Hidden Flash Marriage: Love Me Back, Mr CEO

Was this really the guy she had been in love with all her life? Really?

How absurd. And sad.

Mia neither turned around, nor did she say anything in response to Max. She simply walked away like she had intended to, leaving Max standing all by himself in an awkward posture.

Max felt a dull pain surge in his heart as he watched the girl’s retreating figure. Once upon a time, he loved her with all of his might. But as time went on, he realized he didn’t love her as much… and he loved Martha more than he loved Mia. He had to follow where his heart led him.

But what was this pain he was currently feeling? Well, it had to be that he was simply being concerned about Mia, as a friend. Yeah. That was it, friendship feelings.

***

Mia walked into her classroom with a heavy load on her chest. Max was the least person she ever expected to hear those hurtful words from. And he even made her recall yesterday’s sad event. Sigh.

Well, even her own father didn’t believe her…

Despondently, she removed her bag from her back and took her seat.

As she was lost, deep in thought, she didn’t notice the boy beside her watching her with keen eyes.

Alex pouted his mouth. These past few days, this girl who had always been jolly had changed completely, into a sad girl.

Summoning up courage, “Hello, Mia.”

He beamed a bright set of teeth at her, his cheeks dimpling.

Mia turned to look beside her and that was when she noticed her seat partner.

“Huh, Alex. Good morning.” She forced out a small smile.

“Hum… Are you okay?” He had also listened to the voice note that was sent to the group chat.

He noticed how the students had been treating her these past couple of days.

But personally, Max didn’t believe the recording. What if it was fake?

Absolutely everyone in school knew Max and Mia were a couple, so where did that news suddenly pop out from?

Must be hard for her.

Alex also watched the clip from the alley… He had been so pained and angry when he watched as she got beaten up. He was in pain because he could feel her pain. Angry, because there was nothing he could do to help her.

Instead, yesterday, he had brought some medicine to school to give to her. But when he saw her looking perfectly fine, he had hid the medicine away in his bag and kept quiet.

Mia shrugged her shoulders. “I’m okay. What about you?”

She felt somewhat guilty towards her seat partner. He was always asking after her health… and looking out for her too. But she never reciprocated by doing the same for him too.

Alex nodded his head, “I’m good too.”

He stared directly into Mia’s honey-brown eyes and said, “if you’re going through anything-anything at all-that you’d like to share, I’m here.”

The corners of Mia’s mouth curled up into a cute thankful smile. She nodded her head.

The girl had absolutely no idea that the boy’s words held a hidden meaning to it.

Alex smiled back at her and they both got ready for the day.

***

During break time, Vivian went in search for her sister and they both sat down together in the cafeteria for lunch.

“Mia, are you okay?” Vivian eyed her sister through the corner of her eye as they ate.

The girl’s cheek was still a bit swollen from yesterday’s slap.

Mia chuckled softly. Why was everyone asking her this question?

She nodded her head in response, anyway: “yeah.”

Her sister heaved a weary sigh and said, “I’m so sorry… I’ve spoken to mum-she’ll speak to dad…”

But the two sisters knew Barbara wouldn’t talk to Arnold about the issue, since it had to do with her stepdaughter. If anything at all, she’d even add more fuel to the already flaming fire.

“It’s fine. I’m fine, really.” Mia was used to this kind of life anyway.

“If you need anything, I’m here for you, okay?” Vivian placed her hand on her chest as she spoke solemnly.

Her face was filled with pure concern.

“Okay.” Mia smiled, even though she knew she wouldn’t bother her sister for anything.

As they resumed eating, Vivian eyed her sister skeptically. Had the girl truly found herself a rich older guy?

But Mia wasn’t someone like that.

Then, how come she moved out of the dormitory? Where could she possibly be staying???

Or did she find herself a sleep-in job?

Vivian pondered for a while…

Their school fees would soon be due and it wasn’t a small amount of money. How would Mia be able to pay without their father’s support?

Even if the girl had found herself ten part time jobs, she still wouldn’t be able to pay her tuition herself.

Would she drop out of school?

Vivian heaved a weary sigh as she pushed her thoughts away. She needed to find a way to appease their father and get the man to reconsider Mia.

Right at this moment, her phone that was lying on the table dinged. She quickly dropped the fork in her hand and picked the phone up from the table.

Her face lit up all of a sudden when she saw a notification. The love of her life had posted a new update on his social media account.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

All her life, Vivian had been studying and working hard. Just for one thing. Just so she could meet up and be on the same level as the man of her dreams by the time she graduated from high school.

The man of her dreams.

Yesterday, when she and her mother went upstairs, they had a discussion about him.

FLASHBACK:

“You need to stop feeling pity for that stupid girl!” Barbara hissed as she dragged her daughter into her room.

She sat on the bed and pulled Vivian down to sit beside her.

“But she’s my sister.” Vivian protested grumpily.

“Shut up. You only need to focus on one thing-only one thing-and that’s securing the position of the madam of Beats Corporations.”

It wasn’t until this moment that Vivian’s countenance changed. She beamed with smiles, grinning from ear to ear.

Although her mother was only concerned about her becoming the first lady of Beats, of course, for the affluence and riches that came with it; she, Vivian, was more concerned about something else.

All her life, right from childhood days, she had been in love with the formidable Shawn Mandez.

Ever since he saved her life several years ago, she had always daydreamed about spending the rest of her life with him. Every blessed day.

She was deeply in love with that man despite knowing that she was far below his standard. But she was hopeful. One day, her dreams would come through. One day, she’d become Mrs Shawn Mandez.