Mia glanced over at her clock and knew she couldn’t avoid the inevitable. Monday morning came too fast, and now she had to get ready to head to the main house, spend the entire day with Olivia and pretend she wasn’t hiding two major secrets from this woman.
As she made her way to her adjoining bath, Mia figured she deserved the good pity party she’d thrown for herself all weekend, but now it was time to take charge and stand strong. This was her life, she was bringing a baby into it and she needed to have a firm, solid foundation for them both to stand on.
Once Mia was ready, both with her appearance and mind-set, she headed to the main house where she would work just as she did any other day.
Should she mention the pregnancy?
From a boss/employee standpoint, absolutely. But this was Bronson’s mother, which forced the situation into personal territory. She honestly didn’t know how to handle this delicate matter.
She and Bronson needed to have an adult conversation that didn’t involve accusations and other harmful words in order to head in the right direction for this baby.
A wave of giddiness overwhelmed her as she followed the wide, palm-lined sidewalk to the patio doors of Olivia’s office. For once in her life, Mia had someone to focus on other than herself. The thought both thrilled and terrified her. She didn’t have the best examples of parenting growing up and she’d never been around babies, but she knew, without a doubt, that this baby would never, ever wonder if it was loved.
Love. Isn’t that all anybody ever wanted? To be loved, unconditionally, just for who they are and not for their accomplishments or what they could give in return.
One day, Mia vowed, she would find that love.
“Ah, there’s my beautiful assistant.” Olivia poured herself a small glass of juice from the tray the cook provided every morning with fresh juices and fruit. “Care for something?”
Mia shook her head. Thanks to the crackers by her bed, she’d been able to make it here. No way was she going to jinx her good luck with anything else.
“I’m fine right now. Thanks.”
Mia started to leave the office and head to her own when Olivia stopped her. “Is something wrong, dear?”
Cringing at the guilt that consumed her, Mia smiled. “Didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll perk up in a bit.”
With a smile on her nearly wrinkle-free face, Olivia nodded. “As long as you’re feeling better. Did you just have a twenty-four-hour bug?”
More like the nine-month kind.
Mia shrugged, unable to think of a way not to lie, but not to reveal the truth, either. “I’m just glad I’m able to come in today. Working from home isn’t the same. I feel more productive in my office here. I did manage to complete your itinerary for the next two months and we can go over it just as soon as I get my computer booted up and check for an email confirmation for one more interview.”
Fleeing before she had to stay in the same room with the woman who was her baby’s grandmother, Mia went straight to her spacious office overlooking the Olympic-size pool.
The more time she could spend in here, alone, the better. Once she and Bronson had a plan, then she wouldn’t feel so jittery around Olivia.
Mia sat down and turned on her computer. On a sigh she glanced at the gold-framed photograph hanging above the chaise at the other end of her office. The timeless portrait had been made into posters and paintings for decades. A young, smiling Olivia with her glossy, dark, upswept hair and body-hugging gold dress as she posed with her first Oscar … which, according to the time line Mia now knew about, was almost two years after giving up Anthony in a secret, well-paid adoption.
Mia looked at this picture in a whole new light now. A hand slid around to her flat abdomen as she thought of the fear and worry Olivia must’ve experienced. Mia couldn’t even imagine giving up a child, but she knew Olivia must’ve had her reasons. What had changed in Olivia’s life from that adoption to four years later when she’d given birth to Bronson?
All Mia knew was Bronson and Victoria’s father had been Olivia’s one and only husband. Perhaps her career and relationship status combined, forced her into giving up Anthony.
Mia couldn’t help but wonder how Olivia had felt the second time she gave birth to a son. Having Bronson probably brought bittersweet memories.
Mia’s thoughts always drifted back to Bronson and that night in Cannes when he’d entered her suite. She should’ve told him no, considering what she knew regarding Anthony, but how could she when his mouth had taken over and his hands had started their journey up her dress?
Sometimes she thought of that night and it moved through her mind in a haze of slow motion, almost as if it was a dream. Making love all night. The soft, heated whispers in the dark. The kisses. Ah, the kisses had rendered her speechless. The man had captivated her.
They had an amazing night of sex with no promises and in the final days of the festival, they’d appeared together for the cameras. Simple, no complications.
And now she was pregnant. So much for keeping it simple.
She wished more than anything that she could keep her personal feelings out of this, but she couldn’t. Even though Bronson had said some hurtful things to her, she was still every bit as attracted to him as she’d been in Cannes. Perhaps if she could get that night out of her head, she’d be better off.
Except that’s all that consumed her thoughts. Her days, her nights. Bronson Dane and his smooth touches, his Prince Charming–like qualities.
“Mia, darling.”
Olivia’s buttery-smooth voice drifting from across the grand mahogany desk pulled her from the memories of Cannes back to the fact that her lover’s mother stood across from her.
“You’ve been staring at the screen for two minutes, and I said your name twice.” Olivia smiled, crossed her arms over her ivory pants suit and tilted her head. “Would you like to talk about whatever it is that has your mind elsewhere?”
Mia closed her eyes, wishing Bronson would stay out of her head so she could work. “I’m sorry, Olivia.”
The Grand Dane slid off her diamond-studded reading glasses and smiled. “My dear, you have nothing to be sorry about. Now, let’s talk. What’s bothering you, darling?”
Mia sighed, acknowledging that this woman was relentless in getting what she wanted. She’d given birth to three very successful children, raised two and didn’t get to the top of her game by not reading other people.
Mia could talk about some things, but not the main thing.
How did she start?
“You think I don’t recognize the signs?”
Mia froze. “Olivia—”
The starlet smiled. “I know when a woman is infatuated with a man. Especially when that man is my son.”
Mia breathed a sigh of relief and came to her feet. “I’m not infatuated with Bronson. I’m just …” Having his baby.
“Mia, honey, I know you don’t have people in your life. I know you grew up under extreme circumstances, which makes me all the more proud of how you’ve excelled.” Olivia rested her hands, palms down, on the glossy desktop. “I was young once and I know all about matters of the heart. So, believe me when I say I’ve been where you are.”
If only she knew how true that statement was.
Olivia had been where Mia was now. Pregnant, unwed, in a very promising career. God, how Mia wished this weren’t Bronson’s mother. She’d love nothing more than to confide in Olivia, to seek advice from someone who’d been in her shoes.
Mia