Coming out clean
Well, Mia was already used to receiving cold shoulders from him.
At least, he actually responded today.
She shrugged her shoulders and went ahead to sit directly opposite him. That way, she’d be able to sneak a few glances at him whilst she ate.
And that was exactly what she did.
As Mia ate, she occasionally stole glances at the aloof man who was immersed in what he was doing on the Tab in his hand.
The man also occasionally took a few sip from the mug in his other hand.
Shawn was fully aware of the girl’s peering gazes but he chose to ignore her.
For what it was worth, he didn’t mind at all.
After he was done with the document he was reading on the Tab, he made to stand up.
But when his eyes subconsciously landed on the plateful of food before him, he remained seated.
His lips pursed as he eyed the dishes beneath his eyelashes.
After a few seconds, he placed the mug on the table, picked up a spoon, and began to eat.
After munching on about three spoons of the meal, the aloof CEO stood up immediately afterwards.
Without looking back, he took large strides out of the house.
Mia was astonished. She was totally surprised.
Since she met the icy cold man, this was the first time he’d ever eaten that much.
Most times, he wouldn’t touch his food at all. Other times, he would only pick on his meals.
But today, he actually…
Wow. Goosebumps.
Mia finished her food and also headed out of their home after bidding everyone goodbye.
She trekked to the bus stop, got on the bus, and school, she went.
When she arrived, Martha was already waiting for her outside the school gate.
This time around, she was not alone. Max was with her.
“Mia.” Martha waved giddily at her best friend as the girl approached them.
Max’s eyes twinkled as soon as he sighted Mia. Then his gaze landed on her wrapped arm and he frowned unknowingly.
‘She must have gotten the injury last week Friday.’ He thought to himself.
–
As usual, pictures and videos of Mia being beaten up was posted anonymously in the school’s social group.
–
“Mia, are you alright?” Oh my! I feel so bad, does it hurt?” Concern was written all over Martha’s face as she gazed at her friend’s bandaged arm.
Tears formed in her eyes.
Mia’s brows furrowed. She was lost.
Then her eyes trailed Martha’s line of sight and realization hit her.
She had totally forgotten about what happened on three days ago.
Someone must have uploaded videos of her again as Martha wasn’t there when she was being battered.
Although Mia was also in the school group, she rarely opened it as she didn’t concern herself with whatever discussions they had going on there.
Mia huffed and smiled assuringly, “I’m fine, sincerely. Don’t worry yourself.”
“Besides, I got treated. It was nothing much.”
She was hospitalized? Max’s face fell.
“I’m so sorry.” Martha sobbed softly, tears streaming down her face.
When Max heard her sniffling, his gaze shifted away from Mia and he focused his attention on his girlfriend.
His heart broke when he saw her tears so he pulled her close in a comforting manner.
Mia’s eyes landed on Max’s hand that was on Martha’s shoulder for brief moment, then she looked away quickly.
“Stop blaming yourself, Martha. It’s not your fault.” The boy consoled his girlfriend in a coaxing manner.
All of a sudden, Martha moved away from Max’s embrace and closed up the tiny space between her and Mia.
She took Mia’s hands in hers and said, “Don’t worry, all of this will soon be over.”
“Max and I have decided to come out clean and tell everyone that we’re back to being together.”
*You call that coming out clean. Giggles*
“You won’t have to endure any of this anymore, I promise you.”
Actually, it was just Max who came up with that idea.
After he watched the clips of Mia being beaten up, on Saturday morning, he telephoned Martha and asked for them to link up.
He then discussed the issue with her.
As soon as her saw Martha step into the coffee shop, he started talking excessively about it:
“Martha, you watched those videos too right?-We need to come out clean. Mia can’t keep getting in trouble because of us. She did nothing to deserve all of this.”
Max felt extremely bad.
One, they let her down. Two, she was taking the fall for them.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
That was brutal and inhumane.
Martha was caught off guard and taken aback.
She didn’t expect that Max called her to meet up just because of Mia.
She had thought he was going to take her out for shopping, or show her something expensive he bought for her, whilst they were sipping coffee.
But that was not the case.
Actually, she had suspected that his sudden request to meet up might have something to do with that girl… But really?-Very early in the morning?
He couldn’t even wait till afternoon, or even evening time?
Martha released her clenched fists under the table and gathered her emotions, pushing them down to the bottom pit.
“Yes, Max. I’ve been thinking the same too. I was actually also going to say it.”
“We need to let everyone at school know we’re together so that Mia will stop being bullied.” Her voice was soft and tears had already formed in her eyes.
When Max saw her tear-stained face, he returned back to his senses and quietly pulled her close to him.
He’d been so clouded with putting an end to Mia being bullied at school that he completely forgot about his girlfriend’s emotion.
“I feel so bad, Max.” Martha sobbed silently.
“No, it’s not your fault, baby.”
“Don’t worry, later tonight, I’ll take you out on a date to Domino’s.” He cajoled her like a baby.
Martha’s face lit up and she smiled.
That was more like it.
She wrapped her arms around him.
It was no use bothering herself over that girl. One thing was clear-Max had his eyes only for her.
He was only being concerned about Mia because he was feeling guilty and indebted towards her.
Plus, once they made the announcement about their union, and everyone in school became aware, that will get Mia to get rid of any thought that she was harboring about getting back together with Max.
Likewise Max.
–
Mia smiled and nodded her head.
That was okay.
At least, that would make her free from the bullies. Also, the students would stop pointing accusing fingers at her wherever she went.
The three jolly friends began to head inside the school premises.
As soon as they stepped in through the gate, the principal’s voice rang out from the loudspeakers of the school’s public address system: “All students should move to the hall immediately.”