Chapter 45

“Thanks for watching Amiyah today.” Mia handed off her daughter’s bags to Marina. Kindergarden as well as all other schools were closed. It was a national holiday and while she might have taken Amiyah to her sister’s, Mia really thought that Amber and Nate needed some alone time.

“Are you kidding? I haven’t spent a lot of time with her lately.” Amiyah had grabbed onto her grandmother’s leg, looking up at her with a huge grin. Marina patted her head. “Do you want waffles?” she wiggled her eyebrows at Amiyah and she screamed in response, taking off into the house, her tiny backpack filled with her toys bopping as she went.

Mia shook her head in disbelief. “The way she behaves you’d think I don’t feed her.” Mia scoffed.

Marina chuckled. “You give her healthy foods; she knows grandma’s house is for the sweets.” Marina declared proudly. She loved spoiling her granddaughter. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her.

“Where are you off to today?” Marina asked casually. She knew Mia was off from work today, the situation seeming suspicious. Should she inform Gabriel?

“My sister and her boyfriend got engaged recently, they are remodelling a part of their home to make it more family friendly,” Mia said, her eyes trained on Amiyah. She was at that curious age, where it was easy for her to touch things she should not. “She asked if I could help move around stuff, the house isn’t safe for Amiyah at this time and I can’t afford to take my eye off her for a second.” Mia finished. Marina nodded after considering the situation.

“That is true, it’s best to keep Amiyah away until the construction is over.” She agreed. Nothing suspect about that, she thought.
Mia smiled, it wasn’t a complete lie. They did have those intentions but their construction wasn’t scheduled until next month. “I’m gonna get going. I’ll pick Amiyah up a little later.” Mia called her daughter, kneeling down to be at eye level. Amiyah ran into her mother’s arms, wrapping her tiny arms around her mother’s neck.

“Mommy’s going, okay?” she tucked Amiyah’s loose strands of hair behind her ears. She’d combed her hair before they left home, but now it was already coming undone by all of her running about.

“Okay, bye.” Amiyah sang, pulling out of her mother’s arms and running over to her grandmother. “Waffles, please.” She pulled on Marina’s dress.

“After we say good bye to your mommy.” Marina replied patiently. Amiyah gazed back at her mother. “Bye mommy.” She said again and Mia laughed. “I’m going.” Mia teased her and she ran back into the house, digging into her bag of toys.

“Can I ask you something?” Mia lowered her voice. Marina nodded, “Did Gabriel tell you anything about my job?” Mia had been wondering how he found out since he’d appeared the other day. It was also strange that he hadn’t revealed a hint of agitation. Was this the calm before the storm? She felt uneasy.

“Your job?” Marina resounded. Her chest constricting, did Mia suspect her? She schooled her face to resemble one of complete confusion. Did she find out that Gabriel knows?

“He knows.” Mia revealed. Marina gasped, “What!” She sounded equal parts outraged and surprised. The surprise came in the form of Mia being aware of Gabriel’s knowledge. “How does he know?” Marina questioned.

“I have no idea.” Mia sighed. “He said he had always known, I was just wondering if there were any signs.” She said more to herself.

“None that I noticed,” Marina responded, how could that fool tell her he knew? “He had us both fooled into thinking he was fooled.” She patted Mia’s hands, forcing a stunned expression to her features. It was imperative that Mia trusted her.

***

Mia shifted her weight one leg at a time; achieving a tiny swaying motion that spelled angst. She was waiting on Amber’s front porch, Nate in the kitchen making them margaritas to ease the tension. She did advise him that she would probably be gone before he finished, his response, ‘It’ll help ease our tension for you.’

“Can you stop doing that?” Amber reached out to steady Mia. Her fingers grabbing hold of Mia’s arm. She was sitting serenely, her sister’s edginess tapping her on the shoulder, threatening to infiltrate her as well. “You are making me dizzy.” Amber pulled Mia down into a chair beside her.

“Morning sickness?” Mia didn’t know which part of her brain was still capable of teasing. Amber blushed instantly, the colour reaching down to her neck. She and Nate had been using their time together to make up for a lot of missed physical interaction. She could not rule out the possibility of a pregnancy, although she’d much prefer the wedding to occur before her belly started growing.

“No, I’m trying to remain calm for you and the situation but your chaotic energy is making it hard.” Amber twisted the topic away from babies. She thought it best not to get too riled up and while it was difficult she realised that Mia couldn’t control the emotions rushing through her.

“Chaotic energy for a chaotic life seems like balance to me.” Mia muttered, she taken to tapping her feet against the floor in anticipation.

“Did someone say drinks?” Nate burst outside, pouring them both a glass of margarita. He’d brought a beer for himself.

“Thank God!” Amber picked up her glass instantly, taking a healthy gulp. Nate laughed. “As if she’s the one with the worries.” He nodded towards Amber, directing the words towards Mia. This brought a chuckle out of Mia. Amber rolled her eyes in response.

“Maybe that’s a silent commentary on us.” She teased Nate and they all laughed. Mia’s voice dropped as she saw Harvey’s car driving down the street. “He’s here.”

“Good luck.” Nate said, Amber gave her a tiny squeeze. Mia gulped her drink down and placed the empty glass on the table. She ignored their horrified expression. Amber’s mouth hung open. Mia said her goodbye’s walked down the path and entered the car.
A moment before she pulled the door open, her heart was hammering against her chest in a violent outburst. Now that she was settled next to him, all the nervous energy that rocked her body began filtering out.

“Hi.” She couldn’t bring herself to glimpse his expression. She couldn’t risk seeing disappointment or hate there.

“Hi.” He responded, finally able to breathe. In transit, he was wondering if he’d ever actually reach her. She was here and all his questions disappeared. Did his mind manipulate him? Was it all an excuse to see her again?

Where are we going?” Mia asked in an attempt to cut through the sheet of silence that began growing. Harvey had no idea. He’d offer his apartment but there was that chance that his mother might still be there. That was not a confrontation he wanted to witness.

“I am open to suggestions.” He drove out of the neighbourhood and onto the main road. It was the middle of the day on a weekday, traffic was flowing relatively well. “I am sort of just driving about without a destination in mind.” He revealed. He’d been so consumed with the mere thought of seeing her again that he hadn’t foreseen past picking her up.

“It cannot be anywhere…” she gulped, the truth was out and she had no reason to beat around the bush, “too public.”

“I understand.” He said. “That ruled out about 90% of our options.” He mused. Who would have thought that Harvey Regal would be running around with a married woman? Their only intention was to talk and they had to sneak around the public as if they were having some love affair.

*Well...*

Not now! He chastised himself. He didn’t have the energy to be hosting a fight within himself. Yes, they did sleep together, multiple times, but that was not the intention today.
Mia bit down on her lip. It was the middle of the day and she was supposedly spending time with her sister. Gabriel had been keeping a closer eye on her lately and that increased her anxiety for the situation. Anywhere mildly public would put her on edge.

“I can make a suggestion, but I don’t know if it’s appropriate.” His voice was low, his eyes strained on the road and his knuckles turning white as they manoeuvred about on the steering wheel.

“I trust that you have no inappropriate intentions.” She assured him. She had an inkling of his choice and without another option there wasn’t more she could do.

“That makes one of us.” He muttered, switching directions. Could he trust himself with her alone? The scent of her perfume was conjuring memories he preferred to stay hidden; memories of his burying his face in her neck and breathing in her scent.
He pulled into a hotel parking lot. He knew how it would seem. “If you want us to think of another option, feel free to be honest.” He switched off the car. He was prepared to sit for however long she needed to make a decision.

“It’s fine.” She replied honestly, “At least it will give us the privacy we need to discuss our matters.”