Final Hours to Midnight

Mia read the recipe book over and over, as there was neither time nor ingredients to spare on a second attempt.

She’d recently learned about Wes’s birthday from Claire and Caleb. That’s why she had to rush the preparation, and now that it’s here, she hoped her efforts could make up for how close she’d come to doing nothing at all. Even though he’d reassured her she didn’t have to give him anything, she still ended up sleeping late to knit gifts and pulling extra shifts to afford the cake.

‘I wish it's only because it’s his birthday,’ she lamented. ‘And not also because I feel bad for hiding something from him.’

As it happened, on the day Caleb drove her home from L’Atelier, Claire had waited until Wes wasn’t around to speak to her. “You shouldn’t tell him about the competition for now. Considering that man, Keith Stonehill, is the fashion line’s current face, I doubt he’ll approve of you going back and meeting him again, which you certainly will. We’ve both seen how irrational he can be when his emotions get the best of him.”

‘I would’ve told him regardless, but with how he reacted that time…’ She shivered as she recalled. ‘He never mentioned the incident, but something’s changed.’

The matter remained unresolved, as she didn’t have a chance to talk things through with Keith, and Wes had kept her busy enough not to think about it.

For the past couple of weeks, he’d always check in and spend time with her, even walking her to school and visiting her apartment. Yet with the event edging closer, he’d become more and more occupied with his job until she could barely see him, which at least worked in her favor today.

After classes ended, she went to Jenny’s place to borrow her kitchen oven and bake a cake. Since it’s a surprise for Wes, she couldn’t bring him with her or let him know.

“Want any help?” Jenny asked from behind.

“I-I’ve got it,” Mia answered without looking up. “Letting me use your kitchen is enough help.”

“It's nothing. We did almost burn yours a while ago.”

“Ah, it’s f-fine! You cleaned up afterwards.”

Jenny hummed, noncommittal. “You sure are going all out.”

“It’s just a cake.”

“And it's for him.”

She glanced for a second and caught her friend averting her gaze quickly. “Yes… For Wes...”

“I just don’t get why him, of all people.” Jenny shrugged casually.

Mia smiled wryly. “What do you mean? You said you met him.”

"I did."

The kitchen suddenly felt too quiet. Mia tried to ignore it and focused instead on the smell of cocoa. Jenny watched her line the cake pan with parchment before pouring the batter.

“Wes is a good person, Jenny.” Her words had her friend's lips twitching and nearly curling up into a smirk. “I know he is, Mia, but just not good enough for you.”

Jenny said no more, and as the silence pressed in, Mia found herself peering at the cake batter more closely than necessary, as if waiting for something to go wrong.

---

Wes observed as the hotel staff set up the ballroom with trained efficiency.

The hum of activity gave the enormous hall a pulse of its own. White-gloved servers arranged the silverware, then proceeded with polishing the crystal centerpieces until they sparkled under the chandelier light. Not much time was left before the guests arrived and the program commenced.

“We’re almost done here, Mr. Ashthorne. You may leave the rest to us.”

“Thank you.” Though he smiled at them, he felt restless within. ‘Right, I should also get ready. Father came home from his business trip for my birthday party.’

Wes had already spent half the day greeting executives and coordinating with the organizers. Yet amid all this, his mind would slip to his girlfriend. Mia had no idea how frantic today had been behind his excuses of ‘backlogs at work.’

She’s oblivious to the high-profile individuals, the meticulous event planning, the sumptuous banquet, or even just the fact that he’d be celebrating with everyone else.

Guilt coiled and clawed at his insides. ‘This secret… It torments me now more than ever.’

He pulled out his phone and typed the words with urgency, as if he had to reassure himself as much as her: 'Can’t wait to see you tonight, princess.’ He considered calling as well, but then, a commanding presence strode in, shifting the air in the room in an instant.

“Wes, my son!” Romulus Ashthorne’s booming voice bounced across the hotel’s ballroom. “Come, let’s take a look here together. You think you’ve got it under control, but I want to see it through my eyes.”

“I’ve finished checking, sir. If you want, I’ll show you around.”

“Why so formal? Nobody’s here yet. Call me ‘Dad’!”

“No, we’re still in public.”

His father moved and spoke with confidence that could bend the world to his will. While Wes naturally drew attention the moment he entered a room, this person possessed an imposing aura that made everyone straighten up instinctively. Yet despite the invisible weight of his title, his actions carried a blend of power and charm that left people inspired rather than intimidated.

When Romulus was done making the rounds, Wes felt the sting of frustration as any opportunity to call Mia passed.

He checked his phone whenever he could but saw no response every time. He knew he couldn’t reach her at this point without disrupting anything.

‘It’s almost the party.’ He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

“Excellent work once more, Wes.” His father clapped him on the back. “I’ve always believed the family legacy is in good hands.”

He nodded despite the anxiety in his chest. “I’m honored by your words.”

“So, then, any lady with you this year?”

‘I badly hope so.’ He shot him a tight-lipped smile. “No, I’m afraid not. I don’t think it’s time yet.”

“What are you saying?! You’re very well at the age to find a partner!”

Wes did have one already, but there were circumstances.

Soon, the ballroom was alive with chatter, music, and the clinking of glasses. He weaved through the crowd with ease, offering polite smiles and exchanging pleasantries with guests who’d never noticed the tension behind his perfect demeanor. His mastery of the art of appearing composed made it seem like he had it all under control, but the truth was that his emotions were a wreck the whole time.

Claire and Caleb, fortunately, had the sense not to bring Mia up.

It’s as though the mere mention of her name would cause the mask to slip, and it would for sure. If not that, it could be because they’re reflecting on their recent actions that almost exposed him.

‘I can ask for their help to reach Mia, but I have a feeling Claire will refuse, and Caleb might make it worse. Seth, on the other hand, disappeared somewhere. I have Jenny and Louis now, too, but if I do have the time to contact them, I’d rather talk with Mia myself.’

This was bad. This was the worst.

As his impatience thinned, he excused himself and tried to call her. He decided to confess that he'd be late, so she could stop waiting and retire for the night. With how busy he was, sneaking out like usual wasn’t possible this time.

To his disappointment, she never picked up his call or replied to his messages. At the very least, he informed her friends. Once his business was finished, he intended to step out right away and hurry over.

And that he did.

The birthday party eventually ended, and Wes immediately left to see Mia. Using the spare key she’d entrusted to him, he unlocked the door. The sight that came into view stunned him in place, his eyes wide, mouth open, and heart frozen.

“Mia…”

His girlfriend had fallen asleep near the door with her knees pulled in and her cheek on the wall. Beside her was a box of chocolate cake, a gift in patterned wrappings, and a party popper. Farther behind was her phone, plugged into a portable charger, giving the impression it had been out of battery while she waited.

Heavy, crushing regret hit Wes hard enough to steal his breath. ‘No, this… This isn’t what I want…’

Mia, in her vulnerable innocence, waited for him the entire evening. The idea alone triggered a complex mix of emotions—of guilt, of awe, of possessive affection, of overwhelming protectiveness. Wes crumbled, and at that moment, he knew this couldn’t happen again.

If he didn’t change anything, he’d be the reason she suffered in silence.