Ch-2
3119 Words
Mia (Four years back)
I waited outside Carter's cabin feeling exhausted to death. I never imagined that my life could turn into such a huge turmoil at some point. That this can get so f****d up. If I could, I would turn back time and none of this would have happened. But as it was...it was too late. There was no going back now. But after giving everything a thorough undivided thinking I came to the conclusion that the only thing I could do was to move forward now. Forget about what happened. Completely forget about the f*****g past and just move forward in a new direction. Towards a new beginning. That was the very reason I was standing here today. To start a new beginning.
"Come in," Carter said and I walked inside, closing the door behind me. "Ah, Mia,"
"I have something important to talk to you about," I said and he nodded his head in response.
"Go ahead," Carter encouraged.
"About the New York offer that you gave me..." I said. "Is it still open?"
"Of course," He nodded his head, looking a bit surprised. "I mean Olivia hasn't responded either so I guess its still up for grabs. And Mia, I would again say that this is a great opportunity. A much better position. Accommodation, of course increased pay as well plus New York. What else can you ask for? You and Liv are my two best baits so I put up your names now its..."
"I will take it," I answered, cutting him off. "I will move to New York to start at the new branch. Just tell me when I need to join and rest of the details,"
"Really?" He exclaimed looking both pleased and surprised. "But last time you were quite wary about the entire idea,"
"I was not wary," I lied. "I just needed some time to think. And I did a lot of thinking and I decided that it indeed was a great opportunity,"
"Good thinking," He smiled at me. "Will Tristan be okay with this?"
"Its none of his business," I answered. "We are done for good,"
"Oh...that's er..." He muttered and then shrugged. "What the hell...I am just glad you are outta there. He was bad news, Mia. I got that the very day I saw you two together during the dinner party Martha threw. I am glad you made the wise decision,"
"Thanks," I answered. Everybody knew he was bad news. I knew he was bad news but I still choose to ignore that. What was I thinking?
"So now that you are single and ready for a new beginning, can I suggest you something?" Carter said, looking hopeful. I knew what he was going to suggest and for me it was too soon but I still nodded my head nevertheless.
"Why don't you give Ethan a chance?" He said softly. "I know you might say, what about not mixing business and personal life rule but that guy really likes you a lot. And he is a very genuine person. Trust me on this, I have known him for years,"
"Carter...I appreciate your effort," I muttered. "And I know Ethan is a great person. I really like him as well. But right now, I am at a very bad shattered place. I just need to focus on myself for a bit. Focus on my career and bringing stability in life,"
"I know...I know," He nodded. "It was just an idea. You focus on what you said. Just maybe give him a chance later? And I won't be the one to tell him that you will be dropping his assignment and moving away. His whole plan of getting into PR was just to meet you. So talk to him,"
"I will write him an e-mail," I replied. "Thank you for giving me that opportunity, Carter. I really appreciate it,"
"Come on...you are worth it," He smiled. "I will mail you all the details. And maybe during the weekend you can go and check out the place and see if you like it or not?"
"Sure...that could work," I nodded my head.
"Great...all the very best then," Carter smiled.
When I got out of Carter's office, I felt a sense of satisfaction inside me. I have finally taken a step and I was finally moving on. At a new place with new opportunities. Now I could finally leave all the mess that happened in the past six months of my life and start afresh. No more fights. No more fears. No more tears. I was free from all that. I sat down on my desk and decide to type my email to Ethan. I don't think I was in the frame of my mind to do that in personal given that I was aware of his feelings for me.
On Saturday with Liv out with Daniel, I was left alone at peace to enjoy some time for myself. I was flying to New York this evening to check out the apartment that the company was providing me. I was actually excited because who wouldn't want to live in New York? It was a dream after all even if I was a bit cynical earlier. As I was stowing my clothes into the washer, I heard the bell ring and not once but twice.
Who was it?
"Coming!" I called as I wiped my hands and headed towards the door, inwardly praying that it won't be Tristan again back with his old antics. I was determined that after what he did, I will surely put restraining order on him if it comes to that. But as I opened the door I was surprised to find Ethan on the threshold, looking grim.
"Hey," I muttered, puzzled. What was he doing here?
"Can I come in?" He asked and I nodded my head vigorously.
"Sure," I said and moved away to give him space. He walked inside and flopped down on the couch. He looked satisfied to find that I was alone and I wondered whatever in hell was he doing here at this hour. It was Saturday but he was still dressed in a sharp black charcoal suit.
"Would you like coffee or tea ?" I inquired and he shook his head, his keen brown eyes stuck on me. What was he thinking?
"Can we talk?" He asked softly and I nodded. Was it about the mail I dropped him yesterday? It has to be. There was no other reason for him to be here at this hour.
"Sure," I gave him a small smile and flopped down on the couch beside him. "What's up?"
"I got your mail yesterday," He answered, turning a bit so he was facing me. "You are moving to New York?"
"Uh...yeah," I nodded my head. "There's a new branch that opened up some months back in New York and Carter want me to move there at a better position. So that's why I have to pass on my engagements here. But don't worry... I will put you in good hands,"
"I don't want anybody else," He answered firmly and I was a little taken aback. Moving closer, he took my hand in his and stared intently into my eyes.
"I will be very clear with you, Mia," Ethan said firmly. "I like you. No...I more than like you and I..I don't want to let you go...I can't,"
I blinked at him, a little taken aback. I knew this but I didn't thought he would rush in like this to tell me that.
"Ethan...I..." I tried to frame the right words in my head. "I am in a very bad space at the moment. Its one of the reason I am leaving for New York...to have a new start. What I just left behind...it was hard and..."
"I know all of that," He answered, cutting me off. "I know you broke up with your guy and whoever that jerk is...he broke your heart and I know that you weren't happy with him. And that's why I want a chance...because I want to give you everything that you deserve. I want to make you happy...I want to love you,"
"Ethan..."
"No...just listen to me please," He begged, taking my face in his hand. "I love you, Mia. I know we haven't known each other for long but I have known you enough. And I don't want to force you into anything. I am willing to wait as long as you ask me to but please...please just give me one chance...please?"
I stared up at his kind brown eyes and suddenly had an intense urge to cry. I felt so broken inside with everything that happened with Tristan. I tried my best to hold onto him. I tried my best to forgive him again and again. But I didn't realise that by trying to do good by him, I was betraying myself...hurting myself...exploiting myself to the point where there was nothing more left in me probably.
"I am so tired," I sobbed, letting the tears finally fall. "I am exhausted,"
"I know," Ethan whispered and wrapped his arms around me. "I am right here for you, Mia...if you let me in,"
I kept sobbing in his chest, revealing in the comfort that he always radiates. When I was finally done sobbing and realised how mortifying it was to break down like that, I tried to quickly pull away. But Ethan hold onto me, taking my face in his hand and wiped the tears away with his thumb.
"I really do love you," He whispered and inching closer, pressed his lips to mine. I felt the warmth of his emotions in it, something that I have never felt when Tristan kissed me. I felt all the pain and heartbreak of the past few weeks melting away even if it was momentary as he kissed me softly as if I was the most fragile thing he has ever held and it was then that somewhere inside me I felt something shift. Like finally a puzzle falling into place.
"I really am moving to New York," I whispered and he smiled softly.
"We will figure something out," He said looking enthusiastic. "I will follow you to the end of the world if I have to,"
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"Mia! Mia..." I blinked and turned my head to see Ethan staring blankly at me.
"What?" I inquired and he pointed to stove. "The sausages are burning sweetie. Are you alright?"
"Oh...shit," I quickly turned off the stove and sighed. "I am so sorry...I,"
"Its okay...its okay...calm down," He said, handing me a glass of water. "You don't need to be sorry. It happens. Do you want to sit down? Are you alright?"
"Yeah...no... I was just thinking about something," I answered. "I will get another batch going. Can you check if Mace has finished with his milk?"
"Yes...sure," He nodded. "By the way, do you know where my grey tie is?"
"In the walk-in, left side upper shelf," I answered, starting on another batch of sausages for breakfast. "Jesus...you are gonna be late,"
"Its okay, Mia," Ethan tried to calm me. "Its my office...I can be late for once if I want to. Don't fret yourself too much,"
I nodded and he placed a kiss on the top of my head before disappearing to check on Mason who was watching cartoons in the living room. I sighed and inwardly kicked myself. What was I doing? Day dreaming about the past for no reason. I don't know what I was thinking in the starting and what to lead to what. Sighing, I finished making the rest of breakfast and from the living room, I could hear Ethan talking to Mace about something absolutely nonsensical. I smiled as I listened and felt so guilty inside.
I had such a happy family. My husband loved me, he was more than willing to go that extra mile for me than how can I even feel this way. How can I even feel lonely? What was it that I needed that would make me happy? What else can a woman ask for than what I already had?
"You do remember our flight is for seven tonight, right?" I asked as I served Ethan breakfast and he looked up from his IPad and nodded his head.
It was Mom and Dad's anniversary tomorrow and we were all going to celebrate together. Things have been better with them especially with my Mom when I left Tristan and even more so when I introduced them to Ethan around six or eight months later. For some reason and maybe because of his playful behavior and immaculate family, she was all for him.
"Is there anything else that is needed to be packed for you?" I demanded as I tried to control Mace from spilling salt all over the table. He was just one and could hardly even say Mom and Dad but man was he naughty. He was damn naughty for such a small child and it was something I was sure he got from his father.
"Uh...I don't really remember," He answered, eyes still glued to the screen. I felt a little irritated. I hated bringing work or anyone else bringing work to the breakfast table. It was family time.
"Okay...I will see to that," I answered and it was so annoying because I knew half of the things went straight past his brain. "Just don't be late, okay? Be back home by four, okay?"
"Yeah...yeah...I know," He nodded his head. "Alright, I gotta leave. See you in the evening,"
"Bye," I waved, picking Mace up and following him outside. "Say bye bye to Daddy," He can't say bye of course so I made him wave and Ethan smiled and kissed both our foreheads before heading towards the parking, waving at our neighbor Mr. Connelly, a retired army official jogging back home.
I watched as he drove away and felt the heaviness inside me settling in again. Last night was so amazing and I wished we could be like that forever. I was happy with my life the way it was now, at least materialistically speaking. But Ethan has bigger ambitions and aspirations and as his wife and the mother of his child, it was my duty to support him through all. I wondered when that day would come when he will feel like stopping. When that day would come when he would come home to me and say : Mia, I am finally done. I am tired and I have come back home to you. I was waiting eagerly for that day to come whenever that will happen.
After putting Mace back to sleep since he woke up at three in the morning today for some reason and finishing up rest of the household work, I walked into our walk-in to check whatever else needed to be packed for Ethan. However instead of his at least semi packed luggage, I was annoyed as hell to find that he hasn't packed a single thing. His suitcase lay open on his side of the closet and there was not a single piece of clothing inside it. Not even a sock! I was so pissed that I had to sit down for a moment and let the tears fall. I don't know whether I was crying because of anger or whether I was just on the brink but it was soothing to let everything out. It helped a lot to calm my insides.
Glancing at the watch, I realised I had two hours until I really needed to start getting ready and sighing and taking a deep breath, I started working on packing all his stuff up. His side of closet was a mess and I made a mental note to clean that up whenever I get time once I get back. Sometimes, I couldn't understand who was the baby here.
It was almost five when I was finally done, packing Ethan's stuff, getting ready myself, waking Mace up which was another nuisance because it took another half an hour to make him stop crying in the first place and finally getting him ready as well. After somehow managing to drag the luggage down, I dialed Ethan asking whether we should meet at the airport itself since he was supposed to be home half an hour ago at least and so far there was no sign of him. Give New York's traffic, I didn't want to take a risk.
"Where are you?" I asked, when he called me back after not picking up twice. "We are going to be late. Should I meet you straight at the airport then? Can you make it?"
"Mia...baby I am so sorry," He muttered and I could sense his hurry. "Yeah...yeah...just...yeah get it booked and mail it to me..." Who the f**k was he talking to?
"Ethan?" I prompted, stomping my left foot in restlessness and probably anxiety because I knew what was coming.
"Yeah sorry...Mia, I won't be able to make it to Mom and Dad's anniversary. I have to fly to Madrid tonight for a week long trip. I am so sorry sweetie. Please...apologize on my behalf and fly safe, okay?"
I was blank. Deep deep somewhere I knew this was coming but yet it impact didn't seem to lessen even a bit.
"Mia? Are you listening?" He asked again. "Hello?"
"Can't you make it later on?" I whispered.
"No...I told you. I will be out for a week. Its a very important deal. But I guess I would be back a day before you so I will see you at the airport a week from now. I promise. I am sorry sweetheart. Oh...did you pack my stuff up? I completely forgot,"
"Yes," I answered, my voice barely audible. I was looking forward to this week. I was so looking forward to some time with him. And so were my parents because ever since we got married, I had visited them maybe twice at most.
"Thanks...you are a gem," He said. "Alright, gotta go now. Call me when you reach. Be safe, okay? I have booked your cab. It should be there by now. I love you,"
I love you...that sorts everything.
"The cab is here... I gotta go now," I whispered and cut the call.
And just like always, I was all alone in this journey again...
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A/N: Hey guys! Good morning! Here's the next update and I hope you like it :) Also happy good Friday everyone! Thank you so much for your precious feedback on the first chapter! You guys are great!
- Writer
