Everyone insisted he was okay, but Ethan didn't feel okay. He couldn't shake the unease that had settled deep within him. He switched off the lights in his penthouse and tried to sleep. But the moment his eyes closed, he was once again haunted by the dream of the unknown woman. This time, the pieces of her face fell into place, revealing the familiar features of the baker from Madam Rose's bakery—Mia.
Ethan awoke with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. Why was he dreaming about her? What was this strange connection he felt to her?
Meanwhile, Mia returned home, her heart filled with a bittersweet joy. She had finally saved enough money to purchase a motorcycle, a dream she had held onto for years. She wasn't the adventurous type, but the idea of cruising to work on a cool bike filled her with a sense of freedom and excitement.
As the sun rose over the city, Ethan tossed and turned in his bed, his sleep plagued by the lingering image of Mia. He couldn't think straight, his mind consumed by the question of why she haunted his dreams. He reached for the file containing Mia's brother's medical records and began to read. Though he didn't know the relationship between the baker girl and his donor. He felt that something was amiss.
Was he feeling guilty for having someone else's heart? Was this the reason for his restless nights?
Despite the lingering unease, Ethan forced himself to move forward. He had a wedding to plan, an empire to secure. He headed to the jewelry store, determined to find the perfect ring for Sophia.
As he entered the store, he was greeted by Emily, his donor's ex-girlfriend. But he has no idea however the intensity is there .
"Can I help you, sir?" Emily asked politely.
"Can I shop in peace without you breathing down my neck?" Ethan retorted, his usual arrogance surfacing.
Emily bristled at his rudeness. "I'm just asking whether you need assistance."
"I'm fine," he said dismissively.
Just then, Mia stormed into the store, her eyes blazing with anger. She threw her arms around Emily, their embrace a silent act of defiance against Ethan's cold demeanor.
Ethan's heart lurched in his chest, a familiar ache returning with renewed intensity. He felt an overwhelming urge to escape, to hide from the raw emotion radiating from the two women.
Mia pulled away from Emily, her voice filled with venom. "What's wrong with your customer?" she asked, loud enough for Ethan to hear.
"I have no idea," Emily replied, shaking her head. "He's so rude."
"But he's so handsome," Emily added with a sigh. "The sad thing is, bad boys are my type. The alpha type."
Mia scoffed. "My brother wasn't a bad boy."
"To you," Emily countered. "He couldn't be a bad boy to his sister."
"Anyway, he's taken," Mia said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you know Sophia?"
"The millionaire's daughter?" Emily gasped.
"Yeah," Mia replied. "Wedding bells, honey, so don't start crushing on that loser."
"I don't get why girls like boys like him," Mia continued. "He's intolerable and mean."
"Says someone who is afraid of men," Emily teased.
"I'm not afraid of men," Mia retorted. "I just haven't found the one yet."
"You need to date someone to know that. How will you know when you don't try?" Emily challenged.
"Well, I don't want to talk about men," Mia said, changing the subject. "I'm buying a motorcycle."
"Your brother would be so proud," Emily said, a genuine smile spreading across her face.
"I know," Mia replied, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "I'm going to be a cool girl."
While Emily and Mia continued their girl talk, Ethan approached the counter. "Help me find a ring suitable for a proposal," he said, his voice gruff.
Mia, overhearing him, couldn't resist interjecting. "Say please," she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
"Mia, shut up," Emily hissed, shooting her a warning look.
"Sister-in-law, this..." Emily began, but Mia cut her off.
"I'm not your sister-in-law. I'm single. So single," Emily clarified, turning back to Ethan. Mia was amused by her friend's blatant interest in the handsome stranger.
"Sir," Emily asked, "what kind of ring? Diamond, gold, or silver?"
"Anything that is expensive will do," Ethan replied, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Mia skimmed through the price tags and gasped. "How rich is this asshole?" she wondered to herself.
"Ring size," Emily inquired. "Do you know her ring size?"
Ethan glanced at Mia's hands, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "I don't know the exact size," he said, "but can this girl be a model?" he asked, pointing at Mia.
"Me?" Mia asked, pointing at herself in disbelief.
"I'll pay you," Ethan said, his voice a low murmur.
"You should've said that from the beginning," Mia retorted, a sly smile spreading across her face.
Ethan's eyes scanned the glittering display case, searching for the perfect ring. Suddenly, his gaze fell upon a dazzling emerald-cut diamond, its facets shimmering with a captivating fire. He reached out, his hand brushing against Mia's as he lifted the ring from its velvet cushion.
As their fingers touched, a strange sensation washed over him. The pain in his chest, the constant ache that had plagued him since the transplant, vanished. In its place, a warmth spread through his body, a sense of calm and control he hadn't felt in years. He held Mia's hand a moment longer than necessary, mesmerized by the way her skin felt against his.
With a gentle touch, he slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had been made just for her. Mia gasped, her eyes widening in surprise and admiration. She knew this was no ordinary ring; it was a symbol of wealth and status, a glimpse into a world she had only dreamed of. How much would he pay her for modeling this exquisite piece?
Ethan, meanwhile, was battling conflicting emotions. A swarm of butterflies fluttered in his stomach, a feeling so foreign to him that it was almost disorienting. But it wasn't just attraction; it was something deeper, an obsession that took root in his very being. He knew that letting go of Mia's hand would be like severing a lifeline, a punishment he couldn't bear. Yet, he couldn't hold onto her forever, not without a valid reason.
Mia, oblivious to the turmoil raging within Ethan, admired the ring on her finger, wondering how much she would be paid for this unexpected modeling gig.
Emily, however, was not so oblivious. She had witnessed the exchange between Ethan and Mia, the intensity in his eyes, the tenderness in his touch. A knowing smile played on her lips as she watched the scene unfold. She recognized the signs of a man falling hard, and she knew that this was just the beginning of a complicated love story.
Ethan let go of Mia's hand. It hurt, but he knew it was coming. Still, she was different, special.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Mia laughed, but it wasn't a happy sound. "That's the first nice thing you've ever said to me."
Ethan felt bad. He saw a flash of hurt in Mia's eyes. She was usually so tough, but now she looked sad. He wanted to reach out, but he stopped himself.
"So, how much are you paying me?" Mia asked.
Ethan frowned. "I don't have cash on me. Can I buy you something?"
Mia's eyes lit up. "Ice cream! Buy me ice cream."
"That's all?" Ethan asked, surprised.
"Yes," Mia confirmed.
"But I can't use my card for ice cream," Ethan pointed out. "Isn't there anything else you want? Something bigger?"
Mia shrugged. "Well, I'm saving up for a motorbike. Maybe you could buy me pink paint for it?"
"I'll buy you the motorbike," Ethan blurted out.
Mia gasped. "No, no, no!" she exclaimed. "I can buy my own motorbike."
"Okay, then I'll buy the paint," Ethan said, relieved.
"Yes, paint it is," Mia agreed, a smile finally returning to her face.
" i will like to pay for the ring" Ethan said to Emily.
After paying for the ring, Ethan turned to Mia with a warm smile. "Let's go get that paint," he said.
"Okay," Mia replied, returning his smile. "See you later, Ems!" she called out to Emily, who was busy serving another customer.
As they walked side-by-side, an awkward silence settled between them. Mia, always quick to fill the void, decided to break the ice. "Uhmm, how did you meet Sophia?" she asked.
"Oh, we grew up together," Ethan replied.
"So you've liked her for a long time?" Mia inquired, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"I guess so," Ethan admitted.
"Please get me an autograph from Sophia," Mia pleaded. "I love her. She's so pretty." She paused, then added, "You're so lucky."
"I know," Ethan agreed, a tinge of sadness in his voice.
"Uhmm, the motorcycle store is outside the mall," Mia said, changing the subject.
"Okay, we'll take my car," Ethan offered.
They made their way out of the mall and towards the parking lot. The moment Mia laid eyes on Ethan's car, her jaw dropped. "Oh my God," she gasped, her eyes wide with astonishment. "Is that a...?"
"...Is that a Lamborghini?" Mia finished, her voice filled with awe. She circled the sleek, low-slung vehicle, her fingers tracing the curves of its gleaming body.
Ethan chuckled, a sense of pride swelling within him. "It is," he confirmed, unlocking the car with a beep.
Mia slid into the passenger seat, her eyes still fixed on the dashboard. "I've never been in a Lamborghini before," she admitted, a childlike wonder in her voice.
"Well, now you have," Ethan said, starting the engine. The powerful roar of the Lamborghini filled the air as they pulled out of the parking lot.
Mia leaned back in her seat, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "This is amazing," she murmured. "Thank you."
Ethan glanced at her, a warm smile playing on his lips. "You're welcome," he replied, his heart lighter than it had been in days.
As they drove towards the motorcycle store, the awkwardness between them gradually faded away. They talked about cars, motorcycles, and their dreams for the future. Mia even shared her excitement about the pink paint she had chosen for her motorbike.
By the time they arrived at the store, any lingering tension had completely dissipated. They were simply two people, sharing a moment, a connection forged over a shared love of speed and the thrill of the open road.
After Mia triumphantly purchased her motorcycle and Ethan paid for the vibrant pink paint, they exchanged goodbyes with a newfound warmth. Ethan felt a sense of connection with Mia, a spark of humanity rekindled amidst the ashes of his heartbreak. However, he was blissfully unaware of the storm brewing on the horizon.
As Ethan drove away, Mia's phone buzzed with an incoming call from Dr Martin.
"Hello, Doctor," Mia answered, a hint of apprehension in her voice.
"Miss Bennet," Dr Martin's voice boomed through the speaker, "what did you mean when you said the heart controlled your brother?"
Mia hesitated for a moment before responding. "Did he have any burning sensations in his chest?"
"Yes," Dr Martin confirmed. "After he met the donor's family to express his gratitude, his behavior took a drastic turn for the worse. They even filed a restraining order against him."
"That's when the donor's family started manipulating him," Mia asserted.
"How is that possible?" Dr Martin questioned, skepticism lacing his tone.
Mia's voice grew urgent. "If you had listened to me, we would have destroyed that heart."
"You're speaking nonsense, Miss Bennet," Dr Martin retorted.
"Then hang up," Mia snapped, ending the call abruptly. A wave of frustration washed over her as she stared at her new motorcycle, the joy of the purchase now tainted by the ominous conversation.