Her Name Is Mia
1418 Words
Addison's P.O.V.
I didn't plan on saying it. It just slipped out.
Maybe it was the way Adelson had been quieter than usual the past day. Maybe it was the way he kept glancing at me when he thought I wasn’t looking, like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how. Or maybe I was just tired of pretending we didn’t miss each other because this awkward silence wasn't us.
We were sitting on the front porch, the morning air still cool, a mug of coffee warming my hands. Mia was still asleep inside. Adelson leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, eyes fixed on the quiet street like he was expecting something or someone.
"I’ve been thinking," I began, unsure how to even go about this. "Why don’t you come work with me?"
His head turned slightly, not all the way, like he wasn’t sure he heard me right.
"At the company," I continued. "You’re good with numbers. Details. You always were. I could use someone like that." I tried not to sound too soft or too desperate, but part of me was. "It doesn’t have to mean anything... else. Just a fresh start."
He finally looked at me. Not with warmth, but not anger, either. Just a long, unreadable stare.
"Why now?" he asked.
I shrugged, staring down into my cup. "Because I need you. And because you could keep this imperfect human from making a mistake. And I don't want you to be angry at me anymore."
His arms dropped slightly, the tension in his shoulders relaxing.
"I’m not asking you to forgive me immediately," I added. "But just… give it a shot. You’re good at what you do. And I could use the help."
He didn’t give me an answer right away. Just a nod and a shrug, more than enough for someone like Adelson. That was his way of saying he’d think about it.
The following Monday was chaotic.
Mia’s nanny texted me at dawn, barely able to type out that she had a fever and wouldn’t be coming.
And of course, it was a public holiday. No school.
I stared at my phone for a full minute, mentally scrolling through every contact. I had no one here. I wasn't in Costa Rica anymore. And I hadn't had the chance to make friends.
Funny how the wheels of time turn. Once upon a time in Costa Rica, the only person I had was Nate. And now, back in the country where I grew up, the only people I have are Nate, Adelson, and my parents—my family.
My parents' house was a three-hour drive from here. Maybe Adelson could’ve picked Mia up, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave her alone for that long. Which meant… she was coming with me.
"Alright," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "You’re coming with me."
Mia beamed like I’d just told her we were flying to Disneyland.
I packed her tablet, colouring books, and a few snacks, hoping it would be enough to keep her distracted through meetings.
"Do I have to be quiet the whole time?" Mia asked as I buckled her into the back seat.
"You have to be respectful," I replied. "No yelling, no running, and don’t touch anything that looks expensive."
"So I can talk?" she asked innocently.
I gave her a look through the rearview mirror. "Limited talking."
She grinned. "Got it. Like a ninja with a walkie-talkie."
"Can I sit in your chair?" she asked as we walked into the building.
"Only if you promise not to fire anyone," I told her.
She giggled and squeezed my hand tighter.
I shook my head, smiling despite myself.
As we stepped into the general office with a coffee in one hand and her tiny fingers wrapped around the other, that’s when I saw her.
Elara Vermont.
She was standing near the general secretary's desk, flipping through a folder, talking to someone from HR. She was just as polished as I remembered.
Dressed to perfection in her tailored beige suit and pointed heels, not a hair out of place. She hadn’t changed much.
Our eyes met.
The air shifted.
It was the first time I’d seen her since coming back to the country. She blinked slowly, lips curling into a tight smile that didn’t reach her eyes as always.
“Addison,” she said, her voice light, but laced with ice.
“Elara,” I replied, matching her tone.
Her gaze dropped quickly to the little girl beside me.
Mia, in her pink hoodie and a juice box in hand, looked up at her, curious.
“And who is this?” Elara asked coolly, arching one perfectly drawn brow.
“My daughter,” I said simply, placing a hand on Mia’s head.
Her lips parted for half a second, surprise flickering across her face before she masked it with a polite smile. “She’s adorable.”
I didn’t respond. I didn’t have to.
I walked past her without another word, Mia trailing beside me.
We reached my desk, a temporary setup in the general office, until my private one was ready. Tucked into a quiet corner, it wasn’t bad. Hidden, even. Just the way I liked it.
Mia tugged my hand. “You don't like that lady?”
I blinked. “What?”
“You looked at her the same way you look at burnt toast.”
I let out a soft laugh. “Something like that.”
Smart as always. Nothing gets past her eyes, just like Nate.
Once inside my space, I settled her on the sofa with her tablet, headphones, and a few colouring books. She got comfortable instantly, cross-legged, lost in her own little world.
I’d barely opened my laptop when Adam walked over.
He looked around, his eyes settling on the tiny figure tucked into the corner, curled up with a colouring book now. Her shoes were off, and her backpack lay open beside her.
She was humming quietly, drawing little hearts on a paper while her tablet played something animated and sparkly.
I saw the flicker in his expression.
The sudden recognition.
He didn’t speak for a moment, his eyes lingering on her.
"Who's she?" He asked.
"Mia," I answered.
"Who is she to you?" He probes more.
"My daughter," I replied, giving him a side glance.
She looked up at that exact moment, noticed him watching, and waved with a grin.
“Hi,” she chirped.
He blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Hi.”
She tilted her head. “Are you my mum's boss?”
“No,” he said, voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “We are partners.”
Mia nodded, then returned to her drawing, only to glance back a second later.
"I know you," she blurted out.
My heart skipped a beat.
There weren’t any pictures of Adam in the house, so how could she recognize him? Or was it one of those ‘blood is thicker than water’ situations?
Then I remembered the newspaper and magazines; most of them had Adam's picture, and Mia was a voracious reader.
"Where do you know him from, baby?" I asked gently, not ready to conclude.
"The airport, Mum. We met him at the airport. I was pointing at him before he disappeared."
I looked at Adam, and he was smiling awkwardly. And I just stared at him.
"You saw us at the airport?" I asked him quietly.
He hesitated. "Yes. You, Mia, and your…" He didn’t finish the sentence before his eyes flicked subtly to my left hand.
He was looking for a ring.
There wasn’t one.
"We are not married," I said. "But he is my partner."
He nodded. His gaze lingered for just a second too long before he pulled his attention back to the stack of papers he brought.
“Quarterly proposal,” he said, placing the file on my desk. “You’ll want to look at page seven.”
“Thanks,” I said, but his eyes had already drifted back to Mia again.
"How old is she?"
"Four."
"Five," Mia countered.
"She's four, but almost five," I clarified.
"When?"
"Soon."
He gave a tight smile. "Let me know if there’s anything you need."
"Sure," I said.
He walked away slowly, but I saw it—those glances he kept throwing over his shoulder.
From Mia.
To me.
Back to Mia.
Like he was trying to solve a puzzle…
…not realising he was already a part of it.
- Writer
