Jack and Lily

Michael Langston walked into his office to start with the day's activities, but his mind was still preoccupied with the earlier encounter with Yvonne. He found Sandra, his efficient personal assistant, engrossed in her work at her desk.

When Sandra noticed her boss, she was taken aback that Micheal had arrived at the office instead of being with the woman she had arranged to meet with him.

Without having to say a word, Sandra knew her boss needed some answers and quickly got up and followed him to his office.

Once they were in, Micheal removed his suit jacket and took a seat at his desk, before his deep blue eyes glanced up at Sandra.

"Where is the woman you arranged for me to meet?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience and slight annoyance.

Sandra looked up, a puzzled expression crossing her face. "Didn't you meet her?"

"No, I didn't," Michael replied. "I even mistook someone else for her."

Sandra frowned, quickly flipping through her phone to once again confirm the last message she shared with the candidate. "That's strange. She must have stood you up, sir. She told me she will come. I'm sorry sir. I will look further into this."

“Nevermind. Find a new candidate. I don't want anyone to feel forced into my children's life.” Micheal said dismissively. It's obvious he wasn't pleased with the whole plans, but cared for his children too much to let them down.

Sandra sighed and looked seriously at Micheal before saying "Boss, you do know how abnormal it is for a woman of proper age to marry a single father with two kids, right? It's a lot to ask."

Michael clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling up inside him. "That's exactly why I need you to find someone for me, Sandra. Do your job."

Sandra nodded, chastened. "Of course, sir. I'll redouble my efforts." She said but deep in her heart, she wished she could openly tell her boss that the women she found couldn't bear a loveless relationship, especially when they all had considered it because of Micheal's wealth and looks.

Without knowing his real identity, they felt it's not worth it when they would just be a nanny in his home. If only Michael was willing to commit a tiny bit of his personal feelings to the candidate, her job would have been easier. His appearance will do wonders in the candidate's deciding factor.

Michael took a deep breath, trying to calm his rising temper, which would have exploded if he could read minds.

Sandra was about to walk away when Micheal stopped her. "Check the security camera for the feed from a situation a while ago and find out which department the man who confronted the woman was. I believe his name is David. Bring me his personal information, including any news that surrounds him. I want all you can gather.”

Sandra jotted down the information, promising to get back to him soon. Just as Michael was about to dive back into his work, his phone rang. It was the nanny calling from home.

"Mr. Langston, I'm sorry to bother you, but the children are acting up again. They refuse to eat again. Could you come home as soon as possible?"

Michael's heart sank. His children were his top priority, and their distress always tore at him. "I'll be there right away," he assured the nanny before ending the call.

He quickly put aside the documents he was in the midst of reviewing and left his office.

When he arrived home, he found his two young children of 4, Lily and Jack, sitting at the kitchen table with tear-streaked faces. Their nanny looked frazzled, trying to coax them into eating.

The middle aged woman looked drained of energy and a hint of frustration could be seen at the depth of her eyes.

"Daddy!" The two adorable children with uncanny resemblance to Micheal both cried out in unison, running to him with outstretched arms.

The nanny huffed at their back and dropped the bowl of cereal in her hand with resentment in her eyes. She cannot believe that the crying children from a few seconds ago could transform so quickly into excited kids.

Michael knelt down, hugging his babies tightly. "What's wrong, my lovelies?" He asked in a soft tone as he wiped their tears with his large thumb.

"We want a Mommy too, like the other children at school," Lily sobbed, her small hands clutching his shirt.

Michael stroked her hair gently. "Mommy will be here soon, I promise I'm working towards it. But you have to eat your food so you can be strong and healthy, okay? When mommy comes, she would be sad to see you not eating and I'm sure my babies wouldn't want that right?"

Jack pouted, his eyes filled with stubborn determination. "We don't want to eat. The children at kindergarten said their mommy fed them at home."

Seeing that his usual tactics had failed him, he took another approach.

Michael knew he had to find a way to distract them. "You always love going to kindergarten, right? But Daddy can't take you there if you don't eat your food. Would you like to go to kindergarten and play with your friends?"

Lily's eyes lit up at the mention of them liking kindergarten. "We don't like the kids at our school, but we like our new teacher!" She said excitedly.

Michael felt his curiosity piqued. His children barely got excited at something or someone other than himself and the prospect of getting a mother like the other kids at kindergarten . "Your teacher? What's her name?" He asked.

"Miss Yvonne!" Jack chimed in excitedly. "She's the best!"

Lily also added with an expression that imitated their so-called teacher. “Miss Emily glared at kids that tried to mock us for not having a mother and bam! The kids leave us alone. She's awesome!”

Michael's heart skipped a beat. His children's innocent words just confirmed the reason for their persistence over having a mother. The other children are making his children think of it.

He must work harder on the task to ensure his children's happiness.

Still, he used the momentum of their shift in emotion to focus on getting the children to eat. "Well, if you want to see Miss Emily and all your friends, you need to finish your dinner. Deal?"

The promise of seeing their beloved teacher worked wonders. Both children nodded eagerly and began eating their food. Michael breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the small victory.

After the children were settled, the nanny approached Michael with a resigned look on her face. "Mr. Langston, I hate to do this, but I need to resign. It's just becoming too difficult to manage everything. They weren't like this before they started kindergarten. It felt like I'm dealing with entirely new kids."

Michael's heart sank. His children used to be a quiet bunch until they started schooling and got the idea that a family isn't complete without a mother in it and started making things difficult for the nanny.

"I understand. Thank you for all your help. I'll make arrangements for your replacement."

Micheal wasn't A man who forced relationships. Anyone can leave when they wish to, even though it takes lots of effort before they can get in.

With the nanny's departure imminent, Michael realized he would have to juggle his responsibilities at work with taking care of his children till he employs a new nanny. It was a daunting prospect, but he was determined to make it work.

Perhaps with him taking care of them, they wouldn't be too keen on making him find a wife.

Later that evening, Sandra called him with the information he had requested. "Mr. Langston, I found out that David was recently hired and works in the sales department. And yes, he's getting married next month."

Michael's brows furrowed in confusion. "Getting married next month?" He asked, wondering why a man will treat the woman he would be getting married to in a month, so cruelly.

But his confusion was cleared when Sandra further addressed.

"Yes, sir. His bride-to-be also works here."

Michael felt a pang of unease for the poor woman from that morning. Was Yvonne being deceived, unaware of David's double life?