She agreed and sat down again next to him. “He doesn’t hate you; he hardly even knows you, Cody.”
“He sees a guy who had money and now stands to lose it all, his daughter with a baby on the way, and nothing to support the baby, Mia, of course he’s worried. I don’t blame him in the least; truth is, I’m worried too, pixie.”
“You’ll find work, Cody; it’ll all be alright, I promise.”
“My positive Mia,” he said leaning over to kiss her cheek.
She was now worried. What if he didn’t find work? How would they cope? He said he wouldn’t have a bad name, but what if he did? Would they have to move? Mia’s mind raced. She’d not really thought any of this through before tonight, mainly because it hadn’t been mentioned.
Mia was trying to stay strong for his sake, but her strength was now starting to waver slightly. She was scared about what the future may hold for them both and their baby. They’d the paternity test hanging over their heads, which Mia had decided to do once the baby was born. She’d heard the tests while pregnant could carry some risks for the unborn child.
She and Cody had decided this together, but in the meantime, it’d make things awkward between them; Cody wouldn’t even know at the birth if the baby was his or not.
So times ahead were going to be troublesome, but Mia had faith in her relationship with Cody; she was certain that they’d be strong enough to cope. If Callum turned out to be the baby’s dad, then that was a whole new problem to deal with, but for now, she needed to be strong for Cody’s sake as that’s all that mattered to her.
43. Chapter Thirteen
The next few weeks were tense, to say the least.
Cody’s adoption was looked into and investigated; he was left knowing that he was indeed adopted and that his real name was Cody Miller. Callum had been right.
After the media eventually left Cody alone, he began thinking about searching for his real parents; Mia didn’t think it was a great idea, but Cody seemed determined, so she left it.
Mia’s pregnancy was going well; the morning sickness had subsided now, and she was growing more used to the concept of being a mom. Her dad still didn’t like Cody; they didn’t speak right to the point of when her parents left the center and then her dad managed a grunt in Cody’s direction.
Mia was still at the center. Stuart had saved her job for her and also taken Izzy back; he couldn’t live without her. He’d forgiven her for covering the story about Cody’s adoption, and she’d probably shown her gratitude with a multitude of sexual positions. Mia was glad Izzy was back. So she’d been devious writing about Cody’s adoption and spiteful in wanting to hurt them both, but in some ways, Mia understood; it took a devious spiteful attitude to make a good reporter.
“Mia, Mia you in there?” Cody’s voice called while he banged on her door.
“Keep your shirt on, Cody, I’m coming,” she answered, making her way to the door.
An excited sounding Cody almost fell through the door, “I’ve found them, Mia; I’ve fucking found them!”
“Who?”
“My real folks, pixie!”
It took a moment for his words to sink in, “Shit, seriously? Really? Where are they?”
Cody sat down on the bed; he was shaking, “They live in Vancouver, can you believe that? Not far from you, Mia.”
Mia sat down beside him wearing her mini denim pinafore dress matched with a bright green T-shirt and her black ballerina shoes. Her long black hair was loose today, cascading around her slim shoulders. There was no sign of her pregnancy as of yet, no baby bump to speak of. She was a little disappointed with this as she actually wanted to look pregnant now.
Cody was dressed in his black jeans and navy T-shirt, with his sandy blond hair back in a low ponytail.
“So the question is, are you gonna meet them?” Mia was excited for him; this was massive news.
Cody shrugged his masculine shoulders and looked like a little lost child with his pale blue eyes wide open, “Not sure, what would you do?”
“Oh, no you don’t, fella. This is on you; your decision, your choice, Cody.”
“Thanks for that Mia!” Cody cried play punching her.
“Oi, you—that friggin hurt! Seriously, this is something that only you can decide,” she whispered, truly believing her own words.
Cody sighed loudly as though he’d the weight of the world on his broad, muscular shoulders; Mia felt sorry for him but knew this was his choice and his alone.
“You’re right, pixie; I know that, I’m just so confused. Half of me wants to meet them to get a sense of who I started my life as—why they put me up for adoption. Half of me doesn’t want to know them; they gave me away—who does that?”
She put her arm around him and hugged him, “Cody I’m here for you. If you want me to come with you, I will, if that’s what you decide, to meet them.”
“You will?” he asked with complete surprise.
“Of course, you idiot, why wouldn’t I?”
“I dunno. I just thought you’d rather not get involved,” he answered, turning to look at her.
Mia was dumbfounded by his reply, “What? Why would you even think that? Cody, I’m already involved with you, so whatever happens to you, I’m involved with.”
Cody kissed her cheek gently. Mia closed her eyes at the touch of his soft lips against her smooth as silk skin.
“Thank you, my little pixie. I’ve never had anyone in my life I’ve been close to apart from my mom when I was very young, and now it turns out she wasn’t even my real mom. It’s all so fucked up, Mia, but I do know you’ll be by my side; it just takes time to get used to that.”
She leant across and kissed his mouth softly, “I’ll always be with you, Cody, always.”
He kissed her back with urgency, and when they pulled apart, she noticed the tears in his blue eyes. Mia wiped his damp cheeks. “Hey, come on, nothing’s that bad—if you wanna meet them, we’ll go together.”
“I’ve not even contacted them yet; I found out their address and then froze.”
“I think the best thing to do would be to call them first, Cody, chat on the phone. You don’t really just wanna show up on their doorstep,” Mia said, knowing that she’d hate that if she’d given her baby up for adoption and then years later an adult stood at her door saying they were her long lost child.
“Good idea, I’ll call them tonight Pixie. I’m excited as hell but shit scared at the same time.” He stood in front of her now and held out his hands, which she took, letting him help her up to her feet.
“I know you are Cody,” she hugged him close, sighing contently as she felt his strong arms embracing her body. He made her feel warm and safe; Mia wished she could stay there in his arms forever, forget their problems and just stay in a world of pure bliss.
“You wanna grab some lunch?” he asked, staring into her eyes; he still made her heart skip when he looked at her in a certain way. She loved him with all her heart and hoped that the baby wouldn’t upset their relationship.
“Sure, I’ll just grab my bag,” she replied, walking toward her shoulder bag; her cell beeped as she went to pick it up.
‘Hey u fancy some company 2nite? x’
“It’s Eliza. I think she’d like to come up here tonight, is that alright?” Mia asked.
“Of course, is Dwayne coming too?” Cody replied, sitting back down on the bed watching Mia as she texted her mate back.
‘Yeah sure, is Dwayne coming 2? x’
“I’ve just asked her about Dwayne; come on, we can carry on down for lunch if you want.”
“We’ll wait, Mia; it’s no problem. I’ve always liked Eliza and Dwayne, you know that.”
“Yes, I know, they’re good kids.”
Mia chuckled to herself as she spoke about them like they were so much younger than her when in reality they were teenagers, and she was only in her young twenties.
‘Yep Dwayne 2 be there around 7pm is that ok? x’
“Ye
s, Dwayne too, Cody. They’ll be here about 7 p.m.” Mia saw Cody nodding his head in agreement.
‘Cool Eliza be great 2 see u both really great x’
Mia smiled as she put her cell in her bag and turned toward Cody, “Does Eliza know about the pregnancy?” he asked.
“Of course she does. I told her a few days after it was confirmed, Cody; she’s happy about the baby as is Dwayne,” replied Mia heading to the door.
“What do you fancy doing tonight?” he asked while they left her room.
“How about a bar for a change or a club in town?”
“A club? All that dancing in your condition, are you sure?”
“Jeez, Cody, I’m friggin pregnant not made of glass, gimme a break!” she answered, punching his arm as they waited for the elevator.
“Sorry, fine, a club it is then. It’ll be good to unwind.”
“Oh, shit, you were gonna call your folks tonight, and I’ve now ambushed your plans,” she said.
“No problem, Mia, I’ll still call them. I’ll do it before we go out.”
“You sure? What if the call goes badly?”
“Then I’ll get pissed to forget it!” He smiled. The elevator arrived, and they stepped in to join Sarah on her way back down to the lobby.
“Hey, all alright?” Cody asked her.
“Just a complaint about a TV not working. I’ll get the guy out tomorrow, Cody,” Sarah said, looking awkwardly toward Mia.
Mia knew that Sarah wouldn’t be working there much longer; in a few weeks’ time, Thrill Seekers would be taken away from Cody. He didn’t have the money to fund it anymore without his inheritance, and that was all being stripped from him.
“Thanks, Sarah. I’m so sorry with what’s happening here; I’ll miss working with you.”
Cody wrapped his arm around Sarah’s shoulders, and the receptionist sighed. She’d already left once, but Cody needed her to come back and continue until the center closed its doors for the final time; Sarah agreed to it as she’d not found another job in the meantime.
“It’s not your fault, Cody. Mia, how are you?” Sarah asked, looking directly at her with Cody’s arm still draped around her shoulders.
“I’m good, Sarah, thanks.” It felt odd to Mia to see Cody’s arm around another girl. She wasn’t jealous as such, why would she be? But it felt weird.
They soon arrived on the ground floor, and Sarah went back to her desk. “I feel so bad for the kids who work here, pixie, it’s so unfair.”
“And so is what’s happening to you, Cody. They’ll find other jobs,” Mia said.
The pair walked to the dining room arm in arm and found a quiet table. Not that it was difficult, as the room was practically empty.
“Where is everyone?” Cody asked their server.
“Not so many people here now that they know the place is closing, boss,” the young teenage girl replied before returning to the kitchen.
“I saw Zach yesterday, and he said there were hardly any teenagers booked in, Mia,” Cody said.
“Well, as sad as that is, there’s nothing you can do about it, Cody,” Mia replied, reaching for his hands across the table.
“Yes there is!” he exclaimed suddenly, standing up as though he’d had an epiphany.
That’s it—he’s actually lost the plot!
“Steady on there, fella, you nearly took the table with you!” Mia shrieked, happy to see him so excited but also a little concerned for his sanity.
“Don’t you see pixie? There’s something I can do, something I can offer the teenagers and their families—a free week at Thrill Seekers, all expenses paid; we’ve got some funds left over, Mia. It won’t have to cost an extra dollar, and the center’s closing anyhow, so if we do happen to lose money over the free week, then what the fuck, right?” Cody said excitedly.
Mia jumped onboard with his excitement, “And we could get Izzy to cover a story on it cos we both know she’s great at exaggerating the truth, and in this instance, we need her to do just that. Hype it up big, so to speak, get the word out there.”
“You don’t mind her being involved?”
Mia shook her head, feeling her long hair brushing across her bare arms as she did so, “Do you mind Izzy doing the story? I can call her as I’ve got her cell number.”
“No. I didn’t like what she wrote about me, Mia, but this story will be for the good of the teenagers, and that’s what Thrill Seekers is all about.” He sat down again, just as their lunch was delivered to the table.
“I think it’s a terrific idea, Cody, I really do; turn a bad situation into a good one, brilliant!” She was impressed once again by his loyalty to the teenagers that he tried to help.
“I’ll get Sarah to do up some brochures advertising the free week’s stay. We’ll have to have a limit on places, though, cos else we might be inundated; how many do you think?” he asked, starting to wolf down his food.
“Take it easy, Cody. There’s plenty of time to sort out the details. I reckon 15 places would be about right, cos I assume you’re gonna do all the activities too?”
“Yeah, but I could get Zach to help out.”
“You’ve forgiven him about our ... umm ... our kiss?”
“Yeah, I forgave you, pixie, so it seemed only right to forgive him too; I’m over it. He’s too good at his job to get rid of him, plus, I kinda like the guy.” He smiled across at Mia.
She ate her food and sipped her coffee, pleased that Zach and Cody were good with each other as Cody was right—Zach was a nice guy and good at his job.
After lunch, they drifted into the lobby to find Sarah, who was stood chatting to a family, “And here he is, the guy himself. Cody this is Mr. and Mrs. Shelby and their daughter Christina,” Sarah said, introducing everyone.
“Pleased to meet you all. Are you thinking about coming to Thrill Seekers?” Cody said while catching Sarah’s arm as she walked away. “Can I grab a word a sec, Sarah?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve had an idea about offering a free week to any teenagers and their families who wish to stay here next week. I know it’s super short notice, but I was wondering if you could do some brochures up and advertise it?”
“How exciting. Yeah, sure. I can I’ll start now!” Sarah’s enthusiasm matched Cody’s.
“You might be interested in the free week yourselves, Mr. and Mrs. Shelby.”
“Well, we don’t need to take you up on the offer as we’ve plenty of money, Cody,” Mr. Shelby said. Mia heard Christina tutting.
“Seriously Dad? Just accept the offer so I can be like the regular kids for once,” Christina moaned, rolling her pretty brown eyes toward Mia.
“Alright, then, anything to keep you happy. Christina’s adopted, you see, and has had a bad start in life in and out of care. We’ve got money and know the program is aimed at kids who are disadvantaged, but we wondered if Christina could take part too due to her background?” Mrs. Shelby explained.
“I don’t see why not, and especially so because this is a free week anyhow, so yes, you’re all more than welcome to join us next week.” Cody smiled at Mia as Christina jumped up and down, screaming in delight.
44. Chapter Fourteen
Eliza and Dwayne turned up as planned, but the club event went straight out of the window when Cody explained about the free week. Everyone wanted to help, and Cody put them all to work arranging the activities for the week and contacting previous families who may like another week at the center.
Cody had asked if both Eliza and Dwayne would like to help out as assistants next week and they’d both agreed.
Eliza and Mia were saying goodbye in the lobby the next morning, “Hey, you look great, by the way, and so does Cody.”
“Thanks, Eliza. He’s so buzzed about next week, like a little child, but it’s good to see him this way,” Mia replied, hugging her mate close.
“Come on, Eliza, we’ve gotta get going,” Dwayne shouted.
Another quick hug between the girls, and
the young couple were gone until next week. Mia always felt sad when Eliza left as she was such a bright ray of sunshine, always smiling.
“Hey, you’ll see her again before you know it, pixie,” Cody said quietly, standing beside her with his arm around her shoulders.
After that night, Mia hardly saw Cody; he was so busy arranging everything for his big week. She’d called Izzy, who was surprised to hear from her but more than happy to help. She was enjoying working with Stuart once again, and as she put it to Mia, he couldn’t live without her for many different reasons.
There was still a job for Mia if she wanted it, but for now, she’d refused on the grounds of needing to support Cody. She’d kept the news of the baby close to her heart with her parents, Callum, Sophia, and Sarah being the only ones that knew.
The evening before the free week began, Mia was standing outside with Cody and Izzy, waiting for their guests to start arriving.
“God, it’s cooler now!” Izzy muttered, pulling a thin sweater around her shoulders.
Might help if you wore more clothes!
Izzy was dressed in true Izzy fashion; the black skirt she was wearing left nothing to the imagination, and the low cut shirt showed just about every inch of her voluptuous cleavage. The thin sweater draped around her shoulders covered her up slightly.
Mia had dressed much more demurely in her black and white palazzo pants and her white flowing shirt. She’d opted for her black strappy sandals but would change as soon as everyone was shown into the center. Cody was looking very handsome in his smart black pants and a crisp white short-sleeved shirt. His hair was back in a black Alice band, just the way Mia liked it.
The first to arrive were the Shelby’s with Christina, “Welcome to Thrill Seekers,” Cody cried.
“The brochure was super by the way, Cody. Very nice to receive it through the mail,” Mrs. Shelby said.
“They are the handiwork of my receptionist, Sarah.” He beamed. “This is my girlfriend, Mia, and Izzy, a reporter who’s here to follow the week’s events.”
Mia felt like she should curtesy, but opted to shake hands, instead. She noticed Mrs. Shelby’s look of disgust at Izzy’s attire and actually for that moment felt sympathy for Izzy and wondered why she felt the need to dress that way all of the time.
Interview with a Billionaire: Billionaire Romance Box Set Page 30
