Mia's POV
I had been feeling tense the whole afternoon. After lunch when Alex saw my necklace I could see he was upset even though he was trying to hide it.
I wanted to take off Ethan's necklace but I knew it would be too obvious if I did that. I wanted to explain to Alex why I wasn't wearing the necklace but if I did that I knew he would be so angry and I didn't want more problems between him and Ethan. I just did not want to make Ethan even more upset.
He's usually a sweet and caring guy but I think the treatment he's undergoing for his cancer can cause so many mood changes in him and make him irritable.
I sighed while looking at my computer screen.
Alex's voice startled me because I was distracted.
"Mia, I just got an e-mail about a deal that needs to be taken care off. It's in Rio de Janeiro, I know it's very last minute but I was just notified."
Rio? The mention of that place brought back so many flashbacks of our honeymoon. Things were just so different now.
"When would this trip be?" I asked uncertain mostly because I didn't think Ethan would be too happy with it.
"Tomorrow, I know it's very last minute but I really need you there. It's the deal with Ferreira and it will really propel Kingston corporation in the renewable energy area."
Tomorrow? That was definitely not enough to talk to Ethan about it. He would be so mad.
I was about to say no when I realized that this was not who I was. I am a strong, intelligent and independent woman who can make decisions for herself without being scared of a man. I should not be afraid of Ethan and I would not miss out on a great opportunity just because he would not like it.
"Yes, I can go. How many days?"
"We would leave tomorrow which is Tuesday and come back Friday."
"Okay, I'll be ready."
I walked out of the office feeling confident in myself. I would tell Ethan I would go only for a few days. There was no reason for him to be upset.
As I approached the house I could feel my confidence waning. My hands began to get a little sweaty but I kept repeating my mantra in my head: I'm strong and independent.
Ethan's POV
I can't understand what's taking Mia so long to get home. She's probably trying to flirt with Alex.
I could feel myself becoming more irritated. I could see that I was losing her to him. How dare she wear a necklace he gave her when she's mine.
I would keep her by any means necessary. Even if that meant faking having cancer again or keeping her by force.
I needed to get out of this house. I had been spending too much time at home lately since I didn't have a job because I was pretending to be sick.
"Ethan?" Mia called out as she opened the door.
I went out to meet her and smiled when I saw her wearing the necklace I gave her. She looked so beautiful in that white summer dress. Her long hair in curls framing her face.
I went up to her and kissed her somewhat possessively so she knew she belonged to me. She gave me a small smile. I could tell she was a little scared of me now because of the necklace incident. But at least this way I would make sure that she wouldn't leave even if it was only because of fear.
"I'll go ahead and make some dinner" she said as if trying to avoid being in the same room as me which annoyed me but I decided not to argue.
"Make chicken and rice" I said somewhat bossy.
She nodded and stepped into the kitchen. I walked behind her because I didn't want to be alone anymore. It had been one boring day today.
I could tell she was trying to make conversation so there would not be awkward silent.
"When are you going for treatment to the hospital? You haven't told me when your appointment is."
That was my perfect opportunity to leave for a few days without her questioning me.
"Yeah I forgot to tell you my mom and I are going to Latshaw Hospital tomorrow morning."
She looked at me with surprise, "isn't that 3 hours away?"
"Yes it is, I'll be staying there until Saturday because they're giving me new treatments and need to see how my body responds."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No. No that's fine I know you have work. My mother is coming with me."
She seemed a little relieved which I could not understand why. Maybe she is actually really afraid?
"What time will you leave tomorrow?"
"You know what? I think I'll probably leave tonight to my mom's place so that I don't have to drive even earlier in the morning."
She nodded quietly.
I actually wanted to leave tonight because I wanted to go out to drink or something. I had an extremely boring week at home and need some. I would just ask my mom if I could stay with her for a few days. I could come back Saturday or something to make it more believable that I was actually getting treatment. I don't want Mia to start questioning it.
Mia's POV
After Ethan left I felt relief surge through me. I would be able to go without even telling him. I felt bad for not saying anything but I didn't want to risk one of his anger episodes.
I quickly packed enough clothes and got ready to leave early in the morning. I was heading straight to the airport instead of the office tomorrow.
I closed my eyes and couldn't help all the flashbacks to our honeymoon. It had been a while since I fell asleep feeling this excited about something.
~~~
I had slightly overslept so I rushed through the airport doors to get to Alexander. When I got there slightly out of breath I could not help but be impressed by his looks. He was leaning against a wall looking relaxed but professional at the same time.
When he saw me his lips turned up into a smile.
"Good morning Mia" he said in his usual melodic voice.
"Good morning Alexander, I'm sorry I'm late."
"You're right on time, I own the plane remember?"
I laughed because I remembered the first time he said that to me.
The flight to Rio was uneventful. We were both working on the outline for the meeting we were heading to.
Once we landed I realized I never asked him where we'd be staying. As if on cue he said, "we're staying in a house that I own, I hope that's okay with you?"
To my surprise, it was the same house we'd had our honeymoon at. It was our house. He probably didn't know that but I did and the memories flooded my mind.
He showed me around the house briefly since I didn't have the courage to tell him this was our house. I didn't want to upset him by reminding him of something else his mind had lost.
"The meeting is Wednesday morning and Thursday morning, so I figured we could just enjoy the sun today?"
I kept comparing this time around here to the last time we were in this place. It was painful to think of how much had changed.
"Yeah that sounds good"
"Okay, I'll meet you out in a few minutes." He said it's a side smile. I could see he was excited to be here probably because he loved the beach.
I went to my room and changed into the bikini a widely packed. I let my hair down and put on my sunglasses.
I didn't realize that in his mind he had never seen me in a bikini before so when he was basically staring at me I grew self conscious.
"Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Uh sorry, uh I just... you're just so beautiful" he said.
That made my heart beat a little faster and I couldn't help the smile that escaped.
As if to change the topic he said, "come let me show you something I think you'll like."
I almost feel the electricity between us shock me when he placed his hand in mine as he tried to take me wherever he was heading.
He had never done something like this before but I was probably just over thinking everything.
I smiled widely as I followed him partly because I knew he was taking me to the overwater bungalow but mostly because my hand felt so protected in his.
"What do you think?" He asked like an excited kid.
"It's amazing" I said honestly while reminiscing of the times we spent here before.
We sat down to enjoy the sun and I was surprised when he asked, "do you mind putting sunscreen on my back?"
"Only if you'll return the favor" I said teasingly but more than happy to be able to touch his muscular back one more time. I ran my hands over his shoulder blades and began putting sunscreen on him. I didn't know if I imagined it but I swear I'd felt shudder under the soft touch of my fingertips.
The urge to kiss his shoulder blade was so strong but I knew it wouldn't be right so I held back. The anticipation of his strong hands on my back made me slightly nervous and slightly excited.
If he hadn't shuddered under my touch I knew I definitely shuddered under his. His expert fingers moving up and down my back deftly.
I couldn't understand how such a simple touch could make me feel all these emotions but even Ethan's passionate kisses made me feel next to nothing.
The rest of the afternoon was spent under the sun and in the water. I wanted to go back to the little meadow where we had had dinner every night we were here during our honeymoon but then I'd have to tell him I'd been her before.
Being the gentleman that he is he let me stay in the master bedroom which brought even more flashbacks of our first time making love. It almost felt like this was our honeymoon all over again but I knew the reality was much different.
Author's Note: ahhh literally so excited to have them be in their honeymoon destination all over again!! What do you think will happen?! Do you think Mia and Alex will be pushed closer together by this event? Next update coming soon!!!