CHAPTER TEN

Max and I were doing fine. He visited Mia from two to even three times a week. Sometimes he'd also spend a few nights at my apartment. Due to his frequent presence, Mia was being spoiled rotten by him. As soon as she spotted him I disappeared from her radar, her full attention focused on Max. Mia had turned 5 months old a few weeks ago. Mrs. Wilde had told me she wanted to see Mia whenever I allowed her. We [as in Max, Mrs. Wilde and I] took advantage of Mia's 5 months old anniversary and gathered together to have lunch. I expected the meal to be awkward and uncomfortable but it ended up being the opposite. The chat between us being comfortable. It took a while for Mia to be comfortable with Mrs. Wilde due to her lack of presence on Mia's life. After a few tries, she was able to gain Mia's trust.

Tonight Max and I were attending an event. It was private, meaning media and paparazzi weren't allow inside unless you were a hired photographer for the event. The purpose of the gathering was for well-known companies to discuss their soon-to-be launched projects, how their previous creations had been successful, how well they've done and their improvement in the market. I was representing Kerrington Enterprises with Braden, Mr. and Mrs. Kerrington and Caroline, who were there to support her husband/father and son/brother. Max was representing his company - Wilde Productions - with a few colleagues and employees.

For tonight, I was wearing a one shoulder mid-thigh length purple dress with gold heels. My hair was curled and brushed to the side over my shoulder. My make-up was kept simple and natural-looking with only mascara, blush and pink lipstick to emphasize my full lips.

As I arrived to the building where the event was taking place, I was bombarded with flashes from the cameras of the media and paparazzi waiting outside. I exited my car - stepping carefully as the flashes blinded me - at the entrance and handed the keys to one of valets who would park it in a parking lot reserved for those attending. I had to spot Braden, his sister and his parents before stepping into the red carpet since we were representing the company together. As I entered the building, I instantly saw them gathered in a far corner. I greeted them after my approach.

Both men were wearing black suits with a white shirt. Mrs. Kerrington was wearing a soft green long dress with her hair pinned up in an elegant way. As soon as we were ready we entered the red carpet. Braden and I were between his parents and Caroline. Mr. Kerrington's hand placed in my back while Mrs. Kerrington's was placed in Braden's. Mr. Kerrington was assailed with questions about our new unreleased project with another company. He replied to a few of them with teasing answers, leaving the media allowed in the carpet to be more intrigued than before which I was completely positive was Mr. Kerrington's initial purpose.

After the red carpet, I joined Braden and a couple of his friends in a chat. As I talked, listened and laughed with the group of chatter, I spotted Max. I hadn't seen him yet until now. He was wearing a grey suit with a white shirt and well-polished black shoes. His blue gaze met mine. A grin was plastered on his face, indicating me to come over him. I grinned back and excused myself from the conversation.

"Excuse me, gentlemen. I'll be back in a second" I said, waking towards Max.

As soon as I was close enough, Max thrusted me into his chest, still grinning.

"Well, hello"

"Hey" I replied as he leaned in to kiss me.

After a few seconds, I pulled back from him, trying create a decent distant between us only to find myself pulled into his chest again. I didn't feel comfortable displaying public affection in such a formal and professional event plus Max and I hadn't revealed our status to anyone who didn't have to know. If any of the hired photographers caught us kissing and sold the pictures to the media, by tomorrow morning we would be front page on every gossip site. I hated displaying my private life - especially love life - to the public.

"How are you?"

"I'm good, thanks. You?"

"Good. Mia?" Every time we spoke and Mia wasn't with me, he made sure he'd ask for her at least once during the conversation. I found it very thoughtful of him to do so.

"She's good. She's at home with Mum"

"Can I come home with you tonight?" He whispered before leaning in for another kiss.

"Maybe, we'll see" I spoke against his lips, teasing him knowing how badly he wanted yes or no as the answer - mostly yes, of course.

"You look beautiful, by the way" He complemented.

"Are you actually complementing me or are you trying to coerce me into agreeing to let you come home with me tonight?" I joked, trying to hold in my laugh

"I was complementing but if it helps my chances of coming home with you tonight then both" This time I couldn't hold in and laughed at his try.

"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself, either"

Throughout our conversation, I escaped Max's embrace slowly. As Max spoke and I took a sip from my glass of champagne, I noticed a tall, slim woman with black hair approach Max from behind.

"Max!" She said, hugging him and interrupting our conversation. She was wearing a navy blue short dress with grey heels. Her amber eyes were surrounded by make-up in a smokey eye look.

"Hi" Max replied, pulling back. I waited for him to introduce either of us to one another. The woman moved beside Max as she eyed me. "Ava, this is my friend Ella Daniels. Ella, this is my colleague Ava Ford." I was glad he had introduced me as a friend and not as anything more intimate. Like I said before, I didn't want anyone - who didn't need to know - about me giving Max a chance.

"Nice to meet you" I smiled, extending my hand.

"Nice to meet you, too" She shook my hand, later placing in Max's chest as she leaned in to whisper something against his ear. Her actions indicated how she was taking some sort of claim over him, it was no secret she was attracted to him. However, Max was being or acting oblivious to all of this.

"So how did you two meet?" She asked, breaking the silence.

"We..." I paused, looking at Max before continuing "We met during college"

We kept a conversation for a few minutes until I excused myself, unable to keep watching them. I wouldn't deny that the reason why I left was jealousy and anger. I couldn't bear watching her feel him up while he did absolutely nothing to stop her or put distance between them.

I kept my mind off of Max as the owners and employees representing certain companies started speaking. Braden, Mr. Kerrington and I took the microphone and spoke about Kerrington Enterprises and our projects. Max, Ava and a few other people I didn't recognize spoke about Wilde Productions. After every company spoke, I joined Braden and his group of friends again.

After a while, I prepared myself to say goodbye noticing it was almost midnight and Mum had to drive back home plus I was already tired and wanted to hit my bed.

I said goodbye to Caroline and Mr. and Mrs. Kerrington before saying goodnight to Braden and his friends.

"Goodnight. It was nice to meet you all" I said, as I hugged them.

"Hopefully, we will see again soon" Derek, one of Braden's friends, said. I nodded, agreeing with him. They were really nice and respectful. I would love to join their group any time.

"Goodnight Braden." I hugged him before adding "Don't be a stranger" He barely visited the offices of his father's company these days.

"Won't be"

I didn't see Max as I exited the building and headed to one of the valets to ask for my car. After it was retrieved from the parking lot and handed to me, I thanked and tipped the guy before heading home.

***

As I opened the front door of my apartment, I spotted Mum laying down in the living room couch watching TV.

"Hey," I said throwing my keys, purse and phone on the kitchen counter. "Sorry I came so late"

"No worries, darling" She replied, sitting up. "How was it?"

"It was good, I'm completely tired though" I yawned, sitting on a chair across from her and removing my heels.

"If so, I should start heading home then" She got up, collecting her things.

"It's too late for you to drive, Mum. You should spend the night here" I suggested, it worried me endlessly for her to be behind the wheel at this time of the night.

"It's okay, Ella May. Anyways your father is home alone, waiting for me" She said, walking to the front door.

"Fine. But as soon as you get there, text me letting me know you arrived safely." I sighed, knowing I couldn't convince her once she made up her mind.

"Will do. Goodnight darling" She hugged me.

"Goodnight Mum. Thank you" I said as she exited my apartment and I closed the door.

As I headed to my room, my phone chirped, declaring a new text message. I took it from the counter and opened the newly, arrived text on my way back to my room.

Max Wilde: Event's over. Where are you?

I was still angry at him for his behavior towards Ava and her wandering hands as I replied.

Home.

Max tried to call me seconds later after my text was sent and received. I rejected the incoming call and got comfortable and ready for bed. When I exited the bathroom, I found my phone announcing 3 missed calls and 1 new text message. I didn't bother opening nor replying to it, deciding this would be his punishment. If this was the change he said he'd made then I was ready to cut up the ties as soon as possible before I got in too deep to end up hurting again. I could have cried for him the first time but it wouldn't be happening a second time. The defenses I had let down were instantly up again after tonight's incidents. This was a game I was not willing to play again. I didn't want to be naïve but for a moment I really did think he had changed. Right now, I felt like we had taken a few steps forward only to go back to square one.

Maybe we were made to be only a young college couple. Maybe we weren't made to be together after college. I didn't want to fight with him but I had to protect myself and Mia. Sometimes, I wonder if it was karma hitting me with Max for something bad I did in the past to be deserving this. But I believed in fate and if we weren't meant to be together then so be it. We would work things out with his role in Mia's life. However, I refused to ever let myself do that whenever I saw him again, because no matter about my believe in fate, karma, the protection of Mia's and my feelings or anything else I still wanted to keep working things out with him. Because I still had feelings for him, feelings I had tried to escape for a year.