A Eternal Love

chapter 16

Mia stared blankly at her phone, her fingers tightening around it as if holding on too hard could somehow stop the chaos inside her. Two weeks away from college, from everyone, should have felt like a relief—but instead, it felt like stepping into a void. Her mind replayed the last few days relentlessly: his gaze that had pierced her chest, the casual yet deliberate brush of his hand, the hickey on her neck that burned far more in her conscience than on her skin. She told herself it wasn’t him—not really. He was here to kill her, wasn’t he? And yet, the flutter in her chest betrayed her, mocking her sense of danger. How could her body betray her mind this way, craving someone who wanted her dead? The thought made her furious with herself. She needed this break—not just to escape, but to untangle the messy threads of fear and longing that clung to her every thought.

Rebecca’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. “Are you fine?” she asked, glancing at Mia with concern.

“Yes,” Mia lied automatically, her throat tight.

“What happened?” Rebecca pressed.

Mia sighed. “I got selected for an internship program… for a whole year.”

Rebecca blinked. “And you’re upset because…?”

“Because,” Mia admitted, her voice breaking slightly, “after so many years of wanting something, when I finally get it… I can’t have it. It hurts like hell.”

Rebecca reached out, placing a hand over Mia’s. “You’ll get another chance.”

“No,” Mia whispered, shaking her head. “I didn’t get any before. And this… this isn’t just about the internship.” Her eyes drifted to the window, to the blur of passing cars. “It’s about him. I can’t stop thinking about him.”

Rebecca’s gaze sharpened. “Do you… like him, Mia?”

Mia’s chest tightened. She turned away, refusing to meet her sister’s eyes. “No. He’s here to kill me. How could I…?” Her voice trailed off. Even saying it out loud made her stomach twist.

By the time they reached Rebecca’s office, Mia felt the tension coiling in her chest like a spring. Rebecca vanished inside, leaving Mia to wait. She barely noticed the beep of her phone until she opened it. A message from Lizzie:

“Are you okay? Harry told me you won’t be at college for two weeks.”

Mia typed quickly, forcing her fingers to steady themselves. “Yes. Just need a break.”

The reply came instantly: “Did something happen?”

Mia’s thumb hovered over the keyboard. “No… nothing happened.” She sent it anyway, though the lie tasted bitter.

Then came a call from Rebecca.

“Blue envelope,” Rebecca instructed, “in the car. Give it to Kevan’s assistant at the lobby.”

Mia obeyed, but when she returned, the car was locked. Panic and frustration bubbled in her chest. She called Rebecca.

“It gets locked sometimes,” Rebecca explained. “Come upstairs. You can wait in Kevan’s office.”

Mia groaned. “I’m not going there.”

Rebecca’s sigh carried through the line. “I can’t wait for you at the parking lot—it’ll take an hour.”

Reluctantly, Mia made her way inside. The receptionist greeted her politely. “How may I help you, ma’am?”

“I’m here to meet Rebecca,” Mia said, trying to keep her voice steady.

From behind, a familiar voice—warm, teasing—cut through the tension. “She doesn’t need one.”

Mia’s stomach fluttered. Christian.

“Hello, Miss Mia.”

“Hi… Christian,” she replied, nervously.

“Please, call me Christian.”

Mia nodded. “Okay, Christian.”

As they walked toward the elevator, he glanced at the bracelet on her wrist. “Nice bracelet. That was for you?”

Mia’s fingers brushed the delicate chain. “Hm.”

Christian smiled knowingly. “He made it special.”

Mia’s chest tightened. “From where?”

“You’re asking the wrong person,” he said lightly, but his eyes were serious.

They entered the elevator, and Mia could feel the weight of everything unsaid, the dangerous currents swirling around them. She wanted answers but feared them all the same.

Minutes later, Mia found herself in the meeting hall, heart pounding, as Christian escorted her past Kevan and Ben. And then she saw him. Mr. Mikelson—Daniel—sitting at the head of the table, commanding the room with an aura that made her both tremble and ache. Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything around her blurred. His gaze softened, just enough to make her chest tighten.

A sharp voice broke through her reverie. “Where the hell were you?” Daniel’s tone was dangerous, and Mia flinched. Christian quickly intervened, his hand brushing against hers in silent reassurance.

Mia’s eyes darted around the room. Colon, Shrimp, and others filled the space, but all she could focus on was Daniel. Every nerve in her body was on high alert, a mixture of fear, confusion, and an undeniable pull she didn’t want to admit. She took a seat beside Kevan, trying to steady her breathing as the meeting began.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of instructions, tense conversations, and stolen glances. Even as they left for their destination, Mia felt the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. The magical bracelet on her wrist gleamed faintly, a reminder of his presence, of everything unsaid, of danger—and of an inexplicable connection that terrified and thrilled her all at once.

Hours later, as they arrived at the house where she had faced nearly fatal danger years ago, Mia sank into exhaustion. Sleep claimed her during the journey, her mind whirling with memories and unanswered questions. When she awoke, the familiar surroundings brought a flood of old fears, yet Rebecca and Kevan’s presence grounded her.

They spent the day wandering the town, revisiting places from her past, laughing softly at shared memories, trying to reclaim a fragment of the carefree life she once had. Finally, as they rested on swings in a quiet park, Mia allowed herself to breathe. The past, the danger, and the chaos of her emotions all swirled together, but for the first time in days, she felt a fragile sense of control.

Yet, deep inside, Mia knew it was only temporary. Daniel was still out there. Watching. Waiting. And somehow, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.