Without Him

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

I couldn't focus on anything else. Nothing. Nothing but the familiar crystal-clear blue eyes staring back at me. Max. A year after our break up and he was here. It couldn't have been difficult for him to find me. First of all, I still worked for the same company I did before our breakup and also my position as the CEO of Kerrington Enterprises wasn't a secret due to the amount of very public galas, charity events, etc other colleagues and I had to attend to represent the company. But why was he here?

"Are you dating this fucker now?" Max glared at Reeve who was sitting across my desk. Excuse me. Why was he being all caveman-possessive over me? I stopped belonging to him the night I let him go. I'm sure he had moved on the same week, while a year later I was still sunk in on my feelings for him. It wasn't easy getting over someone you thought was going to be the love of your life.

Completely embarrassed by the way Reeve had been addressed as by Max, I said "Reeve, would you give us minute?"

"Sure, I have to go anyway." I walked him to the door and hugged him.

"Call me later and you'll keep telling me about it, ok?" I whispered as I smiled at him and kissed his cheek. I could already feel Max becoming a ball of fire as he tried to contain his anger. His attitude definitely started rubbing me and making me more annoyed.

When Reeve closed the door, I turned to face him. Before I could say anything Max asked the same question again.

"Is that the asshole you're with now?"

I couldn't help but stare at him as he spoke. He hadn't changed much since the last time I saw him. He was dressed in a fine black suit, white shirt, and black tie that hugged his body. He still had his built body and broad shoulders. It looked a little bit more toned, which meant he still hit the gym. His blue eyes were as captivating as I remembered them which made me think about Mia. His brown hair was a little bit longer than what he usually kept it but it just added more to his attractiveness. I pulled myself out of this little paradise his looks were taking me into and decided to figure out the reason of his sudden and unexpected visit while I avoided his question.

"What are you doing here?" I moved across my office until I reached my desk and sat back in my chair.

"That should be pretty obvious by now, Ella" He spat, while tossing a piece of paper I hadn't noticed he had been holding until now. I unfolded it and realization and shock hit me like a train. It was a picture of Mia. I had sent it to his mother a couple of weeks ago when she had texted me asking about her granddaughter. "That's her isn't?" This time he spoke more softly, the venom his voice had earlier had completely vanished. I wasn't surprised he knew. It wasn't difficult for anyone to figure out that Mia was his daughter, her resemblance to him was undeniable.

"Yes," It suddenly became hard to swallow or breathe as I hesitated before answering. Why was he showing interest on Mia? He had made it pretty clear how much he hated the idea of a child.

"I want to meet her." Although everything he was doing at the moment contradicted his feelings and the words he expressed that night he found out about our pregnancy, his words took me by surprise.

"No" This time I didn't hesitate. He was not coming back to us that easily; not after the way I had been treated when we broke up. I didn't even know if he deserved it.

"She's my daughter, Ella" Max said, starting to raise his voice.

"No, she's my daughter. You lost every right to her, the night things ended between us"

"What's her name?" Max demanded, ignoring my small rant.

I started to think about my co-workers and how some of them might be eavesdropping. "Now is not the time to discuss this, Max. I have to get back to work" I replied, starting to gather all the papers I would need for my next meeting.

"I don't care. I want to know her. What's her name?" Max placed his hands on the papers I had been organizing, stopping me from continuing my movements.

"That's none of your business, like I said you lost every right to her, the night things ended between us" I spat, returning to keep collecting my papers

"Ella, please"

"Why? Why now after everything that happened?" I said, bringing my face up to see him. "She is not any less of a daughter now than she was the night you found out about my pregnancy and denied her."

He rubbed his face with his hands and reached out to touch me, "Ella May, please I-"

"Don't" I interrupted him, taking a step back. If I allowed him to touch I would have surrendered right away and I couldn't let that happen. He had also used my middle name which made me think about our good times together, causing me to become weak. Whenever Max was serious or trying to express his feelings, he always used my middle name. I had make myself remember how badly he had hurt me. He didn't deserve this.

"I'm sorry, but please just... please let know her name at least" The begging tone his voice held made me drop down all the walls I had built up for him the moment he entered my office.

I exhaled and answered, "Mia. Mia Wilde." His face showed the surprise he felt by knowing I had given his daughter his last name. "I asked your mother for permission the night she was born. However, I did it for Mia not for you," I said, answering his question before he asked.

"Can I meet her?" The guilty and regretful look his eyes held made me think about Mia and how she deserve to meet her dad at least once. She wouldn't remember it but I could at least say it had happened.

"Okay. Come to my apartment at 8:00pm tonight." I surrendered, scribbling my address on a piece of paper.

"Thank you. So much" As I handed him the address, he took my hand between his and kissed it. The amount of gratitude his words expressed made me realize how my defenses would soon collapse if I kept letting his unintentional charm affect me. I had to overcome him, I couldn't let him win so easily. Not after all the pain I went through or still going through.

***

I arrived home at about 7:28pm. Mia and I lived in a two bedroom apartment in midtown New York. Since it was only the two of us, I didn't feel the need of getting a bigger flat. Even though it was small, the apartment and building were quite cute and had a modern look. I placed my keys and purse on the kitchen counter before heading towards Mia's nursery where I was sure Mum was with her. I opened the door to find Mum putting Mia into her crib.

"Shh," she whispered as she covered her with her blanket. "How was work?" Mum asked while I left Mia's bedroom door ajar and walked to the living room.

"Busy, tiring and unexpected" I answered, throwing myself into the couch as I removed my shoes

"Unexpected? Why?" She frowned. I understood her confusion. My job could be busy and tiring but unexpected? No, that rarely happened.

"Yeah, Max paid me a surprised visit"

"What? What happened? What did he want?" She rambled

"He wants to meet Mia"

"And you said?"

"I agreed" I admitted, covering my face with my hands. I knew Mum wouldn't be happy about this the instant I answered. She was the one that had to put up and tolerate my suffering.

"Ella May Da-" Ugh, not my full name.

"Mum, I know what I'm doing. Just trust me with this, okay? Don't worry I know he doesn't deserve it, I won't be stupid and give in. So please, trust me and my decisions." I assured her before she started one of her speeches.

"Okay, fine. If you say so. I just don't want to see you get hurt again" I understood her worry, after all she was my mother.

"I know, Mum" I stood up and hugged her.

After my mother left, I took advantage that Mia was sleeping and went to take a quick hot shower. They always helped me relax after a stressful day. After everything I experienced today, I certainly needed one. Hot showers like this one, made my thoughts disappear. I only had room for the feeling of the hot water relaxing my tense muscles and body. As I got dressed into some PJ shorts and tank top while combing my hair, the intercom rang. I took a quick glance towards the clock on my nightstand and noticed the time. 8:01pm. Max.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me. Max" I buzzed him in as I got ready for what was about to come.