Chapter 9
Clupter Eight Allergic
“Do you know him?” “Travis asked, raising an eyebrow as he handed in the coffer Ed ordered for myself. He took a quick glance at the ten periple
Even though I wasn’t looking, I could feel that intense state. That’s why, even though I konw the consequence of what I was about to do, I took a sip of the lord latte Travis had ime I even pretended to enjoy the coffer, though I could already feel the itchiness I would suffer later.
“No.” I said, giving a pretentious laugh “You know my name, and you heard what he called me. I don’t know him, Travis?
He nodded as we walked out of the coffee shops. I could still feel his lingering gar on me, and when our eyes met, I felt the shivers run down my
I almost stopped when I noticed the men in units who looked familiar. Especially the big guy who didn’t even bother hiding the fact that he was staring -Hunter–Liam Anderson’s right land mun.
Frosill feel their eyes on me, but I acted casual and initiated a conversation with Travic
“Are you okay?” Travis asked when I almost stumbled upon entering our company’s elevator
I could feel myself shaking, my heart racing.
I dropped the coffee I was holding, and Travis called my name with contem. He grabbed my arms as I tried to swallow the lump forming in my
“You’re pale. What’s happening, Mia??
“C Clinic…” Tuld, my voice barely a whisper
“We all go to the loospital—
*)–just the clinic, Travis. Please,” Tout him off.
He’s aroumel. I can’t take that risk.
The way he stared at me earlier–his men, especially Hunter–I have this feeling he will find me and dig into Mia Miller.
That can’t happen
What’s happening?!
That man promised ine he’d do everything possible to ensure fil never cross paths with that monster.
“Gosh, Mia, you should be more careful next time, dear. How come you didn’t know you were allergic to caffeine? Is this the first time?” Tanya, the nurse from the company’s clinic, asked after giving me a first aid kit for my allergic reaction.
Fortunately, aside from the lives and the itching, I didn’t suffer an anaphylactic shock–just almost,
“I will,” I replied, forcing a small, sheepish smile. “I just thought I’d outgrown that allergy since it’s been a while since I had an attack after drinking one, Tadded, lying smoothly. The truth was, I knew exactly what would happen when I sipped that latte.
Tanya opened her mouth to say inore, but before she could, an employee stepped into the clinic, clutching her stomach and complaining about cramps. The timing was a small mercy,
ratch my arms. T
The
As Tanya turned her attention to the newcomer, I hit my lip hand, trying to distract myself from the maddening urge to scratch senuation was unbearable like ants trawling benraili my skin.
“Hey, you okay none? You had me worried there,” “Travis said as he appeared at my
at my side.
The coffer!
I was about to get up when Travis stopped me. “Don’t worry, Mia. I already asked my assistant to give the coffee to our bosses. You should take arr
minutes, and I still fred in
sat up, shaking my head as my gaze darted to the clock on the wall. “No, I can’t do that. We have a meeting in thirty n
range the conference room”
11:12 AM
Chapter 9
He sighed. “Fine, but don’t rush. You can ask my assistant for help. Are you sure, though? I bet Gavin won’t mind you taking the day off, given your condition. You’re still red from those hives”
Tll be fine
“Travis is right.” a baritone voice interrupted firmly.
I looked up, startled, to see Gavin standing in the doorway, his expression unreadabile..
“I really won’t mind you taking a leave today, Mia Gavin continued as he approached. His hand brushed lightly against my check as he inspected me. “Till take you home.”
Travis watched Gavin like a hawk, his jaw tightening, while Tanya and the other employee exchanged curious glances.
I could almost read their thoughts, It probably looked like some romantic gesture to them, but if only they knew the truth.
Our boss wasn’t interested in women—least of all me.
“You okay?” he asked quietly, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
“Tim fine.” I assured him quickly, though my voice betrayed my discomfort. “We still have a meeting-
“No” His response was firm, cutting me off. His expression darkened, his lips pressing into a hard line. “We won’t have a meeting. I already talked to Juliana. Let’s go. Cancel everything on my schedule for today”
“What Why?” I asked my chest tightening with unease.
Gavin
glanced at Travis, then back at me, as if weighing his words. “You need to rest, Mia. I’m not risking your health over a meeting
I opened my mouth, wanting to argue because I knew Juliana would throw a fit about this. She hated disruptions to her meticulously planned schedule, and I didn’t want to deal with the fallout. But when I saw the look in Cavin’s eyes, my heart started beating faster. I realized this wasn’t just about my allergic reaction–this was something more. He knew something, and it scared me.
“Mia, Travis called, breaking the tense silence. “You should listen to Gavin. It’d be better for you to take a rest.”
I turned my head toward him, intending to brush off his suggestion, but Gavin beat me..
“See! Even Travis agrees,” Gavin said, his lips curving into a teasing smile. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes that I knew all 100 well. “So we should go now, babe–Mia”
I nearly rolled my eyes but caught myself just in time. This man was clearly enjoying himself, teasing Travis and, by extension, his employees.
The rumors about us would start all over again
“Fine,” I muttered, finally surrendering. After all, I could feel the hives spreading and knew they’d only worsen.
We left the clinic, Gavin holding my waist and guiding me as if I were made of fragile glass, I felt comfortable with him, but not with the stares we were gelling—especially from Travis. He probably thought I’d lied to him when he asked if Gavin and I were a thing, but I told him no
Oh god, this Gavin Winslow!
The elevator doors opened, and Juliana’s grim face greeted us. Her eyes flicked to Gavin’s hand on my waist, then shifted to Travis standing behind
Her lips pressed into a thin line. I was about to step away from Gavin, but his grip tightened on my waist, holding me firmly in place.
“The meeting will proceed as planned, Gavin,” she said sharply, stepping out of the elevator.
I could sense another argument brewing between them, and I desperately wanted to avoid being caught in the middle. But Gavin clearly had no intention to let me go.
“You go ahead with the meeting, Juliana, Gavin replied calmly. “But I won’t be attending. And as for my decision, I’m firm–we’re not going forward with the badding”
Juliana’s eyes flashed with frustration. “It’s possible there won’t even be a bidding, Cavin! Lian’s secretary called me earlier. She said her boss — Liam Anderson–is interested in hiring us as the architectural firm for the hotel they plan to build.”
She continued speaking, but her words blurred as my cars seemed to turn deaf.
Liam Andenon
