Chapter 16

Mia twirled around in bed, she swore by the time she finally found a comfortable niche she would have created a whole dance routine. Not a very good one but one nonetheless. She had the sweat beads to prove her level of commitment. She was splayed out, the sheets losing its grip from the corners of the mattress and tangling around her legs.

Her body unable to determine which temperature it preferred to be in. She felt heated and stuffy covered but from the time she removed the covers her body felt sensitive to tiny cold needle pricks. She was stuck in this routine for an indeterminate duration.
The longer she lay in bed the more her sleepiness drifted away from her. She kicked the sheets off again in a flurry and groaned. Silently though, she had to consider that her daughter was also fast asleep. Her chest heaving at having to contain her frustration.

She peered through the darkness, her eyes adjusting to the shadows and objects. Amiyah was sound asleep. Without a second thought, she slid her hand underneath her pillow and dragged out her cell. The harsh burst of light burning her eyes until they grew accustomed to the tiny splurge of brightness. She scrolled through the contacts
Amber added onto the cell phone. She hadn’t checked anything since Amber revealed that she’d placed Harvey’s contact in it. She was nervous to see the name, why? There were questions with easier answers. She stopped scrolling when she saw his name.

*Why do you even pretend? You wanted to make sure his name really was there.* Her inner voice snickered knowingly.

Why *did* she pretend? Her mouth went dry at the remembrance of him. She had a weakness for authoritative men and despite the situation that had landed her in, her body craved *him*.

At the very least, this time, she knew not to get her heart involved. And it wasn’t. She craved some male attention but not to nurture her spirit, she could do that on her own, but her body was in a constant state of want. The introduction of Harvey Regal had done that to her. Her baser desires, the ones she thought were long gone and buried had risen to the surface.

Did she even dare to give in? Could a mother of one attempt such a thing? Was it allowed? Her mind overflowed with questions. She gazed around the room. Her mind switching from one worry to another. She could hardly call this her home. She was a guest, her eyes stung.
She was a mother and she was living at the mercy of others. Amber and Nathan had no issues with her presence but she couldn’t stay here forever. She wanted to be able to provide for herself and her daughter. She had no time to be distracted.

Her daughter was her first priority and from the time she had given birth to her, Mia’s needs became non-existent. Amiyah did not ask to be here, it was Mia’s decisions and judgements that led to her daughter’s birth and she had to step up.
Marina had sent a list of top-tier firms. Earlier today, Amber and Nathan had helped her with research and the process of elimination. In the end, she had settled for one firm. They were a huge name, with different departments specializing in different areas of law. Their family law department was especially well renowned for having proficient attorneys and high success rates. Mia, Amber and Nathan were all confident in the decision to choose this firm.
Mia was so struck as she could finally visualize the rope binding her to Gabriel snapping. Bit by bit, it was unwinding and pretty soon the threads would be severed. She couldn’t contain the giddiness in her head. So much so that Nathan was the one to make the appointment for her.

“Give me the number, I’ll call and set up the appointment for tomorrow.” He’d said, phone in hand before anyone else had the chance to respond.

“Can’t you just smell the liberation?” Amber twirled around like a ballerina. Her sister was finally on the road to being free. She squealed, pulling Mia up with her as they jumped around. Her tone high and lasting that Nathan carried himself out of the room to continue to the conversation.
Thinking back on the day’s events she couldn’t deny how much she loved and appreciated their support. She swore to see it through for everything they’d done for her and Amiyah.

Now that Mia was lying in bed, the time floating away in handfuls, she shoved her cell phone down and schooled herself to sleep. She had a big day tomorrow. She needed to rest. There was no need to be nervous. Her problems were soon coming to an end.

*****
Harvey adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves and the mahogany tie at his neck as he exited his car. He stared at the school and for an insignificant second he wondered if he was being too forward. It was true that he was dropping in to bring lunch to his sister. It was also true that he was using his sister as an excuse.
Guilt did invade his soul; it cheapened the effort he was making for his sister. Well, depending on perception. He saw it as killing two birds with one stone and he was nothing if not efficient.

His long legs strode down the corridors, his muscles acting from their own internal memory. He knocked against the darkened glass, his spine straightening as the silhouette of a woman became larger and large as she neared the door.

He was ready to face her again. His fingertips tingling and his brain ready to be confronted with the actual visual of the woman it had to recreate twenty times a day. Perhaps this time he would get a definite answer. He’d never encountered a female who willingly refused his company.

*She probably misplaced the number*. Yes, that was the only rational explanation. It was understandable; he did write it on a napkin.
The door eased open for an eternity, his eyes widening to mirror the stunned expression of a woman he’d never seen before. Her reaction didn’t faze him. He saw those same stupefied eyes and hanging jaw everyday on different faces.

“Good day,” Harvey composed himself and smiled. He was the first to break the silence.

“Good day, may I help you?” Fallon’s cheeks flushed a pretty shade of red. The man in front of her had walked straight out of a catalogue and she was living for it. Man was she happy to have taken over Mia’s classes for the day.

“I think I may have the wrong class…” his voice trailed off as he cocked his head to the side and looked into the class, “No, Eva is there.” He muttered for his own benefit, his eyes switched back towards the light haired female in his path.

“There was a different teacher here last time I came.” He was beginning to wonder about her very existence. Did he conjure her up from the recesses of his depraved mind?

“Mrs. Evans?” Fallon questioned. Even his voice was heavenly! She was happy to answer any questions he had.

“I believe that was it.” He pretended to consider the name.

“She isn’t here today, I’m subbing for her.” Fallon responded gaily. How could Mia keep this fine specimen away from them?

“I see.” He muttered. The crinkling of the bags in his hand as they shifted against his hips reminding him of his alternative reason for visiting.

“I am here to see Eva Regal.” He quickly followed up.

“Is she your daughter?” Fallon’s heart sank at the thought of him already being scooped up. Then again, men like him never stayed single long…except by choice of course.

Harvey glanced down at his shoes and back at her, chortling at the unexpected forwardness of this woman. “She is my sister.” Harvey responded, fully entertained.

“Nice.” She’d drawn out the word and looked in to the class. “I just need to confirm that she knows you.” She revealed, walking back into the class. Eva made her way towards Harvey hurriedly. She held out her hand and he handed her lunch and other goodies. She turned instantly away, the intention to sprint away from him without so much as a ‘thank you’ evident.

“Hey.” Harvey grabbed the only part of his sister that he could reach. Probably wasn’t in good taste that it happened to be her braids.

“ouch.” She stumbled backwards. Her hands rubbing her head as she glared up at him.

“What’s going on with you?” he hadn’t meant to be stern, but he didn’t worry about it too much. Eva had no fear of him.

“You know you are really embarrassing me.” She hissed.

“What did I do?” Harvey had never gotten used to the constant mood changes of women. It was exhausting.

“All of the girls keep staring at you and saying weird gross things.” She said. Harvey cocked his head to the side. He had time to be desensitized by female angst that these things barely bothered him.

“I’ll leave.” He knew better than to tell a female how they should feel, so he did what he thought would be acceptable to her. She ran back into the class and her space was taken up by the substitute.

“Did you want to talk about your sister’s performance review?” she questioned, she wasn’t ready to be without his devilish face and deep voice.

“I am sorry?” he inched closer, unsure of what she was telling him.

“You were interested in seeing Mrs Evans. I assumed you wanted an update on how your sister has been doing.” She eyed him carefully.

“I did,” he said, knowing that he couldn’t use this excuse again. He had no choice but to comply with this assumption.

“I can’t give it to you.” She said, wondering if he would be open to her giving him other things. She bit her lips at the thought of this man nude against her. She could tell from the way he carried himself that he was a proficient lover.

“She should be back in from tomorrow. I’ll have her call you, if that’s okay.” She offered.

“That is wholly acceptable, thank you.” He shook her hand and left.