CHAAPTER TWENTY ONE
Mia glared hard at Alex, as she pushed him away rudely though not harshly because she had to take care of herself as well.
Alex stumbled back, and glanced at her with his steely eyes.
“How dare you Mr. Ian. Do you think all of this is a joke? Does the world revolve only around you? You think it works according to your commands and wishes?” She lashed out angrily, her eyes held the fury as she eyed him with hatred.
“Get this thing in your twisted mind, Mr. Ian, people do have feelings, they have their own wishes and they won’t work according to your wishes. I refuse to marry you now and every time you ask me.” She blurted out, as she took a deep breath in, as she ended up announcing her decision which is final.
“Enough, if I don’t say anything doesn’t mean I’ll go on listening to your rambles. Neither do I hold any interest in you romantically nor do I intend to fulfil any marriage duties if we get married.” Alex muttered.
“I asked you to marry me only for the sake of my child and his/her future. I wouldn’t want him to grow up and be deprived of …..” he stopped abruptly, realising what he was saying and giving a quick glance to her, dashed out of her presence.
Mia stood there perplexed at his sudden exit.
She couldn’t fathom what was going on his mind, and why was he suddenly so keen on marrying her when he did not believe in relationships and marriage.
But she realised one thing which she had predicted even earlier, that he is going to be a great father.
He is already worried for the unborn child and although he didn’t show it openly, it still reflected in his actions.
Exhausted, she sat on the bed and found her eyes drooping involuntarily, so she laid down properly on the bed and dozed off, shutting everything else out.
Alex marched inside his study, and closed his eyes shut to compose himself.
He couldn’t believe he was going to say something in front of Mia, something he never shared with anyone except Mark.
He knew that was the only way he could put forth his proposal to marry her, is he too abrupt and shocking for her? And that her mood swings added up to her unleashing her anger, but it was the only way he could say what he wanted.
All that sweet words and cajoling was never his cup of tea.
He had come up with this decision to marry her after his conversation with Mark last night.
After thinking hard and long, he realised he couldn’t be that cruel to his unborn child.
His child had every right to get both the parents love and he was sure after the baby’s exposure to the world, people are going to talk nonsense and all sorts of infuriating things.
Handling the media would be a problem because he couldn’t keep his child in the dark forever. He/She would have to face the world one day .
Taking out his phone he called George immediately.
“George, I need you to do one work right now. Terminate the contract between Mia and I. I want it gone, no trace of it.” He ordered without a second thought, and George could only blink his eyes, dumbfounded.
“But sir you need to inform the other party about this termination and give a termination clause. What clause should I mention?” George asked without asking any whys.
“I’ll inform her about it. And the clause, I’m marrying her which totally makes the contract void as she won’t be able to leave.” Alex informed, and George agreed before hanging up.
Now he had to tell Mia about it and somehow convince her for marriage.
Sighing, he left for his room to have a chat with her yet again. But he was greeted with the same scene yet again, as he saw Mia sleeping on his bed.
He gazed at her for a few seconds before sitting beside her.
He stared at her protruding belly for a long time, debating in his mind if he should place his hand on her belly or not.
After almost five minutes passed, he shook his head and was about to get up when her soft hands touched his hand.
He looked at her hand and then at her face.
She was awake and staring at him and he did the same. He felt his hand moving, and the next second it was on her stomach.
“I told you, you can talk with your child whenever you want.” She whispered with a small smile, but he didn’t smile back and looked back at her belly.
He lightly caressed it, and for the first time he felt his eyes softening.
His eyes lingered there for a few moments before he took his hand away and she sighed.
She tried to sit up and he was quick in lending her support.
“Mia, I was serious about the marriage thing.” He stared at her after she sat up, and this time Mia didn’t protest or give away any kind of reaction.
“Also, I’m terminating the contract.” At this, her head snapped up and she stared at him with a mixture of disbelief and something else that he couldn’t identify.
“Why are you suddenly so interested in marrying me, Mr. Ian?” Mia asked seemingly curious, and frustrated at his decision.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
“Look, like I told you before, I don’t believe in marriage and I still don’t. But if it is the only way to keep the baby away from all people and calling him/her names, then I’m ready for it.” He was straightforward in telling what he thought.
And seeing her blank expression he continued, “And if you still want to leave then you’re free to do that, I’ll marry someone else who is willing.” Her eyes narrowed at his sentence, because no way would she tolerate her child calling someone else as his/her mother.
“I need some time, Mr. Ian” She declared curtly, and he nodded.
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Chloe entered ‘Mark enterprises’ with a nervous look on her face.
She didn’t know what was wrong with her to apply for such a job that she isn’t even qualified for.
And to top it, it was Mark she was talking about who had agreed to appoint her even after knowing she was nowhere near qualified for the post.
Her boss.
Biting her lips nervously, she made her way to his office and she took a deep breath before knocking.
He ushered her in, and she entered inside not looking his way at all.
“Ah, Ms. Chloe, welcome to the Mark enterprises.” Mark said with a smirk on his face, which she didn’t notice because isn’t looking his way.
“Why did you appoint me?” she asked frowning, finally looking at him and he raised his eyebrows amused.
“Aren’t you happy? You had voluntarily applied for it, if I’m not wrong.” He said leaning back, and she glared at him.
“I did, but didn’t you see that my qualifications are nowhere matched with this post? Then why? Why did you do it?” She demanded furiously and he stood up, strolling towards her.
“First of all, this is a workplace and I’m your boss, so don’t talk to me in that tone. Secondly, I’m not going to answer your question”
“Why choose you for this post is my decision, and if you’re not ready for it then leave now because once you sign the agreement with this company, you won’t be able to resign for at least for six months. Take it or leave it.” Mark uttered, for the first time ever Chloe felt intimidated by him as she stared at him speechless.
She gulped and played with the edge of her dress which was noticed by Mark.
He stared at her nervous act, as his thoughts went overboard, but still kept quiet.
“I’m leaving.” She announced timidly, as she turned to leave which caused him to panic.
“Wait.” he stopped, but did not turn around and waited for him to speak.
“If you wanted to leave, then why did you apply for this job in the first place?” He questioned and she stayed quiet not knowing what to say.
“I was looking for a job, but didn’t know that I could get this one. I had no hopes of getting a positive response from here but… ” She stopped, and Mark felt that something was off.
“You are qualified for this job, Chole.” Mark announced after a few minutes of silence, and she turned with a confused face.
“If it makes you feel any better, then let me tell you that Margaret, my previous secretary, was also not qualified for the post. But I still appointed her because I knew she deserved it. Likewise you, I feel you deserve this post too.” He declared, and her face softened.
“Don’t think too much, Chloe, because I’m not doing you a favour, I’m also not doing it just because I know you as Mia’s friend. This is work, and I’m all about professionalism here.” Mark said, and a small smile broke out on Chloe’s face, but she quickly hid it and stood straight.
“I accept this job sir.” She said with a nod and Mark grinned.
“All the formalities will be completed by Margaret. Please find her outside because she will be updating you about everything that you’ll be handling.” Mark said in a professional tone, although he was jumping happily inside him.
“Yes sir.” She nodded, as she left his office, after which Mark threw his hands in the air celebrating his victory.
He definitely wasn’t going to bring his personal feelings to work, but even seeing her everyday in front of him was enough for him.