“We’re going to your grand-uncle’s house for a visit later. Mommy bought the bangle as a gift for your grand-aunt since it’s been a while since I last went back.” Monique Xander held Little Nomi’s chubby hand as they walked out of the jewelry store.“Grand-uncle?” Little Nomi’s huge sparkly eyes on her chubby face were filled with curiosity as she looked at Monique. She heard her mother mention him once or twice, but she never met him before.“Yes, your grand-uncle is my uncle. He took me in when I was young and treated me very well.” Monique lowered her gaze to meet Little Nomi’s as she explained with a gentle smile on her pale face.Her heart was filled with warmth when she thought of how kind her uncle was to her when she was young.Little Nomi heaved a sigh with her tiny mouth. If he really treated her well, why did he never visit? Her mother was extremely easy to please.“Grand-uncle was the one who treated you well, why are you giving the bangle to grand-aunt?” Little Nomi w
Little Nomi then noticed a few waitresses, each holding a silver tray filled with exquisite delicacies, walking in their direction.She had a feeling that they were walking to their table.Monique Xander noticed them too. Indeed, those waitresses walked up to them and stopped beside their table before unloading one tray after another onto their table.Their small table became fully loaded with various delicacies.Even the boy from the next table was amazed. He had been to this restaurant many times but his father never ordered so many desserts for him. Some of them were even exclusive ones that he had never tried before.Monique was so shocked that her mouth fell wide open. She only ordered a mango pancake and a small strawberry milkshake. She could never afford all these.“There must be a mistake, I didn’t order these,” Monique stood up instantly. “I only ordered a mango pancake and a strawberry milkshake.”A beautiful woman stood in front of them in a different uniform compare
Zephyrus Xander’s house entrance, the second day.Zephyrus’s household was above average financially as he had a small business. He was living in a villa built on the land he owned.Monique Xander was actually reluctant. She pressed on the doorbell after some hesitation.Yvonne Xander opened the door, looking like a lady from a rich family with her delicate makeup and red dress.Yvonne was aware that Monique was going to visit that day. She squinted and looked at her with disgust.She did not expect Monique to still look this pure after having a daughter for five years. Monique’s huge sparkly eyes still looked just as lively as before. Yvonne always hated how innocent she looked.Ignoring Yvonne, Monique held Little Nomi’s hand and walked into the house.Yvonne followed angrily with her arms held around her chest, her heels making click-clack noises.Monique entered the living room. Her uncle was sitting on a chair while smoking a cigarette with an unhappy face while her aunt w
“Keep it up, Monique Xander! You can do it!” Monique gave herself a pep talk as she continued driving steadily. She felt the drive to be more ambitious and motivated when she thought about her uncle’s kindness.She was determined to make more money to provide a stable living environment for Little Nomi to put her uncle at ease as he was always worried about her.She enjoyed the night view flashing by through the car window. Rows of streetlights near the streets were glistening with gentle yellow rays in the night, looking like luminous pearls illuminating the busy streets. The night was sinking into the ocean of lights like a black curtain embellished into a brilliant illuminating land.Ding ding, ding ding… Her phone was bursting with notifications from WeChat conversations all of a sudden.She did not have many contacts in WeChat, she only ever entered a group for Stormchase drivers and another group for employees of the café. Perhaps there were announcements in one of the groups
“Stormchase has accepted your request.”Monique heard a Stormchase notification when she was thinking about the man. She checked the address, it was Marriott International. ‘It can’t be.’Monique was blushing and her heart was beating faster. She took her phone and made a call.“Hello, this is your Stormchase driver. My car is blue with the car plate number A2219. I’m reaching the entrance of Marriott International soon. You can come out now.”“Oh, alright,” a woman picked up the call. Her voice was pleasant.Monique was somewhat relieved. How could she expect that it was him? That was silly.Monique was right opposite Marriott so she reached right away.A young and attractive woman walked over after a short while. She had light makeup and she was wearing a white blouse matched with a lilac suit which complimented her tall and slender figure.“Are you my Stormchase driver?” she asked Monique for confirmation.“Yes, hi.” Monique gave her a sweet smile.The woman seemed to be r
‘Of course I saw, I’m not blind! You’ve been putting on your makeup since half an hour ago!’ Monique Xander was wailing internally.Monique had always been good-tempered. She was already compromising by cleaning up the other areas first because Cindy Lee was already there putting on makeup when first she entered to clean the washroom.She requested Cindy to move aside because she cleaned everywhere except for the spot where she was standing.“Can you please move aside for a little bit?” Monique pursed her lips and asked politely.Cindy turned her face covered in heavy makeup and sneered with her bright red lips. “No!”She was doing it on purpose. She heard that Monique had a daughter and wondered whether she was chased out because she was someone’s mistress.She looked down on her. She decided to stay there for as long as she liked.Monique was getting nervous as her other chores were piling up. She had to finish them as soon as she could so that she could get home in time to co
“Louise!” Monique Xander shouted in desperation the moment she saw Louise Lou as if she was her lifesaver.Louise looked up in shock and turned in the voice’s direction to see Monique standing two meters away from her.Monique looked like a pitiful rendition of Cinderella in her oversized grey sweater and skinny jeans while carrying two large paper bags. There seemed to be coffee cups in the bags.“Monique! Why are you here?” Louise’s lips curved upward for an excited smile when she realized that it was Monique who was calling her. She then walked over.“Louise, I’m right here!” Monique lifted the corners of her mouth to form a bright smile. She wanted to wave but both her arms were occupied with the bags filled with coffee. Worried that Louise did not see her, she tiptoed.Her arms were getting numb from carrying the 20 cups of coffee all the way there.Louise had light makeup on her slim face that day. She looked capable and composed with her hair pulled to the back.Her white
“Me?” Monique Xander pointed at herself with her fair, slender index finger and asked Mandy Jane doubtfully.‘Me? There must be some kind of mistake!’Mandy nodded with certainty but the look she gave Monique was odd.Everyone there was curious. Some were guessing that she would not come out alive before getting a severe reprimand!Monique was a little nervous. She walked into the office fully alert to see a black-and-white themed space filled with an extraordinary luxurious leather couch and a solid refined wood desk. Even the few artworks by court painters on the wall were highlighting his exceptional identity. The furniture was simple yet adequately extravagant.Henry Moore was seated on a black couch beside a wide French window with his back facing her. He looked like a divine being from the back due to his inborn elegance. His pose was effortlessly sophisticated and graceful.His side profile reminded Monique of a towering mountain in the panoramic scenery, complemented with