Chapter 1: Unexpected Guests.
“Ready, Mia?” Ethan asked her as she adjusted the strap of her dress one last time.
Mia nodded, smiling. “I’m ready.”
Ethan was still looking at himself in the mirror. “Okay. Remember to not talk—”
“Not talk to him any more than is absolutely necessary,” she finished for him, laughing. “You’ve told me this hundreds of times already. It’s okay. I won’t embarrass you in front of your uncle.”
Ethan gave her a quick kiss on the lips before adjusting his cufflinks again. Mia knew he wasn’t as calm as he seemed.
After Ethan’s grandfather, his uncle was the most important person in the family, and he was returning home today after years living out of the country.
She was also slightly nervous when she thought of meeting this man everyone seemed so wary about, but she consoled herself with the fact that Ethan would be with her and she didn’t have to interact with him outside of the expected pleasantries.
Also, today was a special day for her and Ethan. What could go wrong?
Ethan took her hand in his and led her out of the room.
His mother, Olivia, was waiting for them at the foot of the stairs. She frowned when she saw them.
“Ethan, your uncle is almost here. Did you really have to bring her today of all days?”
She was referring to Mia.
Ethan smiled. “Mom, I told you Mia and I have an announcement to make today. And it’s good that Uncle is on his way. That way, everyone can hear the news.”
Displeasure flashed on Olivia’s face as she glanced at Mia and gave her a once-over.
“Couldn’t you have done something more with your hair? It’s so…rough.”
Mia resisted the urge to self-consciously pat her hair. It was curly and had a tendency to go wild, but she had put in extra effort to make sure there wasn’t a strand out of place for today.
Before she could say something, a maid walked into the living room and announced, “Mr Grey’s car is here.”
Olivia swallowed the rest of her unpleasant words and plastered a smile on her face. Ethan did the same, and Mia followed, deciding not to dwell on Olivia’s words.
As they waited, a young man in a motorized wheelchair appeared, followed closely by his assistant in a black suit.
Mia gaped at the man in the wheelchair, for a moment, forgetting to keep her expression in check.
Whenever Ethan talked about his uncle, she'd always pictured an older man, maybe slightly younger than Olivia, but the man before her was devilishly handsome, with piercing blue eyes and hair that curled over his collar.
He was also very familiar. Mia's brow furrowed, she could remember she'd met this man before.
And then it struck her, her eyes widening.
Him?
Of all the people in the world…
But didn't Ethan say that his uncle had only just returned to the country?
But she had met this man two weeks ago!
Mr Grey's eyes met hers and Mia realized he recognized her too. She thought back to their first and only interaction.
It had been at a really expensive restaurant, and Ethan had told her he had a surprise for her. He made a reservation but was running a bit late, so when Mia arrived, she told the hostess she was there for a reservation under the name “Grey.”
The hostess led her to one of the private dining rooms in the restaurant, and as Mia waited, a man in a wheelchair arrived, looking annoyed. His annoyance had increased when he saw her, although Mia didn't know why.
“Hello,” Mia greeted, wondering if he had the wrong room.
“Let's get this over with quickly.” Ezra said, glancing at his watch impatiently without even looking up.
"Five minutes."
Mia frowned.
"Five minutes?"
"That's how long I'll give this."
She let out a confused laugh.
"Give what?"
Ezra's brows drew together.
"Let's not waste each other's time."
Her brows drew together.
"I'm sorry?"
"My father arranged this meeting." Ezra's tone was calm, almost detached. "I'm here because he wouldn't take no for an answer. But I'll save you the trouble of sitting through an uncomfortable afternoon."
Mia blinked.
"What trouble?"
Ezra finally looked at her properly and paused.
His eyes swept over her from head to toe.
Mia stared back at him.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
She was younger than he'd expected.
Probably eight to ten years younger.
He dismissed the observation almost immediately, his expression hardening.
"Look."
His tone became firmer.
"I'm not looking for a wife and your appearance isn't going to change my decision.”
Mia's lips parted. "Wait. I think there's been a—"
"If you're here because my father gave you certain expectations, you should let them go."
Mia stared at him.
"I don't understand."
Ezra's patience began to wear thin.
"I'll be direct. I have no intention of getting married. Not now. Not because our families think we'd make a suitable match, and certainly not because someone decided I need a woman in my life."
"But I'm actually here to—"
"You don't have to explain yourself."
Mia stopped.
"I don't know what my father told you, but I'm not going to change my mind because you're attractive, and I'm not going to be persuaded into a relationship simply because our parents think we're suitable for each other.”
Mia almost laughed. There clearly seemed to be some kind of misunderstanding, but the man in front of her didn't even allow her to speak.
“I think there's been a mistake…” Mia started to say. You've got the wrong person.
Ezra exhaled slowly. Apparently, he was going to have to make himself clearer.
He leaned back in this chair. “I have no interest in discussing this further. We're done here.”
Mia's lips parted. She had never met anyone so arrogant in her entire life.
“Who do you—” Mia was interrupted when the door to the dining room opened again and the hostess rushed in, looking abashed.
She bent and whispered something into Mia's ear. Mia's eyes widened, and she stood immediately.
“I'm sorry,” she apologized to the man in the wheelchair. “It seems I have the wrong room. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience.”
But Ezra wasn't buying it. She had the wrong room? She'd been in the room waiting for him. How likely was it that it had really been a mistake?
But he didn't say anything more. If she wanted to save herself some face as she left, he didn't care. At least now, he could be left alone.
After taking two steps, Mia stopped and looked back at him.
"And just so you know..."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"You didn't even let me finish one sentence."
His expression didn't change.
Mia stared at him, she found his silence clearly offending.
Then she turned and walked out, closing the door behind her.
When she left, his assistant, Jason, poked his head into the room. He looked resigned as he saw Ezra alone.
“Sir, the Chairman…”
Ezra’s scowl deepened. “He wanted me to go on a date. I went on the damn date!”
He had already wasted enough of his afternoon on this ridiculous blind date. His father had insisted he come, and Ezra had decided to give him exactly fifteen minutes. Not a second more.
Mia shook her head, returning to the present. That man at the restaurant was the notorious Mr Grey? She almost shook her head. What a coincidence.
“Don’t stare,” Ethan hissed at her, thinking that she was staring because he was in a wheelchair.
“Ezra!” Olivia was smiling and walking towards him, her arms outstretched as if she wanted to hug him. “It’s been so long. Welcome home.”
“Thank you.” Both his tone and his face were expressionless. He made no move to welcome his sister’s hug.
Ethan stepped forward, pulling Mia along with him. “Welcome back, Uncle. How was your trip?”
Mia was so busy staring at the man that she didn’t even realize Ethan was pinching her until Mr Grey’s sharp gaze found her.
Suddenly, his expressionless face turned stormy, and his brows furrowed. He was staring at her, and Mia felt like she was frozen in place.
It was obvious he recognized her, but still, he asked, “Who is this?”
“This is Mia, Uncle. My fiancee,” Ethan answered, pinching Mia again.
She blinked as she regained her senses, nodding her head woodenly. “Hello, Mr Grey. I’m Mia Reed. Ethan’s…”
“Did you say fiancee?” Olivia’s shrill voice asked, making them all turn towards her.
“Yes,” Ethan replied, smiling. “That’s the announcement Mia and I wanted to make today. We’re engaged. Show them the ring, sweetie.”
Obediently, Mia held out her hand for them to see the diamond glistening on her finger.
“The engagement party will be held next weekend. I hope Uncle will be there?” Ethan asked.
But to everyone’s surprise, Mr Grey’s expression was even colder than before. His eyes met Mia’s again and it almost seemed as if he was furious.
What was going on?
This was clearly the blind date from two weeks ago.
“You—” He started to say. He was interrupted by the sound of a child’s voice.
“Daddy!”
Mia stood frozen as a little boy rushed through the open doorway towards them, and threw himself into Ethan’s arms.
“Daddy?”
“Ethan, who is this?” Olivia asked just as a woman appeared, walking towards them with a demure smile on her face.
Mia stared at her fiance whose face had paled. Ethan’s eyes were wide, and he was still subconsciously holding on to the little boy.
The woman was beautiful, dressed in an expensive fur coat and high heels.
“Hello, Ethan.”
“Zara,” Ethan replied, shocked.
Mia stared from Ethan to the woman, and back to Ethan and the boy in his arms. She could see the resemblance between the boy and the woman. And she couldn’t forget that the boy had just called Ethan “daddy”.
She forced herself to speak. “Ethan. Do you…do you know these people?”
Ethan swallowed, still dumbfounded. “I… I…”
“Well?” Olivia prompted impatiently.
“I…” Ethan stammered.
“I’m sorry, Ethan,” Zara said, her small smile still fixed. “I couldn’t stay away any longer. I missed you. He missed you.”
Missed him? Mia was beginning to panic. “Ethan, what's going on?”
Ethan shook his head. “Zara. What is the meaning of this? Who…” He looked down at the boy who was still holding on to him. “Who is this?"
“That’s Leo,” Zara replied. “Our son.”
“Our son? But…” Ethan shook his head.
“I’m sorry I kept him from you all this while,” Zara said softly. “But he needs his father now. And I know you need us too. We belong together.”
Mia took a step back. “No,” she whispered. This couldn’t be happening.
Ethan wasn’t even looking at her anymore. He was staring at Zara, the woman who he had a child with. A child he never told her about.
“Ethan… Do something.”
But Ethan did nothing. Olivia was the one who stepped forward, a big smile on her face.
“This is great news. Not only is my son engaged, but he has an heir now too.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs Grey,” Zara apologized. “I didn’t mean to show up like this.” She glanced subtly in Mia’s direction.
Olivia waved the apology away.
“Nonsense. It’s alright. You and my grandson are always welcome here. Mia doesn’t mind. Why don’t you come sit? Tell me all about how you and Ethan met.”
As Olivia led Zara and her son—Ethan’s son—past Mia, she bumped into her slightly, sending Mia staggering back.
Silently, Ethan followed them, leaving Mia standing there as though she had never mattered at all.