"Urgh! One reason I hate this city! It's so annoying. Can you imagine we've been here for more than thirty minutes? This is frustrating." Karen complained.

     "Mom I'm sure everything would be fine." Mia said calming her mom down.

    "I just don't want us to miss our flight my dear. You know I got us the first class tickets." Karen said to her.

   Mia sat down, listening to the irritating noises of hooting horns. She held the earpiece to her ears, listening to songs. It wasn't up to two minutes when her mom tapped her lap, trying to get her attention.

     "Yeah?" Mia nodded.

     "Take off the earpiece." Karen said, slightly looking confused. 

    "What'd you say?" Mia took off the earpiece and turned to her mom.

      "Can you hear that?" Karen tried to listen to the voice.

     Mia frowned... "What?"

    "I thought I heard someone calling your name." Karen wasn't sure anymore.

    "My name?" Mia waited to hear it but she didn't. "I don't think so, it's probably something else you heard." Mia told her. As she was about placing the earpiece back into her ear, she heard her name and turned to Karen.

    "You heard it didn't you?" Karen said to her.

      Mia wasn't sure so she listened again and this time it got clearer.

. ... Mia Bernadette Simpsons!!! Mia! Mia I'm really sorry. Please don't leave, don't leave! Mia I'm begging you! Mia I love you so much, I love you universe!! Please don't go!...

     "Ryan?" Mia frowned at the thought of Ryan saying those things.

    "What? You think it's Ryan?" Karen asked her.

     "Yes." She kept hearing him, begging and pleading. "It's Ryan." He was the only person that called her universe. Mia's heart leaped. Ryan, Ryan was there. He came to stop her just like she'd watched in movies!! She was filled with joy and happiness but as she reached for the door, Karen stopped her.

      "What do you think you're doing? Where, do you think you're going?" Karen gave a disapproving sneer.

     "Mom! It's Ryan! Mom, Ryan came! He came for me!" She was so excited and she wasn't hiding it.

     "So what he came for you. We're leaving, he's too late." Karen said to her.

     "Mamà..." Mia frowned, feeling disappointed.

     "Mia we're going back to Italy. Your godfather is waiting for us, we have to leave." Karen said firmly.

     "Mamà I love him. I love him so much. And I want to be with him."

     She scoffed... "Enough! He has a girlfriend and you want to be a second. Do you want to stoop so low for a man who doesn't care about you? If he did, he would have done things the right way. Haven't you learned anything from your mistakes?" Karen snapped at her.

     "It's always about my past! I'm sick of you treating me like a child mamà! I can decide what's best for me, I'm not the little girl I was before. I can protect myself. I know I made some mistakes in the past, but mamà, don't you think it's you who hasn't moved on? I know what you had to do to shape me to what I am, mamà I'm all grown up now. I can decide what I want." Mia said to Karen.

     "You don't know anything. I'm protecting you."

     "From what?! Protecting me from what?"

      "Mia he's going to hurt you. If you go after him, he's going to hurt you. That's what I'm protecting you from, I don't want you getting hurt." Karen tried to reason with her. "All men are the same. They use you and leave you for dead, believe me."

     "Mom you don't even know him and you're judging him?"

  Karen scoffed... "I don't need to know him, clearly, his intentions are showing it. Mia listen to me, I'm your mother, he'll hurt you."

  "Then let him." Mia said squarely.

    "Can you hear yourself?!"

   "You watched Ares hurt me and yet did nothing." Mia glared at her mom.

      "Do not bring Ares into this." Karen warned her.

     "Of course!" She chuckled sarcastically. "He does no wrong in your eyes. You knew how much I despised that bastard, yet you pushed me to him. You're so blinded by your love for money that you can sell your own daughter." 

      "I am your mother!" Karen snapped angrily. "If you step out of this car, don't you dare come crying to me to clean up your mess." She said, keeping a stiff upper lip.

    "That would never happen." Mia said before reaching for the door. Mia stepped out of the car, searching for Ryan.
✴✴✴✴✴
     
     Ryan was losing hope. Had she left for the airport already? Had she boarded the plane back to Italy? He was panicking and was weary. He turned around and that's when he saw her, staring at him at a distance. He couldn't believe she was standing there! He didn't even know when tears streamed down his eyes, he was weak.

     Mia walked slowly towards him. When she was at a closer distance, she stopped, staring at the crying Ryan.

      "M-mia." His voice was so soft and fragile. When he tried going closer, Mia stepped back. "Universe, let's talk."

     "Talk about what? What are you even doing here?" She asked him, getting all teary.

     "You're my universe, you're my everything. I'll do whatever it takes to show you how much I love you. I love you so much, more than you can ever imagine. I can't go on living without you. Just give me one chance to show it to you." He said to her. He could even go on his knees if she told him to.

   "Ryan..." She wiped the tears trickling down her eyes.

    "Per favore resta. Non andare. Per favore, non andare." He said to her in Italian. (Please stay. Please don't go. Please stay.)

   Mia couldn't take it, seeing him so helpless broke her heart into pieces! She ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck while standing on her toes. Mia sobbed on him. 

    "Ti amor così tanto Mia." He professed his undying love for her, hugging her like he would never let go. (I love you so much Mia)

     "Anch'io ti amo Ryan. Ti amo anch'io." She said tearfully. (I love you too Ryan. I love you too.)

   Mia pulled away, staring into his brilliant blue eyes.

    "I love you." Ryan repeated.

   Mia broke into a grin and then she kissed him. Their lips danced together in a rhythm, in that moment, it felt like it was just them on earth. Them just having their moment.
...................................................................

    "Why don't you pick the call." Ryan told her as they drove on the highway.

     "It's my mom. I don't want to talk to her, not until the tension between us is calmer." Her mom had been calling her but she ignored it. "I don't know why she's so paranoid when it comes to you. She should understand that I'm all grown up now and I can decide what I want." She said to him.

     "I don't blame her, she's only looking out for you." He told her.

     "Yeah I know but when it comes to you, she doesn't even give a benefit of a doubt." Mia frowned. "Why can't she just be happy for me?"

     "Maybe you should give her a little more time, she'll eventually come around." He assured her. He knew her mom would never accept their relationship come rain or shine.

    "So where are we going?"

     Ryan chuckled.. "Wherever you wanna go. Where do you wanna go?" He asked, glancing at her.

      "Your place." Mia said to him.

    "My place?"

   "Yes. I want to talk to Layla. I know you said you've told her everything, but, I really want us to talk. I won't be at peace if I don't come out sincerely." She said to him.

    "Okay, I'll take you."  He said to her.

    They drove back to Ryan's mansion to see Layla.

       "Are you sure you still wanna do this?" He asked, walking into the house with his fingers interlocking hers.

     "We're here already are we not?" Mia smiled at him. 

   They entered into the house.

    "Wait over at the living room, I'll go get her." He said to her.

     "There's no need for that." Layla's voice echoed.

    They looked up at the stairs, it was Layla. She was walking down the stairs.

      "I see you came here... Together." Her eyes trailed off to Mia and Ryan's interlacing hands.

    "Layla, I was hoping we could talk for awhile. If that's okay with you." Mia said.

    "Alone?"

     "Yes. Just the two of us." Mia answered.

    Layla nodded... "Okay."

     "I'll be in the study, take all the time you need." Ryan said to Mia before excusing himself.

      Layla walked into the living room and Mia followed. "What do you want to talk about?" She turned to Mia.

     "I know Ryan has told you everything." Mia looked at Layla. "Layla, I'm really sorry. I know that you might hate me right now, it's okay. I deserve it. Maybe I'm not worthy to become your friend. It might seem hard to believe but I did everything to stay away from him because I knew it was wrong." She bit her lip. "I know it's possible that you might seem okay with everything going on but deep down, this is all hurting you. I never intended for this to happen, I'm really sorry. Go on, pull my hair out, hit me so hard, cuss at me, I know I deserve all of that."

     Layla moved closer to her... "You're right, I should probably do that. But I won't, I can't. Mia you make him happy, and honestly, I haven't seen the sparkle in his eyes which he has now in two years. He's genuinely happy." Layla smiled, placing her hand on Mia's arm. "You're kind and beautiful, it rather be you than anyone else. Tell me something, do you love him? Would you do anything for him? Would you make him happy? I just want to know if Ryan would be in safe hands."

        Mia smiled... "You have nothing to worry about, I love Ryan and I'm gonna make him happy."

      Layla chuckled... "Thank you so much."

     "What are you thanking me for? I should be the one thanking you. Layla thank you." She said, giving Layla a hug. 
✴✴✴✴
   
     "Layla thank you." Ryan hugged her.

     "Ryan that's enough. Stop thanking me okay?" She broke away from the hug. "There's one more thing. Ryan I'm leaving, leaving tomorrow."

    "Leaving to where?" He frowned.

    "I'll be going to Paris to meet my brother Liam, I won't be in America in a long time."

     "Layla I'm not kicking you out. You can stay as long as you want." Ryan told her. 

     Layla grinned... "I need a change of environment, it'll be quicker to move on and plan ahead."

     "There's always a place for you here, it's still your home. Come back whenever you want to, it's always gonna be opened to you." He said with all honesty.

     "Thank you." She hugged him again.
..................................................................

    "Layla's a rare soul. How could someone be so understanding? I mean, I'm not as understanding as her." Mia said to Ryan as they drove off.

     "I know right. She's one of the kindest and open-minded person I've met." He told her. "Where to next?" He asked with a wide smile.

     "I have no idea. Andrew texted me that my mom is that his place, waiting for me to show up. I'm not ready to meet her yet." Mia truthfully said.

     "I have a penthouse unit not too far from here we could stay there for the meantime if that's okay with you." He said to her.

     "Okay." She nodded.

    Arriving at the two bedroom penthouse unit, Mia couldn't have been more fascinated with the place. It was typical Ryan to make it expensive and elegant.

       "I'll cook for us, I'm starving." Mia said to him.

     "Okay." He placed a tender kiss on her lips. "I'll help you out."

     "No it's okay." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

    "Universe let me." He pulled her into a kiss.

            Mia gladly kissed him for some seconds before pulling away. "Okay."

    Ryan assisted her in the kitchen, they were making spaghetti bolognese. It took quite sometime to prepare because Ryan and Mia kept playing and making jokes. After they were done eating, they both did the dishes, then they both decided to take a bath. Ryan had a spare button-down for her to wear.

      In the master's bedroom, Mia straddled Ryan, wrapping her arms around his neck as they sat at edge of the bed.

     "I still can't believe you're here." Ryan said to her.

    "And I'm not going anywhere." She  pecked his lips.

      "I love you." He kissed her nose.

  "I love you too." Mia smiled. "I love your eyes, they're so beautiful. It's the first thing I fell for." She couldn't help but say. Mia kissed his lips softly, she inched away to stare at him for a while then inches forward again, raining kisses on his lips. "I want... I want you." She whispered against his lips seductively.

     {Song— Breathless by Shayne Ward}

      He pulled her away slightly. "Baby, I don't think it's the right time to—"

     She kissed him deeply... "It's okay." She said between the kiss. She kissed his temple, flicking her tongue against his ear. 

    "If we keep going I won't be able to stop myself." He warned her. 

     "Then don't." She brought her lips back to his.

    He groaned, picking her up, they switched position swiftly. Mia laid beneath him, wrapping her legs around his torso. He ravished her mouth with deep kisses, with his hands rubbing up and down her bare thighs. His lips slides down her neck, leaving her panting for air. Mia slided her hands into his soft golden brown hair, clutching it. Her ragged breathing heightened as he continued to explore her neck with his soft lips, Ryan nibbled on her neck which made her gasp and shiver in pleasure. He moved her hair away from her other shoulder and kept on assaulting it then his lips moved upwards, smashing into hers once again.
✴✴✴✴✴

     Mia laid on top of him and he clutched her to his chest, running his fingers up and down her back. Both of them laying beneath the sheet, naked, with their legs intertwined and Mia's arm drapped around his torso.

     "What's your favorite color?" Mia asked, enjoying the warm feeling of his body.

      "I don't have any favorite color. I just go with whatever fits at a particular moment." He said to her.

     "No way! That's what I say all the time!" Mia looked up at him in amusement.

     "I guess we're so much alike." He laughed.

     She replaced her head on his chest.  "Yeah. There are so many things you said that makes me feel like you're a better version of me."

      "Better?" He laughed heartily. "I'm not a better version of you baby."

    "You're very reserved. Why is that?" Mia asked him. "You don't mingle with people except your investors or business partners, you're not social, you don't make trouble although you look like trouble. You're extremely calm and quiet not... Shy." She said to him.

   Ryan laughed again... "Really?"

    "Tell me about your family. Your past. Everything. I want to get to know you better." She told him. "You know almost everything about me but I know nothing about you."

      Ryan kept quiet for a while before speaking. "I am an only child. My parents passed away when I was thirteen. My mom, she was murdered, stabbed three times in the chest."

      "Oh." Mia raised her head to look at him. "I'm really sorry to hear that." She said sadly.

     "It's fine. It's been years anyway." He told her.

     "Don't talk about it, let's not talk about it." She shook her head. "So tell me, were you this quiet and conservative during your teenagerhood?" She asked.

       Ryan laughed... "Quiet you say? I would be lying to you if I told you that. I was rebellious and carefree, I was an untamed tiger." He told her jokingly.  

    "I don't believe that! You?!" Mia laughed.

     "It's true. I just... I changed." He said quietly.

     "Why? What made you change?" She asked.

    "That's a story for another day baby." He leaned forward, giving her a light kiss on the lips. "I was thinking, now that everything's okay, why don't you move in with me." 

   Mia pulled back, his statement took her by surprise. "Move in?" She sat up, tugging on the sheets to her chest. "Isn't that too early?" She frowned at him.

      Ryan sat up and moved closer to her, allowing the sheet fall to his waist. "It was only a suggestion. You don't need to give a definite answer now, take your time." He said, leaning over and trailing kisses down her neck.

     "Ryan moving in with you is taking our relationship to another level, besides you and Layla only broke up. It would seem too soon. I don't think that's a good idea." She told him. "People would say it's inappropriate."

      "It's not their relationship universe. We're not doing anything wrong, you're my girlfriend now remember?" He said, crooning into her neck softly.

      "I know but—"

     "You don't need to say yes right away, I just want you to think about it. Okay?" He said, using a finger to turn her face to his.

     Mia nodded and Ryan pulled her in for a deep kiss.