Mia kept glancing at Ryan as they ate on the dining table, Ryan being Ryan had already noticed but decided not to say anything.

     "Universe, don't think I haven't noticed that you keep glancing at me. Is there something you wanna tell me?" He asked her sweetly.

     She shook her head.. "No."

    "Baby it's okay you can tell me." He smiled at her.

   Mia contemplated whether to tell him or not. The thing was he kept on calling her Soph when they were together.

     "There is one thing." She was gonna tell him. Every relationship is based on trust right? "You told me Soph was your first love right?" She started telling him.

     Ryan paused his eating an turned to her. "How'd you—"

     "I might not have forgotten everything you said to me at Seattle. Although vague, I remember you telling me that she was your first love and you got that tattoo on your chest for her."

    Ryan nodded slowly... "I didn't think you'd remember that."

     "I did." She licked her lips. "And also, Alex said something to me earlier. He said you lost someone dear to you, and he wasn't talking about your mom this time. I know he was talking about a certain girl, she was the reason you changed for the better and if I'm not mistaken, she's the one you called Soph, right?" It was easy to figure that out.

     "That was a long time ago." Ryan said to her. He wasn't comfortable talking about the topic with her. "There's no reason for you to bring it up."

    "Sure, I know that it's been a long time." She sighed.. "When we were together, you called me by her name. You called me Soph."

     Ryan frowned slightly, he was taken  by surprise. Did he really do that? Call her Soph? How could he be so stupid.

     "I-I I'm sorry." He said, convincingly sincere. "I didn't know. I'm so sorry sweetheart, I'm really sorry." He stood up, went to her back and hugged her from behind as she sat. "Believe me I didn't do it on purpose. I'm deeply sorry, please forgive me." He kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry."

   Mia gave a small smile. "It's okay." She held his hand which was wrapped over shoulders. "I just want you to open up to me. Every relationship is based on trust, I really hope you can trust me with all your emotions."

     Ryan nodded, giving her a lingering kiss on her cheek. "I know."

     "What happened to her? To Soph." Mia asked him.

      He sighed, squatting beside Mia. "Soph was in an accident and it was all my fault. I always blamed myself for her death because I could have saved her." He told her sadly.

      Mia placed her hands on his cheeks. "I'm really sorry my love, I shouldn't have asked you about it. There's so much pain in your eyes, I'm sorry." She leaned forward, slow kissing him. "I'm here to listen and I'm not going anywhere." She told him.
✴✴✴✴

     "I invited David over." Mia said to Andrew and Danny.

     They were all watching movies, eating caramel popcorn in Andrew's apartment.

      "How do you guys do it, no awkward moment. I mean, after everything that has happened these past few weeks, you two still seem cool with each other." Andrew told her.

      "David is my friend. It'll be a loss to me if our friendship got ruined because of my relationship with Ryan." She said. "How about you and Olivia? Don't lie to me, I saw her coming out from your apartment yesterday. Are you guys still hitting it?"

     "I already said it didn't I? Andrew here is a male slut, sleeping with both genders." Danny said to Mia.

      "I'm attracted to Olivia because she's fucking hot to look at and hot in bed. And Michael, I feel complete whenever I'm with him." Andrew told the girls.

      "Then accept the truth, you're bisexual. There is no need to argue since you can't choose." Danny rolled her eyes at him. "When you told me you were gay, I couldn't believe it! I kept asking myself how I didn't see it coming. It was so surprising."

       "Can you guys get off my case. And hey you, Danny, the only reason I told you is because I didn't always want to leave you out of our conversations and also maybe sometimes, you seem to have a good advice. That's all." Andrew told her.

     "At least someone noticed." She eyed Mia. "So tell us baby girl, how's Ryan? You seem to glow, what's the secret." She teased Mia. "And that stamped smile of yours, oh gosh I want to have it.

     "Oh stop it." Mia laughed... "Ryan and I are just... You know..." She shrugged happily... "Living the moment."

    "Come on, it's been more than three weeks already. There should be drama." Danny said to her.

      "Ryan's really doing his best to make our relationship grow, he takes me on dates almost everyday, he's always so sweet to get me flowers, he's always giving me morning and night kisses. What more could I possibly want?" Mia blushed.

       "Forgot to mention the regular sex escapades." Andrew smirked, wiggling his brows at Mia.

      "So no flaws? He's just a great guy, that's it?" Danny frowned.

     "What are you expecting? Her relationship to be as rugged as yours? You and Tyson act more like bickering animals than lovers." Andrew said to Danny.

     "Every relationship is like a rollercoaster, it has ups and downs. Everyday cannot be rosy." Danny told them.

      "I know that, but as long as you understand and love each other, that's enough." Mia smiled at her. Just then, there was a knock. "I think David just arrived." Mia got up from the couch to open the door.

      "Did I miss anything?" David asked, with a big smile.

     "Boy I'm glad you could make it." She hugged him. "Come on in!" She said, ushering him in.

     The afternoon with her friends went well and David decided to drop her off at the penthouse. 

      "Have you talked to your mom yet?" David asked as he drove.

   "I have a feeling she doesn't want to see me." Mia told him. "She hates Ryan and until she opens her heart to him, there is no reason to see her." Mia said to him.

     David nodded, glancing at her. "How are things with Ryan?"

    "Normal. We're both still getting to know ourselves."

    "I can see you're happy." He said to her.

      "I am." Mia smiled.

    "Mia, there's something you should know."

       "What is it?"

    "I'm heading to Monaco for a few days."

     "Really! You're finally going to see your family?!" Mia was truly happy for him. "That is wonderful! I'm really glad that you're taking that step David."

      "I wanted to ask you for a favour if it isn't too much."

      "I'm listening." She grinned.

     "Would you come with me?"

    "To Monaco?" She looked at him.

      "I need a supportive friend there with me." David said.

    Mia nodded slowly... "O-okay, but you see, I'll have to tell Ryan about it. You know how he is, he's a little protective. Don't you worry, I'll convince him to allow me go along with you." Mia assured him.

    David chuckled... "Why is he like that? If I wanted to steal you away from him, I would have done so."

  Mia glanced at David... "Let's talk about something else. About Monaco! Tell me all about it!" She changed the topic instantly.

      Mia got to the penthouse unit.

    "Bye. I'll call you." She gave David a friendly hug and kiss on the cheek before entering the unit. "Hey, you're back early." She saw Ryan walking into the living room.

      "I missed you." He said, swooping her in his firm arms. "My baby looks so gorgeous." He placed a gentle kiss on her nose.

     "Thank you." She chuckled.

     He kept her steady on the ground. "You hungry?"

      "No, I had a feast at Andrew's." Mia said, moving towards the room.

     "Was David there too? I see he dropped you off."

     "Mmhm." She nodded, untiying her wrap dress.

      "Did you invite him?" He questioned, following her into the room.

      "Yes I did." She took off her dress. "It's been a while since we spent time together."

      Ryan wrapped his arms around her bare body. "Did he say anything awkward?"

     She laughed... "Okay, why do you always ask that each time I tell you I went out with David."

               "He's in love with you remember?" He kissed her neck tenderly.

     Mia slipped out of Ryan's touch. "We're past that. What if I told you he and I are going on a trip to Monaco." Mia smiled, walking away to the bathroom.

     "Whoa whoa whoa, you're not going anywhere alone with David." Ryan said with a frown.

    Mia ran into the bathroom... "Thank you sweetheart! I'm going, I love you!" She slammed the door shut.

     "Baby... Baby... Are you listening to me? You're not leaving with David."

       Mia turned on the shower.   "Baby! Can't hear you!"

      "When you get out, we're gonna talk about it."

       "Baby there's nothing you can  do. David and I are going." She yelled out, chuckling to herself.

    He sighed defeated..... "But universe..."
..................................................................
 
     Two months later....

      Mia walked around the hall where the wedding party took place, she was on a spaghetti strap teal colored mermaid dress, her hair perfectly curled and drapped, falling on one shoulder with tiny hairclips decorating it. She looked so beautiful on her makeup, but of course she had to look beautiful since it was Danny's wedding and Mia was her maid-of-honor.

     "You're officially off the market." Andrew teased Danny.

      "Damn right I am." Danny laughed, adjusting her flawless looking white dress. "And I see you brought a woman." Danny smirked at him.

       "It's a public gathering, I had to bring Olivia." Andrew said.

      Mia smiled, walking towards them.

     "Here comes the most gorgeous maid of honor." Andrew let out a whistle.

     "How does it feel to be married?" Mia asked, grinning.

      "I must say it's an exhilarating feeling. Can you look at the ring." Danny flashed her ring at them.

     "It's so beautiful." Mia admired the  gold band on Danny's ring finger.

     "Thank you. So where's Ryan? I don't see him hovering around you like an eagle." Danny said to her.

     "Something came up at the office, he had to leave earlier." Mia said to her.

      "Is that so?" Danny scanned the hall and spotted Olivia. Olivia was dressed in a blue mini dress. "Would you look at that, that barbie seems to be flirting with all the men at my wedding." Danny stated, looking at Olivia who was talking to some guy. "Shouldn't you hold your lady Andrew?"

     "I wonder why she's still here. Ryan already left, isn't she his assistant?" Andrew asked, not necessarily looking for a reply.

      "That's true." Mia nodded slowly. "Maybe it wasn't all that important, I'll ask her." She said. She makes it halfway through the crowd when Julia calls her attention. "Julia." Mia halted, turning to Julia.

     "Mia there's someone looking for you." Julia said to her.

     "Oh."

          "He's outside, waiting for you." Julia said to her.

     "Who is he?"

    She shrugged... "I have no idea, but he's quite the catch." Julia winked.

   Mia chuckled... "Alright thank you." She nodded, watching Julia leave.

    Mia walked out of the hall to find the mysterious person looking for her. When she got outside, she searched but couldn't find anyone around. She turned her back to leave but she halted when she heard her name. 

    She turned to look at the person. It was no other than Ares. She was shocked to see him and watching him walk up to her made her confused.

    "Ares?" She thought her eyes were deceiving her.

    "In flesh pumpkin." He put on a corny smile.

    It took her a while to get over the shock of seeing him. "You're here. Wh-what are you doing here?" Mia asked filled with uncertainty.

      "Why?" He chuckled... "America is a free country." He still had his impeccable Italian accent.

      "You know that's not what I meant. I mean what are you doing here, standing here." She frowned at him.

      "Isn't it obvious." His lips curved into a smirk. "I came for you." He sighed, pulling his hands out of his pants pockets. "I've been watching you for a long time, by the way, you look beautiful."

      "Cut the chase, what do you want?"

      "Pumpkin relax, I'm not here to fight you. I'll make my intentions clear, I want you to come back to Italy so we can plan our future together." He smiled.

     Mia scoffed... "Why am I talking to you?" She tried to walk out but he gripped her arm.

      "This is your last chance, if you fuck this up, it'll be on you." He said to her. 

      "I have nothing to say to you." She said, looking him in the eyes.

   He chuckled, unhanding her.

     "Beautiful penthouse your boyfriend got, I must say he has a lovely taste mhmm?" He said, getting Mia's attention instantly. "If someone told me you'd be living with a man, I'd never have believed honestly. But you, you chose wisely." He shrugged. "Ryan Webster, CEO of Mi-tech empire, close to being youngest billionaire in the world, always top listed in the Forbes under thirty, he's so rich that he could buy my whole family's assets." He narrowed his eyes at her. "Is that why you chose him over me? Because he's rich? He's very powerful?"

     "I'd still choose the most wretched person in this world over you. What do you think of me, a gold digger? I'm not interested in Ryan's wealth. I love him for who he is and not what he has, you might be forgetting, I grew up in a decent family. I'm already used to the luxurious life. What Ryan's offering me is pure happiness and love, I'm content with that." Mia said to Ares coldly.

      "I'm offering you that too." Ares told her.

      "Look, whatever your reasons are for coming here I don't care. Just stay away from me and Ryan." Mia said to him finally, before turning away.

     "Seems like we're gonna be bumping into each other cos I'm here to stay for a very, very long time." He said loud enough for her to hear as she walked away.

    Mia walked back into the hall. She didn't know how she managed to keep her composure intact. She grabs a drink from the tray of the waiter and drinks all in one gulp to calm her nerves.
✴✴✴✴✴

      Mia and Ryan sat in the bathtub together, Mia leaning against his body while he wrapped his arms around her.

      "You've been awfully quiet since you got back from Danny's wedding, did something happen?" He asked her.

     "No, I'm just tired that's all." Mia said to him, relaxing to his touch. "By the way baby, why didn't Olivia follow you when you left?" Mia asked him.

       "It was something I had to do on my own." He said. "It's Sunday tomorrow, do you have plans?"

      "Not really. After church, was thinking about hanging out with David."

      Ryan heaved.... "Can I go with you?"

      Mia chuckled.... "Until when will you stop this insecurities?"

     "It's not insecurities. I just feel the need to protect you, keep you safe. You know what I mean?"

      "Baby you're overprotective of me. It's been two months already and we're still having this conversation. The last time, you paid someone to stalk David and I, that wasn't nice at all." Mia said to him.

      "I did not. I only asked him to watch over you." Ryan argued.

      "What are you so afraid of?" She sat up, turning to him. She straddled his lap, placing her hand on his chest. "You don't trust me?"

        "Trust you? I trust you with my life, my soul. I just wanna be with you all the time." He said to her.

      "Now that's another thing... You can't always be here Ryan. You call almost every minute, you always wanna be around me. And honestly, sometimes I find it suffocating." She said to him.

    He pulled her closer. "That's how I love baby." He kissed her hungrily. "I wanna suffocate you with all the love because you're mine." He groped her, caressing her body.

   Two months of togetherness had been filled with complete sincere love. They were happy, growing deeper in love everyday but that didn't mean they didn't have slight misunderstanding. Ryan was always possessive and overly protective of Mia that she couldn't go out freely without informing him, he was still feeling insecure about David that he always kept a watchful eye on them.

       Mia and Karen barely talk or see, they were distant although Mia wished they could settle their differences.