Chapter 5: A Big Surprise

Magnus

I never thought I’d be able to feel like a young, love-struck guy again.

I have to admit, Miranda’s call last night took me by surprise. I didn’t think she’d seek me out after what happened, but I’m glad she did. Things have worked out well for both of us, although she was right about one thing, this is dangerous.

But what I feel is even worse. I’d kill anyone before I let something or someone hurt her. And that’s exactly what I’m excitedly discussing with Patrick.

“Can you believe it, Patrick? You and I knew this would happen. Miranda was bound to fall for me,” I say, and he starts laughing.

I throw a paper ball at him.

“It’s not funny.”

“I’m sorry, sir. It’s just that Miranda only asked to keep things casual. Plus, I didn’t think you’d want to be involved in a love triangle.”

“Who said anything about a love triangle?”

With a more serious look, Patrick observed me. It seemed important because he even dropped the formalities.

“Magnus, I highly doubt Miranda is dating Richard for his money. She’s a renowned lawyer. She has more than enough money.”

“I don’t see your point.”

“She’s with Richard because she has feelings for him.”

His words were like a stab in the stomach. I refused to believe something like that. Miranda is brilliant, talented, determined, strong, beautiful, and has a body to die for. There’s no way that idiot Richard could be that lucky.

There’s no way she actually has feelings for him. If that were the case, why is she having an affair with me? She’s just fooling herself. Maybe she’s not ready to admit what she truly feels for me.

“Nonsense, Richard is just a pastime; that relationship won't last long, I assure you”

“If you say so”.

“Patrick, you should go prepare the car; I have a suit to buy. Tomorrow, I have an interview with an important magazine. It's time to clear my name”.

“Do you think an interview will get you out of the lawsuit?”

“No, but I'm sure Miranda will”.

After wrapping up the last pending matters, I left the company, and Patrick took me to one of the shopping malls. Many people were looking at me, some with astonishment and admiration, as always.

It doesn’t matter, I’ve never cared about anyone’s opinion, much less the opinion of people who are clearly inferior to me.

I wanted to try something new, a suit that I could take now and not be waiting for a custom-made one. As I walked down the aisles, I decided to call Miranda. There was something in her voice that calmed me down.

“I’m busy, Magnus.”

“Hello to you too. Oh, Miranda, I’ve missed you too.”

“Magnus, I called you yesterday. Have they told you that you’re somewhat dramatic?”

“Drama could be my middle name,” I said, better to get straight to the point. “Are you really that busy?”

I couldn’t see her, but I could swear she was smiling.

“I can take a few minutes break. What’s up?”

“I have a surprise for you, getting it involves spending the night with me.”

“A night with you?”

“Not in a sexual way I mean, not unless you want to. Let yourself be surprised a little; I'm sure you'll like it.”

“And what is it?”

“Miranda, the point of surprises is not to mention what they’re about.”

I pointed out to Patrick with my hand the suit that I liked and that was the one he took to pay for. I know, it’s hard to believe that Magnus Anderson has to pay for things, but what can I say? I’m still human.

“Alright, I accept, I just want to clarify a few things before receiving that surprise. There were many things I wanted to tell you yesterday, but I couldn’t.”

I can’t imagine the moral dilemma Miranda must be facing, this wanting to do the right thing or what is socially acceptable seems absurd to me.

The truth is I don’t care what she decides to do, as long as she stays with me. God, I must sound desperate.

“Let’s clarify whatever you want with a little wine, how about that?”

“I’m pregnant, Magnus.”

“Right, I almost forgot” I wish I didn’t remember that she’s expecting Richard’s child, well, it could be anyone’s. “I won’t give you alcohol, but stop thinking about the baby, just for tonight, you have to enjoy life a little, you know?”

“Yes, sure, whatever you say. I’ll see you tonight, where do you want us to meet?”

“Meet?” I asked offended “Miranda, I’ll pick you up at the apartment, I won’t be long.”

“Does this strategy of trying to be a gentleman work with all the girls?”

“The truth is I hope it only works with you.” I knew I had won this discussion the moment she fell silent.

“Be punctual, Magnus.”

“I always am.”

With that, I ended the call and before leaving the store, I found something that caught my attention. I made sure no one saw me, it wouldn’t look good for Magnus to be checking out baby clothes.

Everything in this section was so small, so colorful, for a brief few seconds I could imagine myself buying all these clothes and taking them to Miranda, after all, what does it matter who the father is? I could take care of it as if it were my own.

Anyone would think I’m crazy, that I can’t handle such a big responsibility because I don’t know Miranda, I don’t care, I know what we both feel, and it’s not just attraction.

“Everything is ready, sir,” Patrick’s voice brings me back to reality.

“Yes, change of plans, we’ll give Miranda her surprise today, we’ll pick her up at her apartment.”

“As you command.”

I was hoping this day would be perfect, but seeing Richard in the parking lot just made my stomach churn.

“Look who it is,” he approaches me with evident arrogance. “Magnus Anderson, watch out, he’s sure to scam another person.”

“You’re a coward! Do you really think a lawsuit will bring down the empire that I built with blood and sweat? No one can beat me.”

“Sir, the lawsuit stipulates that you should not have contact with Mr. Richard, let’s go.”

“Yes, listen to your bodyguard, better leave if you don’t want trouble, Magnus.”

“And who’s going to stop me? You?”

“Don’t challenge me.”

I was prepared for anything, I wouldn’t stand idly by and I wouldn’t bow my head to someone as insignificant as the man standing in front of me. He’s not worth it.

“I do what I want when I want, Richard. If you want to hit me or file another lawsuit, I don’t care, but don’t think you intimidate me in the slightest.”

“Your lawyer should be the one feeling intimidated, you got yourself a woman, didn’t you?”

“The best one,” I assure him.

“That’s a shame, the best one is with me, both professionally and sexually, just so you know.”

I clenched my fists to contain myself, it was true that I shouldn’t create a scandal right now, that would only damage my image more, but just the thought of this idiot’s disgusting hands running over Miranda’s body made my blood boil.

I wish no one else would touch her, no one, except me.

“You know what? You’re wrong about that, buddy,” I said the last word mockingly. “The best lawyer is with me.”

The laugh he let out at that moment echoed throughout the parking lot.

“Yeah, right, are you going to tell me that Miranda is now your lawyer? Because there’s no one better than her.”

Behind Richard was my bodyguard indicating in every possible way that I should keep quiet, but I would love to see how Richard goes crazy when he finds out that his girl is now working with me.

“You’d be surprised at the answer to that question, in fact, Miranda…”

“Miranda is doing a great job,” Patrick interrupts. “If she’s working with you, she must be good, Mr. Richard, but now we have to go and if you don’t want me to finish you off, I recommend you leave too.”

Without saying anything else, Patrick made an effort to get me out of the parking lot as soon as possible, I tried to calm down, but I was so eager to go back and punch his face. That man will pay for what he’s doing to me.

“We’re here, sir.”

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I hadn’t noticed I was already in front of Miranda’s building. Of course, I got out as fast as I could and as soon as I knocked on the door, she opened it as if she was already expecting me. She looked gorgeous.

“You can take a picture of me, it might last longer.”

“It’s just that you look beautiful, Miranda.”

“Flattering me won’t get you very far. Magnus, there’s something I want to make clear if we’re going to do this, whatever this is. I’m not willing to commit and I’m sure you’re not either, this could go wrong in so many possible ways and you already have enough problems.”

“One more won’t make a difference.”

“I’m serious,” she crossed her arms. “No commitments or emotional implications, it will be casual.”

“You’re not in love with Richard, are you?”

“I don’t even know why I’m still with him if I’m honest with you.”

That was the answer I needed, if she doesn’t feel anything for him this will be easier.

“You say you don’t want a commitment,” she nods. “What makes you think I don’t want one either?”

“You’re not a man who takes relationships seriously.”

“There’s always a first time, right?” I interrupt her before she can speak again. “Look, deep down you know the truth, you felt the same as I did from the moment we met, even though you almost killed me for dropping your documents, but you know this is not just attraction, Miranda. It goes beyond that.”

“There are many things you don’t know, Magnus.”

“I don’t care. I’m yours.”

“You’re mine?”

“I shouldn’t be telling you this, especially when I don’t know you, but…”

“But what?”

“You’ve had me at your feet since the moment we met, I doubt that can change.”

I couldn’t describe the way she looks at me, but I wish she would always look at me like that.

“Ready for your surprise?”

“Sure. Surprise me.”