Chapter 143: Are You Planning to Divorce Me?
Mia was dedicated and hardworking. During her three-month probation period, she became a full-time employee after just one month.
Once her work was on track, Mia learned that Benjamin planned to expand into overseas markets, mainly focusing on Valeria.
Her foreign language skills were good, but she knew nothing about Valerian.
To become irreplaceable, she had to work hard to improve herself and gain an edge.
During this time, working overtime became her norm.
After finishing her work, Mia started looking for language classes online.
While she was browsing, someone knocked on her desk.
Mia looked up and saw Benjamin. She immediately stood up respectfully, "Mr. White."
Benjamin placed a business card on her desk, "This one's pretty good."
"Thank you."
Mia picked it up. It was from a well-regarded language learning institute.
"Head home early. Your health comes first."
Mia's performance had somewhat surprised Benjamin. He hadn't expected her to be so hardworking.
He really appreciated people who were both talented and diligent.
"Okay."
She nodded. Benjamin had wanted to offer her a ride, but the words caught in his throat, and he swallowed them back and left.
Mia held the card and searched for it online, then looked at the tuition fees.
She had used her first month's salary to pay Benjamin back, and what was left wasn't much—just enough to cover daily expenses.
She had even postponed treating him to dinner.
She needed to find a part-time job that wouldn't interfere with her work.
As she was searching online, her phone suddenly rang.
Mia picked it up and saw a WhatsApp message from Benjamin: "A friend of mine owns a bar and needs a resident singer from 8 to 10 PM. Want to give it a try?"
She loved singing. Though not a professional, she had a nice voice and had taken special training.
"Yes!"
Mia replied excitedly.
After replying, she realized that Benjamin must have seen her searching for jobs when he left.
"I'm downstairs. I'll take you to the interview now."
After Mia replied okay, she shut down her computer, went downstairs, and got into Benjamin's car.
As the car left the company, Mia belatedly realized, "Mr. White, doesn't the company not allow part-time jobs?"
"It's after work hours now."
Benjamin kept his eyes straight ahead, speaking matter-of-factly.
"What?"
Mia didn't catch on.
When Benjamin stopped at a red light, he glanced at Mia, "Mr. White indeed doesn't allow it, but Benjamin doesn't mind."
"Don't worry, I won't tell on you to Mr. White."
"Benjamin, thank you."
Thank you for always helping her in such a comfortable way when she needed it.
"Whether you get the job still depends on you."
He had only sent her the message because he saw her browsing for bar singer positions when he left.
"Please tell Mr. White that I'll work hard and definitely won't let him down."
"Mr. White says he believes in you. You can definitely do it."
He believes in you.
These words gently touched her heart.
"Thank you!"
Mia's eyes reddened slightly, and she quickly turned her head to look out the window.
Those words of belief really meant a lot to her.
Benjamin wanted to say that friends didn't need to be so formal, but seeing Mia turn away to look out the window, he swallowed the words back.
……
At the bar, Benjamin sat below, watching Mia singing on a high stool.
She sat quietly. This was already her third day singing at the bar.
This bar had many female customers. After work, they'd come to drink and unwind.
Mia liked singing sad love songs. Her voice was very moving, easily drawing people in.
Listening to someone else's songs while crying their own tears.
The audience below often had red-rimmed eyes, but she herself, apart from the sadness in her voice, had completely dry eyes.
After three consecutive nights of coming home late, James had gone to pick her up at the company last night but found no one.
Tonight, he went to her company early and learned she was at the bar in the evenings.
Just as Mia was about to go on stage, James grabbed her wrist and dragged her into a private room.
"Mia, are you crazy? What kind of place is a bar? Instead of going home after work, you come here?"
Mia's face turned cold, and she forcefully shook off James's hand, "This is my job! You have no right to interfere! What, are you planning to divorce me now?"
"What kind of job is this?"
James blurted out, seeing Mia's face grow even colder.
He knew that in his anger, he'd said the wrong thing again!
It wasn't that he didn't want to talk to her nicely, but she simply wouldn't give him the chance.
Apart from physical intimacy, she wouldn't even give him a proper look!
He softened his tone, "Mia, if you want a part-time job, I can arrange something for you..."
Something easier and more comfortable.
"James, don't go too far!"
She gave him back the words she'd once said to Amelia.
After speaking, she shook off his hand, turned, and walked out.
He was the one who used money to trap her.
And now he wanted to help her?
Wasn't that ridiculous?
James watched helplessly as she walked out of the private room. He couldn't bear to see her work so hard, but he couldn't bring himself to say she didn't need to pay him back.
Once he said it, she would definitely divorce him immediately.
He left the private room and sat below, watching Mia singing above.
James's eyes reddened as he tilted his head back and drained his glass.
How could he not hear the sadness in her voice, and the powerlessness of wanting to break free but being unable to?
And also, a trace of hope against hope, a little bit of expectation, wanting to let him know how much she wanted him to let go, to give her a way out.
He understood it, and he felt it.
But to let her go—how could he bear to?
Sitting on the high stool, Mia finished a song. From the corner of her eye, she glanced at James hidden in the shadows. She shouldn't have had any expectations.
The light in her eyes grew dimmer and dimmer.
Night fell silent.
James finished his work and came out of the study around midnight.
Passing by the guest room, he saw through the crack in the door that her light was still on.
He wanted to knock and remind her to sleep early, but afraid of waking her if she was already asleep, he opened the door himself.
She really was asleep.
Not on the bed, but on the window seat.
He walked over quietly, about to bend down and carry her to bed, when he saw the materials in front of her.
She was learning Valerian?
James's gaze returned to her face, watching her become more and more independent, moving forward with a plan.
He had a feeling she was getting further and further away from him.
Every time he saw her walking away, he wanted to chase after her, but the more he chased, the further she went.
Looking at her increasingly thin frame, his eyes held only heartache.
He couldn't help but lower his head, wanting to kiss her.
But before his lips could touch hers, Mia suddenly opened her eyes.
Her expression was cold, her face blank as she pushed him away, "I'm very tired. I don't have the energy to fulfill my obligations tonight."
"I'm not asking you to fulfill obligations."
James looked at Mia's icy face, feeling increasingly powerless.
What should he do with her?
"James, I've told you before, we don't need this kind of warmth between us."
If he wasn't here to make her fulfill her obligations, what was he doing in her room?
"Get out. I need to rest."
Under her cold stare, James turned and left.
Mia tidied up briefly, pulled back the covers, got into bed, and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
……
On the last day of the work week, all her colleagues had left.
Mia was the last to leave again.
She left the company and walked toward the subway station. Benjamin's car pulled up beside her. He rolled down the window and said to her, "Are you free on Saturday?"