Code Red!

Michelle was tired after working her ass off at the restaurant. She was even thinking of quitting, since the dating job is doing well.

She locked the door and dropped her bag as she rushed to the dinning room.

Chloe and Kelly saw her and ran to her, hugging her tight.

"Oh, my babies. I'm sorry I've not been with you lately. Mummy has been busy"

Chloe stretched her tiny hand and touched Michelle's face.

"Daddy is with us"

"And daddy made dinner. Come eat honey" Francis said, holding a pot. He wore the apron on his body without tying it.

Michelle smiled. She walked the kids back to the table as they ate.

"I didn't know you were such a good cook" she complimented him.

"I'm good at everything" he replied and winked.

The dinner was going well, till Francis decided to speak again.

"So, have you received any call yet? I saw the car that dropped you off through the window" he said. Michelle frowned deeply. She stared at the kids. They were busy eating but, they acted like they didn't listen to what their father was saying.

"Kids, go to your room now. I'll come tuck you in" she said.

"Yes mom!" They chorused and left. Michelle stood up and walked closer to Francis.

"How could you ask me such questions in front of the kids? They aren't fools! They could easily understand!" She yelled.

"Well, they don't look like they understand. I don't care about that, I care about what I asked you. Did you receive any call or not?" He asked again. Michelle was disappointed. He was concerned about the money she was going to receive next. He wanted to take all of it and lavish it. But, she swore that she won't use it on him this time. Instead, she'll use it on her kids.

She sighed deeply and folded her hands.

"I'm going tomorrow evening. A dinner date"

"Yes! Make sure to spend more time with him" he said.

"Of course, I will" she replied, with her eyes stuck on him. Out of anger, she turned and left the dinning table.

She entered the kids room and saw them on their bed, chatting. She loved the bond between her kids. At the same time, she felt something was off.

"Did you have fun with your father today?" She asked, making her presence known. They both sat up and exchanged glances with each other.

"We were in our room all day. Dad told us to study so that we'll get good grades" Chloe said.

"Is that true Kelly?" Michelle asked. Kelly nodded her head.

"He doesn't spend time with you two at all. Why? Did he leave the house?"

"I..." Kelly opened her mouth, wanting to speak.

"Come on baby, tell me"

"I heard a lady's voice. Dad made us not to tell you" Kelly said.

"A lady's voice?" She asked herself. A smirked appeared on her face as she nodded her head.

'That son of a bitch! First he got me pregnant, now he's cheating on me. He doesn't love me anymore. The last time he cheated... He tricked me into forgiving him and I did' She thought with her grip tightened.

She called herself a fool for trusting him.

"Mom, we'll be having a parent and teacher meeting, can you make it?" Chloe asked.

"Your dad will be there"

"Our teacher said we'll be punished if our parents doesn't attend. We don't want to get punished mom" Kelly said, with her soft calm voice. Michelle don't know if she should break down in tears. She knew that her kids were always bullied at school because they were poor. They weren't like other kids.

"I'll make sure your dad attend, okay?" She said to them. They nodded and laid down to sleep. Michelle helped them sleep before she went into the room. Francis was already preparing to sleep. He had a towel wrapped around his waist.

"I've been waiting for you" he said. He moved closer to her, placing a hand around her waist.

"Stop Francis. You should go to bed early, you have to attend the meeting tomorrow" she said and walked away. She started taking off her clothes.

"What meeting?" He asked, looking confused. He continued to go closer to her while she did her best to avoid him.

"School meeting. Make sure you're there and don't try to touch me. I've been working my ass off all day and you've been doing nothing. Leave me alone!" She yelled and entered the bathroom, slamming the door hard at his face.

She thought he was really going to do exactly as she said. She thought he was going to attend the meeting. But... He didn't.

.

.

"Hey, Michelle!" Rose called her attention as she wiped the counter clean.

"Huh?" She snapped back to reality.

"I never knew you were friends with Trevor. Is he your boyfriend? Are you two dating?" She asked.

Michelle chuckled softly.

"We're not. He's just... A friend. Yes, a friend" she said.

"Oh, I see. But, he's cute, isn't he? His family is the third richest in the country. You're lucky to be with him" Rose said.

Michelle chuckled softly. Her phone rang in her apron. She hurriedly answered it.

"Mummy, daddy didn't come" she heard Chloe's cracked voice. It sounded like she have been crying. The rag on her hand fell.

"He didn't?" She asked.

"We're being punished right now. The teacher made us clean the whole class and..."

"Hey! Is that my phone?! Give it back you little brat!" The teacher yelled from distance.

"Chloe! Kelly..." Michelle called out. The phone beeped.

"Is everything okay?" Rose asked.

"I need to go pick up my kids from school, I promise to be right back!" She said and ran out, throwing her apron away.

"What? Kids?" Rose asked herself. She didn't know Michelle was married, not even talking about having kids.

Michelle got into a taxi and drove to school. She got out and ran in. She blamed herself for this. She should have left her kids in the public school that they were but she made them get into a rich school because they won a scholarship. As they aren't paying any fees, everyone, including the teachers treat them as shit.

They didn't even add her to the parents group chat because they think she's poor. Every last Saturday of the month, the parents and teachers have a little party, just to know each other but, she has never once attend because she was never invited.

"Chloe... Kelly" she called out their hands, seeing her kids hold huge brush, sweeping dirt.

"You must be Chloe and Kelly's mother" she heard voices from behind. She saw some women. They were some of the mother's that attend today's meeting.

Michelle tried to protect her kids.

"Yes, I am" she said. They exchanged glances with each other and started laughing.

"You work where... Gini's restaurant?" One of them said and they all laughed again.

"How can you allow little kids sweep the floor? Aren't there cleaners who do that?" Michelle asked, angrily.

"They didn't abide by the law you tiny girl. How old are you? Fourteen? Didn't your poor parents teach you to control yourself around men?" One asked.

"Don't you ever speak ill of my parents" Michelle growled at them.

"Your kids will be punished for your crimes, not attending the meeting. Except, you clean the classroom on their behalf"

Michelle turned to face her kids. She touched their faces.

"Go sit down, mummy will do this" she said.

"But, mum"

"It's fine" she said and took the brush. She turned to the women.

"I'll sweep the whole class, is that alright?" She asked.

"Great. Have fun cleaning. That's your job" one said and they all left. Kelly and Chloe watched their mom clean the whole class. It was very huge, even though they were just few of them in the class. She spent a lot of time, cleaning.

"This is dad's fault. I'm sure he's with that lady again" Chloe frowned.

"Don't say anything. Let's help mom" Kelly said. Michelle didn't stop them from helping her. She just hurriedly did what she had to.

Few minutes after they were done, they got home. She hurriedly entered the house and was heading to the room with the kids when she heard some clattering in the kitchen. They turned their head and saw a half naked lady, standing there.

"I've got the drinks"

Francis walked out, holding two glasses of champagne. When he saw Michelle and the kids, the glass fell from his hand. He shrieked. He wasn't expecting them this early. He even forgot about the kids.

"Kids, go to your room" Michelle said. They didn't say any word, they obeyed and went away. The naked lady rushed into the room. She grabbed her stuff and ran pass Michelle.

One of her stuff fell.

"Hey!" Michelle called her.

She froze and turned. Michelle picked her undies and handed it to her. She had her face filled with disgust.

"Don't forget your stuff. You better not come back here, or else... I'll make you regret it"

"I'm sorry" she cried and rushed out, grabbing it from Michelle.

Michelle folded her hands and stared at Francis.

"What do you have to say about this?" She asked.

"I can explain"

"Of course, you always have something to say. Don't you ever apologize. Why can't you just give in your best, if not for me... Do it for the kids. Today, you missed the meeting I begged you to go. The kids were bullied. I was bullied!" She said.

"I'm sorry. I was friends with her before..."

"I know we aren't married yet Francis. We are only together because of the kids. But, try to be considerate. Don't bring in any chick in here! If you want to do it, go outside. Better still, let's just end this"

Francis moved closer to her and held her shoulder.

"I promise, I won't do it anymore. I'll be with the kids. I'll go to them and apologize to them for neglecting them. I'm sorry Michelle. Forgive me" he said. He waited for her response but, her phone rang.

She saw it was a call from Trevor.

She answered the call.

"I'm outside your house" he said.

"I'll be out soon" she said and disconnected the call.

"Take care of the kids. I'm not having this conversation with you again. If you're caught cheating, by me or the kids... We are ending it. Me and you!" She said and left the house.

"Michelle! You know I love you" he yelled as she left. A sigh escaped his lips.

"Fuck!" He muttered.