My Mister

Chapter 41

As Mia listened to Sebastian's earnest plea, her heart wavered between disbelief and hope. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable, each word carrying the weight of his conviction. Yet, even as his words washed over her, a sense of incredulity lingered, the magnitude of his offer too staggering to comprehend.

"I need you, Mia," Sebastian reiterated, his gaze unwavering as he held her in his steady stare. "I can't run the program without you."

Her mind whirled with uncertainty, grappling with the implications of his proposition. To work for the Saint Foundation meant stepping into uncharted territory, a realm governed by its own set of rules and expectations. And yet, as she weighed the options before her, a flicker of hope ignited within her, fueled by the possibility of a future beside Sebastian.

"But I no longer work at the school," Mia countered, her voice tinged with resignation. "How can I—"

"I'll hire you," Sebastian interjected, his tone resolute as he laid bare his intentions. "You'll work directly for the Saint Foundation."

The revelation struck Mia like a bolt of lightning, rendering her momentarily speechless. To be offered a position within the prestigious organization was beyond anything she could have imagined, a testament to Sebastian's unwavering faith in her abilities.

As the gravity of his offer sank in, Mia found herself teetering on the precipice of a new beginning, the promise of a future with Sebastian beckoning her forward. With a sense of resolve settling over her like a comforting embrace, she met his gaze with unwavering determination.

"Okay," she whispered, the word hanging in the air like a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty that lay ahead.

Sebastian's smile softened the lingering tension between them, his warmth a balm to the unease that had settled over the room. As Mia's stomach rumbled audibly, she couldn't help but laugh softly at the timing of her body's protest.

"You hungry?" Sebastian's question, delivered with a playful grin, elicited a chuckle from Mia as she nodded in affirmation. The prospect of sharing a meal together felt oddly comforting, a chance to bridge the gap that had formed between them with the simple act of breaking bread.

Sebastian strode confidently into the kitchen, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he surveyed the sparse contents of Mia's fridge. With a quirk of his eyebrow, he turned to her, a playful smirk playing at his lips.

"Only eggs and rice? What kind of adult are you?" he teased, his tone laced with feigned incredulity. Mia couldn't help but roll her eyes at his mock astonishment, though a smile danced on her lips as she shrugged in response.

"I guess I'm not much of a cook," she admitted with a sheepish grin, feeling a flush of embarrassment color her cheeks at the revelation of her culinary shortcomings. Sebastian chuckled softly at her admission before turning his attention back to the task at hand.

Undeterred by the limited options, Sebastian set to work with a surprising level of confidence, expertly cracking eggs into a sizzling pan as he effortlessly whipped up a simple yet satisfying meal. Mia watched in awe as he moved with practiced ease around the kitchen, a sense of admiration swelling within her at his culinary prowess.

As the aroma of freshly cooked eggs filled the air, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth blossoming within her—a feeling that extended far beyond the confines of the cozy kitchen. With each deft movement of his hands, Sebastian seemed to be erasing the distance that had grown between them, forging a connection that felt both natural and undeniable.

"Mmm, it smells good," Mia remarked, her curiosity piqued as she ambled over to where Sebastian was deftly maneuvering the sizzling eggs in the pan. "But does it taste as good as it looks?" she added with a playful twinkle in her eye.

With a flourish, Sebastian plated the dish before presenting it to Mia with a subtle flourish, a self-satisfied grin tugging at the corners of his lips. Mia wasted no time in taking a tentative bite, her taste buds tingling with anticipation as she savored the flavor.

To her delight, the dish exceeded her expectations, each mouthful a delightful symphony of flavors that danced upon her palate. With a satisfied nod, she turned to Sebastian, a playful glint in her eyes as she quipped, "So, what can't you do?"

Sebastian chuckled softly at her jest, a warm glow of pride suffusing his features as he met her gaze. "I suppose you'll just have to stick around to find out," he replied with a wink, his words laden with a hint of playful challenge.

As Mia sat enjoying the meal Sebastian had prepared, her phone suddenly began to ring, disrupting the tranquility of the moment. With a slight frown, Sebastian excused himself to answer the call, leaving Mia to ponder who could be calling at such an hour.

On the other end of the line, Mandy's voice rang out with unbridled enthusiasm, her excitement palpable even through the phone. Sebastian cleared his throat and politely asked for Mia, causing Mandy to momentarily rein in her exuberance before passing the phone over.

From the kitchen, Mia heard Sebastian's voice and Mandy's unmistakable excitement, causing her heart to skip a beat as she frantically wiped her hands on a nearby towel and rushed over to retrieve the phone from him. With a sheepish smile, Sebastian handed her the device, towering over her with his imposing height as she stood on tiptoe to reach it from his ear.

Breathless and slightly flustered, Mia brought the phone to her ear, her pulse quickening with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation at what Mandy might have to say.

As Mia took another bite of her meal, her phone suddenly rang, interrupting the tranquil atmosphere of the kitchen. Sebastian, ever the attentive host, excused himself to answer the call, leaving Mia momentarily curious about the identity of the caller.

With a polite smile, Sebastian picked up the phone, his voice muffled as he engaged in conversation with whoever was on the other end. Mia couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity, wondering who could be calling her at this hour.

Suddenly, a burst of excitement erupted from the phone, causing Sebastian to pull it away from his ear slightly. Mia's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized Mandy's bubbly voice, filled with uncontainable joy.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe a man just answered your phone!" Mandy's words rang out, a mixture of shock and delight evident in her tone.

Mia's cheeks flushed crimson as she hastily cleared her throat, trying to compose herself before reaching out to take the phone from Sebastian. However, Sebastian's towering height made the task more challenging than expected, causing Mia to resort to tiptoeing in an attempt to reach the device.

"Mandy, hi!" Mia exclaimed, her voice a mixture of embarrassment and amusement as she finally managed to grasp the phone. "Sorry about that, I'm just having dinner with Sebastian."

"Mia, dinner with Sebastian? Oh, spill all the details, girl!" Mandy's excitement was infectious, causing Mia to chuckle softly as she leaned against the kitchen counter, grateful for her friend's lightheartedness.

"It's nothing like that, Mandy. He's just here to talk about work," Mia replied, attempting to downplay the situation.

Mandy's playful skepticism was evident in her response. "Uh-huh, sure," she teased, prompting Mia to roll her eyes good-naturedly.

"I'll fill you in on everything later, I promise," Mia assured her friend before bidding her goodbye and ending the call.

As Mia turned back to face Sebastian, a wry smile played across her lips, the lingering embarrassment dissipating in the warmth of their shared amusement. It seemed that even the simplest of interactions with Sebastian had the power to brighten her day.