A smile broke through Angel’s teary face. She nodded enthusiastically.The smile on her face showcased her dimples. The little girl looked especially pretty when she was happy.The frustration in Monique’s heart melted away. She hugged her daughter and gave her a light kiss on the forehead.She knew Henry was an important figure in Angel’s life and so was she.Angel once said that if Henry harmed her, she would leave with Monique without asking any questions.For Angel and her own sake, was she able to conquer her own insecurities and take a step forward?Monique entertained the thoughts of being with Henry but her fear and insecurity hampered her.She took a liking to the man but she could not shake the feeling that he was only playing with her. She was a toy that could be discarded anytime he was bored.What could she do to make him stay?Monique stood up and gave Henry a gentle smile. She then said, “Enjoy your meal. I’ll wait for you.”The smile was easy and attractive. I
Angel raised her chubby arm and covered her face with an open palm. Her eyes twinkled in faux surprise as she smiled.It was all thanks to Angel’s sacrifice and perseverance.As long as her mother gave in to her father, they would be a happy family.When Henry released Monique, her face was as red as a baboon’s butt. She did not meet his eyes.She looked down and was met with Angel’s knowing stare.Monique raised her head and saw Mrs. Lawson giving her an affectionate smile.She faked her composure and said, “Then…Let’s go to school…”She took Angel’s hand and turned to leave.“I don’t have my bag!” Angel said.With her escape plan foiled, Monique stopped in her tracks. Henry noticed she was avoiding his gaze and grinned.Mrs. Lawson brought the school bag to Angel. Then, Monique took her daughter’s hand on one side while Henry took the other.Together, the three of them walked out of the house.It was not the first time Monique felt that they were a family.On Angel’s fir
Henry’s gaze softened as he looked at Angel and said, “Of course.”“I’ll be waiting! Both of you must come, okay? Don’t trick me,” Angel said.The last time they promised to pick her up from school, her mother ended up coming alone and she was late. The incident made Angel wary.Monique was delighted by her daughter’s cheery mood. She stroked the little girl’s hair.Henry pulled over by the road side in front of the kindergarten.Angel extended her little finger and gave both adults an innocent smile. She then said, “Then we should pinky swear on it.”No one could resist the simple request made by the adorable child.Monique hooked her little finger around her daughter’s, then turned to Henry.Would the uppity chairman join them?Angel’s joyous grin and the bashful expression on Monique’s face were enough to make Henry succumb. He raised his pinky and joined in with a blissful smile on his face. Warmth spread through them where their fingers joined.“Pinky swear, no take-back
Henry Moore was not her husband. However, during Angel’s kindergarten registration, Monique listed Henry’s as the father—she did it for Angel’s sake.There was no response from Henry. Monique then gave Miss Christine an awkward smile and said, “Thanks.”Monique did not shut the idea down. Instead, she reveled in the thought of having Henry Moore as her husband.“Say goodbye to your Mommy and Daddy,” Miss Christine told Angel.“Bye bye!” Angel waved her hand at Monique and Henry. She reminded them before they parted, “Remember to pick me up later!”Henry and Monique walked back to the car and Monique got into the driver’s seat.She drove faster than usual as she was running late for work. She kept an eye on Henry who was seated at the back. The morning sun shone onto the man who was focused on his phone.Monique remembered the first time she witnessed him driving at night.Her life was turned upside down after meeting Henry.It was a blessing in disguise. She did not want to th
Monique quickly made her way into the planning department. She caught the tail end of the discussion. “...Who knows if she’ll even show up today?”The chatter died down when everyone turned to look at Monique.Amelia smiled at the woman who just arrived. “Monique, you’re here. Do you want anything to drink?”Monique shook her head and said with a smile, “No. Thank you, Miss Amelia.”“Don’t be shy. Let me know if you need anything,” Amelia replied.“Thank you, Miss Amelia.” Monique gave the woman a bright smile.“Have you submitted the proposal?” Monique asked.Amelia was a good person. She helped Monique with the proposal and her leave application.Monique wanted to buy Amelia a meal one day.The question was undeserving in Amelia’s eyes. A mere aide worried about her work?Amelia only helped because Assistant Manager Walt reached out to her. She could care less about Monique’s proposal.She kept her dissatisfaction to herself. After all, Monique was the chairman’s woman. Sh
Mandy read through the chairman’s email first thing in the morning.The marriage agreement was between Henry Moore and Monique Xander.Soon, Monique Xander would become Chairman Moore’s wife.It was earth-shattering news.As Mandy skimmed through the document, she realized the chairman was truly fond of Monique.The rules in the agreement bound her to him. Monique was not allowed to contact other men and return home late. She needed to give Henry a kiss and bid him goodnight every day. There were two pages worth of trivial rules which surprised Mandy.If the chairman decided to end the relationship, Monique would be compensated with $3,000,000,000 and Angel would be taken care of. There were other undisclosed compensations.My goodness.Who would choose to leave the chairman? He had the looks and the money to make up for the fact that he was sometimes demanding and moody. Mandy noticed Monique getting closer to Chairman Moore. It was a feat few could achieve.Henry acknowledge
”They should be here in five minutes,” Mandy said to Henry.It seemed like the chairman planned to reveal their relationship.After seeing Monique all dolled up, Mandy no longer thought the woman was unfit for Chairman Moore.The chairman was visibly happier after meeting Monique.Therefore, Mandy wished them the best.However, there was an issue…Mandy wondered if she should bring it up.“When the flowers arrive, you’ll personally bring it to the planning department,” Henry said.Mandy nodded but did not leave.“Something you want to ask?” Henry noticed his secretary’s hesitation.Mandy was a secretary to Chairman Moore for many years and she understood the man in ways only a few could. She knew the marriage agreement was excessive regardless of his fondness of Monique.Henry Moore was rich and handsome. He even outshone celebrities.He was the hot topic wherever he went. A mundane gesture by the man could catch everyone’s attention.Mandy surmised the contract stated a s
”Such a beautiful bouquet! Which charming man got you this?” the young woman asked.Mandy smiled and said, “It’s not for me.”The chairman’s secretary was collecting the delivery for the chairman? Was the chairman giving it to someone?The young woman made an educated guess. “Is it for the female driver?”Everyone knew that the female driver was working as an aide in the planning department.The young woman remembered handing Miss Xander’s daughter a piece of candy once.Who knew she would end up working in the company’s planning department.When the woman was employed as the chairman’s personal driver, she was not processed by the personnel department. No one really knew who she was.People thought she was the daughter of some upper class family. Everyone was shocked when her family background was revealed.The woman was abandoned as a child. Then, she got knocked up and raised a daughter of her own. No one knew who the father was.Did the woman have an ulterior motive when