Hate Love

by Katie Ford

  TheoW: GUESS WHAT?

  MiAnonimo: What?!

  TheoW: The Board is off my back! Giving me another chance!

  MiAnonimo: AWESOME! I’m so happy!!!

  TheoW: I’ve got some errands to run. Meet me at Spruce 6PM?

  MiAnonimo: Of course! Can’t wait! <3

  I let out a gigantic sigh of relief. Amanda, hard at work debugging her code, looked up from her screen. “Everything okay?”

  “More than okay,” I said, looking over her shoulder at her screen.

  She smiled. “You’ve been an incredible help to me. I know you’re so busy. Thank you for everything.”

  “Of course. You did all the work. I barely helped you at all. You just need to have more confidence in yourself. You are a lot more capable than you give yourself credit for,” I pointed out.

  Ironic. I was giving advice that I needed to badly take myself.

  Eunice and Sophie walked by. “Hey guys! What are you up to?” I asked.

  “We’re heading to the woodshop.” Sophie held up an adorable little wooden robot. “Eunice wants me to show her how I made this little guy.”

  “That’s too cute. Can I come?” I asked thinking that silly wooden robot would make a nice gift for Theo. It wasn’t a million-dollar necklace, but the thought would count.

  Eunice beamed, “Of course! Amanda, do you want to come, too?”

  Amanda looked up from her screen. “I’ve got to turn this assignment in, but definitely next time.”

  My little work girl squad of Eunice, Sophie, and Amanda was a great comfort to me. Aside from Jill, I didn’t have any close girl friends who were in tech. Mostly because there just weren’t many female computer engineers in general. I hoped that one day with the programs like my Women’s Initiative that would change.

  In the woodworking shop, my mind focused on Sophie’s instructions and let go of all my worries about Theo’s affection for me. I reminded myself that I was going to see him later that night to celebrate. He could spend tonight with anyone, but he chose me.

  All my focus poured into cutting my wooden cubes, cuboids, and a little rectangle panel exactly. I cut the rectangle panel into six buttons and glued them on the robot’s body. Instead of scratching 123 and ABC onto mine like Sophie and Eunice’s robots, I opted for ILO and VEU. Right above the buttons, on the robot’s chest, I drew in a little heart with a red marker.

  We drilled holes into the blocks and threaded cotton string through, connecting all the parts of the robot: one cuboid head, one cuboid body, two cube arms, and two cube legs. I drew in large brown eyes and a cute smile. On the back, I wrote, “To Theo. Love, Mia.”

  Back at the office, Amanda had a little box for me to put my wooden robot in. It was just a silly little toy robot, but it was exciting to give something to Theo that was made with physical materials. As a programmer, most of my work was not tangible, nothing I could actually hold. But, my toy robot was special, truly made from my heart, and a tangible token of my feelings.

  Using my key, I hurried into Theo’s house. It was already five o’clock. Upstairs, I browsed through my clothes hanging in the new walk in closet Theo had arranged to be installed for me.

  Marc Janow had sent over designs for the next season ahead of time. I decided on a tulle cocktail dress that was embellished with gold and copper sequins, beads, and a fun flirty hem with feathers.

  When I drove up to Spruce, it was dark inside and looked less busy than it usually was. Handing my keys to the valet, I asked, “Are they still open?”

  The valet politely answered, “They are open for you, ma’am.”

  Grabbing my clutch and the box with the toy robot inside, I laughed at his comment and headed inside, uncertain as to what he really meant by it. The restaurant was completely empty. The lights were dimmed and candles were arranged throughout the the establishment in a spectacular display.

  The hostess greeted me. “Mia Smith?”

  Looking around for Theo, I confirmed, “Yes. I’m Mia.”

  “Follow me,” she said leading me into the darkened restaurant and bringing me outside to the restaurant’s private patio deck.

  Theo stood in front of a candlelit dinner set for two. He rushed to me and took me into his arms. “You look ravishing,” he whispered into my hair and gently kissed my lips.

  “This is quite a production. The entire restaurant is shut down just for us?” I giggled.

  Theo grinned happily. “It is. Tonight is a special night. I wouldn’t have made it the last few weeks without you. You are an amazing woman, Mia.”

  He noticed the little box in my hand. “What’s that?” he asked. “Is that for me?”

  “It is! I made it myself,” I said handing it to him all of a sudden feeling bashful.

  He opened the box and laughed with delight when he saw the little toy robot. “Mia! You made this?”

  Shrugging, I blushed, “It’s nothing really, but you know, I wanted to give you something in celebration for your success!”

  He took the robot out and ran his finger over the etched letters saying ILOVEU.

  “Mia, I love you, too,” he proclaimed holding me close.

  I exhaled in relief and joy. We still hadn’t said the words to each other yet, but somehow a toy robot helped me express what I was too afraid to say.

  Theo put the box and the robot down on the table. He took both of my hands in his. “Mia, I love you. I can’t imagine being without you. You are everything I have ever wanted in a wife.”

  My heart pounded furiously in my chest. A wife?

  Theo got down on his knee and pulled out a small robin’s egg blue box, holding it out to me. “Mia Smith, will you make me the happiest man in the universe?”

  Suddenly, a photographer stepped out from the shadows and started snapping photos of us.

  I couldn’t believe this was happening. I’d been so worried about Theo’s feelings for me. So afraid that he was seeing someone else. That he was in love with someone else! But here he was proposing to me.

  Me!

  With shaky hands, I opened the box and gasped. It was the biggest diamond I’d ever seen in my life surrounded by two rubies. The diamond in the middle had to be at least 14 carats. The immense beauty of it was dizzying.

  Tears fell from eyes in shocked elation. This was what I’d always wanted. Theo was extraordinary in every way. A powerful CEO. Gorgeous. A body like a beast, but a nerd at heart. He was truly my perfect match.

  Best of all? Theo was kind and sweet to me. He cuddled me until I fell asleep. Made me delicious late night snacks. Adored little wooden toy robots I made for him.

  There was only one obvious answer to Theo’s monumental question.

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!” I cried.

  Theo took the ring out and put it on my finger where it sparkled brilliantly. This all had to be a dream.

  He stood and took me in his strong arms, kissing me passionately, parting my lips with his eager tongue and plunging into my mouth. I wanted every single part of him all at once.

  Suddenly, my desire to have him surged and coursed through my veins furiously. Whispering in his ear, I said, “I want you. Now.”

  He bit his lip looking at me with heat in his eyes. Turning to the photographer, he said, “I think we’re good on the photos.”

  The man nodded. “I got some great shots, Mr. Wainwright. When should I release them on Pictogram?”

  Theo rubbed his chin in thought before answering “As soon as you can.”

  When the photographer left, Theo took my face in his hands and dove his tongue into my expectant mouth again. I was going to be Theo Wainwright’s wife. This thought charged me with explosive desire and I attacked him with my voracious tongue.

  “I want you right now. I can’t wait, Theo,” I uttered as he kissed and gently bit my neck. His cock strained against his pants. I needed it inside me immediately.

  He took my hand quickly, walking into the restaurant and straight to the bathroom. I giggled as
he locked the door.

  Lifting up my skirt and grabbing my ass, he said, “I’m glad you wore this short little dress. Easy access.”

  His hands on my cheeks made me wild for him. “Fuck me in my ass,” I whispered. It’s all I wanted, Theo’s huge cock inside my asshole stretching me to the limit.

  He turned me around to face the sink and the mirror. In the reflection, I watched as Theo kissed my neck and kneaded my breasts with his large hands. It felt spectacular to be loved by such a powerful man.

  Pulling up my dress and ripping my panties down, he slapped me hard on my ass cheeks. “You want it in your ass, do you?” he growled.

  “Yes!” I gasped in anticipation.

  He unzipped his pants and whacked his cock on my ass cheeks. “Let me put my cock in your pussy first to get it nice and wet.”

  Before I could say anything, Theo thrust into my dripping cunt with force. I screamed in surprise and delight. He clamped his hand over my mouth. “Shhhh. They’ll hear us.”

  His hand over my mouth only heightened my desire. I moaned louder so he’d push his hand over my face harder. I didn’t care if the entire world heard us. All I cared about was that moment and Theo’s throbbing cock inside me

  Theo’s dick filled my pussy to the brim stretching me out to the brink every time, but I wanted so much more. I wanted to be broken by him, split in two and pushed to the edge of pain.

  “My ass!” I tried to scream, but Theo’s hand was still on my mouth.

  He got the message loud and clear. The next thing I knew his thick meaty cock was in my asshole, opening me up. I screamed out loving every inch of him that spread me out in delicate sumptuous pain. His hand pushed down hard on my face, while his other hand gripped my hip as he drove into me.

  My body couldn’t decide where I wanted his cock. My pussy, my mouth, and my asshole all wanted Theo’s delicious mammoth dick. My cunt throbbed while my mouth watered, both jealous of my asshole getting all the attention.

  With my hands, I pried Theo’s palm from my mouth. “Put it back in my pussy! Please!” I begged.

  Theo slipped out of my ass and then slammed into my pulsing cunt hitting my tender spot straight on. My desire swelled into a towering wave. When Theo pushed two of his fingers into my ass, I crashed down into a dizzying surge with my body trembling and bucking in ecstasy.

  All I wanted to do next was taste my fiancé’s cum in my mouth. Dropping to my knees, I wrapped my lips around his beautiful dick and sucked and sucked harder and harder while my fist wrapped around his shaft and stroked him. When Theo exploded into my mouth, I murmured in appreciation. I loved the taste of his salty hot cum.

  Standing, I kept the cum in mouth and kissed Theo with passionate force. We twirled our tongues exchanging his semen between us.

  When our mouths parted, I felt lightheaded. “That was amazing,” I giggled pulling down my dress.

  Theo chuckled wiping his brow with a paper towel. “I can’t wait until you are Mrs. Mia Wainwright. Then, I can fuck my wife in her ass,” he said, kissing me on the forehead.

  Hearing Theo say my future married name sounded so perfect. So right. I couldn’t believe I had so much doubt about his love for me. Nothing was going to stop us from being together.

  Chapter 16

  Theo

  Two weeks passed since I asked Mia to be my wife. Since then, she had been staying over my place more than ever. Having her home with me was a wonderful comfort.

  We hadn’t set a date yet, but we both couldn’t wait until we got married and made everything official. I loved Mia and wanted the world to know it.

  And the world did! Thanks to the photographer who captured my proposal.

  The media devoured the story of our engagement. The photographer’s photos of us looked spectacular with me down on my knee and Mia stunning in that feather dress looking mystified and happy. Even better were the candid photos of us leaving the restaurant. The paparazzi captured our joy as we walked out with gigantic smiles on our faces.

  The photos of us together seemed to eclipse the orgy photos of just a few months before. Every media outlet wanted an exclusive interview with us: the Pictogram CEO and the Picto-famous starlet and recent Marc Janow spokesperson. We became the new golden couple.

  The ring looked so splendid on her hand. She seemed to cherish it, constantly holding her hand out and gazing at it. The ring was worth $5.2 million dollars, but all the money in the world wasn’t enough to equal how much I loved Mia.

  Eager to show off my gorgeous fiancé, I called Gabe and Marcy right away to meet Mia. They had us over their house in Sausalito, located in the luxurious Yellow Ferry Harbor. We had dinner right on their deck surrounded by the waterfront with a spectacular view of Mount Tamalpais.

  Mia had their little two-year-old daughter, Delilah, in her lap. The little girl was fascinated with the shiny sparkling rock on her finger.

  “You know that they say? Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!” Marcy said with a laugh.

  Gabe chuckled as his daughter touched the enormous rock on Mia’s finger, her big blue eyes fascinated. “Delilah really likes you! She usually is slow to warm up to people, but look at her! Right at home in your lap.”

  With a gentle hand, Mia smoothed the little’s girl’s blonde hair. “She’s such a sweetie!”

  “Do you two want to have children?” Marcy asked excitedly, looking at Mia and then me.

  Gabe kissed her on the top of the head. “Wow, Marcy! Subtle!”

  She swatted him away. “What? It’s an honest question.”

  Gabe turned to Mia. “Excuse my nosy wife. Don’t answer that.”

  Mia grinned, hugging Delilah to her. “It’s okay. I totally want kids!”

  Hearing her say that only made me fall in love with her more, if that was even possible. Imagining Mia as a mother to my children made me smile. “I want to have kids too. Lots of them! A whole litter!” I agreed.

  Mia looked at me and smiled. “Me too.”

  Seeing her with little Delilah on her lap brought up emotions in me I never thought were possible. Mia as the mother of my children? Wow. There was no better person on this Earth to fill that role.

  I wanted my children to benefit from having such a strong, intelligent woman as their mother. A role model for both our sons and daughters. An example of a woman beautiful inside and out.

  On the ride home, Mia had nothing but nice things to say about my old friends. “Gabe and Marcy are awesome. That Delilah! Such a cutie!”

  Grinning, I said, “You’re great with kids.”

  She rested her head back on the headrest looking out the window. “I love kids.”

  “Does it bother you that our kids won’t have grandparents aside from your mom?” I asked sadly. “That’s a lot of pressure for one grandparent.”

  “Not at all!” Mia said happily. “She can handle it. She raised me all by herself.”

  My own search for my parents prompted me to ask the private investigator to look into Mia’s deadbeat father. I’d been sitting on the information he’d found for over a week. It was the perfect time to broach the subject.

  Clearing my throat, I said, “I hope you won’t get mad, but I asked my private investigator to find out about your father.”

  Glancing over to her as I drove, Mia just stared at me, her big brown eyes open wide and her mouth agape.

  I swallowed and rubbed my chin. Shit. Did I overstep our boundaries?

  “Do you want to know who he is? Where he is?” I asked carefully.

  Mia looked out the window and exhaled. “I…I don’t…” She stumbled over her words.

  “I’m sorry. It was wrong of me,” I pleaded with her. “Don’t be mad.”

  “I just need to think right now,” Mia said plaintively continuing to look out at the road speeding by.

  The rest of the way home we didn’t talk. Silence filled the car and weighed on me heavily. I’d been such an ass to take it upon myself to find Mia’s father. I sh
ould have asked.

  When we got home, Mia went straight into our bedroom. Wanting to leave her alone, I sat at my desk in my office hoping she wasn’t packing her things to leave me.

  After only a few minutes, she came into my office and sat on my lap. Throwing her arms around me, she said, “Theo, it was sweet of you to look for my father.”

  “I just thought that maybe you’d want to know.” Opening a drawer on my desk, I withdrew two envelopes. “I thought we might find out about our histories together.”

  She took the envelope with her name on it and put it on my desk. “I have a mother that loves me and raised me.” She jabbed her finger on the envelope. It crinkled with each jab. “This guy in here is just a man, a sperm donor.” She pointed at the envelope with my name. “Your situation is different. You should learn about your parents if you want to. If I didn’t know my parents at all, I’d want to know. “

  Unexpectedly, tears came to my eyes. Mia’s lack of bitterness was incredible. She really was a remarkable woman.

  But my bitterness was still sharp and pungent.

  Could knowing who my parents were dull that ache?

  Looking in my eyes, Mia took my face in her hands, “No matter what is in that envelope, it doesn’t change who you are.”

  Pushing the envelope into her hands, I said, “Will you open it? I’ll lose my nerve.”

  She took it from me and broke the seal. Reaching in, she took out a large stack of papers. The very first paper on top said what I most wanted to know.

  My mother, Kelly Graham, was deceased. My father was unknown.

  Devastation slammed through me. My mother was dead and my father, whomever he was, I’d never know.

  Flinging the papers down onto the floor, I uttered, “Is that it? Is that all the information I’m going to get?”

  Mia scrambled to her feet and searched through the papers. “There has got to be more information than that!” She held up a paper with a bright smile on her face. “You have a grandmother! Still alive. In Tennessee! There’s an address!”

  In surprise, I took the paper from her. Reba Graham. Maryville, Tennessee.