Chapter 12

"Mia? Are you a journalist, a lawyer, or a finance person?" Bella asked out of the blue.
Mia furrowed her brows. Why is Bella asking her that?
"Of course, I am a finance person," Mia answered. Why did you ask?"
"You might be a finance person but I think you have a knack for journalism. Or why would you go on to dig into Mirabel's past," Bella said. "For revenge? I don't think so. I think it's more than that."
Charlotte nodded, stroking Liam's hair. She had noticed he had fallen asleep.
"I can't agree less," she answered. "Would you like to study journalism?"
Charlotte knew Mia wasn't someone who would go to such a great length just to get revenge.
"I am not interested in journalism," Mia answered.
"But you were curious about something," Bella said.
Mia shrugged slightly. "Maybe I am."
"You were," Charlotte said. "Or how did you find out about Mirabel stealing a movie gig from an upcoming actress? You won't tell me you just stumbled upon it."
Mia nodded. "I did not stumble upon it."
She agreed there was something that prompted her to investigate Mirabel, which led her to find out about the gig. There were also a few more things she found out about but she wasn't going to say it to Bella and Charlotte.
"I can't tell you both now," she said and they nodded.
"You can always tell us when you are ready," Bella said.
"You don't have to tell us if you can't," Charlotte added.
Mia smiled. "Of course I will. But I just need a few more days." Mia said, and that ended the conversation about Mirabel.
They began to talk about a few other things. Bella decided to tell them about Daniel and what he said to her. With Charlotte feeling better now, Bella thought it was best to say it now.
"I knew it," Charlotte said. "I have thought about the reason he would suddenly come back."
"He has the guts to ask you for money?" Mia said, frowning her face.
"He did but trust me. I not only turned him down but also gave him the piece of my mind. He was so ashamed of himself."
"My instinct tells me he will be back," Mia said.
"Then we will be waiting," Charlotte said. "Bella, just make sure you call me whenever he comes back."
Bella nodded. "I will surely call you."
Charlotte nodded. "I will be waiting."
"We are finally here," Mia said, stopping the car.
They alighted from the car, and Mia helped Charlotte to carry Liam while Bella and Charlotte took their bags. They headed to the airport. Bella and Charlotte went through the process and were soon ready to leave.
Liam woke up just in time to say goodbye to his mother and his godmother.
Charlotte hugged him tightly, wishing she could go with him, but she didn't want him to miss out on school.
"I will be back soon," she mumbled.
Liam nodded. He hugged Bella too. Mia hugged Charlotte and then Bella.
"Mia," Charlotte called. "You can't tell Melvin where I went to. I will tell him myself."
Mia nodded. "I won't, I promise."
Charlotte waved at her. "Bye, Mia."
"Bye, Mia." Bella waved too.
Mia waved at them as they left.
"Bye mummy," Liam mumbled, waving.
Charlotte turned for the last time to look at him. She waved slightly. "Bye."
He waved at Bella who waved back at him, smiling.
Mia left with Liam after Charlotte and Bella were out of sight. She found her way out of the airport to the place she had parked her car.
"Daddy," Liam said.
"Your daddy is not here," Mia said, opening her car door.
Liam pointed in a direction. "Daddy," he said again.
Mia turned. Could Liam be right?
She noticed someone staring at them. He looked so much like her brother. He began to walk close to them and she blinked.
"Me-Melvin?"
Why is he here? Did he see Charlotte leave? Why did he not try to stop her?
She dropped Liam in the car and tried to enter the car so she would drive off before Melvin got close to them. She wasn't ready to explain anything to him.
"Mia, wait!" Melvin called out almost in a loud voice.
He knew Mia was trying to run away from him but he wasn't going to allow that. He wasn't at the airport to blame her like she might have thought. He just wants to talk.
"Please wait," he added quickly, hastening his steps. "I am not here to blame you. I just want to talk."
Mia groaned slightly. She doesn't have a choice now. Do she?
She waited for him to get close to him before speaking up.
"What..."
Liam popped his head out. "Daddy?"
"Liam." Melvin bent to touch his face.
He played with him for a few seconds before asking him to sit; he needed to speak to his aunt.
"Come with me," he mumbled to Mia who furrowed her brows.
"Why do I have..."
"I don't want Liam to know what is going on," Melvin said.
"He is just four. He..."
"Mia, just come with me," Melvin said.
"Fine," Mia mumbled. She walked a few steps with Melvin and then stopped. "I think it's okay here. Liam can't hear us." Melvin nodded. "So what do you have to say?" She folded her arms. "I am all ears."
"Can you tell me where she is heading to?" Melvin asked. "I just want to know."
"You saw her leave, right?" Mia said. "You must have been here before she left. Why did you not ask her?"
Melvin shook his head. "Charlotte is angry with me and I know I deserve it."
"What did you do?" Mia asked.
She knew what he did but she just wanted him to say it himself.
"Mia, we both know that you are aware of everything. Charlotte told you. Did she not?"
"She said nothing to me," Mia lied.
"You don't have to lie, Mia. I..."
"Okay, I know, but if she doesn't want to tell you where she is headed, I can't tell you either. Maybe you should try contacting her and ask..."
"She won't pick up my calls. I sent text messages and she did not reply. Please, Mia, tell me where she is going."
Mia shook his head. "I am sorry, Melvin. I can't tell you. I don't think she wants you to know. She doesn't want me to tell you either and I can't betray her."
Melvin sighed. He doesn't think he can change Mia's mind; he should not try further.
"Although I can't tell you where she went, I can tell you that she won't be back until after a month. You are the reason she left. I'm sure you know that too. I hope you can get through to her as soon as possible. I wish you the best of luck."
Melvin smiled. "Thank you, Mia."
Although Mia always acts tough when it comes to Charlotte, she still has him in her heart as her brother.
Mia nodded. "My pleasure but I've got to go."
Melvin waved slightly. "Goodnight."