Tangled With The Irresistible Billionaire: Single Dad

Today was Edward's last day of summer break. He considered making this day special because Lia was leaving for New Zealand in three days.

He wore a white three-fourth long sleeve, a trouser, and espadrilles. He wanted to find something he could buy for Lia.

A memorable one Lia could think about when she missed him.

Edward stood at the side of the bed where Lia was laid. He stared at her and saw an angelic face he could not be tired of staring at.

Lia's arms were placed at her side, half of her body was covered with the bedsheet, and her hair was messy, yet she looked gorgeous. Edward bent down, his face near Lia's forehead.

He kissed there, then down to Lia's lips. He moved back, stood properly, and smiled as he heard Lia's snoring loudly.

In his mind, he found it cute, but he shook his head as he looked at his watch. It was time for him to leave before Lia woke up.

"Wait for me, Lia," He said and smiled.

He left his apartment, and within a few minutes, he had arrived at the boutique within the mall near his apartment.

He went inside and was welcomed by the staff until he reached the salesperson.

"Where was the ring section here?" He asked the staff, and they accommodated him at the side.

"In that corner, sir." The salesperson pointed to the left table.

There, he stood and looked for the different rings with diamonds or a gorgeous design he could afford. He had picked the elegant ring, yet it was simple.

It has one diamond on top of it.

Edward has imagined the hand of Lia. With a deep thought, he decided to get it. The price was friendly and affordable as he had expected.

He paid in cash, thanked the staff, and went, bringing the small paper bag.

Afterward, he stood outside the boutique and had popped into his mind the perfect restaurant for Edward's surprise at Lia.

"This is Edward. Please reserve a table at three o'clock in the afternoon."

Edward stated as his cellphone was near his ear. He talked with one restaurant staff member.

"Noted with that, sir. The tables are now reserved for that time. Thank you for choosing our restaurant!"

The staff answered on the other line and explained something afterward, yet Edward had understood everything.

"Perfect. We would arrive there on time. Thank you."

He ended the call and then decided to return to the apartment and had thought of making Lia his fiancée.

As soon as he got inside his apartment, he placed the paper bag on the glass table in his living room.

"Lia!" he shouted as he wanted Lia to know his arrival but got no response.

He wondered. "Are you still sleeping? I have arrived!"

He was excited to see Lia's reaction. He has been trying to call Lia six times but got no response.

His smile had faded away. The excitement had expired.

Edward started to worry. He hurriedly searched Lia everywhere in the apartment, but nothing.

He remained in the room and saw the empty closet; only his things were left. He left the room, sat on the sofa, and took out the ring box.

As he opened it, he started to feel nervous and betrayed.

Staring at the ring made him cry. His effort had suddenly popped like bubbles and had been gone for an instant.

"What did I do wrong with her? Why did he leave me? Why?!" He shouted as he asked himself.

He knew he had done everything for Lia.

"I had expressed my love to her but ended up doing this. We were happy, and we were okay. Did I scare her? What changed her mind all of a sudden? Why, Lia? Why?" he's more hurt than mad.

It had been unacceptable on his part. Lia did not leave a note or a text message for him. It was unfair to Edward.

Lia left without a word, leaving Edward broken into pieces.

~~~~

Eight years later, in New Zealand…

Mila Cooper, the energetic and happy-go-lucky woman, had arrived in Kaisland, despite how she had protested on her own but finally ended up there.

"What a wonderful place!" The shout she had told when she finally smelled Kaisland.

The weather was sunny and pleasant as the sky was clear above.

She was on her way to the restaurant where Yana was waiting for her. She had received a text from Yana that said she had been sitting on the chair reserved near the door.

Yana had been her best friend since then. Mila could recall all their memories as stage managers in a theatre they worked with.

"We are pleased to announce we will have a new theatre in Kaisland," announced calmly by the chief executive to all the employees.

"And we are happy to choose you, Yana, and Mila as part of the new team!"

It had been an excellent opportunity to choose with. Still, Mila decided to remain at Oakwood while Yana accepted the offer.

Yana had persuaded Mila regarding the request, but the decision had been fixed.

Kaisland was not a suitable place for her to stay in, and she felt it within her heart.

Mila informed Yana that she was already near the restaurant, but still, it had heavy traffic and caused her to be stuck in it. She was stuck in a queue of cars and had moved like a turtle.

For that, Mila had suddenly recalled when Yana called and asked her about what happened to Oakwood.

Later that day, Yana invited Mila to go to Kaisland. At first, she was doubtful if she would go.

After hearing the city's name, she had crossed her fingers and had strongly thought of not going there.

She acted that time as if that city was cursed and needed to avoid it. But now, she had no choice as she needed her best friend to comfort her.

She has no one to run to aside from her. Her one and only relative died two years ago—no one left for her except for Yana.

Mila just broke up with her current boyfriend, Drake. They had fun being together but had struggles leading to a break-up.

Luckily, her boss approved her three months leave. Since she started working at the theatre, she never used her vacation leave.

Mila had arrived at the restaurant where Yana waited. They hugged and started talking about how Drake broke her for no reason while the food was served for their cravings.

"Stop that!" Mila said as she was now in tears stating how she went through the tough times with Drake.

"It has been hard for me, but you just laughed!"

"Your face is so funny when you cry. Who would not laugh?" asked Yana while she continued to laugh as if laughter could already give her a heart attack.

Yana's cheeks turned red already. "But in a serious manner, he was an idiot for doing that."

"Yeah, he is. Definitely! He was an idiot. He left me without any explanation. Should he at least give me reasons, right? If a third party was involved, or he had a one-night stand, or he found me ugly and wanted to find another woman, but there was none."

Mila wiped her tears with the tissue she got from their food tray. She sat properly and stopped from babbling.

Mila was a bit upset with Yana. Even until now, Yana had been laughing at her.

She wanted Yana to stop, but she could not please her anymore. In her mind, she can tell that she was a clown for making Yana happy, even in earnest conversation.

"You know what, I hated you for that. I thought you would comfort me, but you are not," Mila placed the tissue back on the table and drank the water.

"It was tiring to explain back. But since he left, then don't expect him to return. You deserve another man that cares for you, not to let you cry."

Yana smiled when she said it. She also ate the remaining spaghetti, then wiped the side of her lips. "You know the drill, my dear. Move on, Mila. Come on!"

They continued talking, and Yana tried her best to change their topic about what happened to her and Drake.

Mila knew that her friend was trying to avoid the subject for her not to bawl out again as she was already making a scene inside the restaurant.

"You'll stay in my place, right?" Yana asked as they stood from sitting on the chair. All their belongings were already in their hands.

While Mila managed to check the chair, she sat to check if she had left something before; she nodded at Yana. "How many days again?"

"It's only a week," Mila replied as she still has a tissue that continues to wipe at the side of her eyes, then to her runny nose.

"It would not take months."

"Alright, then let's have fun together in Kaisland!" Yana raised her hand.

Mila and Yana went out to the restaurant. They talked briefly until they decided to go to Yana's place.

They arrived in thirty minutes as they got stuck in heavy traffic.

"Welcome to my humble home!" Yana said and pointed at the bed.

"You will stay by my side. It is only for a week. Forgive me if you hear me snoring loudly."

"That is fine. I also snore sometimes, every time. I do not know already." Yana laughed.

They continued having a conversation until night came. Both stay in one bed with a never-ending conversation until they fall asleep.

…..

Time flew so fast. Mila's stay with Yana has come to an end. So far, it had been great for her to stay there, but she knows she cannot stay there longer.

Mila knew that Yana's company was the best. She doesn't want to disturb and bother her friend any longer. She knows how busy it was with her job in the theatre.

Mila was still in Yana's place and busy preparing her stuffs when she suddenly heard her cell phone vibrate at the small table.

She got the cellphone and looked at the screen. It's Yana. She accepted the call and placed her cellphone near her ears.

"Oh girl, why? What's up? Are you on break?" Mila asked as she stood and went near the window and saw the buildings around.

"Yes, I'm coming home now. Let's meet outside the building, in the coffee shop—Master's Café. Before you leave, I want you to try their best sellers there. You'll love it!"

Yana exclaimed, and Mila could hear the engine of her car.

"Alright then, I'll just change clothes," Mila answered while she stared at the road, seeing a guy and a dog passing the street.

"Yeah, wait for me there. I will see you within fifteen minutes, I guess. See you!" retorted Yana in line, followed by a disconnected tone.

As soon as Mila was ready, she went out of Yana's apartment. Precisely five minutes, she's already in front of the coffee shop. In the glass window, she saw that inside was not that busy.

It has customers that can be counted as not that many. Then, she decided to go inside, sitting on the vacant chair and table that could accommodate two customers only as she did not see Yana inside.

During the minutes of waiting, her cell phone vibrated.

She swiped the screen and received a text from Yana that she could not make it as there was an urgent matter she had to accommodate in the theatre, so she needed to go back.

"I am dressed well. Darn her!" Mila stated. She was slightly upset but knew that Yana was busy with her work.

She did not want to waste her fit, so she decided to stay in the coffee shop for a moment before she could return to Yana's place.

She stood and ordered Caramel Macchiato, paid for it, then went back to her table as she waited for her order.

Minutes later, it was prepared, so she got her order, and afterward, she just decided to go back to Yana's place.

She was already on her way out, but she had been bumped into someone's chest as she was not paying attention.

Mila's coffee spilled all over the man's suit, which allowed her to widen in shock. She blinked, seeing the man also move backward for a bit.

As she slowly looked up, with eyes wide open, Mila was fascinated with the man's appearance.

There was an unusual feeling she suddenly felt while her heart was beating abnormally.

The man was also looking straight into her eyes. And when Mila realized who it was, her lips parted in shock.

She knew him. She knew him very well.

“Edward. Edward Norwest Hudson,” Mila muttered.