WHEN LOVE FINDS YOU

Chapter 2: Alexander Grey Is Back In Town

Mia exhaled deeply as she pushed open the door to her tiny apartment, allowing herself to finally relax. It was Saturday, she got off work early, and after a week filled with learning new tasks and trying to fit into her new role, she was exhausted. She set her bag down, her mind still buzzing with everything she’d absorbed at work. She glanced around her modest living room, a space filled with simple furniture, scattered toys, and artwork drawn by Diva.

“Mama!” Diva’s cheerful voice pulled her from her thoughts. Her daughter ran up, arms outstretched, and Mia dropped to her knees, scooping the little girl into a warm hug. “I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too, sweetheart,” Mia whispered, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s forehead. “Were you good for Uncle Mickel?”

Diva nodded, grinning. “We made cookies!”

Mia laughed. “Cookies, huh? I bet they were delicious.” She looked up to see Mickel leaning against the doorframe, a mischievous grin on his face.

“Only the best for Diva,” Mickel said, winking. “And there’s plenty left for you. Speaking of which, you’ve got more company coming. Logan and Rachel should be here any minute.”

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door. Mia rose, still holding Diva, and opened it to find Logan, her friend from childhood, standing there with his younger sister, Rachel. Logan’s familiar smile made her feel an instant sense of comfort; he had always been a steady presence in her life, a big brother of sorts.

“Hey, Mia,” Logan said, stepping inside. “How’s the new job?”

“It’s been... an experience,” Mia replied, laughing a little. “Come on in, both of you.”

Logan and Rachel made themselves comfortable, and soon, the small apartment was filled with laughter and the clinking of plates. Diva was delighted to have visitors, showing Logan and Rachel her toys and demanding that they join her in a game of hide-and-seek. Mia watched her daughter’s happiness, her heart swelling. For a little while, her worries about the future faded.

After dinner, Rachel took Diva into the other room to play, and Logan pulled out a deck of cards, challenging Mickel to a game. Mia settled on the couch, enjoying the warmth around her.

Logan glanced over at Mia with a knowing smile. “All right, tell me—how’s it going with Emma? I know you must have a million stories from your first week.”

Mia shrugged, smiling. “It’s a lot to learn, but Emma’s been amazing. She’s really supportive and patient. I think I’m finally starting to feel like I belong.”

Mickel dealt the cards, chuckling as he tossed one toward Mia. “Of course you belong there. You’ve always been hardworking. It’s about time you got a break.”

Mia’s cheeks flushed. She still wasn’t used to receiving compliments, but they were always quick to remind her of her worth. They kept her grounded, kept her pushing forward even when doubt tried to hold her back.

Logan leaned in, lowering his voice as if about to share a secret. “By the way, there’s something you should know. Alexander Grey is back in town.”

The words hit Mia like a physical blow, her heart pounding instantly. “Alexander... he’s here?”

Logan nodded, his expression softening as he reached out to touch Mia’s hand. “I just thought you should know. He’s been away for years, and I didn’t want you to be caught off guard if... if he crosses your path somehow.”

Mia’s mind raced, memories flooding back with unsettling clarity. She’d tried to put him out of her thoughts, burying the memory of that single night long ago. Alexander Grey was a name she had learned to avoid, a man she had tried to forget. He had given her Diva, though he never knew it, and she had spent years keeping her daughter a secret from him. She just had this fear that if he knew Diva was his daughter, he'd take her away.

Taking a shaky breath, she forced a smile. “Thanks for telling me, Logan. I’ll... I’ll just have to avoid him if I can.”

But even as she said it, a part of her knew it wouldn’t be that simple.

---

Monday arrived too soon. As Mia walked into Luxe Atelier office, she tried to shake off the lingering tension that had settled over her all weekend. She was here to work, to build a future for herself, Mickel and Diva. Alexander didn’t belong in this part of her life, she told herself firmly.

Emma greeted her with her usual warm smile, and Mia tried to focus on the tasks at hand. She assisted with orders, scheduled a few fittings, and updated inventory lists. But her concentration kept slipping, her mind drifting back to the possibility of running into Alexander. She couldn’t deny the fear that twisted her stomach every time she thought of him. If he discovered Diva’s existence... No, she couldn’t let herself imagine that.

Around lunchtime, Emma’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Mia? Are you all right? You seem... distracted.”

Mia looked up, startled to find her boss’s concerned gaze on her. She forced a smile, trying to mask the anxiety simmering beneath the surface. “I’m sorry, Emma. Just... a lot on my mind.”

Emma’s expression softened, and she nodded. “I understand. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here, you know. You’re doing a wonderful job, Mia.”

Mia felt somewhat relieved at Emma’s words, but she couldn’t bring herself to share the real reason for her distraction. Instead, she nodded gratefully. “Thank you. I’ll get back to work.”

She returned to her tasks, pushing herself to stay focused, but the unease refused to leave. She knew Alexander was back in town, yet she tried to reassure herself that their paths were unlikely to cross.

Until they did.

The afternoon was winding down when Mia heard Emma’s voice echo across the office.

“Alexander! It’s wonderful to see you again!” Her tone was cheerful, familiar, and far too close for Mia’s liking.

Mia’s stomach twisted as she looked up, her heart dropping at the sight of him. There he was, Alexander Grey, standing just a few feet away. He looked even more striking than she remembered—tall, with dark messy hair that swept back stylishly and a deep brown eyes that held an intense, piercing gaze. He was dressed in a tailored suit that spoke of wealth and power, the kind of man who commanded attention without trying. She could see Diva just by looking at him.

She was his spitting image.

He exchanged a polite smile with Emma, nodding as she gestured toward her office. Mia held her breath, hoping desperately that he wouldn’t notice her. She felt frozen, as if time had stopped, and all she could hear was the rapid beating of her heart.

“Mia,” Emma called, her voice cheerful. “Could you join us for a moment?”

Every nerve in Mia’s body tensed. There was no avoiding it now. She rose slowly, willing herself to keep her composure as she walked over to where they stood.

Alexander’s gaze landed on her, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to place her. Mia forced a polite smile, feeling a strange mixture of dread and curiosity swirling within her.

“This is my assistant, Mia Reynolds,” Emma introduced her. “Mia, this is Alexander Grey. He’s interested in collaborating with Luxe Atelier for a new line of suits.”

Alexander extended his hand, his expression polite but vaguely intrigued. “Nice to meet you, Mia.”

Mia shook his hand, her skin tingling where they touched. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Grey.”

There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, just a glimmer, and Mia’s heart skipped a beat. She kept her expression neutral, hoping he wouldn’t see through her facade. Alexander studied her for a second longer than necessary, as if searching for a memory just out of reach, but then he turned back to Emma.

"Luxe Atelier has a unique approach, and I think our brands could do something interesting together,” Alexander was saying, his voice smooth and confident. “I’ll leave it to your capable team to handle the details, of course.”

Mia barely heard the conversation, her thoughts spinning wildly. She could feel his presence, an overwhelming force that made her feel vulnerable and exposed. She knew she had to stay calm, to act professionally, but the fear that he would recognize her—and, worse, learn about Diva—gnawed at her.

As they finished up the meeting, Alexander cast her one last glance, his gaze lingering with a hint of curiosity. “I look forward to working with you,” he said, his voice laced with something she couldn’t quite read.

Mia managed a nod, her throat tight. “Likewise.”

When he finally walked away, she exhaled shakily, feeling as if she’d been holding her breath the entire time. She had crossed paths with him, the one man she didn't hope to see again. And now he was here, stepping into her world.

As she returned to her desk, Mia felt her heart race, a mix of fear and anxiety. She didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was clear—She needs to do everything she can to keep Diva away from him.

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