He's been trying to reach her but she wasn't picking. It was like she was deliberately ignoring his calls, he even sent tons of texts but she replied to none.

     "Ryan!" Bee practically yelled his name.

   "What!" He looked away from his phone, staring daggers at her. He was obviously in a bad mood that he shouted back at her.

    Bee frowned... "What's with you? Did you even hear anything we said?  And how about you stop looking at your phone, texting and try to pay more attention here." Bee couldn't care less about his mood. They were all eating breakfast talking about Ryan's upcoming birthday but Ryan was too busy on the phone. 

     "I'm not in the mood for one of your tantrums Bee, so save it." Ryan hissed. He was definitely upset, but not at Bee.

    "Ryan, don't get upset. We were only talking about your upcoming birthday but your mind seemed far away. Is something bothering you? You've been all cranky since you woke up? Wanna share what's up?" Dony asked in a more polite manner.

    Ryan turned to Dony, sighed and then relaxed. "Thanks but no. It's a personal stuff." Ryan stood up. "I'm leaving." He said before walking out.

The three women watched him leave their midst.

    "You better talk to that boyfriend of yours humph!" Bee commented.

     "I think you were too hard on him Bee." Layla said to her.

    "Aren't you too soft on him? Bee raised her brow. "You should talk some sense into him. I've seen the way he's been treating you recently, it's like you're a ghost in his eyes. Honestly, you shouldn't indulge him at all." Bee said her mind.

     "You talk like you're a master." Dony rolled her eyes, taunting Bee.

     "Excuse me, I am the master for your info." Bee said to Dony. "As I was saying," referring to Layla. "Keep treating him like that and you're one step closer to losing him. I can't believe you let him leave, just like that. Don't die in silence, tell him what you truly feel and stand your ground. Don't let the fear of losing him keep you mute... And—" she is interrupted.

     "My goodness Bee! Stop telling her rubbish. Ryan is like a spitfire. Haven't you heard that opposite attracts? You can't have two people at loggerheads, one has to be understanding. What happens when Layla tries your advice and it only complicates things for her." Dony said to Bee.

    "Do not start that boring lecture. There's no harm expressing your feelings, you of all people should know that." Bee narrowed her eyes.

    "Okay stop!" Layla's outburst made Bee and Dony turn to her. You both shouldn't be concerned with my relationship with Ryan, it's absolutely none of your business. So keep your advice to yourselves, it's not needed." Layla snapped at both girls. "I don't want to hear it." Layla's patience had ran out and the girl's weren't expecting that outburst. She got up from the chair, clearly pissed.

    Bee was amused and Dony's mouth fell open in awe as they both have never seen a furious Layla before. It was the first time Layla had actually shown them that side of her. The usual Layla was a peacemaker, quiet, rarely pissed, she did whatever pleased one even if it wasn't happy. In summary, she was like a puppet.

    Layla walked out of the dinning.

    "Way to go girl, that's a start!" Bee cheered at the leaving Layla. "Did you see that? That's what I'm talking about." Bee excitedly said, nudging Dony whose jaw was still open.
✴✴✴✴

    "We could go on a double date. You and David, me and Tyson, what do you think?" Danny asked Mia as they were seated together eating lunch at a diner.

     "I hate that idea." Mia shook her head.

    "If you really wanna forget about Ryan, you should at least give yourself a chance to forget hmm? And also, I finally wanna get to meet David."

    Mia groaned... "I'm losing my freaking mind. Last night I was kissing Ryan while his girlfriend was worried sick about him, what kind of person am I? And God, she was thanking me so much for taking him home. I felt so horrible that I could have cried right in front of her." Mia moved her plate away.

    "But you didn't. Stop beating yourself up for falling in love with someone."

   Mia gulped.. "You think it's... It's... It's love? Do you think I'm truly in love with Ryan?" Mia frowned.

   "Of course! It's so obvious you're dead in love with him." Danny chewed her salad.

    "Dea-dead?" Mia panicked. "Dammit! N-no wonder I've been behaving strangely towards him and I have him on my mind twenty four seven. You won't believe I've been having dreams about Ryan lately. Not just any kind of dream," Mia whispered, leaning in. "Erotic kind of dreams and the worst part is, they felt so real. Like I lived it."

   Danny smirked. "That's normal because you're in love. And seriously babe, when was the last time you got laid?" Danny snorted, mockingly.

    Mia leaned back against her chair. "Love makes people stupid. Now I'm stupid! I can't even think without having Ryan in my thoughts. It's killing me."

   "What kills more is that you can't have him."

    "Are you trying to make me feel worse because I'm hating you right now." Mia placed her hands on her cheeks.

    "Forget him." Danny paused, looking ahead of Mia's shoulder. "Like now, here's your chance. PS, do not look back." Danny said staring ahead.

    "What, what do you mean do not look back? Is someone coming, someone I know?" She frowned, confused a little bit.

    "Oh yes, it's Ryan... Oh hey Ryan, what's up!" Danny smiled at the not-smiling-Ryan who stood beside the table. 

  Mia muttered... "Shit."

     "So um, I'm gonna leave you two to talk." She looked back and forth at Mia and Ryan. "Hey Mia?"

Mia looked at Danny.

         "Remember what I said, okay?" Mia nodded. "Good, I'm leaving. Catch you later, and you too Ryan." Danny stood up and looked at Ryan. "Can you at least smile, you look scary." Danny said jokingly before leaving.

   Mia packed up her bag, preparing to leave. "I'm also gonna go." She said standing up.

    "Mia we have to talk." Ryan said in his bossy voice.

    "I'm a busy lady Ryan, I have no time for petty conversations." Mia said, pulling her hair behind her ears before looking at Ryan. Her whole mind was in conflict, she was shaking just seeing him in front of her.

   "It won't take long. I just need you to listen, it's urgent." Ryan said to her.

    "If this is about yesterday, it was nothing. I only did what any friend would have done. No big deal." She acted like it was no big deal. "H-how did you even find me?"

       "That doesn't matter now. I just need you to listen to me, it's really important that you know that—"

     "Enough! I have listened to you and I won't anymore. I don't want to see you ever again, if ever we meet let it be coincidence. I should have avoided you, I should have. Stay away from me or else I'd be forced to get a restraining order." Mia said with a straight face.

    "It doesn't have to be this way. Please, let me explain." Ryan suddenly felt weak in front of her, so he was begging.

    "Just shut up." She picked up her bag. "You have a wonderful girlfriend waiting for you." She said finally, hurrying out of the diner.

    Ryan sighed sadly... "Oh Soph, what will I do with you." He said to himself.

      Mia got into a taxi, trying to calm her nerves. Honestly, she wanted to run back into the diner and tell him how much she was in love with him but going by REALITY, they couldn't be together as long as Layla is in the picture.

   Just then Mia's phone rings. It was Karen calling.

   She took in a deep breath and quickly wiped her eye quickly. Had... Had she been crying all the while?

    "Hi-hi mama." Mia greeted after placing the phone over her ear.

    "Mama? Honey, you do know that each time you call me mama, something's up. So now tell me, what's up!"

     "Nothing is up ma–Mom." Mia bit her lip. "Why are you calling?"

    "When are you coming back to your apartment, I'm there, making dinner. Someone is here with me too." Karen sounded excited.

    "Who?"

    "Just come home for dinner as quick as possible okay dear?"

  "Yeah. I'll be back by 7."

   "Okay I'll see you." Karen said before hanging up.

    "What the hell is mom talking about? She better not invite a psycho into my apartment." Mia said to herself.

    On reaching her apartment at 7:30pm, Mia was exhausted as Mrs Van had her look for a suitable venue for a client's wedding.

    "Sweetheart you're back." Karen squealed moving to hug Mia.

   "Hey mom." Mia managed to smile.

    "Guess who's here."

  "Mom, I'm so tired now. Can we not have any visitor? No surprise please." Mia frowned, heading towards her room. Just then, David walked out of the kitchen.

    "Hey Il mio amore." He smiled and winked at her.

    "David? David what are you doing here?" Mia was stunned to see him.

    "You see dear, he was the one I was talking about." She moved in on Mia. "Why didn't you tell me the prince of Monaco is your boyfriend my dear?" Karen smiled.

    "Prince of Mona...? Wait... What is this?" Mia frowned at David. "You told her?"

     "He didn't have to tell me anything, I know him. His mother and I are friends! We were best friends back in high school Mia. You both took a picture together when you were still kids, at Disneyland! Remind me when we go back to Italy to show it to you." Karen grinned at her daughter.

   Mia raised her brow. "I didn't know that."

   "Neither did I. I was gonna visit you when I noticed the door locked, I met your mom on my way out and she immediately recognized me. World's really a small place, isn't it?"

   "I'll just leave you guys to talk and I'll get your dinner ready." Karen sashayed out, into the kitchen.

    Mia and David glanced at each other, barely speaking.

   "So um, how are you?" David asked her.

   "Cool. Cool. What did my mom tell you? I hope she isn't making me look bad." Mia asked with a small smile.

     He chuckled... "Your mom is actually nice. We didn't say so much about you... And I still can't believe we'd met before, when we were kids. Wish we had gotten closer back then."

   Mia smiled... "True. By the way, why were you looking for me?"

    "I just wanted to come say hello."

    "You didn't have to. I'm fine David." Mia rolled her eyes.

    "It's my duty as your boyfriend to check up—"

    "Another thing. Why did you tell my mom I'm your girlfriend? Now I won't hear the end of it. David listen, going around and telling everyone that we're together isn't right anymore. We can't keep lying, I don't want to pretend." Mia said to him. "I don't want you getting high hopes."

    David sighed... "I'm sorry."

  Mia nodded... "I'm gonna go freshen up." She said before leaving.

    Some minutes after dinner and after David had gone, Karen entered Mia's room. Mia was lying on her bed handling her phone.

    "You're not leaving for your hotel yet? It's past 8 already." Mia said to her mom.

Karen nodded, sitting by the bedside. "I know. David isn't bad at all, and he's single." Karen said with a smile.

     "That part's been mentioned earlier mom." Mia said, with her eyes glued to her phone.

    "He's a prince, a real prince charming. He comes from a prestigious and respectable royal family." Karen stressed the word ROYAL. "He's handsome, he's well-mannered, he's got a sexy accent, he's stinkingly wealthy, he's nice and sophisticated, he's the best and—"

     "Oh God mom, then why don't you date him yourself. You forgot to add that he's a womanizer, a flirt, how about that?" Mia sarcastically said to her mom.

     Karen ignored her. "Most of all, he's husband material."

    Mia looked at her mom, she immediately sat up. "Can we close this topic?"

     "But Mia, David is —"

   "Stop mom. Stop. Just stop, okay? Do not interfere with my love life, do not try to match make me with anyone. I'm past that. We both know how it ended with Ares and I, I'm not about to go through the same experience. Forget it, don't get involved. Last I checked, you are still in favor of Ares, what's the sudden change?" Mia asked her mom. 

    Karen stayed silent...

    Mia shrugged...  "It doesn't matter. It's my decision to be with who I wanna be with. David and I are plainly friends, don't put illusions into your head. Besides," Mia sighed and licked her lips. "I'm in love with someone else."

   Karen frowned at Mia for some seconds and her face suddenly turned cold. "Don't be stupid Mia! Don't seriously tell me it's that Ryan guy!" She stood up in a fit of anger. "For goodness sake, he has a girlfriend and he's not gonna leave her for you. Open your goddamn eyes! Don't you see you're just the side chick? You're better off with someone who isn't fooling around."

    "Like Ares?" Mia scoffed, get up from the bed. "You almost sold me to that bastard and up until now, you can't admit your mistake."

    "Do not bring Ares into this."

  "Why not? You always take his side, you don't ever see the truth even if it's right in front of your eyes." Mia frowned at her mom. "I've done everything you wanted, it's high time you let me make my own choices."

     Karen shook her head slowly. "You made a choice that nearly took your life years ago, do you really wanna go down the same path? Didn't you learn anything? I forgave you even when you made worse choices, I never left your side not once. Mia if you make the same mistake twice, don't come running to me."

     "Mistakes, mistakes I don't even remember!" Mia throw her hands up. "I know I messed up badly before, but I'm not that girl anymore mom. When are you gonna start seeing that?

     "When you come back to your damn senses. Duty before feelings, I taught you that. Now, if you don't wanna repeat history, you'll stay away from Ryan. Stay far away from him."

   Mia placed her hand over her eyes. "You don't have to worry," Mia was calmer. "Ryan and I won't see each other again." Mia looked at her mom with teary eyes. "I'm sorry... And you're right, Duty before feelings."

    "Wipe those tears." Karen said with a strong nod. "Your godfather asked me to stay a bit longer so that I could attend to some business here for a while, it will take two weeks to get it done and so for the main time, you should try sorting out things with David or Ares." Karen said to her. "Your choice."

      "I wanna be alone." Mia swallowed her tears.

     "My sweetie, I know I'm being too hard on you. But you see, I'm only concerned for you. It's not easy but I know that someday you'll see I'm only protecting you." Karen said softly.

     "I just said I want to be alone, at least give me my privacy." Mia glared at her mom. "Just go."

   Karen nodded as she walked out.

     Mia fell to her bed, burying her face into her pillow.
✴✴✴✴✴

     It's been two days already, Ryan and Mia didn't see or talk to each other. 

   Ryan entered the living room, when he saw Natalie and Alex.

    "Ryan." Natalie smiled, moving to hug him.

    "Hey. You didn't tell me you're coming over." Ryan smiled at his friends.

    "We wanted to surprise you. Is Layla here?" Natalie asked him.

    "No, you just missed her." Ryan said to her.

    "Good, cos we're here to see you. Privately." Natalie told him.

    Ryan glanced at Alex who only nodded. "O-okay, what's this about?" He raised a brow.

  "Let's talk about it in the study." Alex suggested.

   "Hmmm, okay." Ryan nodded, leading the way. "What's with the serious face you two? Am I in some kind of trouble?" Ryan chuckled.

     "You don't need to worry, Natalie is only acting up." Alex chuckled. "She forced me into this."

     "Alex you'll ruin the mood." Natalie eyed Alex.

     "Relax babe. If you keep up with that face, you'll give Ryan a heart attack." He said to Natalie.

   "Alex we're not joking here. We came here to help Ryan and not make jokes so we need to at least look serious."

    "You wanna help me?" Ryan said, opening the door to the study.