When Martha came back from work, she met Monica in her room happily doing her assignments.
"Hey sweetie..."Martha said as she approached Monica with a kiss.
"Mom...welcome back..." Monica hugged her. " How are you dear?...sorry I've been busy lately...I haven't spent time with you recently " Martha said with a sorry expression as she caressed Monica's cheek.
"Its okay Mom...everything is fine...school...my health...you don't have to worry" Monica said as she snuggled into her Mom's embrace.
"How's work Mom...I hope you haven't been skipping lunch" Monica said with a questioning gaze as she led her mom to her bed.
"Why would I dear...I have always had my lunch on time" Martha said with a laugh.
"Good Mom...I missed you alot today" Monica said.
"Ohh...baby girl...I hope you haven't had a tough time in your new school?" Martha asked her daughter with a worried tone. For the past few days, she has been really busy and often come home late so she rarely saw or spoke to Monica like she usually would.
"No Mom Sky High is great...I love it" Monica said as she subconsciously smiled when sha thought of Max.
"Hmm...why is there a beautiful smile on your face?...you never smiled when you talked of Pinnacle High before" Martha asked Monica with a scrutinising gaze.
"Stop it Mom..." she blushed " i just thought of my friend, Max...he's the youngest son of the Mitchell's " she said.
"Hmm..I've heard of that handsome boy..so he's you friend huh?" Martha asked with a gaze that said 'your friend is handsome huh' which led to both of them bursting into laughter.
"Do you want to go to your favourite restaurant?... its been long I took you there" Martha asked after their long laugh.
"Sure Mom...I'll be down in five" Monica said as she rushed into her closet.
"Be quick Monica...we don't want to stay out too late..." Martha said as she watched her daughter flee into the closet with a smile.
They arrived at the restaurant about 15 minutes later and went to sit at their usual spot.
They talked about their day as they waited for their order while having coffee and milkshake. Martha suddenly furrowed her brows when she saw who was walking towards them with a wicked smile.
Monica who noticed her mother's change in expression turned around and was shocked to see who was behind them.
"Hey...wifey" he said in an annoying tone. "Please watch your words Mr Maxwell...I'm not married" Martha said in a cold and obvious angered tone.
"Dad??" Monica said in a questioning tone. She knew her mom had a divorce but she never knew the story behind it. She has also heard alot of things about her father and her stepmothers, but has never seen any of them.
"Hey daughter...I'm your father...can you call me dad again?" Mr Maxwell felt a tinge of pain in his heart. He felt as if a thousand needles pricked his heart the moment he heard the word 'Dad' directed towards him.
"Stop this Mr Maxwell I dont have anything to do with you so stop disturbing me and allow me have my coffee in peace" Martha said as she tried to control her trembling voice.
She knew how Monica has secretly cried for the love of her real father as Mrs Clara's husband can never fill in that spot in her heart so she always felt guilty for not giving her daughter a perfect home.
Monica was left with a complex look on her face. She has never seen her father before so she really didn't know if she should acknowledge him or pretend not to know him.
"She's not your daughter...we aren't related to you so can you leave us alone...just go..." Martha tried to hold back her tears as she screamed at him. She was always scared whenever she thought of the possibility of Mr Maxwell taking her daughter away from her.
"Mom..." Monica could feel her Mom was holding back her tears and that there was more to her Mom's anger that meets the eye so she held her hand and directed her frightening gaze to her 'Dad'.
"Please Mr Maxwell...I would like to request you to leave. Your presence is not needed so please excuse us" Monica said in a cold and expressionless tone. She hardly or maybe has never seen her mom in such a state where she would break down to the point of tears so she understood this man needs to go.
"I'm sorry my daughter...see you later Martha" Mr Maxwell said with complex emotions in his eyes as he stared at Monica before turning around and existing the restaurant.
"Mom I'm tired...lets go home okay..." Monica felf her Mom's hand was trembling so she took her back home with the help of her Mom's driver.
Martha could no longer hold her tears so she let them flow when they got into the car. "I'm sorry sweetie...'sob sob' please forgive your mother...I..." Martha kept on crying and Monica felt me bad that she couldn't do anything.