Monalisa was already dressed in her school uniform and Mrs Ryan, the class teacher asked her to make a self introduction.
All eyes were on her, especially Alexander who was staring at her with a cold look while Giselle on the other hand was happy that they got to be in the same class. When they met earlier, she had took a liking in her and wanted to be friends with her.
"Hi class. I'm Monalisa Thompson. It's nice to be here among you all."
Everyone's mouth hung in surprise as they heard her last name and the class soon turned rowdy.
"Her last name is Thompson?"
"I saw her drop from the same car with Alexander earlier. Could they be related?"
"Bianca seems the newbie is related to your boyfriend." Camilla said to her friend who was staring at Monalisa with scrutiny.
"Don't assume wrongly, Mila. People often bare the same last name." Bianca didn't want to believe it was true, besides Lisa was so beautiful and she was afraid she'd soon steal her position of being the most prettiest in the whole of Zenith college.
Monalisa was asked to sit beside Giselle and she was surprised see that they were in the same class, nevertheless she was excited. Giselle flashed her a smile as she sat.
"Monalisa it's good to see you here."
"Thanks for earlier." Lisa returned the smile, she tried not to look around but the indistinct chatterings made her to.
"Gosh she's so beautiful."
"Take a look at her hair. Holy Mary!"
"Here comes my bride."
Monalisa's eyes met with Camilla who gave her a glare. She quickly looked away and focused. She wondered why the girl had glared at her. She just hopes she wouldn't turn out to be bullied again.
The class started but the student's curious eyes never left Monalisa and she could feel their piercing gaze.
Giselle noticed her uneasiness and patted her patted here shoulders. "You don't have to worry, I'm here. Let's be friends." She held out her hand and Monalisa accepted the handshake.
She nodded. "Yes, friends." For the past eighteen years of Monalisa's life, she had never had someone to call a friend but now she's happy to have one.
Later that day, Monalisa and Alexander came back from school so Emilia suggested Alex went with them for shopping which he refused.
"No mom. I'm tired."
"Will you get up and follow us!" Emilia slapped his arm.
"You're not staying back, you have to help her pick a dress she'd wear for the party. Let's get going." She said to Monalisa who nodded and followed her.
Despite Alexander's refusal, Emilia made sure to drag him along. As they arrived at the boutique, two ladies walked up to them giving a bow to Emilia. They already recognised her as the Madam of Thompson's family and they knew they had to be courteous.
One of the ladies rolled out a closet iron, each of the rings of an expensive and beautiful cloth. Alexander who was disinterested in the whole thing went to sit at the other room and he swiped his phone open, checking for messages.
As he tapped on the school group's icon, messages started to roll in nonstop and as he read it, it triggered his annoyance.
Like wildfire, the rumour about Monalisa being related to him had spread round the school and they were seeking answers to satisfy their curiosity.
Alexander was about to switch off his phone when Camilla's came through. With a smile , he answered the video call.
"Hey babe. Yo! What's with that angry frown?"
"Xander, are you keeping any secrets?"
"What secrets?"
"About the newbie, is she related to you?" Bianca asked.
Alexander sighed before answering her. "Y..yes she is, I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
"Alexander what are you doing in a boutique?" She questioned while studying the area. "You brought another girl with you? Are you cheating on me?!"
"Stop it with the jealousy, Bian. I'm not cheating on you. I came with mom and Monalisa. She has to get some clothes."
Alexander could hear approaching footsteps and when he looked up, he saw his mom. He quickly said 'goodbye' to Bianca and hung up.
"Trust me mom, I only wanted to take a little rest..ouch ouch.." He cried as Emilia pulled his ear and dragged him out.
"Did I bring you here to take a nap? I brought you here to select a dress for your sister. You're always disobedient!" She scolded him.
The two ladies exchanged glances. Since when did Madam Thompson have another daughter?
Emilia finally released his ear and reluctantly, he walked forward after receiving a glare from her. He picked a blue dress and Monalisa tried it on but it was too big.
"Make use of your eyes, Alex." Emilia said. "Find another dress."
Monalisa kept changing into different dresses until Alex found the perfect one which fitted her a lot. It was a purple dress with a curve designed at the chest part and a ...hem.
Alexander's eyes was fixed on her and his eyelashes kept fluttering like the wings of an Eaglet which was just learning to fly. Monalisa looked so angelic and little did she know that her smile had an effect on him.
"You're so good at this, Alex. Oh my goodness, we'll take that." Emilia said and the ladies nodded. Monalisa changed back into her clothes and what they bought was carefully packed into shopping bags.
"Thanks for the patronage, ma'am."
"You're welcome." Emilia took the bags and dumped them on Alexander's chest before walking out with Monalisa. The ladies exchanged glances again.
"The girl is truly her daughter." One of them whispered to the other who gasped on surprise.
"Guess she was adopted." The other added.
Alexander frowned as he struggled to walk properly. His mom has practically turned him into a slave!
Meanwhile, in the board meeting room, the whole place was steaming with hotness and even though the air conditioner was working perfectly, the team members kept sweating as Kaloyan's intense gaze had an effect on them.
He is known as a very strict boss and he condoles nothing called incompetence, just one mistake and you're doomed.
"Sales Manager Maxwell." He called and the man looked up, hoping not to receive a lash out.
"Can you provide the records for last month's sales?" Kaloyan asked and he brought a document forward.
"We're not faced with much competition and we've successfully become a monopolist, our sales have increased greatly." Maxwell reported.
"Analyse the goodwill valuation for last three years and send it to me by tomorrow morning." Kaloyan said, pushing the document back to him after he had gone through it.
"Alright sir."
"We need to improve in the effectiveness and efficiency of this company's managerial skill. Aggressive marketing strategies need to be used just to have an excellent impression on our customers. I don't want any fluctuations on the sales reports and you guys should take your jobs seriously."
"Yes sir." They all echoed except Mrs Catherine who was dozing off already.
Kaloyan sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Can someone please tap her?"
Everyone's gaze settled on her as she opened her eyes. She looked around with an awkward smile before giving Kaloyan an apologetic look.
"I'm so sorry, sir."
"If I recall vividly, Mrs Catherine just two days ago, I saw you sleeping on duty. And if you continue that way you'll be relieved of your job immediately, at least to have the whole day to take naps at home."
"I apologise sir." Catherine pleaded again.
"Good, this meeting has come to an end, you all can go back to your office." Kaloyan told them and they all exited one after the other. He was almost leaving too when his phone rang, it was a video call from his mom.
He sighed deeply, knowing fully well she was going to talk about the marriage again.
"Hello." He said, finally picking it up.
"And what's with that frown, aren't you happy to hear my voice?"
"Mom, I didn't say anything like that. Why did you call?"
"Should I have a reason for checking up on my son?"
"Mom I'm at work and…."
"Save me the story, I have to show you someone."
Kaloyan squinted his brows. "Someone? Who's that?" He asked and then Monalisa joined the call.
"Hi brother Kaloyan." She waved cheerfully.
"Kaloyan, she's your new sister." Emilia added and Kaloyan's face grew into a smile. His mom had spoken about adoption but he didn't know she was serious about it.
"There's a welcoming party for her holding this evening and make sure to come." Emilia told him.
"Of course, mom. I would." He replied with a wide grin.