Chapter 3 3

"Mr Nicholas Cleland."

The nausea kicked in. I could feel the bile rise up to my throat. His name alone kept echoing in my mind. The man I never wanted to see ever again in my life was about to come in front of me and I could feel my anxiety kicking in.

I closed my eyes and clenched my palm so hard that I could feel my nails digging into my palms. Beads of sweat ran down from my face. I tried my best to hold my calm but it was slowly slipping out of my control.

I have dreamt about him every single night for the last four years. Every time those memories would come flooding back in and the pain would feel fresh. The wound in my heart would feel raw. My agony knew no boundaries.

Poppy squeezed my arms gently. "Relax, Mia. It's been four years. He probably doesn't even remember you."

It felt as if someone had stabbed me right through my chest. The thought of him not remembering me was torturous. I was wrong when I thought I was over it, I was wrong when I thought it didn't matter to me anymore. Even after all these years he still affected me in the same way.

I gathered all my courage and opened my eyes. He stood right in front of me on the podium. He hadn't changed. Just a few traces of time here and there. Apart from that his face was same as it was four years back.

Those dark emerald eyes still had the same captivating power. His chestnut shaded curls framed his face perfectly. His lips curved into a smile as he shook Mr Harland's hand and those dimples were prominent as ever. Ava was his reflection.

He wore a black Tux which was tailor maid to perfection. If I remember correctly, the tux was probably Corneliani , his all time favourite. He was always particular about what he wore.

Memories clouded my mind as it took me back to the day four years back when I met him for the very first night.

"Mia." Mama handed me the designs. "I am running late for a client meeting and I need to deliver these designs at the Parisian hotel."

I was relaxing in one of the sofa's of my mother's office while she sat at her table having her breakfast and assembling papers.

I was supposed to leave for the states in a months time for my University summer quarter. I had got into the prestigious University of Chicago and I was super excited for my new life. So I decided to have a productive break and assist my designer mother in her work.

My mother Celine Duval was a famous French designer who had many A Lister clients. She grew up in a vineyard in Bordeaux.

Papa and Mama met in university and fell in love and got married right after university. They had me two years later.

It wasn't like she needed to work because she was married to one of the richest man In France who hailed from a noble family from France's Touraine province.

But my mother was adamant about working and my father was respectful of that. Celine Duval was one strong headed woman.

"Mama that's multitasking." I pointed out. "It's so not you."

"Mia, Just get your ass out of the sofa and get these designs to the Parisian right now." She commanded.

I rolled my eye at her. "Mama. You don't even pay me for this."

"MIAAA." Her voice echoed through her office. That was my cue.

I picked up her folder and my bag as I ran out of her office. It took me twenty minutes to cruise through the familiar roads of Paris and reach the hotel. I was seated at the table just three minutes before the meeting was about to start.

"I am supposed to meet Mrs Lauren Moretti." I reminded myself as I waited for her.

Five, then ten, then fifteen. I had already been waiting for more than half an hour but there was no sign of Mrs Moretti. So I decided to call my mother.

"Mia. What now ?" Mama was pissed.

"Mama. No one is here. I am bored."

"I don't have time for this."

"Mama, I can't wait any longer." I pleaded.

"Mia. Please! Wait for twenty more minutes." And then she hung up without hearing me out.

I rested my head on the table as i could feel a migraine building up.

"Not a good place to take a nap." A deep voice echoed in my ear.

I looked straight up at the owner of the voice. A pair of dark emerald eyes stared right at me. He was tall and well built. His Teal collared T-shirt hugged his muscles and accentuated his chiseled frame. He paired it with a denim.

"I am really sorry. I am waiting for someone and they haven't showed up yet." I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Mrs Moretti ?" He slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

"Yes." I looked at him confused. "You don't look like Mrs Moretti to me."

He gave a hearty laugh. His voice and laughter were both enchanting. "I am no Mrs Moretti. But I happen to be Mrs Moretti's son."

Damn ! I was such a fool. "I am really really sorry. I tend to be cocky when I am a little irritated . I apologise."I stood up from my seat.

"It's alright." He smiled gently at me. "My mother sent me to meet a Celine Duval. I was expecting someone in her late forties"

"I am her daughter. My mother has another meeting and I am assisting her so she sent me here." I extended my hand. "Amelia Duval."

He gave me a wider smile which showed off his dimples. The dimples made his chiseled face look even more handsome. He shook my hand and his touch sent shivers down my spine.

"Nice to meet you, Amelia." He let go of my hand.

"Nicholas Cleland."

Poppy shook me out of my memories. "You are staring at him, Mia."

"Huh!" I looked at Poppy.

"You spaced out again, Mia." Poppy whispered. "You were staring at him."

"I have to leave, Poppy." I could feel my confidence slipping away.

"Mia, relax." Poppy squeezed my arms. "It's going to be alright."

She took my hand in her as I took a deep breath.My anxiety was building up. I thought I would never cross paths with him. But her he was standing right infront of.

I clutched my chest as it was getting difficult for me to breathe. I just wanted to leave and that's what I did. I took my clutch and got up from my seat. I could feel some eyes on me but I didn't care. I had to leave. I turned towards the door and slowly made my way Out.

I felt the cool London breeze on my face and that helped me relax a bit. It assured me that I was no longer in the same room as his. I took a deep breath trying to relax my self even more.

"Mia, it's alright." Poppy gently ran her palm behind my neck. "You are going to be alright."

Tears streamed down my face and I could feel my heartbreaking all over again. "I.... It hurts. Still does." I clutched my chest as more and more tears escaped my eyes.

"You were bound to bump into him someday or the other. You cannot breakdown like this. Stay strong for Ava."

I looked at her. "Poppy, what am I gonna do now ?"

She cupped my cheeks and wiped away a tear with her thumb. "You are gonna do nothing. He is just a fleeting moment. He will be gone soon."

Her words calmed me down. "You are right. I need to stay strong for my Ava. I cannot breakdown like this. Let's go home."

Poppy dropped me at my place and left. Ava was already asleep by the time I got back home. Mama prepared a BLT for me as I was starving.

"Here." She pushed the plate towards me on the kitchen island. "Eat."

I took a bite of the sandwich and swallowed it at one go.

"What is it, Mia?"

"Nothing."

She shook her head in disagreement. My mother gave me a concerned look. Ofcourse she knew. I was never able to hide anything from her. "Take your time but I need to know before you go to bed."

I put the sandwich on the plate. "Nicholas Cleland just bought FH publishing house. He is my new boss."

"I saw that on tv." Mama was calm and composed. "So?"

"So?" I was confused.

"So? What exactly are you worried about?"

"Mama. I just didn't expect to bump into him after four years." I rubbed my temple.

"Mia, Are you worried he might try to take Ava away from you?"

My eyes widened at her question. "No, Mama. He made it clear then that neither did he want me nor he wanted the child. He even offered to pay for an abortion."

"There you have it Mia. You have nothing to be scared." Mama was next to me now.

"I know. I never thought he would affect me in this way after all these years."I could feel all the tears coming back.

" Chérie." Mama held me in her arms as I gave up.

"I just loved him so much, Mama." I sobbed. "But everything was a lie. He just threw me away."

" Let it go, Mia." She cupped my cheeks. "Mama loves you, Chérie. Ava loves you. We are so so grateful to have you in our lives. That's all that matters."

I sobbed as more and more tears escaped.

"Do you get that Mia?" She kissed my forehead.

"Yes. I do."

"Then stop crying." She gently wiped away my tears.

"Good things are coming our way, Darling. Just have faith. I am always right here with you. Always."

She embraced me in a warm tight hug and all my suffering disappeared right there at that moment.

" Chérie."