Ryan arched his brow. "Your mom's dream?"

    Mia nodded... "I don't really care anyway."

     "You don't care? You took up a course in the university, attended classes, wrote all tests and exams, graduated and you tell me it's your mom's dream?" Ryan frowned at her.

    "She's always wanted it for me and there's nothing wrong with her wanting the best for me, right?"

      "It's your life, she's not to dictate what you should and shouldn't be." He said to her. "It's like living in her shadow."

     Mia folded her legs together. "I'm fine living in her shadow." Mia looked down.

    "Are you listening to yourself right now? It's like you wasted your time doing something you didn't want." Ryan raised his brow. He frowned at following in someone's foot steps just the please the person.

    "You think it was easy?" Mia looked at him sadly. "I lost my memories, I lost who I was, I lost my ambitions, I lost me. I had no choice." Mia blinked back tears. She wasn't gonna let Ryan tease her for crying like a baby.

   Now he understood... Mia didn't have any option but to allow her mom choose. It must have been crazy and frustrating not to know who you are.

    "It's okay! I don't complain because I haven't regretted any decision I took. My mom makes the right decisions." Mia shrugged.

     "So... You never had any dreams? None at all? There must be something you want to do, like a bucket list, something your mom didn't program for you."

    "Well, there is one thing." Mia smiled, looking at him.

     "What is it?"

   "Ever since I won the prom queen title in high school, and also Miss Milan University and a couple of beauty pageants, I've always wanted to run for Miss Universe." Mia told him.

    "Really Mia? That's amazing! Prom queen, Miss Milan university? Those are super titles! Why didn't you go for your dream?" Ryan asked her. She was without doubt, one of the most beautiful woman and she deserved a spot.

    "Apparently, my mom thinks my brain is too hot to be wasted on that kind of stuff and she didn't really buy the idea of me showing off my body to the whole world. It was too worldly for her." Mia said remembering her mom's exact words...

     "Beauty pageants are a waste of time sweetheart. Wearing those bikinis and showing your body to the world is bad enough, besides, my precious is too smart to waste her brain on some meaningless pageant. If it's the crown you want, I could ask for the same replica and get one for you..." 

   "Hey, you've suddenly gone all quiet. What are you thinking?" Ryan asked her.

    "It's nothing. I'm getting sleepy." Mia exhaled.

   Ryan stood up... "Get some rest, I'll wait till you fall asleep."

    "You don't have to."

    "I want to."

   Mia nodded, pulling the sheets to her chest before closing her eyes. "Goodnight."

     Ryan leaned forward, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight universe." He told her.

     Mia opened her eyes... "What was that for?"

    "It's a simple good night kiss... To a friend." Ryan said, leaning away. 

    "Okay. How about the universe?"

    "It's your new nickname. Now go to bed." Ryan smiled. 

     "Don't smile like that, you look cocky." Mia said to him.

     "Stop talking. Close your eyes and go to bed." Ryan said, walking back to the couch.

     Mia watched him sit. He kept on staring at her. "Wait, don't tell me you're gonna stare at me the whole night. You looking at me is creeping me out." Mia frowned. "Look away."

    "Universe, you told me you wanna sleep. I'm only gonna watch you for a while and then I'll go." He told her.

     "Fine fine." Mia pulled the blanket over her face.
......................................................

       Mia woke up the next day and there was no Ryan in the room.

   "He left already." Mia glanced around the room.

  Hours passed and still no sign of Ryan. 

    "Doctor how long do I have to stay before I can go." Mia asked the doctor who was examining her.

      "You'll be discharged soon. Do you feel pain? Headaches? Dizziness? Restlessness?" The doctor asked while Mia shook her head to the questions. "That's great to hear, we'd watch you just for today and then you can go tomorrow."

   "Thank you." Mia was happy she could go. She was feeling a bit sad, even though she won't admit it that she was missing Ryan.

  As soon as the doctor left the room, someone stepped into the room. He was carrying a bouquet of roses and a teddy bear over his face.

     "I'm sorry my love." The pure white recording teddy said.

   David revealed his face, smiling half way. "My sweetheart."

     "David." Mia grinned. She was so happy to see him.

     "Mia I'm really sorry." He went closer to her. "I can't believe I let you end up here. It's my fault. Can you ever forgive me?" David pleaded to her.

     "Can you give me a hug at least?" Mia rolled her eyes playfully. "Come here." Mia pulled him and he leaned to hugged her.

     "I'm so glad you're okay. Il mio amore I'm so sorry." David hugged her tightly.

     "I don't blame you David. You did nothing wrong, I can never blame you. Never." Mia hugged him even tighter.

    "I'm sorry." David apologized again.

    "Say sorry once more and I'll pull out all your lashes." Mia teased him after breaking the hug.
   
   David chuckled... "These are for you." David presented the teddy and the flowers.

        "Thank you David." She placed the roses on her lap, while holding the teddy. "But you didn't have to."

    "Oh wait!" David ran outside and in seconds he was back with bags. "I got a bucket of ice cream too, hotdogs, fries, burgers, cup cakes." He settled the bags on the table. "I hope you don't mind."

     Mia laughed... "Who are they for?" Mia asked him.

    "It's for you of course! I don't know how I'm gonna make it up to you but I'm gonna try." David smiled at her.

      "You're such a darling David. Thank you!" She looked at the teddy. "Is this a recording teddy?"

    "It is! You just hold on to the red button on the back and it will record whatever you say. When you're done, you release your hand." David told her. "Let me show you." David took the teddy and tapped on the red button. "I love you Mia." He said to the teddy.

    Mia laughed...

    "Then you tap the yellow button to play your recording." David tapped the yellow button.

    "I love you Mia." The teddy said in a tiny voice. 

    "Wow!! I've never owned a recording teddy before. Can I try?!" Mia was extremely excited to try it out.

    "Sure!!" He handed the teddy back to her.

    Mia tapped the red button. "David is my buddy." Then she tapped on the yellow button. The teddy repeated the statement. "I love it! This is the best."

    "Thank you my dear."

    "Does it save? I mean the recordings?" Mia asked him.

    "No. Whenever you record something new, the latter disappears. The recording stays forever... Maybe not forever, it lasts unless broken." David told her.

       They spent the entire day together, talking and laughing. Her team visited too and she learnt that Fiona had started working out with Kevin. Mia apologized for not being able to join her but promised to do so after she got out of the hospital.

   Mia was finally discharged and David picked her up from the hospital.

    Three days later and still no sign of Ryan. Mia didn't want to seem too curious so she didn't ask David where Ryan could be, and the only time she asked, David couldn't provide any answer.
.......................................................

    "Thank you so much guys. In two weeks, this place is gonna be opened to the public and I couldn't have done it without you all. So just keep putting in all the good energy and effort so that we can finally put an end to this project. We have only two weeks, two weeks people. Thank you so much." David thanked the team while they were gathered in the new building.

    "It's been an honor working along side with you." Nick told him.

    They vacated the building, moving to their respective suites to pack their things. Two weeks had finally come to an end but not the contract.

    "Okay you guys, I'll get going." Fiona waved at Mia and David.

     "Alright." Mia hugged her before Fiona leaves.

  "When we go back to New York, I still want us be remain like this. I don't want anything to change between us." David told her.

    "Me too. I think I've gotten fond of you." Mia smiled at him.

     "I want to treat you out. I want us to go on lunch and dinner dates. I want us to go out." David grinned.

    Mia chuckled... "Fine. We'll go out." She stopped walking to face him. "But as friends okay?" She smiled, placing a hand on his shoulders.

   "Whatever you say il mio amore." He grinned from ear to ear.

   Mia laughed... "You look weird when you smile like that." She joked around.

   "Mia! David!" It was Olivia calling.

    "What's up Olivia!" David raised his head to wave. Olivia walked up to them.

   "How are you guys?" Olivia looked different. She'd cut her hair into a blunt bob, parted in the middle.

    "We're good." David nodded.

   "Wow, you look amazing." Mia scanned Olivia with her eyes. Olivia wore a skin tight midi dress with a really low cut front, her signature red glossy lipstick was still painted on her lips and her usual dark eyes with the use of eyeliner was still there.

    "Yeah, your look is screaming fuck me." David said with a dubious look on his face and that earned him a smack on the chest from Mia.

    "When will you grow up David?" Olivia shook her head.

    "But seriously, let's talk about it privately. Just you and me, together. Just like old times." David winked at Olivia with his lips twisted. It was like Olivia just got bewitched by David's charms as she too was smiling like an idiot.

    "Ahem. I'm still here remember?" Mia reminded them.

   "Oh sweetheart!" David placed his arm around her back. "Don't get jealous, you're still the only one." David teased her, placing her kiss on her cheek.

   Olivia chuckled... "Why are you never serious in your life David?" Olivia folded her arms over her breasts.

    "You don't think am serious." David scoffed and then became serious. "Anyway, if you're here then Ryan's here too right?" David asked.

   The mention of Ryan's name, Mia's heart skipped.

    "Yeah, he's talking to a major client. He's been quite busy with work lately, so many things going on at..."

    Mia stopped listening to Olivia as she was thinking of Ryan.

   He just left her! No texts, no calls, nothing! He didn't even leave a message and he was gone!! He didn't even ask about her health at all. He didn't care! That's right, he didn't care!! He never bothered about how she was feeling, if she was okay? He just fucking left!! But why would he when it's not like it's his business, he only pitied her that night at the hospital and maybe that's why he stayed.

   She thought they were friends, at least that's what he said. Friends check on each other not leave when they are needed the most.

   Mia felt like screaming... Why did she suddenly care that he should have been with her? Did a part of her want something more from Ryan and that was the scary part.

    "Are you coming?" David asked her, snapping her back to reality. 

   "Yeah yeah." Mia nodded, tucking her hair behind.

     David volunteered to help her pack but Mia declined the offer. She stayed in her suite parking up her things. She was finally leaving!! She'd missed her friends Andrew and Danny, so much to tell them.

    The doorbell rang....

    Mia walked out to the room to get the door and when she peeped from the small peephole, she saw Ryan.

    "Oh my God." Mia took in a sharp breath, quickly leaning away from the door. "It's Ryan, shit!" She bit her lip. She was going into panic mode. She did some breathing exercises to calm her nerves.

    "Calm down Mia, it's not like he's your boyfriend. Don't act silly." She exhaled... "Relax." She pulled off the rubber band holding up her hair before combing it through her fingers.

  The door bell rang again...

    "Dammit." Mia looked at her dress. A pure white tee and skinny jeans. "Whatever." She unlocked the door and opened it.

   "Hey." Ryan's said with a heart-warming smile. 

    As usual, Mia found him in his suit but for the first time she thought he looked sexy in it and she bit her lips unconsciously.

    "Hey universe." Ryan repeated when he noticed at she wasn't even looking at his face, rather, his body.

    Oh shit! She was turning into a pervert herself. What had he done to her?! And that name... Universe.

    Mia looked at him... "What are you doing here?" Mia asked rudely. He mustn't know she was checking him out.

     Ryan frowned at her. "Is my timing wrong?"

   Mia did her hair flip. "I'm actually in the middle of something if you don't mind." Mia knew it was bad to sound too insensitive but she had to. For her peace of mind.

    "O-okay. I'm deeply sorry for distracting you. Carry on." He turned to leave. Ryan was no doubt absolutely hurt but he didn't want to show it. Mia watched him leave.

   Was he dumb or what?! Isn't he supposed to ask why she was being too harsh? Was he gonna leave... Again? What was wrong with him?

     "Where are you going?" Mia was absolutely confused. Couldn't he just say something instead of leaving.

Ryan turned to look at her. "You said you—"

    "Forget what I said." Mia came out of the suite. "You're simply unbelievable!" She went to him. "So you're just gonna leave? You're gonna leave me... Again?" Mia said while Ryan stared at her blankly. "Do you want me to spell it out to you?"

    "Mia what is—" He had no idea what she was talking about.

   Mia groaned out in frustration... "You're so clueless!! I'm upset, I'm upset with you stupid. I'm upset that you left me, no goodbyes, no texts, no calls, you just left! And you wanna leave again? Look, I'm upset doesn't mean I don't want to talk to you. I could say get out it doesn't mean I want you to leave? If I say I hate you, it can also mean I love you. Do you understand now?" Mia explained to him like a child.

  
   Ryan fluttered his eyes as he was still confused... "Girls, one can never fully understand them. But I still don't get you. You made it clear to me that you're busy and—"

    "Ryan stop. That's part of acting. A-c-t-i-n-g." She pronounced every letter. "Damn man, you should really know when a girl wants attention." Mia clicked her tongue.

    "You wanted my attention?" Ryan was still lost.

    Mia rolled her eyes... "Forget it, you're hopeless." Mia relaxed and went closer to him. "Why didn't you say goodbye? You were gone for almost five days and—"

    Ryan smiled... "And you missed me. I can see it in your eyes even if you deny it." Ryan nodded.

    "Who? me? Never!" Mia shrugged. It was only a lie. She missed him.

    "You know, you just gave me a hint on what you truly feel. Your never means forever." Ryan smirked.

    "What?" Mia frowned.

   "It's gonna be our white secret." Ryan leaned towards her, giving her a lasting kiss by the corner of her lips. Mia closed her eyes.

     Some seconds later, he pulled away. "I only wanted to see your face, I just needed a little energy just by looking at you."

    Mia opened her eyes slowly... "Ryan I—"

       "Shhhh." He placed a finger on her lips. "You don't need to say anything. I'll just get going, it's already enough that I've seen you." Ryan smiled before hugging her. "I'll see you later okay?" Ryan told her and she nodded.

   Mia watched him leave. Her heart kept fluttering and her tummy felt those things they call 'butterfly'. She was already missing his touch and feeling so completely empty. Oh no, was she, was she falling for the pervert guy? She was falling for Ryan and fast.

    Mia ran back to her room, slamming the door shut. 

    "Oh god, no no no! I can't fall for Ryan. I can't!" Mia shook her. "That's never happening." She entered her room, falling on her bed helplessly.