Will You Be My Date?
1514 Words
Dawn had barely broken when Mia sighed and gazed out the window.
She didn’t want to face Anton. She didn’t even know how to.
She was embarrassed, angry, and irritated—but mostly embarrassed.
How was she supposed to look him in the eye?
Pushing the thoughts aside, she forced herself up. No matter how she felt, she still had to make breakfast.
Anton, meanwhile, waited patiently. He had an important meeting today and needed to leave early, but before that, he had to speak with her.
Watching the security feed, he saw her slip inside the house, looking noticeably less confident.
She rushed straight to the kitchen and began her business.
He drummed his fingers against the bedside table as he waited, his impatience growing.
When she finally finished, she served the breakfast—pancakes and coffee—on the dining table.
And right on cue, Anton descended the stairs, dressed sharply in a black suit.
Mia noted, not for the first time, that she never had to call him when meals were ready. He always knew.
"Good morning, sir," she greeted as he took his seat.
"Good morning, Nat."
She wasn’t in the mood to argue with him, so she let it slide. Besides, she didn't want anything that would keep her here for long.
"Sit down."
She obeyed without protest, which made Anton slightly curious. She wasn’t acting like her usual self today.
"How are you?"
"I'm okay, sir."
"How was your night?"
"It was okay, sir."
"I want to discuss something with you."
She nodded, waiting.
"You know Jones Palvis, right?"
"The CEO of Jo-Ne Corporation?"
"Yes, that’s him," he confirmed, taking a bite of his pancake.
"He's hosting a party for his 40th birthday tonight."
Mia’s eyes spoke, 'So? Why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with me?'
Anton leaned forward slightly.
"I want you to be my date to the party."
She felt something different when he said that—she wasn’t sure what, but she knew one thing for sure—she was rejecting this.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't be your date."
"Why not?"
"Because I don’t want to."
And just like that, any hope Anton had of an easy conversation vanished. So much for thinking she had woken up on the right side of the bed today.
"I can’t find a date on such short notice. The party is tonight."
"You’re Mr. Hugh. You can do anything you want," she said dryly.
Anton smirked. So she knew that but still acted like she didn’t.
"True, but I need to vet anyone I take, and I don’t have time for that right now."
He glanced at his watch. He had about ten minutes left before he had to leave, and she was still making this difficult.
"I’ve known you for a while, and you seem suitable for the part."
"Sorry, sir, but I’m not an actor. I can’t do it."
His jaw clenched.
"Nat, I’m your boss, and I’m asking for your help."
"But this isn’t part of my job. I’m just a cook."
"I know. But you can also be my date—just this once."
Mia shook her head.
"Sir, I can’t. I’ve never been to an elite party. I don’t know how they work."
"You don’t have to do anything special. I’m CEO Hugh, remember? My presence is what matters."
"I’m sorry, sir. I can’t."
Anton exhaled, his patience wearing thin.
"Please, Nat."
She felt something different again when he said that, but she couldn’t place her finger on it.
Anton, on the other hand, was baffled. He was begging a woman—just to be his date.
Women usually jumped at the chance, but here he was, pleading with the one woman who constantly defied him.
He had to stop and ask himself why he was even attracted to her in the first place.
She had never been genuinely kind to him, and her expressions were never welcoming.
And lest he forget—she was a fighter. That, in itself, was something.
Mia hesitated. She didn’t want to go, but something about the way he asked made her feel a little guilty.
Anton broke the silence.
"Natasha, will you be my date?"
"No."
"Thank you so much."
Wait. Why was he thanking her?
And then she realized it.
The "no" she thought she said, had actually been a "yes."
She nearly slapped a hand over her mouth.
Before she could correct herself, Anton stood.
"I’ll be back by 1 PM. Get ready. I’ll take you shopping—I know you don’t have a dress."
He shot her a cheeky smile.
Her chest tightened at the sight of it, but as always, she had no idea why.
Before she could protest, he was already at the door.
"Make sure you eat. I’ll be back soon. Thanks again for agreeing to this on such short notice. I’m grateful. Bye!"
And with that, he was gone.
Mia buried her face in her hands.
This had to be a nightmare.
But… nightmares didn’t include cute smiles, did they?
---
Meanwhile at the trio apartment...
"Hey, how about we go out today? Have some fun?" Dixon asked Luther.
"No, thank you."
"Why are you such a bore? Do you enjoy reading some dumb book or staring at your computer all day?"
"You already know the answer."
Dixon groaned. Luther was always like this.
"Whatever. See you later."
Just as he opened the door, Luther suddenly spoke.
"Aren’t you worried about Mia?"
Dixon paused. "Worried in what sense?"
He shut the door.
"We haven’t spoken to her in days. Don’t you want to know how she’s doing?"
Dixon sighed. "Look, Mia is Mia. She can handle herself. And besides, she specifically told us not to contact her."
"I know… I was just concerned."
"You’re acting like a worried mother right now, and it’s weird. But fine, for your peace of mind, I’ll call her."
"Mia?"
"Yes."
"But she told us not to—"
"Good news, scaredy-cat. She’s not here, so she can’t beat me."
He dialed her number.
She picked up after four rings
"I thought I told you not to call me."
Dixon almost shrank at the tone of her voice. The boldness he thought he had vanished into thin air.
"Uh… er… Luther told me to!"
"I didn’t."
Mia scoffed. "Luther would never be that brazen."
"Fine, I called you. But only because Luther was worried!"
Luther sighed. "Mia, are you okay?"
"I’m fine. Dixon, last warning—don’t call me."
"Sorry. But… how’s it going?"
"I can’t get into his study. It’s locked down, and I don’t have a good reason to be in there when he’s not home. The guard is too strict."
"So, what’s the plan? Something dangerous?" Dixon asked eagerly.
"Why would you suggest that?" Luther shot back. "Mia, just be patient."
Mia sighed. "I’m trying, but it’s frustrating."
Dixon, uninterested in the serious talk, changed the subject.
"So, what are you doing today?"
Mia hesitated.
"What else?"
How was she supposed to tell them she had a date with Anton? And that she had to wear a dress and heels.
Her head was in turmoil.
She was in a mess!
"If you were here, we could have gone out"
"To a club, right?" She said in a sarcastic tone.
"No. Club is at night. I'm going to a friend's party."
"Enjoy your party then... Grandma"
"Did you have to?"
"Of course I had to, isn't that right, Luther?"
"Yeah"
"Thank you" she said with a chuckle.
"You two can continue, but not with my phone. Bye"
But he didn't end the call. He knew she would pile it up as one of his wrong doings and deal with him one way or the other, so he didn't dare to.
"Don't call me again. I'll call you when I want to. Bye"
"Ok bye"
Dixon still keep his angry act up.
"Bye grandma"
She quickly ended the call while smirking.
The reason she told them not to contact her was because she was playing it safe.
If something went wrong, and maybe she got caught, she didn't want them involved in the mess.
She didn't save any numbers on her phone, apart from Anton's and Ralph's. Besides, she knew Luther and Dixon's number off-hand.
Her mind reminded her of the so-called party and, once again, her mind began to race.
Why?
She didn't know anything about elite parties, and on top of that, she had to wear a dress and heels.
She wished Anton wouldn't be able to make it on time.
Meanwhile, Anton was in a good mood during the meeting and everyone noticed, but he
didn't care.
He was going to a party with stone-cold Mia.
He looked at his watch and frowned a bit. Of all the days in the world, it had to be today that time decided to travel slowly.
But whatever, he knew this was going to be a party he would live to love.
Or so he thought....
- Writer
