ROBERT
I had just finished having dinner with some business investors from Spain. Mia had chosen the location and reserved a VIP spot for us. We were done with the meeting, and the investors had already left, so it was just Mia and I.
Right now, I was thinking about Isla. I thought of how nice it would be to bring her here. The view was simply breathtaking, and I thought she'd love it. But then, she was my best friend's daughter. Sometimes, I wished I hadn't met Mason, wished we hadn't been friends. Who knows? Maybe Isla and I would have met in a more natural way, fallen in love, and gotten married, with the age gap mattering less.
But it was an entirely different situation now. The age gap was there, and the family bond was fucking there because Mason treated me like family.
"What are you so lost in thought about?" Mia asked, her brows raised, clearly expecting an answer.
"Just thinking."
She picked up a glass from the table, filled it with more wine, then stood up from where she had been sitting across from me to join me on the sofa.
"You look stressed out," she said, shrugging and taking a sip. "Maybe you should take a break."
"My schedule doesn't permit that at the moment, and I don't think it's that serious."
She placed a hand on my thigh and rubbed it gently.
"You're tense, Robert. I know we broke up already and I've gotten the 'ex' tag, but you can talk to me about anything... you know that."
I stared blankly at her. Mia's eyes were obviously filled with desire. Memories of a series of intense and crazy love making sessions in her office, my office, a private pool, my kitchen counter, hotel rooms, private golf course, my car, the elevator... they all came rushing into my mind. But right now, it was different. I was staring at her in this moment, and the only thing I could think about was wishing she were Isla.
"No, I think I just need a proper sleep in my bed. I feel much better when I sleep at my place, rather than the penthouse."
Mia looked up, confused.
"What's the difference?"
I shrugged lazily.
"It's her, right?" Her entire face was forming an angry look.
"Who?" I tried to sound nonchalant.
She moved a few inches away from me. "Damn it, Robert! You sure as hell know who."
I wasn't surprised by her outburst. She had made it very obvious from the very first day I informed her of my decision to bring Isla in that my little girl posed a threat to a position she had already lost in my life.
"Mia, I don't want to believe you're hating on the poor girl. She's done nothing to deserve that energy from you." I was surprised at how stern I sounded.
"Poor girl? Huh?" She chuckled bitterly. "Oh, spare me the melodrama. You didn't think she was a poor girl when you thrust your cock into her behind closed doors!"
"Mia!" I called warningly. "Watch that slithering fork of yours."
"Or what? Are you going to fire me?" she fired back. "Do it, Robert. Fire me… fire me because of your slutty little incompetent mistress."
I stood up with a heavy gasp. "I think you've had too much wine. I'll drive you home."
"Thanks for your care, Mr. Hardy, but I'll drive myself home."
"Mia…" I tried to start, but she held her hand up, shutting me out.
"I really thought we had a chance. I thought I was good enough… but you, you're a damn user. I don't regret it. I've never regretted it, and I will never… regret loving you."
She was sobbing violently.
With that, she picked up her purse and started walking out. I had to follow her because I wasn't convinced that my crazy ex was in the right state of mind to drive. As we got out of the VIP area, I noticed Mia stop dead in her tracks. Was she going to cause a scene? Probably scream her lungs out about how big a fool I was for choosing Isla over her. But then, I looked ahead toward her direction and was faced with one of the most heartbreaking moments I've ever witnessed.
Just a few meters ahead of us, Isla and Stiles, my project manager were seated at a table barely inches away from each other. They were holding hands and laughing so heartily. I hadn't seen her so happy in a long while. And, God, did she look so beautiful in a midnight blue satin dress that revealed a perfect cleavage. My fists were unconsciously clenched. How did Isla plan this? How had she known I would be here? And worst of all, I was in such a vulnerable state. This couldn't be a coincidence. I heard Mia chuckle, muttering a "wow."