On the couch, Siobhan was trying to think of some justification so they could keep the expensive gifts.Yvonne tugged her shirt and gave her a look. The plan was already in motion, it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. Siobhan got a hold of herself and kept her opinions to herself.She pushed the whole piece of dessert into her mouth.By the time Zephyrus went up, Monique was already asleep. Angel was sitting by the table, snacking on an apple.Angel was a splitting image of Monique. She had her mother’s eyes, fair skin, and delicate features. Those chubby cheeks only served to make the girl look cuter.At the sight of Zephyrus, Angel pursed her lips and made a shushing sign. She did not want him to wake her mother.She climbed down from the chair and walked out of the room. When both of them were outside, she closed the bedroom door.“Mommy’s dizzy from the car ride. She said she needed some rest,” Angel explained to her granduncle.Zephyrus was taken aback by the maturity sho
The dining table downstairs was filled with dishes of all kinds—all of which were Monique’s favorite.Siobhan and Yvonne were seated at the table, waiting impatiently. Clearly, Zephyrus had ordered them to wait until everyone was present.Monique gave them apologetic looks as she and Angel settled in.It had been five years since the last time they shared a meal as a family.Not everyone appreciated the significance of this family dinner. Across the table, Yvonne took a pot shot. “This bigshot needs an invitation for dinner now?”“I’m sorry. I overslept.” Monique was used to the taunts and jeers from her cousin.Before Yvonne could retort, Zephyrus glared her way. Then, he served Angel and Monique a portion of meat each and ushered them to eat up.“Thank you, uncle. You should eat too.” Monique picked up her cutleries and began picking at her food. Her appetite was not the best that day. In contrast, Angel was enjoying dinner more than usual. The young girl was excited to eat th
Monique was occupied by the food on her plate when Zephyrus called her.“Yes?”Zephyrus let out a sigh before speaking, “A lot has happened in the past. Maybe you should find someone to settle down with and start a family?”“What?”“I have—” Angel’s words were cut off by a drumstick.“Be good and finish your food, Angel,” Monique said as she passed the drumstick to Angel, the warning in her eyes was clear.Angel pouted and rolled her eyes. Her mother had her moments when it came to arguing.She took the drumstick and dutifully bit off a chunk of flesh.Monique was not pleased with the conversation at hand but she put on a smile. “Angel is still young so I wouldn’t concern myself with things like that.”Zephyrus sighed. “It’s exactly because of Angel’s tender age that you should consider it. You were just kidnapped recently. If something had happened to you, who would care for Angel? What would your late Grandpa say?”Zephyrus knew Monique had always adored and respected her g
Henry Moore was having a good day. Work was busy as usual in the Marriott Tower but as evening approached, the hustle and bustle of the office gradually died down. Henry found himself missing the chatty little girl and the scent of that woman.He toyed with his phone as he wondered what the woman was doing then.She had not given him a call.Busy? Was she with someone?Henry was blessed with a handsome face that could take a person’s breath away. He was the epitome of divine beauty. Those dark orbs fixated on the numbers displayed on the phone screen.The call would come, he was sure.A few hours later, the call still had not come. Henry frowned.Shaun Stone felt the hairs on his neck stand. The road ahead was empty and the journey smooth, yet the car was filled with an oppressive silence.He chanced a glance at the rearview mirror. His employer stretched out in the backseat, legs crossed and face stoic. The black eyes were staring back at him.The chairman was looking at him?
Dressed in a black business suit, Chairman Moore lounged in the back of the car looking like a modern day prince. Just this sight alone would drive any woman crazy.As for money, Henry Moore was the diamond of B City—his net worth was unrivaled in the city.This man was asking Shaun about women? He blurted out, “You. You’re what women like.”He immediately regretted letting his tongue loose.What was he thinking?Shaun could feel the metaphorical daggers being thrown at his back. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he quickly tried to salvage the situation. “All women like men who are good-looking and rich. You have all that, plus the power and prestige. You’re everything a woman wants.”He was not trying to curry favor with his boss. In every social event, he had witnessed the ladies throw themselves at Chairman Moore.None have succeeded of course.After his explanation, Shaun trusted he was safe from any unwanted advances, and yet the temperature inside the car continued to p
Henry Moore glared at his phone and swore, “Women are troublesome!”He was sitting on Monique’s bed in Moore manor. The moonlight casted a long shadow, creating an eerie and melancholic atmosphere.Henry had skipped dinner to wait for that woman’s call. As night descended, his mood followed the shade of the sky.A cigarette dangled between his fingers as he stared into the empty room. The man was sullen.There was no news from that woman. No call or text from Angel either.The look of disdain on the woman’s face appeared in his mind.Were they running away from him?He had warned her many times about leaving.Damn it! Uncontrolled anger coursed through his veins.A part of him wanted to personally drive down to Monique’s hometown and drag her back to Moore manor. He would make sure she learned her lesson.His anger manifested in the form of a shattered phone. The device bounced across the floor when he accepted the cold, harsh truth—the woman was never calling.Dinner was ov
These days, Angel and Henry Moore were getting along really well.“Do you like Mommy or Daddy?” Monique asked expectantly.She wondered if Henry’s involvement in their lives had left any significant marks.It would be a lie to say she was not worried.“I like both!”“Both?” The disappointment on Monique’s face was apparent.She had cared for Angel since she was a baby, but after spending a few days with Henry, the man was equivalent in standing to Monique in her baby’s heart? Would Angel love him more?Monique felt threatened.Angel gave her mother a sweet smile. “I like Daddy and Mommy.”“If you could only pick one?” Monique was not backing down.The little girl puffed her cheeks and assumed a thinking posture.Monique watched her daughter deliberate. Was it a difficult choice?Angel could recognize the look of jealousy in her mother’s eyes. She blew a raspberry and laughed. “I’m kidding. I love you more Mommy!”Monique let out a heartfelt laugh. “Oh you little brat, tryi
”Maybe another time,” Monique said as she shook her head at her daughter. “Be good, Angel. We’ll do it tomorrow.”“Mommy, are you going on a date?” Angel batted her eyelashes as she asked. Before the woman could answer, the young girl pouted and said, “Mommy, can you not go? I like this Daddy.”Despite her young age, the girl was able to piece together the details from the bits and pieces of conversation she overheard. Uncle was telling Mommy to go on a date!‘This Daddy?’ Monique was shocked by her daughter’s choice of words.She had underestimated her daughter’s affection for Henry Moore.No! Monique’s attempts to accept the man was greeted with stinging humiliation.One day, he would chase the mother-daughter pair away. She doubted any relationship between them would last and she knew Henry Moore would always have the last say in things.If Monique tried to leave now, Henry would definitely call the cops on her. She did not want to lose her daughter, so she stayed put.Stayi