Chapter 6: Running Into Gavin on a Business Trip
Mia's POV
After breaking up with Gavin, aside from returning the ten million dollar transfer, we hadn't been in contact for several days.
Gone were the nights filled with alcohol, sweat, and primal desire.
I no longer had to try to guess whether his next mood would be good or bad.
I was gradually getting used to this peaceful life.
But this peace only existed during the day.
Whenever night fell and silence descended, I would still occasionally dream of Gavin.
I'd dream of those gray eyes that could see through everything, his hands gripping my waist as he fucked me ruthlessly.
Whenever this happened, I would wake up drenched in sweat.
Upon waking, I'd reach out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.
Only the wrinkled sheets reminded me that the intense sex was nothing but an illusory dream.
The emptiness would wash over me like a tide, drowning me.
I hated this feeling.
The day before my business trip, I returned to the apartment I rented with my mother.
It was a small apartment with only two rooms, but I kept it very clean.
Susan's condition remained the same.
Most of the time she was quiet, sitting by the window in a daze, and would stay like that for an entire afternoon.
But occasionally, she would have emotional breakdowns over very small things.
Like breaking a cup, or not being able to find her favorite old sweater.
I ate dinner with her. Her emotions were relatively stable today.
She looked at me, a rare hint of clarity in her clouded eyes.
"Mia, are you going on a business trip?"
I nodded. "Yes, Mom. I'll be back in about a week."
"Be careful out there. Protect yourself," she reached out her withered hand and grasped mine.
"Especially with men. Don't trust them easily."
My heart ached sharply.
I helped her sort her medication for the coming week into a small pill organizer by date, and after repeatedly reminding her to take her medicine on time, I finally left with my packed suitcase.
The next day, I boarded an international flight.
To maintain as much distance from Edward as possible, I deliberately booked him a first-class ticket while buying myself an economy seat.
The flight, which lasted more than ten hours, left me exhausted.
After the plane landed, I was still forced to share the same car with Edward.
His eyes roamed lecherously over my body, finally settling on my chest.
He spoke, his voice so greasy it made me nauseous.
"Mia, if we can complete this transaction, I'll definitely reward you properly."
I frowned, shrinking toward the car door, suppressing the nausea churning in my stomach as I forced a stiff smile.
After arriving at the hotel, I immediately went to my room, finally blocking his gaze behind the door.
Tonight, I would need to accompany him to dinner with a client.
I changed into a business suit.
When I left my room, Edward was very dissatisfied with my outfit.
"Mia, tonight's client is very important. You're dressed so conservatively, are you trying to deliberately dampen our client's mood? I'm giving you half an hour. Change into a dress and put on some makeup."
With no other choice, I had to return to my room and change into a tight black miniskirt.
We went to a top-tier business club.
Edward pushed open the door to a private dining room.
A mixture of expensive cigar smoke, red wine, and perfume hit me immediately.
I followed behind him as we walked in, and the first person I saw was Gavin.
He was lowering his head, flirting with a voluptuous beauty beside him, wearing that familiar playful smile I knew so well.
The woman giggled as she fed him a peeled grape.
I never imagined that the important client Edward was meeting tonight would be Gavin.
Could Edward be collaborating with one of Gavin's other companies?
While I was still in shock, Gavin looked up with a smile.
The moment he saw me, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly looked away, pretending not to see me.
He turned his head, grabbed his companion's chin, and kissed her right in front of me, his tongue exploring her mouth with wet, sticky sounds.
I nervously clutched my bag, my nails digging deep into my palm.
I hastily lowered my head and randomly found a seat as far from him as possible.
"Mia," Edward said with some displeasure, "come sit beside me."
I had no choice but to stand up and take the seat next to him.
Throughout the entire meal, Edward kept fawning over Gavin, toasting him and saying flattering things.
"Mr. Adams."
Edward said with a smile plastered across his face as he introduced me to Gavin.
"This is my assistant, Mia. She's very smart and capable."
Gavin's gaze fell on me.
After a moment, he chuckled at Edward.
"She's a pretty girl. Edward, you have good taste."
Seeing this, Edward immediately poured me a full glass of red wine and pushed it in front of me.
"Mia, what are you waiting for? Mr. Adams doesn't praise just anyone."
Just like that, under the guise of toasting, Edward forced me to drink quite a bit of wine.
Gavin simply watched as I was continuously plied with alcohol.
During a gap when Edward was pouring more wine, I looked over at him.
There was a hint of a smile on his face, but his eyes were ice cold.
After three years with him, I knew very well that this was his expression when he was angry.
As the main courses were served, the atmosphere in the private room gradually became more lively.
Everyone had been drinking.
Gradually, Edward began to get handsy with me.
His greasy, fat hand first casually rested on my shoulder, then slowly slid down to my lower back, kneading it with moderate pressure.
My entire body went rigid.
Instinctively, I turned to look at Gavin.
But he didn't care. He leisurely savored the red wine in his glass, just watching as Edward harassed me.
When Edward's hand grew bolder and was about to touch my bottom, I suddenly stood up.
My movement instantly drew everyone's attention at the table.
"Mia, what are you doing?!"
A flash of displeasure crossed Edward's face as he scolded in a low voice.
"Sit down!"
I ignored his command and forced a stiff smile at everyone.
"Sorry, I need to use the restroom."
With that, I hurried out of the room.
My alcohol tolerance wasn't very good, and the red wine I'd drunk that evening made me dizzy.
I rushed into the restroom and hunched over the toilet, vomiting out everything I'd eaten and drunk that night.
After throwing up, I felt somewhat better.
I stood up and walked to the sink to rinse my mouth.
The moment I looked up, I saw Gavin in the mirror behind me.
Bang.
The instant I noticed him, Gavin closed the restroom door and locked it.
My brain could barely process what was happening.
"Gavin, what do you want?"