Mia walked into her boss's office, she found Mrs Van seated on her swivel chair.

"Mrs V?" Mia meekly called the attention of the curvy black American lady.

"Mia! You're back." Van stood up, going to give Mia a hug. "It went well! I got a feedback from the our client, they loved it! Thank you so much." Van appreciated Mia's efforts.

"I was only doing my job." Mia was happy everything went well. She was assigned to decorate and plan an engagement party for a client in Michigan, it was a total success. Actually, Van is so lucky to have her as Mia has a lot of fashionable taste in colors and interior designing.

"I'm so happy!! Our client referred us to someone else too, this is big!!" Van couldn't contain her excitement.

"You should thank Archu, she helped out a lot." Mia smiled at Van.

"Speaking of Archu, where is she? Didn't you two come together?" Van asked her.

"Well she told me, there was a few things she needed to take care of. I guess she should be on her way." Mia shrugged. Obviously Archu thought too highly of herself and was going to return back to NewYork when she had gotten enough contacts.

"I hope she wasn't a lot of trouble." Van shook her head, she knew Archu and Mia don't exactly get along, but the two were the best she got.

"Yeah... We did disagree a few times but we pulled through." Few times was an understatement, they argued to the very end of the event.

      "Awwwn, you guys are the best." She hugged Mia for a last time. "We're celebrating tonight, our usual place, you game?" Van wiggled her brows.

Mia clicked her tongue... "I don't think I'll be able to make it Mrs V, I ache all over. I seriously need to rest plus, you won't believe what happened to me." Mia facepalmed.

"I could imagine the stress... You're off duty don't worry, go home, take a shower and have a good night sleep." Van patted Mia's shoulders.

"Thanks. Say hi to the kids for me." Mia said while leaving the office.

"Will do." Van chuckled, retreating to her chair.

Mia walked down the corridor, she started feeling lightheaded and giddy. She even staggered a little bit but she rested her hand on the wall to support herself.

"Whoa, slow down." Danny had seen her stagger.

She shut her eyes for a while, shaking her head to clear her blurry vision. "Don't worry, I'm fine." Mia smiled at her while walking towards the big glass door.

"Those dizzy spells again?" Danny shook her head.

"I just said I'm fine." She flashed a grin at Danny.

"Have you taken the pregnancy test, you may never know." Danny smirked.

"No thanks. Just so you know, I'm far from being pregnant." She turned the door handle. "Goodnight Danny." She walked out of the place, flagging down a cab. She quickly got in and searched her bag for pills. "Crest street." She told the driver.

    Her head was still spinning and her slight headache kept on pounding, it took few minutes to calm her down. She finally exhaled, feeling much better.

"Thank you Lord." She smiled at the view, from her window.

Mia knocked on the door of her apartment and it opened.

"Home sweet home Mimi." The guy who opened the door welcomed her.

"Thanks Andrew." She hugged him before entering the house.

"How was the event?" He helped her take away her bag and coat.

"Thanks. Successful, thank God! I'll tell you everything, but first, I need to shower." Mia massaged her neck.

"You want me to run the bath for you?" Andrew offered to help out, he could see she was tired.

"You're such a darling, but thanks." She looked at him with her puppy eyes. "And a massage? Your hands works wonders," She poked his chest continuously, making him laugh. "Huh huh huh, please?" She grinned.

"Okay okay." He finally agreed. "I'll do it." He rolled his eyes when she batted her lashes. She was looking so cute. "I told you, those don't work on me."

She playfully smacked his arm... "Whatever." She walked away to her comfort zone-her room.

Her room had a mixture of grey and white all over... Her queen size bed was covered with splashes of grey and white, the room was big enough for her and she had her own closet. The apartment was owned by herself and Andrew... So Andrew was her roommate, nothing sexual, nothing serious... In fact Andrew was gay meaning he wasn't interested in women.

He never behaved like he was. He was still hiding it because his parents would disown him if they found out that he wasn't interested women, he was the only son. So it would be a total shame.

Mia had agreed to have him as a roommate as they have been friends for years. They were good friends and they told each other things... Personal things about themselves.

Mia quickly stripped, stepping into the shower immediately. The cold water dropped on her skin making her shudder.

Mia sat up on the arm chair, receiving a relaxing massage from Andrew and also in her between her fingers was a glass of red wine. She's dressed in a short, silky, spagetti strap nightdress.

"Did you find the person you switched tickets with?" He asked her.

"N-not... Hmmm... Not rea-lly." Mia inhaled deeply with her eyes closed.

"So about the pregnancy test, Danny might be right. You've been having more dizzy spells lately." Andrew told her.

Mia opened her eyes and drank from her glass. "Is that the only symptom of pregnancy? If I was pregnant which I know is impossible, I would be showing signs of other symptoms." Mia shook her head.

"Still..." Andrew shrugged.

"Let's not talk about that, I already feel nauseous." She fingered her glass.

     "See, nausea."

"To be honest, I haven't had sex in a while and so it's impossible." Mia rolled her eyes. Why did they think she was pregnant?

"Alright." He patted her shoulders.

"Less talk about me, how are the preparations for the exhibition?" She sipped from her glass.

"It's going pretty well. You should come by the studio sometime." Andrew nodded.

"Sure, of course." Mia smiled.
✴✴✴✴

Ryan kept plunging deep inside her making her scream his name and soon they were all done. Without being able to sleep for almost an hour, Ryan got up from the bed. He took a quick glance at the soundly sleeping Layla who had her back facing him. It was one way he could relieve stress and depression.

He strolled out of the master bedroom into the minibar to get something that would cool off his mind. He sat down after he caught his phone laying on a couch, he had seen Alex's message.

      "Dude! I've been trying to reach you, WTF! I'm coming to your place tomorrow, you can't say no."

He read the message and chuckled. So many years had passed and they were still as close as anything, Alex was his family now. After everything that happened, Ryan had stopped some peculiar habits. Still being a hot and fine gentleman and Mr blue eyes, he had cut down drastically on his Casanova attitude due to his work but mostly due to a changed heart. In fact, it was Alex who had introduced Layla to him two years ago. Layla was only 22 years old, pretty and gorgeous but Ryan only saw their relationship as mutual and consensual.... Nothing deeper. His heart wasn't ready to open up and so when they started the fling, he immediately told her that he didn't want any commitment at all.

Layla agreed, although, she could be possessive at times. Ryan was quite understanding and made sure she didn't lack, he got her presents and gifts but that still didn't change the fact that he would grow to love her. Layla always said her mind and she wasn't the type that caused trouble, she was independent and it made Ryan impressed. He liked independent ladies not rich spoilt brats that throw themselves hopelessly at him. She could never feel intimidated and she knew most of his mood, she could tell when he was angry or relaxing.
.....................................................

   Ryan woke up the next day, he had eventually fallen asleep on the couch. It was raining and it didn't seem like it was stopping anytime sooner. He got up, stretched a bit and walked into his room.

  "Hey." Ryan found Layla dressed in an oversized crew-neck, she was seated on a chair beside his cabinet.

"Hey." Layla looked at him and smiled. "You fell asleep in the living room."

"Yeah. Did you sleep well?" He asked her.

    She nodded, pulling up her honey-like hair into a ponytail. Ryan caught something on her neck, it was a necklace, A silver necklace with the 'Mine' pendant.

"Where did you get that?" He asked, moving towards her.

"What?" She wasn't sure but when he pointed at her neck, she understood. "Oh this?" She touched the pendant. "I found it in one of the drawers, I liked it and I took it." Layla shrugged like it was no big deal. After all, she wore his things and he never complained.

"You know I don't like people going through my things Layla." He frowned. "Hand it over." He said to her.

Layla bit her lip before taking off the necklace. "I'm sorry." She handed it over. "I thought you might have gotten it for me and-" Ryan cut her off.

"If you want I could get one for you." Ryan looked at her.

"Don't worry." She smiled. "So who's the owner?" She looked at him as he placed the necklace back in its former position. Ryan turned back to her. "With the look on your face, it must be important to you. Tell me, who's the other woman?" Layla smile was genuine. She knew her place so she wouldn't get hurt in the end.

"There's no other woman, it's just you." He narrowed his eyes at her.

"If you say so." Layla stood up, dismissing the topic. "You hungry? I'll serve breakfast." She kissed his lips before leaving. Another thing, she was an awesome cook.

    As Ryan decided to move into a secluded area away from the bustling and hustling of the state, there were not much people where he lived because it was a private residence. He only called people to clean when he's in the office and there's also tight security around, his house was big enough to house more than ten people and luxurious enough to be listed on the top ten expensive houses of NewYork. He loved the quietness and beauty of his house and disliked unnecessary attention from people. He lived alone in the big house but Layla often kept him company when she wasn't working, even Alex and his good friend David. Ryan tried to avoid having close friends as he wasn't too trusting.

"Do you have any plan for today?" Layla asked him as she settled a plate of food in front of him.

"Not really." He replied. "Alex told me he's coming over, but I know he'll want us to go out." Ryan knew how Alex's mind worked.

"If you're both going out, can I tag along?" Layla poured a glass of water for him and in another glass, wine.

"Thanks. You want to?" He wasn't surprised. Ryan knew Layla loved hanging out with him whenever he was free.

"Yeah," She took her seat beside him. "I mean, it's been awhile since I got to hang out with your friends. How's David? Is he back from France?" She asked him, stabbing her meat with her fork.

"Not yet." He suddenly remembered something. "The girls are coming over, they want to have their spring break here. Are you okay with that?" He took a sip of his wine.

"You do know I don't mind! That's great news! At least I won't be here on my own when you're busy, I'll have two girls to babysit." Layla had actually grown fond of his cousins. Bee and Dony... The twins.

"Okay then." He nodded.
✴✴✴✴✴

    Mia walked into Van's Events casually dressed in a grey body con with slit running from her hips to ankle.

"Good morning." The light skinned black Danny said as soon as Mia walked in.

"Morning." She walked to the front desk. "Is Mrs V in?" Mia asked.

  "Not yet." Danny shook her head. Just then, another lady walked in. She was dressed in ripped jeans and a tiny top that couldn't contain her big boobs, she looked Indian and her wavy and curly hair fell past mid-back.

  She ignored her colleagues who stood watching her sashay away.

"Guess what, somebody got scolded yesterday." Danny pouted, fingering her nappy curls.

"Are you talking about Archu?"

   "Who else if not that pompous, arrogant Archu." Danny said. "She thinks she's better than everyone! You should have been there yesterday evening, boss scolded her so bad that I actually felt pity for her."

"Really? What happened?" Mia got curious.

  "As always, she tried to prove she is right. Do you know why she didn't return, she wanted to take all the glory and praises. Our client said that Archu didn't even acknowledge the fact that you were the one with all the bright ideas. She told our client that it was all her doing. Gosh! You should have seen the priceless look on her face when she was scolded in front of all the staffs." Danny giggled.

Mia chuckled.. "I'll just leave you to do your thing. Andrew and I are going out tonight, you're welcome to join us." Mia winked, leaving for her office.

    "Of course." Danny nodded.

  Mia walked into the office with some other workers at their own desk. Mia heads straight to her desk which is beside Archu's desk and then she takes her seat, settling her things.

"Good morning Archu." Mia smiled at Archu.

"Save it." Archu didn't spare her any glance. Her eyes and hands were all glued to her laptop which sat on her table.

Mia smirked... "I heard about what happened last night and-"

   "Don't," She raised her brow at Mia. "Patronize me. I don't need a gossip like you interfering in my business, got it? So let's keep it professional." Archu warned Mia.

  Mia almost laughed... "Relax Archu, I won't bite silly." Mia giggled slightly before starting up her laptop.

"Don't start with me Mia." Archu pouted before looking away. "I bet you didn't get any contacts at yesterday's event?" Archu smirked, flipping her hair.

"I did. In fact, I got a client that wants me to be her party planner." Mia smiled.

"Good for you. I have seven weddings, two birthday parties, five engagements, one baby shower... Should I keep counting, because I can." Archu smiled, she knew Mia was nothing close to her catch.

Mia turned to Archu, batting her lashes... Archu was so good and unbelievable, Mia must give it to her, she was so impressed.

"Don't look at me like that. " Archu knew Mia was nothing compared to her... "You might be the boss's favorite, but I'm the smartest she's got." Aruch stared at Mia with an evil smug plastered on her face. Mia retreated back to her laptop, accepting defeat... As always.
✴✴✴✴

Ryan wore his usual suit, adjusting the wristwatch on his wrist.

"Where did you say we're going again?" Layla was dressed in a white turtle neck crop top and white mini A-line skirt. She had asked him the question because Ryan didn't look like he was going on a friendly meeting with Alex.

"Why? You don't think it's appropriate for me to dress like this?" Ryan eyed her when he noticed she was frowning at his outfit.

  "Well, yeah? You're going to meet a friend not sign a business deal." Layla told him.

    "I'm comfortable in these." Ryan said to her.

   "Change it babe, you're not going in that." She folded her arms.

   "Layla let's go." He rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for this. I want to be here when the girls arrive." Ryan headed for the door.

   "You don't ever take my advice do you?" Layla hurried to meet him.

   "I always take your advice Layla. They always come in handy but please, allow me. Just for today." Ryan looked at her.

   "You look nice." He complimented on her dressing.

  "Thank you." She kissed his cheek, locking arms with him.

   "And you smell great." Ryan had a small smile.

  "Thanks to the perfume you got me." Layla chuckled as they left the house.