Contract With The Billionaire

A week flew by, and Alex was still trying to find ways to repent for his mistake. Of course, he tried, but it wasn’t all those mushy, romantic things like sending flowers or giving cards.

Nope. He just wasn’t going to do that.

Instead, he tried to spend time with her and Bryan, getting to know what she likes and dislikes, and from what he gathered, he knew she definitely hates it when he tries to ask her if she needs his help.

This one time he asked her if she needed any help in rearranging Bryan’s toys. She gave him a sharp look first before smiling sweetly.

Honestly, he would’ve preferred her glare over her smile because that smile was more deadly.

“Of course I need your help.” She said it in an extra sweet voice, and he eyed her doubtfully.

“I need you to stay away from me.” She spat, he knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task getting her to forgive him.

Thankfully, she hadn’t brought up the topic of divorce again, and it somehow relieved him, but that didn’t mean he was fully relaxed.

Mia is unpredictable, and Alex is always alerted whenever she looks deep into her thoughts.

His only option to distract her from her thoughts is Bryan. Bryan is another copy of his mother’s mini version.

He enjoyed his mother’s company more than his father’s, and that is somehow offensive to Mr. Ian.

He would try to take Bryan from Mia or lure him with toys, but the stubborn kid would ignore him with his mother around.

Not to forget, he is now sleeping in his room all alone again, and for some reason, he never had a peaceful sleep since the two left the room.

Tossing and turning around all night had become his new pastime.

Once, just once, he took Bryan with him into his room when he was asleep, and Mia only shrugged because she knew how that is going to end.

Not a minute later, he put Bryan on the bed. He woke up and frowned, looking around.

Alex then realised he was an awkward person when it came to distracting kids.

He ended up bringing Bryan back to his mother, who smirked at him, causing him to grumble under his breath.

“Mia, I need to ask you about something.” Alex stated, as he saw how busy she was in the kitchen, but he had to have talk with her; this was important.

“What?” She simply asked, continuing her work and never looking at him.

He sighed. “It’s about the media.” That caught her attention, and she stopped. Turning around, she looked at him with fear in her eyes.

“What? Do they know about Bryan and me?” She desperately wanted the answer to be no because it was going to be a lot more complicated if they found out.

“Not yet, but they are surely suspicious.” He revealed this, and she nibbled on her lower lip with a worried look on her face.

Alex observed her before he spoke, “Let’s talk about this in the room.” Mia nodded and followed him quietly behind.

Once they reached inside, Alex found Bryan sleeping in the crib, which surprised him.

“He slept early.” He muttered.

“He was waiting for you.” Mia smiled, remembering how he kept babbling ‘Dadda’ the whole time but couldn’t fight the sleep and ended up falling asleep.

Alex smiled as well, staring at his son before he turned his attention back on Mia. He contemplated making his next move, but then, throwing all those complicated thoughts out the window, he grabbed her hand.

She looked at him surprised, but he avoided looking at her and pulled her out, leading them towards the terrace. Once they reached it, he immediately left her hand, and she hid her smile, seeing him so uncomfortable.

“I’m thinking of announcing our marriage to the media.” Alex blurted out, and Mia stiffened.

“What? No! I don’t want anyone to know about Bryan. I don’t want those people loitering around and invading my privacy every time I step out. Just no.” She interjected immediately, even though she somehow knew that being with a famous businessman is surely going to bring the media’s attention.

“Mia, listen, I know you don’t like it, but it would be better to announce it myself than let them find out on their own. Trust me, if that happens, things are going to take an ugly turn.” He explained, and she knew he was right, but it still didn’t settle well with her.

Just the thought of not being able to step out and wander around freely made her heart sink, and what about Bryan? He was just one year old and won’t be able to live a normal life without the media trying to snoop on every little thing he does.

Her thoughts were making her insane, and Alex knew she was thinking a lot, so he held her by her shoulders and turned her towards him.

“Stop thinking too much, Mia. I know this is not what you want, and if you really don’t want to come out, I’ll take care of it.” He assured her, and her eyes softened.

She sighed, closing her eyes, and just when he took his hands back, she spoke, “Why are you being so nice to me, Alex?” He tensed at her question. as she opened her eyes and stared at him. His face was blank as he faced her, and she knew he had no answer.

Just as she started to leave, he pulled her to him, holding her hand, and she gasped. His hand travelled up her arm and her neck, making her breath hitch.

“You really think I’m a heartless person, don’t you?” He chuckled. She found her face being lifted until she was staring straight into his vulnerable eyes.

“I am a changed man, Mia, and even if you don’t want to see it, I will keep making you see exactly that.” He whispered as his thumb caressed her cheeks, making her breath abnormal. Her lips parted unconsciously, and his eyes landed on them.

“One chance, one chance is all I ask for.” He breathed out, and Mia closed her eyes as he rested his forehead on hers.

“I’m scared.” She whispered, her voice shaking, and he held her close. Alex moved back just a bit to look at her face.

“I’m scared of trusting you again, Alex.” She opened her eyes, and the tears shining in her eyes were enough for him to release his hold on her.

“I get it.” He nodded stiffly and moved back, but this only caused her to cry more.

“No, you don’t.” She yelled.

“We were never meant to be together, Alex. This relationship was formed on a contract. You and I never planned for a child, we had him because you needed him for your property, and I only agreed because I was desperate for help.” She never wanted to say these hurtful words, yet they were true.

Alex stood there with a hard face but said nothing. She was crying, but he couldn’t move a muscle to go and comfort her.

“I should’ve just walked away after Bryan was born.” Mia choked on a sob, and that was the last straw for him.

He clenched his jaw and jerked her towards him by her waist. She tried to get out of his grip but didn’t have enough energy left.

“Enough. I know mistakes were made in the past, Mia, but that doesn’t mean I would repeat them.”

“Yes, we came together because of a contract. Yes, we had Bryan because I needed him. But that nowhere concludes that we can’t be together. Do you get it?” He snapped harshly, and she only felt her tears flowing.

“Mia, we didn’t abandon Bryan, nor did we treat him like an object. You and I are performing our duties as his parents.” He gritted out, and she tried hard to stop herself from crying.

“Yes, I made a mistake. I lied to you and broke your trust, but I’m trying here. I am not running away nor denying these feelings towards you.” His voice turned soft, as he gazed down at her and lovingly wiped her tears.

“So please, don’t try to control your feelings because I’m not going to hurt you again.” he declared, and she looked up and there was this raw pain in his eyes as he stared at her.

“It’s fine, if you don’t believe me but at least let me be there. That’s all I ask for.” He pleaded and closed his eyes, feeling tired all of a sudden.

The truth is, he didn’t want to see the rejection in her eyes. Mia reached up and rested her palm on his cheek, making him sigh and lean more towards it. He held her hand and opened his eyes, making her heart thud.

“I really don’t want to regret this, Alex.” She whispered, and hope bloomed in his eyes.

“You won’t.” He whispered back, gripping her hand more tightly.

Mark squinted his eyes at the little guy in front of him. He then glared at the woman, who was now laughing at him.

“For the last time, she is not yours.” Mark warned, trying to look intimidating, but the boy only rolled his eyes.

“You are no match for her, how did she even end up with you?” That little brat asked, and Mark fumed in anger as Chloe laughed loudly and the boy grinned at her.

They were at a park, and Mark wanted to spend some time with her, but it went down the drain as this little guy came out of nowhere and started claiming his woman.

He pulled her to him in one swift move, shocking her as he smirked at the boy who glared at him.

He tried to reach out to Chloe, but Mark blocked him until he huffed and started crying loudly.

Mark’s eyes widened in panic while Chloe pushed him and hugged the boy. His mouth then hung open when he smirked at him.

“That little fu”

“Chloe!” Mark yelled, startling her as she gave him a puzzled look.

“We’re leaving.” Mark announced, glaring at the boy, who narrowed his eyes at him in return.

“What’s your name?” Chloe asked the boy, ignoring Mark, who felt like crying. No one listened to him.

“Leo.” He grinned at her, and she pinched her cheeks.

“So, Leo, where are your parents? Why are you roaming alone?” She raised her eyebrows, and he shrugged.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“I came with my brother; he must be somewhere around, busy reading.” Leo looked around, trying to locate his brother and smiled when he spotted him walking towards them.

“Leo, I told you to stay close.” the man scolded in a stern voice, as his eyes landed on Mark and Chloe.

“Sorry, I hope he didn’t cause you any trouble.” The man apologised, and Mark jumped right then.

“Not any, he caused me a lot of ….. Ow! What?” He hissed when Chloe slapped his arm to shut him up.

She gave a fake smile to the man before glaring at Mark, who had an angry face.

“I’m Michael, by the way.” The man offered his hand, and Mark shook it unintentionally, mumbling his name in return.

“Michael, isn’t she beautiful? I wish she would’ve been with you.” Leo jumped excitedly, pointing at Chloe, and the three adults tensed at his words.

Michael shuffled awkwardly, whereas Mark looked close to having a mental breakdown.

Chloe didn’t know what to say so she held Mark’s hand and moved closer to him.

“It was nice meeting you, but I think we should get going.” Chloe said, hurriedly pulling Mark away from there, ignoring Leo’s whining behind her.

“But why? I like her.”

“Shut up, Leo, that was rude of you. Let’s go now.” Michael pulled his brother away, and Mark turned around before yelling.

“Not rude, very rude.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Mia questioned, pointing at Mark, who wore a gloomy look. He refused to talk to anyone and only stayed by Bryan’s side.

“He’s behaving like a kid.” Chloe rolled her eyes and Mark glared at her.

“Like? He is an immature kid, why did you even marry him?” Alex joined in, and Mark was this close to beating the shit out of him.

“I don’t know if he might have threatened me.” Chloe played along, surprising Mia because she thought they didn’t get along.

“That’s it.” Mark yelled as he sprang up, startling Bryan yet again. His lower lip wobbled as he stared at his mother before he let out a cry.

Alex gave a murderous look to Mark, who panicked and picked Bryan up in his arms, trying to calm him down.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I won’t scare you again. Please stop crying. Look, I know your father has a problem with me, but please don’t make him murder me. I swear I will be the best uncle and help you get a girlfriend.” Mark kept rambling, and Bryan stopped crying, staring at him with tears in his eyes.

Alex, Mia, and Chloe gaped at the duo in astonishment.

“He wants a girlfriend, Bryan, you’re such a naughty boy.”. Mark grinned, tickling him, and he giggled, making others laugh at the scene as well.

Mia looked at Alex and found his eyes on her, already making her blush, but she quickly composed herself. Alex chuckled by seeing that, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

“Too much sexual tension. We have a kid in this room.” Mark yelled, this time covering Bryan’s ears.

Mia flushed, and Alex rolled his eyes. Chloe chuckled, causing Mia to glare at her.