't notice this.

Mia had tried very hard to do her best. After all, although it was a contract, Leon had just done her a great favor by giving her those advance money without much hesitation.

As for controlling her expression. She didn't that she was very good at this. She didn't like showing her true feeling to others ... otherwise, they'd judge her.

She was so used to masking her feelings that she didn't know how to make those expressions. It was such a problem that people would often misunderstand her.

"Let's go to my office." Leon smiled as he led her toward the office. 

Mia nodded and followed him. Her left hand holding the bag containing the food while the right hand was entwined with Leon's. She was slightly embarrassed under the stare of those employees.

Those wide eyes with disbelief along with the questioning look bombarded Mia as she passed the hallway. As soon as she stepped into this building, she knew that she would be subjected to such prying eyes. Mia took a deep breath and paid no heed to those stares as if they didn't exist.

She was now self-conscious of the contact with Leon, yet she pretended as if nothing happened. Just like how she usually did. The expressionless face she was so used to.

Mia's jolted slightly when they arrived at Leon's office. She hurriedly go of his hand. Leon opened the door and she followed him in.

"Sit," Leon ordered as soon as she was inside, bringing her a chair. Mia slightly frowned, but she did as told. 

Silence permeated the room. Mia couldn't help but stole a glance at what Leon was doing.

Leon's expression looked serious as he was fiddling with his phone. Mia had often seen him wearing that countenance in the past. It was much more pleasing to look at than his usual cocky expression.

It looked like that he was sending a message to someone. She guessed it to be his business partner. She was confused. If he was so busy, why did he call her to come then?

After a moment, Leon seemed to be done with his message. He shifted his attention to Mia, then the bag on her hand with a raised eyebrow.

"What did you bring?" He asked.

Mia was surprised that he even asked this. She brought out the box of food from the bag and showed it to him. For a split second, she bit her lip, then her expression was back neutral again. "It's spicy fried rice. I don't have time to prepare for the meal, so I brought this in a hurry."

Without any politeness, Leon took the box from Mia's hand. He slid into his seat, making himself comfortable. As soon as he opened the box, the unique scent of fried rice hit him. 

There were other things placed on top of the rice as decoration. A simple, round-fried egg along with some shrimps.

Mia was at a loss for words when she saw him opening the box. Her hands subconsciously moved forward as if wanting to stop him from eating it.

However, Leon had already taken his first bite. "It's pretty good."

He seemed to enjoy the food. Mia looked at him almost unblinkingly, so surprised that he'd eat the simple meal she made.

"Bring me another meal some time," Leon stated, smirking as he noticed her speechless state.

"Do you like spicy food?" Mia finally recovered her calm. She felt as if she had discovered a whole new world right now.

"Yeah, but my mo--" he let out a cough. "I mean, I enjoy spicy things more."

"Do you also like it?" Leon asked her back.

Mia shook her head. She wasn't particularly picky with her food. As long as the taste wasn't horrible, she'd eat it.

Leon blinked. "Do you have any other preference in taste?"

"Not particularly."

"Hmm, I thought that you like spicy things since you've brought a meal of one," Leon muttered.

Mia wouldn't tell him about Aiden of course, so she just kept her silence. She watched as he ate the food she made with her own hand. It felt somewhat odd.

"Have you eaten?" Leon suddenly realized something. He put down his spoon.

Mia had a foreboding. If she answered that she hadn't, Leon wouldn't ask her to share the meal. After all, there was only one.

She swiftly nodded. "I have earlier before coming here."

Surprisingly, the conversation between them wasn't as awkward as she thought it would be. The atmosphere still hung with solemness, but it had lessened slightly.

"Is what you are saying true?" He asked again.

Mia's mouth twitched. She wished that he'd just let go of this and believed her.

"If not, we can share this together." Leon continued, making Mia at a loss for words. She could almost feel a headache coming. Did this man really just said that? It was exactly as she had randomly thought earlier.

"I am just kidding." Leon changed his words as soon as he noticed Mia's flushed face. She seemed like she was angry...

Just as he was about to open his mouth again, the door was slammed open.