WHEN LOVE FINDS YOU

Chapter 7: Daughter?

Alex settled himself at the long, sleek conference table, his eyes fixed on the door as he waited for Emma and her assistant to arrive. Today, Emma had arranged for a final strategy meeting before rolling out their collaboration campaign, and Alex was eager to see Mia again, although he wouldn’t admit that even to himself.

The door opened, and Emma strode in, her usual composed energy filling the room. Mia followed behind, her expression calm and professional as she moved to her seat. She dressed simple, yet she looked sexy and beautiful, her quiet confidence drew his attention more than he cared to acknowledge.

A smile etched across his face.

Alex tried to push down his reaction, but his mind raced with questions that wouldn’t leave him alone.

The meeting began, with Emma running through logistics and Mia chiming in occasionally, her insights sharp and concise. Alex found himself leaning forward, listening closely to her observations. She had a way of seeing things from an angle no one else did, which intrigued him.

As the meeting wrapped up, Alex looked for a chance to speak to Mia directly, even if just to hear her voice. “Mia, I appreciate your input. It seems like you have a talent for understanding the finer details of a project.”

Mia’s cheeks tinged slightly, and she offered a small smile. “Thank you, Mr. Grey. I try my best to contribute meaningfully.”

Emma shot Alex a curious glance, her eyebrow raised, but she said nothing. They went over a few final points, with Alex occasionally directing questions to Mia, hoping to get her to speak a little more. He felt a strange urge to get to know her better, to see beyond the professional front she held.

Once the meeting ended, Mia excused herself, leaving Emma and Alex alone. Emma lingered, her gaze fixed on Alex, her expression thoughtful.

“Alex,” she said after a moment, folding her arms. “Are you…interested in Mia?”

The question caught Alex off guard, and he immediately shook his head. “No, no, it’s nothing like that,” he replied quickly, masking his surprise. “I just wanted to test her abilities, see if she’s as capable as you said.”

Emma didn’t look convinced, but she let it go with a small shrug. “Well, for what it’s worth, I've been working with her for some months now. Mia’s a very smart woman. She’s a natural at what she does, and I’m sure her daughter takes after her.”

Alex froze, his mind racing. Daughter? He hadn’t known Mia had a child. His first reaction was a quick flash of disappointment—followed by something he didn’t expect. A sense of irritation crept in, as though he’d just learned something he’d rather not know.

“Her daughter?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

“Yes, Diva,” Emma replied, smiling warmly. “Mia’s a wonderful mother. I think it’s one of the reasons she’s so dedicated to her work. She wants to set an example.”

Alex managed a nod, his mind still whirling. A daughter—and maybe even a husband? The thought stirred something uncomfortable inside him. Why was he even thinking about her personal life? And why did the idea of her being married bother him?

He quickly brushed it off. “Good to know. Anyway, thanks for the update, Emma. I’ll see you at the next review meeting.”

Emma gave him a curious look, then nodded, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

---

All the way back to his office, Alex found himself replaying Emma’s words. Mia had a daughter. He wondered if she was also married, and the thought grated on him for reasons he didn’t care to analyze. Why should it matter if she was a mother, or even if she had a husband? He was a professional, and his interest in her was purely…well, that was the problem. He wasn’t sure it was purely professional anymore.

He’d never found himself distracted by anyone like this before, much less someone he barely knew. But he couldn’t shake it. Why had she come to work at Emma’s company? What was her story?

---

That evening, Alex returned home, his thoughts still on Mia and the odd sense of frustration he couldn’t explain. But his focus was abruptly broken by the sight of Sophia waiting in his living room, dressed elegantly, her gaze hopeful as she stood up to greet him.

“Sophia,” he greeted, surprised. “I didn’t expect you here.”

She moved toward him, smiling. “I thought I’d surprise you. It’s been a while since we spent some time together.”

Alex managed a polite smile. He knew why Sophia had come. She enjoyed the benefits of their arrangement, and he supposed he couldn’t fault her for that. But tonight, her presence felt like an intrusion, a reminder of the emptiness he felt in their so-called relationship.

Sophia took his silence as an invitation, stepping closer and placing a hand on his chest. “You’re always so busy. I miss you,” she said, leaning in for a kiss.

But Alex turned his head slightly, stepping back. “Sophia, we both know what this is. You needed the fame, and I was fine with that. But let’s not pretend it’s anything more.”

Her face fell, and a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes. She had her reasons for being with him, but deep down, he knew she harbored feelings. He didn’t want to hurt her, but neither could he pretend.

“Are you…seeing someone else?” she asked quietly, looking away.

“No,” Alex replied, though his mind instantly flashed to Mia. “But I don’t want you to misunderstand our arrangement. I wouldn’t think twice about ending it if you’re hoping for more.”

Sophia’s expression hardened, and she nodded, gathering her things. “I get it,” she said, her voice tight. “I thought maybe you’d changed, but I was wrong.”

Without another word, she left, her steps brisk and determined. Alex watched her go, feeling a pang of regret. He’d never meant for things to become complicated with her, but it was clear he’d hurt her. He could only hope she would move on, finding someone who could give her the kind of relationship she deserved.

---

Alone again, Alex’s thoughts returned to Mia. He found himself wondering about her life outside of work, her relationship with her daughter, and the kind of person she was beyond the office. Frustration built as he realized how little he knew about her, yet how much he wanted to find out.

He picked up his phone and dialed one of his contacts. “I need some information,” he said, keeping his tone neutral. “About Logan Reed.”

He knew Logan was close to Mia, and maybe knowing more about him would lead him to answers about her. The request felt odd, even invasive, but he couldn’t ignore the growing curiosity within him. Logan seemed to be a key figure in Mia’s life, and if he could understand her past, maybe he could understand why she had such a powerful effect on him now.

The line crackled as his contact responded, promising to dig up everything they could. Alex hung up, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and guilt. But his need for answers overpowered his hesitation, and he resolved to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding Mia Reynolds.

As he sat back in his chair, a slight smile touched his lips. He didn’t know where this path would lead, but he felt certain of one thing: he wouldn’t stop until he had the answers he sought.