Watching her slam the door behind her, Colton heaved a long sigh then went back to the chair behind his desk. Taking his seat, he buried his face in his palm for a couple of minutes.
Eventually letting go, he raised his head, picked up his phone on the table, and dialed his mom. He hadn't heard from her since Sunday. He honestly wanted to reach out and put an end to the lies that had been told before today but he had been very busy with work since Monday.
"Hi, mom." He said to the other end.
"That was fast! I guess your wife-to-be already told you all that happened."
"But Mom, why did you say and do all of that behind my back? I had it in mind to come over to the mansion and talk to you and Dad about everything."
"You walked out on us on Sunday, remember? We called you back to shed more light on the situation but you refused. We asked Chad to further investigate for us but he refused too and I'm sure you gave him that order. I did what I had to do, Son."
"Your Dad and I have spoken to Natasha's parents. They understand why you can no longer marry Natasha. I did all that I did based on your Grandmother's wishes. The baby Mia is carrying is our flesh and blood. There's no way he or she will be born out of wedlock or be subjected to parents who live in different homes."
"But Mom...." He was about to say something but his mother cut him off.
"There's nothing you can say that can convince us, my love. Your Grandfather is aware of everything. Same with Grandma Jane who told me to tell you to come to visit them in Greece. She said you should come along with Mia. They are excited about the new addition to the family and they are hoping the wedding date would have been picked by the time you visit them so they can start planning their trip to New York City or wherever you and Mia decide to hold the wedding."
"God, Mom. Why the hell did you and Dad tell Grandpa and Grandma Jane about it? You all just keep making a big deal out of nothing!! This is my life but you all choose not to respect my privacy. You go behind my back to do and say things. This is really uncalled for!" He ended the call, angrily tossing his phone to the far end corner of his desk.
After massaging his temple for a few minutes, he sighed, then sat upright. He was badly in need of someone to talk to so he reached for his phone and dialed his best friend. Once Theodore picked up, Colt explained everything to him.
"Words cannot describe how mad I am at my parents. Most especially my mother. I was about to tell her the whole 'Mia thing' was a lie when she mentioned that Grandpa and Grandma Jane were aware. Like what the fuck? How will I be able to tell those old people that it was all a lie?"
"For sure, Grandma Jane will be really sad and depressed about it. I wouldn't even be surprised if she disowned me from being her grandchild. My Grandfather, on the other hand, you know the risks involved. His high blood pressure and all of that. The last time he got really sick, the doctor said we should keep bad news away from him and any other thing that that will make him worry or sad"
"He's been anticipating having a great-grandchild before he dies. I can only wonder what will happen if I tell him all of this is a prank. I won't forgive myself if he dies due to that news." Colton said, clearly frustrated with everything.
Colton lost his grandmother a couple of years ago. Grandma Jane was his Grandmother's twin sister. After Esther's death, Jane took over as Colton, Caleb, and Ashley's Grandmother.
"This is tough, man," Theo mumbled.
"You have no idea. I hate my life so much right now."
"I'm so sorry you have to go through this, Colt. But at this point, you have to make a decision."
"I honestly don't know what to do, mate! This is getting way beyond me." He sighed.
"I've got three suggestions. Not sure you will like them though."
"Let me hear them," Colton said.
"The first one is telling the truth and dealing with the heartbreak and consequences that come with it. The second one is making some sort of an agreement with Mia."
"Look, I'm done with Mia. I can't stand someone who thinks the worst of me. She's not even willing to accept the truth about our passionate night. She told me to also stay away from her."
"Colt, this isn't the time to hold on to your ego. You've got to be in control to make things work. Talk to her to see if you both can agree. She's single, you're single, you both already had an intimate night so if there's anyone to help you with this, then she's the best person."
"So you want me to tell her to put up an act for an arranged marriage and pretend all of the lies were true?" Colton asked.
"Yes, something like that. You both might eventually get along with that and if you don't, you can always split up in the future."
"Mia will never agree to do such. What's the next option?"
"You shouldn't come to such conclusions. With your Mom's confrontation, it was just so much for her to take in which was why she reacted that way, I guess. Anyways, the third option is similar to the second one. If you feel Mia wouldn't agree then get someone else who will play the role."
............
24 hours later.
After staring at his cell for what seemed like forever, Colton finally got the courage to do what he had been wanting to do. He picked up his phone and dialed Mia's number. He had saved her number the day Chad provided details from the investigation.
He swallowed painfully when it started to ring. It rang for a while, he was almost giving up that she wasn't going to answer when her voice came through.
"Hi!" She said with a heavy breath. Colt figured out she must have been far from her phone so she had to hurry over to answer the call.
"Hi Mia," He said to the other side.
There was a few seconds of silence between the duo. Colton did not doubt that she recognized his voice. "Please don't end the call." He pleaded.
"Didn't I tell you not to never contact me or show up before me?" She said, She was tempted to ask how he got her number but she discovered it was useless. If his Mom could come to see her in her office, then her phone number was the easiest thing to get.
Colton ignored her statement. "I would like us to see. Are you free this evening?"
"No." She replied immediately.
"Tomorrow?" He asked.
"I'll be busy tomorrow." She responded.
"Please. I won't take too much of your time. I just want to discuss something with you."
"I have nothing to discuss with you, Colt."
Colton ran a hand through his hair where he was seated. "Why are you being so difficult? I won't even take up to twenty minutes of your time."
Seeing she was being a little unreasonable, she decided to be calm. "Can't we talk about it over the phone? Do you really have to see me?" As far as Mia knew, discussions that needed to be done in person only meant that there was a serious situation on ground.
"No, it can't be done on the phone. Please be at home this evening. I'll be at your place by 6 pm." Colton didn't give Mia the chance to say anything. He ended the call.
"What the ......?" She was saying but stopped herself. She couldn't believe he hung up on her. "He didn't even give me the chance to decide if I want to see him or not. He's so controlling; just like his Mom. They wouldn't give you the chance to voice out your opinion or side of the story!"
"I wonder what he wants to discuss with me?" She plopped down on the bed in her short white towel. She had rushed out of the bathroom to answer the call.
"Perhaps he wants to apologize in person."She mumbled. "Whatever, I hope this evening's conversation will be the last form of contact I'll ever have with him."