15 The Secret Admirer

Rory told many stories of her childhood to Ellie and she fell asleep. Rory packed to leave. She has to reach the airport at least a couple of hours earlier before the flight.

"Rory, have you packed?" Mia entered after knocking on the door. "Lunch is ready and hurry-"

Before she finished, Rory went and hugged Mia tightly. She wanted to thank Mia for everything she's done for her. But words are not enough to thank Mia.

When she was pregnant, it was Mia who took her time to be with her for the doctor's appointments. During the last trimester, when it was hard for her to even breathe, it was Mia who stayed by her side, supporting her. Honestly, there were days she would have rather slept with an empty stomach because she couldn't even stand up, but Mia made sure she went to bed after eating.

When she returned here after childbirth, it was Mia who took care of her. She got many recipes from her grandmother and cooked healthy food for her that helped in her recovery.

Mia never complained when she was unable to help around in the café, never bothered with the sound of the crying baby, and never showed displeasure with her presence.

Mia didn't have to do all that, but she took the responsibility of a mother and took care of her.

"You've done everything my mother would have done for me if she were alive, Mia," Rory said. Her eyes clouded and she spoke from her heart.

She vowed it in her heart to find some more good places for the café. Mia should become the owner of a chain of cafes. She should become rich and successful. She deserves it.

She already is talking to people she knows. Once something clicks, she wanted to help Mia attain the heights she truly deserves.

"That's very high praise, Rory. I don't deserve it." Rory's voice started to shake.

She didn't think she deserves to be compared to her mother. She knew Rory's mother passed away more than a decade ago. And for Rory to compare her to her mother…

"I mean it, Mia," Rory spoke from her heart.

Mia felt guilty.

Yes, she did everything she can for Rory. But for a price. Rory does not know about it.

The two of them composed themselves and got downstairs for lunch.

"That's a beautiful bouquet of red roses, Mia," Rory pointed at the vase. Her lips curved to a teasing smile.

Officer Hendricks is spoiling Mia! And she deserves it!

"It was there in the morning itself. You didn't see it?" Mia asked looking at the vase.

"No, but it is very pretty," Rory smiled.

"Yeah… it is…" Mia pressed her lips.

Now she felt guiltier. Rory might think that the roses were given to her, but they were actually for Rory. Same with the wine.

Just a couple of weeks after Mia met Rory, and they became work partners, Mia started getting DMs from someone with the handle "Ilovecherrypie". They told her that she has to take care of Rory in exchange for a very large sum of money.

Although that big sum of money was very appetizing, Mia refused to answer that person. She was skeptical and thought it was a scam, but that other person sent her a grand one day to her account.

That only alerted her. Rory is one of the most beautiful women she has come across. And that kind of beauty would surely attract some flies. She thought Rory was getting stalked and this person is some sort of expert on stalking. She didn't want to get involved.

But over time, things changed. That person(a man) met her in secret and talked to her. She couldn't see him clearly, but he had an air of elegance. She needed a lot of money and that person didn't seem to be someone who would hurt Rory. She accepted a large sum of money from that person.

Along with the occasional requests about Rory's well-being and giving details about Rory's preferences, that person would send Rory flowers.

Forget-me-nots, baby's breath, and very rarely red roses. Those are the flowers he always sent. He usually sent forget-me-nots paired with baby's breath flowers. And when it is some important day, that bouquet of forget-me-nots will have white heathers which Rory considered as lucky.

She loves Rory. But she went the extra mile for the money. Rory spent a lot in the café, but that person has given her more throughout the year.

Yeah… she is feeling guilty toward Rory. But she thinks that he is the father of Ellie. For some reason, he is supporting Rory from the shadows through her.

That should be it. This is how she could handle her guilt.

"Mia," Rory gulped. She wanted to tell Mia about her decision to leave for her homeland. She felt awkward to talk about it. She felt like she used Mia for her purpose and is dumping her when she does not need her anymore.

But she knew Mia will understand it if she explains it honestly. She didn't think she could stay in this country any longer.

"What is it?" Mia held her hand.

"I am thinking of visiting my homeland," Rory gathered her courage and said.

"Visit? After visiting your grandmother? For how long?" Mia asked a series of questions.

Rory nodded. "I know it is sudden, but I don't think I can stay here anymore. I am sorry, Rory. But I-"

"No need to apologize, Rory." Rory squeezed her hand. She was surprised, but she thought this would happen sooner or later. Rory started talking a lot about her homeland in the past few weeks, but she didn't think Rory would leave this country for good.

"You have to look after Lia first and foremost. I wish you the best…I am going to miss you though… and little Lia…"

"I know. Thank you for understanding," Rory smiled.

Mia let out a sigh. "Can I ask you something, Rory?" Mia asked after some time.

Rory nodded.

"Today… did you by any chance go to meet Lia's father?" Mia asked, scratching the back of her head.

She looked awkward. But the sudden change in Rory's decisions made her think and she wanted to know.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to. I am just curious. I haven't seen you dressed up so nicely…"

"Was I that obvious?" Rory let out a sigh. But it didn't change anything. "Well, you are right. I did meet him. And he made it clear that he doesn't care about…" Rory looked down.

Mia's face went pale. If he doesn't care about Rory, who is the one caring so much about Rory?

But she composed herself. Rory is going to leave the country soon and that guy won't have a chance to hurt her anymore.

"It will get better, Rory," Mia patted her shoulder. "A change of place will definitely help you…"

"Yeah," Rory forced a smile. "Hope so."

They had their lunch and Rory did the final preparations for the travel. She booked a cab and left for the airport. Because of the traffic, she was a little late in arriving at the airport but she still had a little more than one and a half hours.

After checking in and passing through the security gates, she waited at her boarding gate. There was still half an hour left for boarding and she started to go through a law book she needed to read. She does not spend much money on books, she downloads pdfs from pirated websites.

And she was not ashamed of that. She has a child to raise! She needs to save money. Whose fault is it that education is unaffordable for everyone? Any book costing more than $10 should be illegal.

After reading for some time, she rubbed her forehead as her head started to ache. The dull ache threw a wet blanket over her enthusiasm to learn something.

She kept the phone in her pocket and checked on Ellie. Ellie slept in the carrycot/ car seat comfortably. Her little arms were stretched near her ears and small bubbles of drool were sticking on her little lips.

She didn't know whether it is good or not, but Ellie loved to sleep in the carrycot more than in her crib.

Oh, how cute… My baby is the cutest!

Rory wiped her mouth. Ellie was not very pleased by the feeling of wet wipes on her face, and she scrunched her face.

Oh, don't wake up, darling… Sleep…

Rory hurriedly patted the baby's chest and she went to sleep again. Rory sighed in relief. It would be better if she doesn't wake up throughout the flight. But she hardened her heart to be realistic.

It is going to be a tough journey.

She decided to book first-class tickets for their journey to her homeland, no matter the cost. Ellie should be made comfortable for that nine-hour flight.

Her pondering was disturbed by the vibration of her phone. And the caller-Id… stupefied her.

"Fizzy..?" she answered the call with a question.