374 Guests from Idaho 4

Andrea joins other girls for a spa day occasionally, and this time she managed to empty her schedule for several hours in the morning.

They are all busy, but this is a very appreciated girl-time where they get to talk about many topics from serious ones to teasing.

"Is Bri avoiding me?", Sabrina asked while adjusting herself in a big lounging chair that has special support for the lower back which soothes pregnant ladies.

"No, she has an important meeting and when I spoke to her about the spa, it was too late to cancel.", Liz said. "She told me that next time she requires at least two days heads-up."

Andrea was curious about two newcomers (aka Cynthia and Angela). "What brings you to our beautiful Seattle? Work, or pleasure?"

"None of those…", Cynthia responded. "I'm here for fertility treatment. After five years of marriage without getting pregnant, my husband and I decided to seek medical help, and here we are."

"Oh…", a sound escaped Andrea's lips when she realized that she touched a sensitive topic. "Sorry, I wouldn't ask if I knew…"

"Don't worry about it.", Cynthia cut her off. "We did the first round of tests yesterday and will find out results in the afternoon."

"It must be stressful.", Mia chimed in.

Cynthia nodded. "It is."

Andrea cleared her throat and turned to Angela. "And you? Are you giving your sister company?"

"I didn't get a chance to see Seattle so far, so I used their misfortune as an excuse to come here.", Angela said cheekily. "But other than a sight-seeing visit, Liz and Rina are planting ideas into my head to enroll to the University here."

Andrea smiled. "And? Was the planting a success or not?"

"I don't know. I still have many doubts…", Angela admitted. "It sounds nice, but I am reluctant to leave home and get into debt. What if I don't make it?"

Andrea pursed her lips. "Sweetie, I don't know the details, but I can tell you one thing: if you don't try, you will not make it. The only way to change your life is to grab the opportunity with both hands and don't let go."

Angela looked at Andrea and blinked a few times while processing Andrea's words.

"You are a confident woman.", Angela said after some time.

Liz laughed. "Andrea's photo is next to the definition of confidence. If she is not, she would not be the future CEO of Novabank."

Andrea smirked and licked her lips slowly while looking at Liz. "And if I am not confident that I am better than Max, I would not have my eyes on you."

Liz cleared her throat awkwardly. 

Angela's eyes were open wide in admiration. "Wow… all of you here are so… accomplished…"

Mia snorted. "No need to rub it in. I am the unemployed one in this group."

Angela scrambled to fix her mistake. "Oh, sorry… I didn't… I mean…"

"It's OK.", Rina waved her hand at Angela, to get her attention. "Mia is unemployed because of her own choice. I asked her to come and take care of my company, at least during my pregnancy and when the baby is born, yet she refused."

Mia rolled her eyes. "Not everyone is into decorating and designing spaces, Rina. And my people skills are negative. Are you really so eager to let me ruin your business?"

Sabrina laughed. "I'm sure there are other things you could do. Seattle is a big city."

Mia hoped that her smile can fool others because she does not want to spoil the mood.

Mia knows that there are many things she could do, but her heart is not into it. Since she moved in with Hunter she didn't have a proper job and working on the travel blog is a drag since Brianna returned to work at the Harper Investments.

Hunter told Mia that she can do whatever she wants (even if that is sitting and watching television the whole day), he is super-supportive of whatever she wants. However, lately, Mia is catching herself more and more thinking about her father. Should she give him a chance? The last two times she visited, Fabricio looked like he has his life (and organization) in order, and he is firm with Roberto (Mia's half-brother) in making sure everyone understands that at most Roberto can be is Mia's right-hand man, if Mia wants him nearby.

Mia is conflicted. If she decides to accept the role her father prepared for her, that is much more than a job, and she can't leave it behind by submitting a resignation. Mia loves that since she left her home, she has a choice, and she is terrified of such a commitment.

She wanted to talk to Hunter about it more than once, but Mia is not sure where to begin.

Their predetermined wedding date in April is approaching, and Mia does not know if she can have her happily ever after with Hunter while leaving Fabricio without her support. At the same time, if she accepts, how will that impact her relationship with Hunter?

With every day closer to April, Mia feels as if the oxygen levels are dropping and she is not sure how much pressure she can handle. 

"Mia? Mia?...", Liz's voice pulled Mia out of her thoughts. "Are you OK?"

Mia looked at Liz's concerned expression and she cursed herself inwardly. She spaced out again! "Sorry, I am fine. I was thinking about something, that's all."

"Something unpleasant…", Sabrina voiced her thoughts before explaining to Mia: "You were frowning, and I thought you might cry."

"Care to share?", Liz asked Mia.

Mia thought that Liz might be able to shed some light on her dilemma, but the current audience was too broad, and Mia refused. "As I said, I was thinking about something, but it's too vague. Maybe later we can talk."

Liz understood that Mia would tell her if it was just the two of them, and she didn't pursue the topic further.

"So, how did you like the University?", Liz asked Angela whose eyes lit up.

"So many people! And I've got to see my brother all dressed up and looking scholarly. Now I understand why Rina said that many students have their eyes on the handsome TA Grant. If he is not my brother, I would have a crush on him… OUCH!" Angela glared at Rina. She threw a wet towel at her!

"Watch your mouth around a pregnant woman!", Sabrina hissed. "How dare you remind me that there are so many flies around my husband! Ah, now I need to call him… and maybe meet with him for lunch…", Sabrina whined.

Liz burst into a laugh and others followed.

"Why are you laughing?", Sabrina shouted at Liz over the commotion. "Do I need to remind you how many women are after Max?" Sabrina's glare moved to Mia. "Or how many are eyeing Hunter?"

The laughter stopped abruptly as Liz and Mia pursed their lips. Sabrina is right.

Andrea clicked her tongue. "The lesson here is not to cross paths with a pregnant woman."

Sabrina's glare moved to Andrea who cocked her eyebrow provocatively.

"You have nothing on me, dear.", Andrea said. "When will that baby pop out, so that our cheerful Sabrina returns? I am ready to ship this grumpy one overseas…"

Mia and Liz burst into a laugh, joined by Cynthia and Angela. A few seconds later, Sabrina laughed as well. Ah, due to pregnancy hormones, her mood is all over the place and she is lucky to have friends who don't take offense when she has her outbursts.

Angela was happy to meet Andrea, Liz, and Mia. She was surrounded by strong-willed women and she fed on their energy while gathering her courage to talk to her parents about enrolling into the University and continuing her education. With every passing minute in Seattle, Angela was confirming how life at the farm is not for her. She wants to be a city girl with an education and a job and spa-outings and everything else that comes with the package of being an independent modern woman.

Cynthia looked at the women in the room and she was glad that she accepted this spa-invitation, even if that meant leaving Adam in the apartment to watch television on his own. This outing provided her with the environment where she didn't think about the upcoming appointment in the hospital and as a bonus, her nails will be shiny and her skin smooth.

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