The Billionaire's Pretend Wife

Chapter 6

"You have been daydreaming a lot lately." Seina's concerned voice resounded in Mia's ears as she nudged her slightly, making Mia snapped out of her daze.

Her hand that had been unmoving continued to do her job of cleaning the table. She didn't answer and only sighed without looking back at Seina.

There was nothing she could tell to Seina. However, Seina must've been guessed that something was bothering Mia, and it had something to do with that incident on that another day.

Seina looked at Mia, who seemed to be rather stressed lately. It looked like she was under some pressure. Her face showed tiredness: faint dark lines under her eyes, and the dried lips.

"If you want to talk about something, just come to me." Seina sighed. She quickly took the dirty cups back to the kitchen, before shooting Mia one last look of concern and disappearing inside.

Mia was still in some daze even after some time had passed. It was true that Leon's indirect pressure had been making her feeling down lately.

She was unable to decide.

If she obeys him, what awaited her would be the harder time of getting Aiden away from Leon's notice. That man did anything as he wished. There was no doubt that he would probably be showing up on her doorstep uninvited and catching her off guard.

On the other hand, if she really refused, that man would not so easily back down. Knowing his personality, he may take it as a challenge instead. For him, it was just like a game of playing chessboard. She didn't really have the mental strength to deal with his run deep schemes.

So, either way, both options were really troublesome. 

"Mia?" A voice suddenly broke her out of her chaotic thoughts. It was her boss, Alex stood in front of her.

"Alex?" Mia quickly recovered herself, looking at Alex with a puzzled expression.

Alex was the owner of this small cafe and he also owned some bakery shops around the city. He rarely came to the cafe though.

Mia had gotten to know Alex a few years ago when he offered her to work in his cafe. At that time, she was going around looking for a job. And she was thankful that she met him.

"Is there something you need me for?" Mia asked. Alex also had ordered Mia to call him by his first name.

Alex seemed to look at Mia's face a bit longer, then he said. "I just noticed that you look quite pale. Are you sick?"

Mia just shook her head. "No. I just lack sleep lately. Don't worry, I can still do my work just alright. Sorry for spacing out a bit earlier." She also added the apology, in case that Alex would be displeased with her spacing out.

"Alright then." Alex just gave her a little smile. "If you don't feel alright, then feel free to have some rest."

Mia nodded at him politely, continuing to clean the table as Alex walked away. 

No one knew the existence of Aiden except for Siena. Even Alex didn't know. She also didn't want to tell other people about him.

Mia had picked a rather secluded environment to live in, but she also had a few neighbors. They were really kind. When Mia moved into her house, they welcomed her. Naturally, she also wouldn't be too cold for them.

Especially the two elderly couple right next to her house. Their kids were already married and lived quite far in another city, so they sometimes would care for Aiden like their own grandson.

When Mia left to work, Aiden often to go to their house. Though there were some kids around Aiden's age nearby, Aiden rarely went out with them despite the fact that they could be considered as friends.

Honesty, Mia also didn't want Aiden to feel too lonely. Not having a father was probably something that the little one had been curious about, though he never asked her about it. But, she also knew. 

Therefore, Mia wouldn't restrict Aiden's freedom and let him play freely around the neighborhood. Luckily, the fresh environment could also be considered peaceful.

Mia continued doing her work, frowning once a while. After some time, Alex finally came out from the back room, looking around the cafe as if thinking about something. When his gaze landed on Mia, he just sighed.

Mia didn't look back at Alex. She could perceive the complication shown in his expression. However, no matter what happened, Mia wouldn't ask if the other party wasn't willing to tell her first.

Just by that one glance, Mia could tell that something was also bothering Alex. 

Alex was a man in his late thirties, though he looked like someone who had just reached thirty years old. There was a thin beard around his chin, making him looked more manly. Alex had already married and had a few sons.

He had a few businesses. His bakery shop had some branches around the city, though he only had this one small building as a cafe. This was his only cafe.

After taking quite some time looking around and just standing at the door, Alex didn't say anything. He then just nodded at Mia and exited the cafe door.

Mia followed his figure until he disappeared. She knew that Alex probably had some talk with the manager of this small cafe whom he had hired to take care of it in his place.

Quickly bringing the dirty cups back to the kitchen, Mia passed by Seina, who also had a complicated expression.

Seina looked at Mia and asked worriedly. "What do you think about happening to Alex? He seemed quite troubled just now."

Mia didn't answer, but her gaze had told Seina everything. 'If Alex wanted to talk to us, he will'.

Seina just nodded at that. "I hope that nothing will happen then."

Mia went back to work. As usual, serving the customers; taking and delivering their orders.

Along the time, she couldn't help but keep on thinking about the indirect threat hanging over her head. After all, it had been a few days since they last met. 

Mia sometimes just took her time gazing at the number given by Leon with a head full of pondering. She really couldn't decide. Luckily, that man didn't try to ask for her number and continued to pester her.

It was a calm period. However, Mia couldn't help but think about the phrase 'calm before storm'. As for what he was really planning on that cunning mind of his, Mia couldn't really guess.

"He just came back and forcing me without telling the reason..." Mia muttered under her breath.

Jace unexpectedly was nearby as Mia said those words, and it made him scrunched his brows deeply. "Mia, is something matter?"

Mia was slightly startled that Jace was calling her. She looked at Jace with surprise and quickly recovered herself.

However, that expression of surprise on her face was something that caught Jace's attention. He was also slightly surprised. The woman who always plasters the cold and expressionless face was showing something else. That was rare.

"Nothing," Mia said to him. "Just forget it if you heard my words."

Mia didn't gave Jace anymore chance to talk and went to grab another order from the customers, leaving Jace thinking about something on his table.

"Don't take the overtime work if you are tired," Seina said after they had worked all day. Mia sometimes also took some additional hours of work, but it was rare. That only when the other worker was unable to come, so Mia was the one who often took their place.

The cafe was small, but it was always hectic and filled with customers all day long. There weren't many workers here, so they would need to work a bit harder. But the benefit also wasn't short as they got more payment.

"I won't." Mia shook her head, feeling tired already. A worker for the next shift took a day off today, but Mia didn't take her place this time.

"That's good then." Seina nodded, feeling rather satisfied that Mia was willing to get some rest. "Do you need me to escort you home? Your complexion does not look good at all."

Mia looked at Seina. After a few moments, she showed that rare thin smile and shook her head. That smile was somehow also managed to make Seina happy as Mia rarely smiles with sincerity. Even if she did, it was all due to completing her work.

"Take care of yourself then." Mia nodded and walked away. She was already quite tired, and her body had yearned to seek some rest. She was also missing Aiden.

Mia was about to take one step forward when she suddenly spotted two figures in the distance. Those figures were extremely familiar, and even though it was quite far away, there was no mistaking it.

She stopped dead in her track, looking at the two of them with unreadable emotion swirling in her eyes. In the end, Mia just shook her head and chose to ignore them.

Mia was about to take another step forward when one of them suddenly noticed her presence. This made Mia unable to determine how she would react as she stared back at the person.