With downcast eyes, Thaddeus said to Mona, “Did you touch the necklace?” Mona took a deep breath as the annoyance was getting to her. “Nope. I haven’t even seen it before.” “What about those?” Thaddeus bobbed his chin at the two jewelry sets on the desk. Those were the pieces Mona had randomly picked. “I’ve never touched those either. I hadn’t had time to take them out of the box.” “Chuck them,” Thaddeus said in a bossy tone. “My people shouldn’t be touching or even looking at this cheap and tacky stuff.” Mona’s jaw dropped as she stared at the man in disbelief. The man’s commanding presence left her in shock. Noticing the glint in her eyes, Thaddeus mistook the shock as awe. He raised his brow and said, “Got it? Don’t let this level of trash appear in your sight. I don’t want anything so cheap and tasteless to be reflected on me.” Mona compliantly nodded her head and replied, "Yeah. I got it.” It was a rare moment for Thaddeus to witness the woman’s courteous side. H
“Ben, Tim, tell me the truth. Why were you at the guest reception area?” Mona folded her arms and looked at the two young, dashing boys who were a lot taller than her. She carried herself like a demigoddess with uncanny abilities. Ben and Tim hung their heads low and stared at the floor under their feet, not saying a word. “Fine. Don’t want to talk? Then you can forget working with me from now on. I don’t need two assistants who can’t be forthright and truthful with me,” Mona pretended to be angry. The trick seemed to work, as Ben was the first to lose his cool. He turned his eyes to Tim. “Why don’t we tell Mona about the plan? She’s one of us, so there’s nothing to hide.” Tim remained tight-lipped, but he did not refuse Ben’s suggestion. Getting the green light, Ben went on to explain to Mona. “Don’t be mad, Mona. We had our reason to go to the guest reception area, but it was not to steal anything. The old hag must be out to get you. Had we known she had set up a trap, we
“I have taken classes on design. So I guess you can say I know a thing or two. We can give it a go if you don’t believe me. I’ll sort this out in three days.” Tim and Ben looked pleasantly surprised, blown away, and in awe. “You’re a goddess, Mona. How many more skills can we uncover from you? You’re amazing.” Mona smiled without a word. She had not wasted one bit of her time as Mrs. Fontaine over the years. She attended social events and picked up the know-how about finance, the stock market, design, fashion, red wine, and anything to do with the social circle. She knew she would leave Thaddeus sooner or later. Hence, Mona had to up herself with skills instead of becoming a tamed and complacent housewife. Mona had not given herself a chance to slack off and jumped on any opportunity to learn and enrich herself. “Cut the nonsense, and get back to work.” Rising to her feet, Mona lowered her head and tidied up a desk when the bling between her fingers caught her eye. She st
“I don’t. How much is it worth?” Mona shook her head. Although she had no idea its value, the ring must be expensive. Raymond smiled. “My silly girl, would you believe me if I told you this ring could buy you a country? The ring Thaddeus placed onto your finger could fund the economy of an entire nation.” Despite mentally preparing herself for a number, Mona was blown away by Raymond’s answer. She unfurled her palm and studied the ring, suddenly feeling the weight in her hand. “Don’t make a fuss, but I can tell you one more thing. Thad left in the middle of a hundred-million-dollar negotiation to stick up for you. What do you think you mean to the guy if he ditches the one thing he believes is most important? Let’s not forget that he’s all about his career, work, and profits.” Dumbstruck at first, Mona then smiled. “Raymond, no one can read Thaddeus’s mind. I think you’re imagining it.” “Well, we shall see.” Raymond watched Mona walk away, thrilled about what was to com
“Then tell me. To you, who would the right person be? What should I do to get in the right direction?” Thaddeus put down the knife and turned to the side to meet Mona’s gaze. It was as if a beast was trapped behind those obscure eyes. Feeling a chill down her spine, Mona clutched onto her coat and replied, “You have a fiancée. Samantha is the rightful owner of the ring.” Thaddeus asked in a flat tone, “Did Raymond tell you the price tag on the ring?” “He did. He said it’s priceless, and the ring could fund an entire economy.” “Nope. It can only buy you a handbag, and you probably have to wait until a season clearance sale to afford that handbag with the ring.” Mona was puzzled. “What do you mean?” Thaddeus furled his lips nonchalantly. “Nobody wants something engraved with someone else’s name no matter how expensive it is.” Mona whipped out the ring and ran her fingers along the band. She found a word engraved in the inner section of the ring. It was her name. Mo
Shocked and appalled, Thaddeus looked at Mona, who had a knife to her neck. The woman was as stubborn and headstrong as a mule. There was nothing he could do about it. “I never said I’d take the kids from you. I’ve even moved in with you. Isn’t it enough to show my good intentions?” Thaddeus reached out to take the knife away from Mona and calm her nerves. “No one is taking your children from you. Take it easy.” “You must promise me and honor your promise that you won’t take my children from me.” Mona put her guard down. “Of course. When have I ever lied to you?” The man turned around and carried on slicing the fish on the cutting board. “Check on the kids. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.” Mona observed the man’s back, unable to figure out what was going through the man’s head. Now that he was staying here, what about his fiancée? Besides, Mona and Thaddeus were divorced. It would make them cohabitating partners to be living under the same roof. “Thaddeus, I neve
Mona shook her head. No! She could never possibly let that happen. “That’s enough, Millie. Let your daddy go back to making dinner.” Mona drew close and pried Millie from Thaddeus before locking the girl tightly in her embrace. “You forget about everything when you’re having fun. You’re drenched in sweat. Be careful not to catch a cold.” While speaking, Mona carried Millie into the bedroom to bathe her and get her into a fresh change of clothes. Thaddeus watched Mona’s slender and tiny frame. His eyes were dark as something stirred within the man. The woman did not look like a mother with two kids. Her supple skin and killer figure were more of an eighteen-year-old. The man moved his gaze to his reflection on the floor-to-ceiling window. Thank goodness he had the looks to match the whole family. By the time Mona was done showering the little girl, Thaddeus was serving up a feast of color and flavor on the dinner table. Mona carried Millie out, not realizing the front of
That night, Marcus brought Thaddeus’s suitcase to Mona’s place. Marcus walked through the door to find a man in a pink apron doing the dishes. Marcus’s jaw dropped in surprise. In all the years working as an assistant to the CEO, Marcus had never seen Thaddeus busy in the kitchen. He had to say that the CEO looked tamed running the household like a housewife. “Sir, this is the minutes of the management meeting today. There are a few documents needing your signature on the computer.” Marcus reported while putting the suitcase and paperwork on the table. Thaddeus wiped the cutlery dry, glanced at Marcus, and offhandedly uttered, “Marcus, from tomorrow onward, cancel all business dinners and send the deputy chiefs in my stead. Free up my time from four to eight o’clock. If you need me for anything work related during that time, try and report to me after seven.” Marcus nodded and responded affirmatively. During their conversation, Mona came downstairs. Marcus took notice of