This chapter is dedicated to @angelababy16... She's been supporting this book. A true Immaling..
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   Mia scrolled down the pictures of Layla on Andrew's laptop, looking at the bold brown eyes, honey-like wavy hair, tall and pretty slender, intimidating beauty. She was going through pictures of a Victoria Secret super model.

   She wouldn't say it but she felt a bit envious of the gorgeous model. It was no denying that Layla was so perfect! She didn't even have to smile to look beautiful and her modeling pictures were one of a kind.

    Layla was on Vogue, Cosmopolitan, US weekly, Teen Vogue, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR, essence, New Beauty, InStyle, any other famous magazine you could ever imagine!

    "So hear this." Andrew started reading. "Layla Annemarie Sorrento, she's twenty two, comes from a family of reputed Judges in the country, second highest paid model, bagged so many ambassadorship." Andrew read from the laptop. "Damn, she's world wide."

    "I know right?" Mia nodded in agreement.

   "Hear what the E news says about her relationship with Ryan. Although the growing couple hasn't disclosed a thing about their status together, they've been seen holding hands and having intimate time together. Click to see photos." Andrew clicked on the icon and some photos of Ryan and Layla popped up.

   They were seen holding hands and laughing in most of the pictures. Some others showed Ryan helping her with her hair or dress.

      "Some lucky chick. She's effortlessly beautiful, her skin is so damn flawless. Any man would kill to have a girl like her, and she's so young. Sorry to say this baby girl, but she's a real competition." Andrew said looking at all the pictures of Layla.

    Mia thought about what he had just said. Beautiful, flawless... Young.

    "Don't be scared, you're a worthy competitor." Andrew smiled at Mia.

   Mia rolled her eyes before standing up. "Enough with all these competition and all. I never said I'm competing with anyone, I don't care anymore. I'm leaving for Italy in two weeks and Ryan's chapter would be closed forever. And hey, I'm trying things out with David so that I won't get totally hooked up in Ryan." Mia told him the bitter truth.

    "That womanizer. Mimi I can't believe you agreed to go out with him."

     "Relax, he's not that bad. He's only a friend and I wanna keep my mind occupied."

   Andrew smiled... "You've changed a lot. I certainly remember three months ago, you'd punch any guy that tried to near you. But now, you're using a guy to forget another. Crazy."

     Mia shrugged... "Change is constant." Mia walked towards her room.

           "My poor Mimi, you haven't left and I'm already missing you." He said aloud.
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    Mia woke up on a rainy 1st Saturday of May. She had a flight to Seattle to catch and considering the weather, she knew her flight was bound to be delayed.

    "I don't plan on staying at Seattle for more than three days. After the event I'm working on, I'll come back." Mia told Andrew.

     "I'll be right here." Andrew said while sorting out some pictures. "Good luck on your event."

     "Thanks." Mia said, walking out the door.

     As she predicted, her flight was delayed due to bad weather. Some hours later, she took off with her assistant Julia. Almost seven hours on air, Mia and Julia were certainly tire out.

    "Set up a meeting with the hotel manager, I wanna speak to him so that our can start setting everything." Mia said to Julia as they walked up the stairs.

    Julia nodded. "Okay."

   "Make sure to give the minster a call. He's a big part of occasion, without him, there's no ceremony. Got it?"

    "Got it."

  "And the venue? Is it all in place?" Mia asked her.

   "Yes it is."

    "Good. I just wanna make sure everything is in place for tomorrow night. It's a mass court wedding we're talking about, anything could go wrong." Mia said before facing Julia.

    "I understand Mia. If there's something I'd like to say, can you cool down and take a chill pill? Relax, everything will fine. You can trust me." Julia said to her.

    Mia smiled. "I know can."

    "I'll leave you now," Julia pointed at a direction. "I'll just do check on the team."

   "Sure sure." Mia nodded. "Do that."

    Julia walked out. Mia tucked her hair behind her ear, taking out her phone. She saw some texts Ryan had sent earlier.

     From pervert dude: You're avoiding my calls and texts, I don't know why. What's wrong?

   From pervert dude: I just want you to know that I'll be back soon, and when I come back, we're gonna talk. Don't you dare try running Mia.

   Mia sighed, turning off her phone. "You'll get tired eventually."

       She wasn't letting Ryan occupy her mind as she wanted a peaceful weekend.

    "Mia? Is that you?" A male voice asked.

    Mia looked up at whoever called her name. "Mr DeLuca?" She was surprised to see him but it was a happy surprise.

    "It is you!" The man exclaimed with excitement. He looked around the age of early sixties, multiple gray hair on his head, tall, slim and holding a walking stick to support him, he looked very Italian. 

     "Mr DeLuca!" Mia was happy to see him. She hurried to hug him. "È bello rivederla, signor DeLuca." (It's good to see you again Mr DeLuca)

    "You too my dear." He gave a hearty laugh. "Sei cresciuto così tanto, e sono passati solo tre mesi!"(You've grown so much, and it's only been three months!)

   His wrinkled eyes smiled along with him lips, He had a thick Italian accent and his eyes were lighter brown in color.

    She pushed her hair away from her face. "Did I?" Mia grinned from ears to ears.

    "Il tuo padrino mi ha detto che eri qui negli Stati Uniti, è davvero bello che ti ho incontrato. Sai, da quando è successo, è come se fossi scomparso." He told her in his fluent Italian tongue.  (Your godfather told me you were here in the states, it's really good I ran into you. You know, ever since what happened, it's like you disappeared)

   Mia managed to smile. It was one of the last thing she wanted to think of.  "Come stanno zia Amanda, zio Tito, Ricardo, Nina?" (So, how's aunt Amanda, uncle Tito, Ricardo, Nina?)

    "Very good, they are all good." He nodded.

     "E la signora DeLuca? Come sta?" Mia said in a more quiet voice. (And Mrs DeLuca? How is she?)

    "Adela is fine." He smiled and Mia nodded. "Allora dimmi mia cara, cosa ti porta qui?" (So tell me my dear, What brings you here?)

     "Oh I'm planning an event tomorrow night. It's a mass wedding." Mia smiled.

     "That's wonderful! So are you an event planner now?"

   "Sort of. It's just temporary. I didn't want to stay idle." She told him.

     "Bello. Sono venuto anche per un evento qui. La nostra azienda sta organizzando l'inaugurazione del nostro nuovo prodotto e filiale hi-tech qui a Seattle". (That's nice. I also came for an event here. Our company is having the Grand opening of our new hi tech product and branch here in Seattle.)

    "Really, that's great." Mia smiled. "Congratulations!"

    "Thank you so much dear. I'd like if you came by." He told her.

    "Io? Mi stai invitando per l'inaugurazione? Mi piacerebbe venire, non so se si scontrerebbe con il mio evento." (Me? You're inviting me for the grand opening? I'd love to come, I don't know if It would clash with my own event.)

     "Nessun problema. Mi assicurerò di aggiungerti alla lista degli invitati nel caso ti presentassi." He grinned happily. (No problem. I'll make sure to add you to the guest list just in case you show up.)   "L'inaugurazione inizia alle 8." (The grand opening starts by 8)

     "I'll try my best."

     "I better leave now and leave you to do your work." He said to her.

     "It's been so wonderful seeing you again." She hugged him once more, giving him a peck on the cheek.

      "I'll see you later."

   "Yeah, me too." She said, before he took his leave. For a while she thought, it's been a while she spoke in Italian to someone.

   The DeLucas were an old family friend and business partner back in Italy. She'd grown fond of Mr Angelo DeLuca as her family were close with his. His wife Adela wasn't like him, she was mostly grumpy and sarcastic, Angelo had three children – Ricardo, Nina and.... Ares.

      Mia decided not to dwell on the past anymore, she was always thankful to God because she was so close to making the biggest mistake of her life. Although, Mr DeLuca would have been the perfect father-in-law, but Mia would never stand being the wife of his son... Ares. 

   Even though things didn't go well between their families, Mr DeLuca didn't stop his kindness towards her. She really admired the man. 
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     "There is no need for an extravagant flower arrangement, it is just gonna make everything jampacked." Mia told Julia as her heels clicked while she walked around.

    "Okay. The minister is already here, should I take him to the courtyard?" Julia asked, trying to keep up with Mia who seemed to be in a rush.

    "When the flowers are done take them there. How about the guests? Have they all arrived?" Mia asked her.

     "Most of them, only three couples are yet to arrive." Julia answered.

    Mia stopped to turn to Julia. "Are you sure you can handle this?"

     "Positive!"

    "So then, you know what to do. If something happens don't hesitate to call me okay?" Mia told her.

    "Yes." Julia nodded.

   "Okay, I'll leave everything to you and the rest of the team." Mia nodded before leaving.

     It was a very breezy night as Mia struggled to keep her hair in place. She made her way to her room to prepare for the evening.
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     The huge entrance doors opened and Mia walked into the large grand hall filled with people. She's elegantly dressed in a spagetti strap, long skin tight metallic gold dress, with a side slit running from her feet to her thigh. Her hair fell to her back in soft waves, her eyes were detailed with black liquified eyeliner and dark eyeshadows giving her eyes a smokey concept. Her lips were painted in a matte beige lipstick, her face perfectly baked, blushed and contoured. She wore strap tie-leg heels, dripping with tiny diamonds.

    She looked so gorgeous and almost unrecognizable portraying a self confident and poised lady. Giving side glances, Mia saw Mr DeLuca taking with some people. He'd seen her, he then excused himself from his company.

    "My dear." He smiled giving her a small hug as they exchanged air kisses.

    "Mr DeLuca."

   "I'm glad you could make it." He was indeed happy to see her.

    "Me too." She smiled.

    "You look fabulous." He complimented her.

    "Well thank you." She grinned, catching a glimpse of Mrs DeLuca who was also busy attending to other guests. "I can see Mrs Deluca, is Ricardo here too?"

   "Well no. But Nina is." Mr DeLuca paused for a while. "Ares too."

    The smile on her face dropped immediately and instantly replaced with a slight frown.

   "You know Mia, I was hoping you both could talk and put the past behind. It's time to settle your differences, do you understand?" He told her calmly.

    "D-did you tell him I was here?" Mia asked the man.

                  "I did." He nodded sadly. "I know it's gonna be a bit difficult but I think it's time for a change."

     Mia nodded just for the respect she had for him, but her head scoffed. It was impossible to put the past behind, but she was changed. No longer the controlled puppet she was, she changed just in three months so Ares better be ready for her. 

    She's snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Mr DeLuca call the attention from someone.

       "Mr Webster." Mr DeLuca called out.

    Mia turned her head back, facing the gorgeous, dishy, attractive, tempting guy she'd been hiding from... Ryan.

   Her eyes held his for some seconds before she quickly turned back to Mr DeLuca.

    Shit!

   Shit! Just great!

   Dammit!

   Running wasn't an option as it wasn't long before Ryan stood beside her. Oh boy.

    "Good evening Mr DeLuca." Ryan shook hands with Mr DeLuca.

   "Good evening Mr Webster. So glad you made it, even with your busy schedule." He seemed happy.

     "Yeah," he looked at Mia who looked anywhere but his face. "I'm so glad I didn't miss the grand opening." He said, directing it to Mia.

    Mr DeLuca chuckled. "And um, Mr Webster, this is Mia. She's a really close family friend. She's like a daughter to me." He said looking at Mia. "Dear, this is Mr Ryan Webster, CEO of Mi-Tech Empire."

    Mia finally looked at Ryan with a shaking smile, extending her hand for a shake. "Nice to meet you."

    Ryan glanced at her hand and back to her face. He just scoffed. "A handshake? Really Mia?"

   "What?" Mia looked fluttered.

    Ryan drew her into a hug. "Better." He smiled and pulled her away.

    "You two know each other?" He looked at Mia and then Ryan.

    "We do. We worked together on a project recently." Ryan told him.

    "Well that's wonderful!" He looked at Mia. "I didn't know you've hit big Mia."

    She managed to smile... "Luck I guess. Anyway, I think I'm gonna leave you guys to talk business stuff. Please excuse." No time to show nervousness.

    "That's fine." Mr DeLuca agreed.

    "Excuse me." Mia excused herself from their midst.

     Mia could sense Ryan's eyes on her as she quickly left them. A waiter was passing with a tray of champagne flute, she took a glass, drinking all at one gulp to calm her nerves.

    "Wait wait." She stopped the waiter from moving, exchanging her empty flute with fuller one. "Thanks." She smiled at the waiter before walking away. 

    "You're family friends with Mia am I correct?" Ryan decided to probe him. He knew he could get a few answers from Mr DeLuca as Mr DeLuca was known to be a very gullible person. No offense.

     "Our families are really close. Her godfather is a close friend of mine, we practically grew up together."

     Ryan nodded... "Mia's a really wonderful person. Very dedicated. Her parents must really adore her."

    "You mean her mom. Yes, she does."

    "How long have you know Mia?" Ryan asked him.

     "Eight, seven, six years? I don't really remember. She was close with the family and we almost became a family."

    Ryan frowned... "What does that mean?"

     "You see Mia and my son Ares were engaged some months ago, but two days to the wedding she called off the marriage." He told Ryan.

    "Really?" He was actually caught by surprised. Mia was formerly engaged to Mr DeLuca's son?
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    Mia barely took two steps when she felt her dress restrain her from moving. She turned around to see what was restraining her. A face she had expected to see but not too soon. His thick black curly hair, the handsome features of his arrogant face and that stupid unending mischievous smirk... It couldn't be any other but Ares. 

     "Get off my dress." Mia raised her brow at him, clutching to her clutch purse.

    He looked her up and down without removing the smug smirk.

    "Are you deaf or something?" Mia tugged on her dress trying to get it out from beneath Ares' shoe.

   He chuckled softly. "That's no way to talk to your ex-fiancée pumpkin." He took away his leg from her dress.

   That stupid nickname!

     "Honestly, I wouldn't have recognized you. You look different, gorgeous different. And look," he pointed to her hair. "My baby dyed her hair."

   Mia narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you want?"

    "Pumpkin relax. I'm only trying to be friendly, I come in peace." He put his had up in surrender.

    "Ares you —"

   "God I missed my name coming from those lips. Can you say it again?"

    "You're unbelievable." She glared at him. "I have nothing to say to you, all have been said four months ago. The past is in the past." She told him plainly.

     "Still feisty."

   "Excuse me." Mia took a step to leave but Ares holds her arm. "Don't touch me." She slapped his arm off.

     "Pumpkin, I missed you." Ares sighed sadly. "I miss you so bad and—" he is silenced as Mia raised her hand to stop him from talking.

     "It's Mia. Forget about everything. I've moved on and I'm happy, the happiest I've ever been."

     "Why do you hate me so much? Up until now, you want nothing to do with me. Listen, the reason I didn't find you after you left was because I knew you needed space."

     "The worst crime I would have done to myself is marrying you. Good thing I opened my eyes just in time to see I was gonna make a horrible mistake." She said between her teeth.