"Shit!" She cursed before answering.
"Mia! Where the heck are you?!" She yelled causing Mia to immediately remove the phone from her ears.
"H…Hospital." She stammered.
"Why? Where you involved in an accident or something?"
"Yeah, just a mild concussion and—"
"Can you walk on both legs?" Mia was puzzled at the question but then she replied.
"Yes I can."
"Then get your ass down here, ASAP!"
"Ma'am I haven't even—"
"I don't care! If you don't want to get fired Mr. Fisher, then get down to this hotel this minute!"
"I'm on my way." She replied then quickly hung up before she had a chance to say anything else.
---
"…December's in three days Noel, and you still haven't told me what you want for Christmas." Ethan told Noel during their usual evening chit chat.
"By now your Christmas list would have been ready, what's wrong this year?" He added,
"…Nothing." He mumbled as he fiddled his fingers through his dad's laps.
"I haven't thought about it yet. That's it." He added calmly.
"Are you sure? You seem like something's bothering you. Are you okay Son?" Ethan questioned with concern.
"You know I'd do anything for you, anything. All you have to do is ask." he added.
Reluctantly, Noel spoke.
"…I want you to be there for the school's talent hunt competition. I want you to see me perform—"
"Oh c'mon, I thought we talked about this, I'm going on a business trip—"
"But you'll be back home on that—"
"Yes, I'll be back home on that day, but it still won't be in time to see you perform. That's why Mrs Pena will go with you."
"No!" He objected.
"And why's that?"
"....Mrs Pena's old, and she won't let me do stuff." He mumbled sweetly.
Ethan smirked,
"…And I let you do stuff?"
Noel nodded with a small pout.
"So who's going to go with you then?" He asked in frustration. Noel thought for a while then said.
"....Mm…" He thought for a while,
"How about Miss Anderson?" He grinned,
"Huh? As in the one from the hospital?!"
Noel nodded, hoping his father would approve.
"No way! There's no way I'm putting you in the care of that clumsy little thing—"
"But she saved my life!" He retorted.
"And we already thanked her enough, no need for further invitations or friendly gestures—"
"Then who's—"
"Stop interrupting me young man—"
"But…"
Ethan let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed his temple.
"Go to your room now Noel."
"....Daddy."
"Please don't make me repeat myself." He gently added.
"You just don't get it!" He cried as he walked back to his room.
The following evening, Ethan got back from work late and as usual, he enquired of his son's general well-being.
Surprisingly, all the reports today we're negative.
"He threw a tantrum when Miss Lily asked him to perform.
"He refused to see the tutors when they arrived.
He rejected how supplements, lunch and dinner. Said he was going on a hunger strike till you give him what he wants." Mrs Pena reported.
Ethan nearly choked on the glass of water he was drinking.
"S…Sir, are you okay?" Mrs Pena questioned as he coughed.
He nodded as he handed her the glass of water.
"Send for my secretary immediately."
"Yes sir."
"Said he was going on a hunger strike till you give him what he wants." Her words echoed.
"Noel William Regal! You will not be the death of me!"
Just then, his secretary walked in and greeted.
"....Yes thank you George, I have a small task for you. I need you to…"
---
"Mr. Fisher, you sent for me." Mia said as she knocked on the door and walked in.
"Yes I did, please take a seat." he said cheerfully which made Mia confused, if there was one thing she knew, Mr. Fisher wasn't a very cheerful person.
Mia gave him a puzzled look but eventually obliged.
"How's your day going?" He smiled.
".... Great I guess." She replied as she darted her eyes in every direction. Mr. Fisher was being really nice and it was creepy.
"....Mr. Fisher?" She called in the most polite tone, "Am I getting fired?" She questioned,
"Because you're being nice and all and I think you're just being nice so I won't feel bad when you do."
"Nonsense! Off course not. Miss Lin tells me you've been working very hard , yes?" He asked.
"Well she makes it seem like I don't." Mia mumbled.
"Great!"
"Excuse me, Sir?"
"It's time you took a day off—"
"You're not firing me are you??"
"No, why would I? I'm simply asking you to take some time off, I just realized you haven't been off work, even for a day—"
"Sir I don't think I need—"
"How about two days—"
"Mr. Fisher??"
"In fact, see you on Monday Mia." She smiled.
"I don't under—"
"You can leave my office now. Mia—"
"Sir, I—"
"Hey you!" Mr. Fisher suddenly snapped,
"Should I fire you instead?!"
"I'm s-sorry Sir." Mia stuttered as she quickly ran out.