Entangled forever.

I ran as fast as I could. It was pouring in Chicago. But I didn't care as my happiness new no boundaries. I waited so long for this opportunity and now it was finally here. My life had been so uncertain until this point. But now I was sure. "Good things are always coming your way."

I had been balancing college and work in the hopes of building a better life for my kiddo. She was my world, my everything. My Three year old daughter was my sole reason to survive.

A month after graduation I applied for job and as it goes I faced a lot of criticism for that "You won't make it."

"Don't apply. You will be rejected anyways."

It was disheartening indeed. But I had to do it. I had to take the leap of faith. I had to do it for my daughter. So I went ahead and applied. Without having any second thoughts.

"Thank you to listening to your heart, Mia." I said to myself. "Thank you for not giving up."

I was super proud of myself. So many people tried their level best to push me down so bad. But I never gave up. I held on to my faith. My little Angel gave me the strength to do that.

I closed the door behind me and removed my jacket. Drops of Water ran down from my hair drenching my shirt. Tiny arms enveloped my right leg. "Mommy!" My sweet little girl's voice filled my ears.

I picked her up into my arms and she placed a soft little kiss on my cheek. "Wet Mommy ! " She giggled. "What took you so long?"

"Yes ! What took you so long?" My mother's voice joined in. She took my princess into her arms giving me a towel and a sign to settle down on one of the dining chairs in our small Chicago apartment.

I wrapped the towel around my hair. "I got the job, Mama."

Mama stared at me for a moment, her gaze was transfixed on me. Then I saw her eyes moisten. She gave me a heartwarming smile and enveloped me into a warm hug with my baby daughter. "I knew it. I knew you would make it."

Tears streamed down her face as she placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. More and more tears escaped her eyes as she looked up and said "Merci Dieu."

"Don't cry, Nana." My little daughter wiped her Nana's cheeks.

"Aww, Ava." Mama kissed her granddaughter. "These are tears of happiness. Merci Dieu."

"Merci." Ava tried to mimic her Nana's French.

"Mama." I called her to sit beside me. She gently settled Ava down on the floor and she ran towards her room to play with her toys.

"What is it, Mia?"

"Mama, FH publishing House offered me two options. The Paris office and the London office. I chose the London one."

Mama let out a sigh. "Mia, we could have moved back to Paris. Your father wanted us to move back after college."

"Mon Dieu! How do you expect me to move back to Paris, Mama? Especially back with Papa. Till date he hasn't accepted Ava as his grand daughter."

"Things change, Mia."

"Are you serious?" I looked at her in disbelief. The happiness around us was now replaced by a tense air. "Dad considers my daughter as a bâtarde."

"Mia..."

"What, Mama?" I snapped at her. "You think Papa will welcome me and Ava with open arms ?"

"It will take some time."

"No, Mama. It will never change."

"Mia, try to understand."

"You understand this, Mama. Papa will never accept Ava. He hates me and my daughter. That's the truth."

"Mia...."

"Stop!" I interrupted her. "I am never going back to Paris. Not in this life. I don't want to go back to my father. Neither do I want to revisit those Memories that cause me nothing but pain."

I got up and walked towards my room ignoring my mother. I slammed the door behind me and reached my bed. I looked straight up at the ceiling. Tears clouded my vision as my memories from the past returned.

"Papa, I am pregnant." I whispered hoping for it to go unheard. But I was so wrong. His palm collided with my cheek and I could feel the throbbing pain. My mouth tested metallic as my own blood filled my mouth. What was I expecting?

He stared right at me clenching his moth shut. "la pute." His voice echoed through the room. Even though it was pouring outside I could hear his voice loud and clear.

Tears streamed down my face as I looked at my father in disbelief. My father who loved me and pampered me had just called me a whore. "Papa, d... do.. don't say that." I stumbled upon my words.

"You are a disgrace, Mia. I already warned you from the very beginning. Everything is destroyed now. My pride, My honour. You are responding for it." He pointed his finger at me. "You are responsible, Mia. I wish you were dead."

I looked at him. He was a completely different person. The love on his eyes was gone. All I could see was rage.

He stared at me with flames of anger burning in his eyes. "Yet, I can't even kill you. You are my only child. But I will stop loving you from this moment onwards." His eyes were empty as his words echoed in my ears. His empty eyes were all that was left.

"Mia." Mama's soft touch brought me out of my dreams.

I pushed myself up resting my back on a pillow. Mama sat down on my bed. She placed her hand on mine. "Mia, I am sorry."

"It's okay, Mama."

"I am, Mia. I didn't mean to hurt you again."

"It's okay, Mama. I am sorry for behaving like an unruly teenager out there." I gave her a weak smile in order to make her feel better. But she caught me.

"Mia, you have endured a lot of pain at a very young age. You are a strong woman and a loving mother, my darling." Mama rubbed Her thumb against my palm. It helped me relax as always.

"I will always support you. Remember, I am always proud of you and I will always love you and Ava."

"I love you, Mama." I smiled at her. This time the smile was genuine.

"But I will have to let your father know that I am not going back to Paris."

I gave her a puzzled look. "You mean to say.."

"I mean to say that" she interrupted me "I will be moving to London with you."

"Mama, you have been away from Papa for so long. You should go back."

"I can never forget that night, Mia." She looked away from me. "If I hadn't threatened your father to help you out, God !!! I am even scared to think." She placed her face in her palms.

"It's okay, Mama. Let's not talk about it." I placed a kiss on her head. "I am just grateful for everything."

"Even for all the heartbreak ?" She looked at me.

"Yes. Even for all the heartbreak." I smiled at her. "I have got you and Ava. Even though Papa is not himself anymore, I know somewhere he still loved me. Even if it's a little bit." I gestured with my thumb and index finger.

Mama gave a hearty laugh. She placed her palm against my cheek and leaned into her touch. " Good things.."

"Are always coming our way." I finished her sentence. She took me in her arms just like she used to when I was a little girl. Papa's arms were my safety net and her arms gave me comfort and strength. I no longer had my safety net but I had her. I was forever grateful for her.

"So when do we leave for London?"

"In three weeks."

London

"So you have to finally admit that you like London." My co-worker turned good friend Poppy Harris gave me a wicked smile as she took a sip from her cup of tea.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Why are you so hell bent on making me admit ? You know that Paris is my first love and Chicago my second."

Poppy let out a deep sigh. "Stop! It's been six months since you moved to London. One week in enough to fall in love with London." She spoke with her thick British accent. "When will your French ass realise that?"

I threw my napkin at her and gave her a death glare.

Ava giggled. "Aunty cursed."

"Poppy. No cursing in Ava's presence."

"Sorry!" She gave a flying kiss to Ava and Ava reciprocated. "See, she loves me so much."

"I love Aunt Poppy." Ava joined in.

"Alright. I get it."

Ava and her aunt Poppy giggled in a rhythm.

"So, what are you planning for my niece's birthday?" Poppy asked.

"I am thinking of a Peppa Pig themed lunch. She is obsessed."

"Noooo. It's everywhere. Think of something else." Poppy wasn't impressed.

"Then the classic Tangled theme will work." I moved closer to Ava who had chocolate syrup on her chin.

"My baby loves Rapunzel." Her eyes widened on hearing the name.

Ava was a month away from turning five and she looked nothing like me. Right from the day she was born. I had blue eyes and my hair was a shade of dark brown with a hint of copper. But my darling was an equal opposite. Everything about her reminded me of that man. Her emerald eyes, her chestnut shaded hair, her dimples, every single feature resembled that man.

I pushed a lock of hair behind her hair as she ate her pancakes.

"You are thinking about him again."

I gave her a puzzled look.

"You space out when you think about him, Mia." She explained.

I took a sip of water and cleared my throat. "It's hard not to when my daughter resembles her father."

"It's alright, Mia. Your decision of never contacting him is absolutely fine. But someday Ava is going to ask questions."

I took a deep breath. "I am dreading that day, Poppy. I really am."

She gave a gentle smile. "Why don't you contact him once, Mia? It's been four years."

When I moved to London, I came across Poppy on my first day at work. We both worked under the Chief editor. She helped me with everything and soon we became really good friends. Poppy was my confidante. She waited patiently until I was comfortable enough to share everything about my past and when I was, she was really supportive. I was grateful for her.

"Poppy, He never wanted Ava. I went to him when I found out I was pregnant. He abandoned me then. Do you really think he will want Ava now ?"

Poppy placed her cup back on the table and gave me a faint smile.

"Not a chance, Poppy. Not a chance in this world that he will accept my Ava with open arms if I reach out."

..........................

It was a hectic week at work. Our office was upside down already.Poppy's birthday was now two weeks away. Last week the Harland family announced that another group was taking over the FH publishing house. It was a complete chaos.

It was a huge blow and all over the news.But no one had any idea who the new owners were. They wanted it to remain a secret until the new group was ready to announce that.

At first our future at FH was uncertain but then they let us know that the new owners were keen on working with the old employees and it was a relief.

Today was the day. A dinner party was scheduled in the evening to introduce us to our new Master.

But the office gossip was already doing it's rounds. Some said it was a grumpy old man from Germany and some said it was a handsome young Italian tycoon. I was bothered by none till the time they let us work in peace.

Poppy and I took a taxi back home after work instead of the tube as we were already running late and the official dinner was scheduled at Seven thirty.

"Wear the black one, Mia." Poppy pointed one out.

"No way. It's way too much for an official dinner."

Poppy stared at me. "Mia. You are a beautiful hot twenty two year old. Not that rude old hag from non-fiction department."

"Poppy." I glared at her. " That's really rude."

"Sorry Mom!" She winked at me."The Black dress, Mia. The black dress is a sign of your strength at the same time showcasing how hot you are."

I rolled my eyes and she winked at me again.

Poppy can be really adamant at times. This was one of those times. She forced me to try the black dress and I gave in.

Poppy's eyes widened as I stepped out of my bathroom. "Holy shit!"

"Is something wrong ?" I walked towards the floor length mirror.

It was a simple floor length black satin dress with spaghetti straps and cowl neck which hugged my body at each of my curves and had a thigh high slit.

"There is no stain nothing." I gave her a questioning look.

She facepalmed herself. "Dumb Woman. You look smoking hot."

I swear to god I could feel all my blood rushing to my cheeks. "Stop it."

"Mia, you look beautiful."

We both arrived at the venue just five minutes before seven thirty. Madam Poppy's procrastination was the reason behind it. Also the London traffic was to be blamed.

I was on the edge ofcourse cause the hotel we were having dinner at belonged to someone familiar who turned into a stranger long time back.

"The Cleland." The name of the hotel was right infront of my eyes. It sent a shiver down my Spine. "Cleland." I read it out loud which grabbed Poppy's attention.

She gently squeezed my arm. "Let's go in."

I was expecting a huge dinner table in one of the posh restaurants in the hotel but to my surprise the dinner party was in a lavish hall.

The walls wear covered with blue pastel coloured wallpaper and had huge floor length windows and beautiful curtains covering the window frame. Floor length doors leading to balconies. Huge chandelier in the middle. Round tables covered with blue pastel table clothes and chairs were arranged neatly throughout the room.

The buffet was arranged towards one end of the room and the podium was on the opposite end. The bar was on the far left and people had already gathered around it.

"It's going to be a long night." I said.

Poppy gave me a nod and walked towards the bar. I went ahead into the room looking for our designated seats and found them in the second row.

"Here is your liquid courage." Poppy said handing me a glass of white wine.

"Some good Chardonnay." I took a sip from my glass as Poppy sat down in her seat right next to me.

"Mia, look." Poppy pointed towards the main entrance.

A beautiful woman, probably in her late twenties with a chiseled face and slender figure walked in. She wore a beautiful champagne coloured gown that had sweet heart neckline. Her honey blonde hair was neatly tucked into a bun. Her eyes were a shade of dark hazel.

"Who is she?" I asked.

She looked at me in shock. "You don't know her. She is Isla Jones, famous British actress."

"So?" I asked her again.

"You gotta be kidding me." She flicked my forehead. "She is super famous."

"Now you are behaving like a hormonal teenager." I took another sip from my glass.

She glared at me and turned around but Isla was already surrounded by people.

Meanwhile someone on the stage decided to grab everyone's attention. It was our Chief Editor, Mr Alexander Cox.

"Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen." His voice echoed through out the hall as he spoke. "I would like welcome Mr. James Harland on to the stage."

Mr Harland took to the stage. "Good Evening everybody. Tonight is an emotional night for me. FH publishing house was my grandfather's dream. It was handed over by him to my father then to me. But now I am unable to take care of it." His eyes were moist.

"Poor Mr Harland." Poppy whispered.

"All the speculations about the new ownership will come to an end tonight. I am happy now that our FH publishing house is going into such responsible hands." He gave a genuine smile this time.

"I can feel the pain behind this rich man's smile. He is going to cry in pounds tonight." Poppy gave me a crazy smile.

"That is rude." I rolled my eyes.

"I am absolutely honoured to be associated with the Cleland group now." He continued.

"The Cleland group." I could feel my heart skip a beat. Poppy gave me a nervous look.

"Please welcome Mr Nicholas Cleland."

"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."