Chereads / Sugar and Shadows: Beneath the façade / Chapter 13 - Lisa Or Mona

Chapter 13 - Lisa Or Mona

Charity Orphanage

The expectant eyes of the children soon lit in happiness as a blue Sienna drive towards the orphanage home followed by a white van which contained charity goods for the children.

They kept screaming in joy as the car finally stopped in front of the building and as Emilia stepped down, the shouts increased as they were so excited to see her.

Monalisa looked so happy too, Atlas! Her saviour had come. She'd be saying goodbye to all her bullies in just some minutes but she's going to miss Mrs Lane alot. For the past eighteen years of her life, she has been her shield and didn't make her have the feelings that she was without a mother. She treated her so well.

"Thank you so much, Mrs Thompson. We really appreciate your kind gestures. The children are indeed grateful." One of the women said to Emilia who waved it away.

"Don't mention at all. I'm just so concerned about this children." Emilia told her. "They're like a precious gem to me."

"Your gifts really help us a lot ma'am and we're really thankful." Mrs Lane also said and Emilia flashed a smile.

"Who came first in the exams?" She asked and Mrs Lane brought Monalisa forward.

"Oh come here my dear." She hugged her and asked her name.

"I'm Monalisa." The girl replied with a cheeky smile.

"Wow no wonder you're so beautiful. Do you accept my offer? Would you love to stay with me?"

Monalisa shook her head with enthusiasm. "Of course, Mrs Thompson. I have my bags packed already." Monalisa gestured to small bag which was beside her. She didn't have much clothes and it was easy to stuff it in.

"I'll miss you, Mrs Lane." Monalisa have her a tight hug and the woman kissed her forehead.

"Me too dearie and make sure you don't forget all I told you, be of a good behaviour." Mrs Lane reminded her and she nodded. They broke the hug and Monalisa hugged the other women too. She was a girl of good character, and all the caretakers liked her.

June, Olive and Taylor watched as Monalisa left, their eyes full of contempt towards her. They wished they were in her shoes and get to enjoy so much wealth but unfortunately, someone else did and that was their sworn enemy.

****

Monalisa stared at the tall mansion in front of her in admiration. She could bet she had never seen such a gigantic house as this in her whole life. It was indeed so adorable and she almost tripped if not for the good stamina she has.

As she walked in, the maids hung around see the new girl and they thought she would be one of them soon. Gossips filled every corner as they kept letting out their observations.

"Another maid? Gosh..."

She's going to be one of us soon and just look at the way she's walking with pride."

"Gosh….must you always be a bad ass?" The other gave her a glare.

"We're already much, we don't need another member?"

"Are you the one to pay salary? Just think well before letting your tongue blabber!"

Emilia offered Monalisa a seat and ordered a maid to get a chilled glass of juice for her.

"Ma'am?" The lady was quite stunned and she wasn't sure she heard Emilia well, a cup of juice for a to be maid?

"I think I should start to run a hearing test for you guys before letting you work for me, didn't you hear me?" Emilia rolled her eyes at her and she quickly bow to apologise.

"Get a glass of juice and also summon the others here. I have an announcement to make."

The lady bowed and left then came back seconds later with a glass of juice and the other maids followed her.

Monalisa muttered a 'thank you' before gulping down the whole content. It really tasted nice and she couldn't even remember the last time she tasted juice.

Emilia watched her with a faint smile as she was reminded of her late daughter. She had missed Gabrielle so much and was ready to take Monalisa as her daughter from now on and show her motherly love. She wanted the vacant space in her heart to be filled and she wanted to experience a daughter's love once more.

Alexander walked in and when he saw the maids assembled before his mom, he thought they had committed a crime again but who was the pretty girl sitting beside his mom?

For a moment he was dumbstruck and he kept staring at her, his eyes glittering with pleasure. The admiration he felt towards her knew no bounds, her beauty was like that of an angel and it wasn't able to take his eyes off her that easily.

Their eyes met for a while and he felt captivated by her emerald eyeballs which shone brightly and complimented her cute, spotless white skin which made her strikingly ravishing.

"Welcome Alexander. It's God you're here. I have an important announcement to make." Emilia began, jolting him out of his thoughts.

"So everyone, here is Monalisa…" She gestured her hands towards her and continued. "...and I'm so delighted to announce to you that she's my new daughter. I seriously dote on her and you guys shouldn't dare to maltreat her. You should treat her as part of this family and give her the deserved respect."

Everyone's mouth hung in surprise and Alexander wasn't an exception. He wondered why he mom had to adopt another daughter? What if she takes his place!

"Tomorrow, I will throw a welcome party for her since my husband would be coming back from his trip too. I'm going to invite the others too but first, prepare her something delicious to eat. You can all leave and the food should be ready in no time." Emilia dismissed the maids and turned to look at Monalisa.

"Mona dearie, feel free to ask whatever you want, okay?"

Monalisa nodded with her voice full of appreciation. "Thank you so much, Mrs Thompson."

"Stop it, Monalisa. Just call me mom." She corrected her. Monalisa hugged Emilia tightly who caressed her blonde hair. "Thank you, mom." She was happy to finally have someone to call a mother, she was indeed grateful.

"Awwwn, I like that. You're welcome, Mona."

After breaking the hug, Monalisa walked up to Alexander and offered him an handshake. She felt she had to personally introduce herself to him, at least he'd be her brother from now on.

"Hi Alex. I'm Monalisa and you can call me Lisa or Mona."

Instead of accepting the handshake, he gave her a glare before walking out. Her gaze followed him as he ascended the stairs. She sighed and her shoulders dropped in disappointment. She already had a feeling that he wouldn't appreciate her being part of the family now.

Emilia rushed and held Monalisa's hand, she didn't know why her son had to act indifferent towards her.

"Don't mind him, Mona. He could be very annoying at times but trust me he's a good boy."

Monalisa didn't take Alexander's rude attitude towards her as an offense. She completely understood him, she knew it'll take time before he finally gets used to her.

****

Author's Thought

Please add this book to your library. Thanks for reading.