Jealous
1789 Words
Mia and Ralph walked into the house, engaged in a conversation. Mia seemed interested in what Ralph was saying, and Ralph had a smile on his face.
Anton watched them through the camera, his brows furrowed.
This wasn't the first time he had seen this scene. It had been happening frequently, and now, it was starting to disturb him.
Every time they talked about one thing or another, and laughed about it—well, actually, Ralph was the only one who laughed. The most he had ever seen Mia do was smirk.
He watched them cook while discussing something about dogs, which annoyed him.
So, she could engage in a discussion about dogs but couldn’t have a reasonable conversation with him?
At this moment, jealousy outweighed his initial disturbance.
This 'boy' was leaving today. Anton couldn’t risk it—what if she fell for him?
That was the most unsettling thought on his mind. He was never going to let that happen.
As usual, his breakfast was served, but instead of Mia waiting behind, he told Ralph to stay back.
Without wasting time, he began.
"Mr. Ralph Pelir, I've seen potential in you, and I'd like to employ you at Hugh’s Empire."
"What?! Wow!"
"So, what do you say?"
"That would be great, sir!"
"Great. We’ll leave now."
"Now?" Ralph’s excitement faltered slightly.
"Yes."
"But I’m not dressed properly—I mean, this is sudden." He gestured to his casual tee shirt and jeans.
"You have ten minutes. Also, pack any important belongings because you won’t be returning here. Whatever remains will be sent to your new accommodation. We leave soon."
"Okay, sir." He bowed and left.
When Ralph told Mia, she was surprised.
Well, there goes someone she had started getting along with.
Ralph felt bad about leaving her. He knew he would miss her but didn’t know how to express it.
Even though he loved cooking, he had always wanted to work at Hugh’s Empire—this was a dream come true. He couldn’t compromise.
By the time he was done packing, Robert had already arrived.
"You're always reliable," Anton praised, tapping his shoulder.
Anton had called Robert earlier, instructing him to create a vacancy for Ralph. Robert had done so immediately.
Ralph left with Robert while Anton was driven alone.
***
The next day was Saturday.
Anton sat in his study, flipping through a pile of documents, but his mind wasn’t on them.
Today, he had made a resolution—he was going to break the ice sculpture that was Mia.
He would make her talk to him—her constant silence was killing him.
His ego was also hurt.
He was CEO Hugh, the number one businessman and also the richest man in the country.
Almost every lady would be flattered to be in her place—just to even look at his face once but Mia didn't seem to care.
The look in her eyes anytime she was with him made him feel uncomfortable. She made him feel less of himself.
She was always stiff around him, always giving straight answers and keeping a straight face as if they were enemies. But with Ralph? She talked and engaged with him.
What did Ralph have that he didn’t?
Anton sighed. He now realized he was whining like a jealous husband.
Also, lest he forget, she was brazen and mannerless.
He remembered their conversation three days ago during dinner.
"Sit down, Natasha."
"I don’t want to sit down, sir."
He had felt disrespected.
"I said sit down, Natasha," he repeated, putting more authority in his voice.
"And I said I don’t want to, sir."
Her voice had been firm, almost scary.
She had already been in a bad mood that day, so she hadn’t even bothered to be respectful, even with knowledge of possible consequences.
Not knowing what else to say, he had let it go and eaten his food quietly.
Besides, he didn’t want to be beaten.
Today, however, he had requested lunch—macaroni.
When Mia entered the kitchen, she halted in surprise.
"Mr. Hugh is cooking?"
Wait—could he cook?
Anton smiled at her reaction.
Mia hesitated, unsure of what to do.
Was she supposed to take over?
She quickly regained her composure and bowed.
"Good afternoon, sir. This is my duty. You are not to do this, so I will take over from here and prepare you a delicious meal."
Tch. So formal and manner–ful.
Who was she trying to deceive with her innocent look?
"Don’t worry, I’ll cook today. You just need to help with the little things."
"No way I'm working beside you" she blurted out.
Wait. Had she just said that out loud?
She quickly corrected herself.
"No way am I letting you cook, Mr. Hugh. It is my duty to prepare meals for you, so please allow me."
Without waiting for his response, she reached out to take the knife from him and slice the onions he had just washed.
However, in the process, her fingers brushed against his hand.
Like an electric shock, she immediately withdrew and stepped back.
Anton had been smiling at first, but his expression shifted.
"What happened?" he asked, concerned.
"Nothing."
She hated being touched. She also hated touching others.
She despised herself for touching him.
Wanting to get this done quickly and leave, she walked past him and began chopping the onions.
Anton poured the macaroni in the pot to boil, then picked up a carrot and started dicing it.
They stood close, both working with knives.
Anton darted his eyes toward her, but Mia didn’t lift her head once and soon, her eyes began to sting.
She held on as long as she could, but eventually, she turned around, blinking rapidly. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
She wanted to wipe them away with her palm but realized that wasn't the best option.
"Are you okay?" Anton was suddenly in front of her.
She quickly turned away so he wouldn’t see her face.
"Yes, I am."
It struck her that she had an arm. Quickly, she wiped her eyes with it and turned back to face him.
"Really?"
He saw her teary eyes but held back a chuckle.
"Yes."
Anton let it go.
Mia picked up some red bell peppers, washed them, and decided to blend them instead of slicing.
Anton saw this as an opportunity to start a conversation.
"Natasha."
"Yes, Mr. Hugh?"
"Is it okay if I call you Nat?"
"I’d prefer you don’t."
As she turned off the blender and poured its contents into a bowl, the mixture splashed into her eye.
A small groan escaped her lips.
Today was just not her day.
Where was Ralph?
O, darling Ralph.
She understood his worth now.
Anton had been about to say something, but when he heard her groan, he grew concerned.
"Hey, are you okay?"
She had heard that question too many times today.
She sighed.
Did she look okay? Her eyes stung badly.
She tried opening them, but the pain made her hiss.
"Let me help you."
He reached for her hand to guide her to the sink, but as expected, she yanked it away.
She wasn’t helpless.
Still, as she tried making her way to the sink, she nearly hit the cupboard.
Anton informed her before she could.
"You're heading for the cupboard."
She froze, frustrated.
She tried opening her eyes again but the pain was worse than before. She hissed angrily.
Anton wondered what kind of person she was—she was in pain and had someone to help her but was refusing help.
He wanted to see how far she would go with her stubbornness, but when she hissed in pain, he felt pained too.
'Whether she liked it or not, he was going to help her.' He resolved and walked towards her.
He grabbed her hand tightly and pulled her to the sink.
Mia could have pulled her hand away despite his supposed tight grip but she didn't. She only pretended to struggle a bit—she had finally agreed with her stubbornness to accept his help, majorly because her eyes stung badly.
Anton stopped in front of the sink, held up her ponytail to keep it from getting wet, and carefully rinsed her eye.
Once the burning subsided, their eyes locked.
"Are you okay now?"
She nodded slowly as a response, their eyes still in an awkward lock.
Then—
The scent of something burning filled the air.
Their eyes widened.
The macaroni!
Anton rushed to turn off the stove.
So much for proving himself as a cook.
Mia knew it was her fault.
"I’m sorry, sir."
"No, it's okay. Let’s just make noodles instead. I have something to do and time is already far spent."
She nodded.
"You just sit down, I'll prepare it"
She didn't bother arguing with him again and quietly sat down.
When he was done, he served the meal in two dishes and put it on the kitchen table. He also put some juice and water.
"Lets eat"
"I'm not sure I want to eat sir"
"Because I cooked it?"
"No, I'm not hungry"
"You must try my meal at least once and I promise you wont regret it"
Mia didn't want to stay here much longer so she agreed and tasted the meal.
He was a good cook, she admitted.
"How is it?" He asked grinning inwardly.
"It's okay"
"Huh? Just okay?"
"Yes sir"
Anton was certain that she was bent on annoying him. If not, how could she rate his meal as 'okay'.
He decided to just let it be.
"So Nat, how..."
"I said not to call me that...sir"
Still mannerless as always.
Deciding to let her, he ate in silence.
Enough trouble is sufficient for a day!
After placing the dishes in the sink, Mia quickly started going out, she needed to breath— she wasn't breathing right now, she was just taking in air.
"Don't bother about dinner tonight Nat"
Mia held her emotions and said a curt 'okay', because if she didn't, he might be sweeping the floor right now with his pretty face.
As she walked out of the door, she could breath finally breath well.
Inside the house, Anton stood smiling
This was a start.
He went to his room and laid on his bed smiling. If
Robert happened to see this wide smile on his face now, he would be utterly shocked, because Anton rarely gave such a smile.
His phone rang and he picked it up from the side table.
It was Jones.
The call was wrapped up in five minutes, after which Anton smirked.
'Well, this is going to be fun!' He thought amused.
- Writer
