Chapter 4

What Velma had said and what Stanley did leave a few questions over Maxine. Was it possible that the Maureen she was talking about was Maxine’s mom? What if she really was Heather’s mom and she decided to come back into their lives?

‘Will I let her?’

‘Do I still love her?’

Upon going back to their seat, it was obvious that Stanley’s mind was occupied, and he looked a little bothered. It was written all over his face and gestures. Maxine badly wanted to ask him some questions.

Still, she chose to remain quiet. Thinking that she was just an employee and he was her boss, she knew that shutting her mouth was the best thing to do. She does not have any right to know anything about their personal lives or anything that happened in their past unless Stanley allows her to.

By this, Heather’s mom’s disappearance remained a mystery to her.

Lost in her thoughts, Maxine felt a warm touch around her shoulders. She froze in an instant upon knowing that it was Stanley’s arm. There he goes again, making sweet gestures, making her feel things.

“I just noticed that you were in deep thoughts while staring at me. Any problem, love?” He then asked, making Maxine’s heart throb. A smile appeared on her lips.

‘It was written on the fucking contract, Maxine! Please act naturally! And please, you can’t be happy with this! This should not make you feel happy! All of these were just your fucking job!’ She was fighting with her mind.

“Hey, are you okay?” Stanley inquired again when Maxine didn’t give him an answer.

“It was my job- I mean I…” she answered, unfocused. She knew that she was doomed when she saw how Stanley’s eyebrows furrowed. “I mean, it was my job to take care of you both, love. And yes, I am okay. Definitely okay.” She said, finally getting back on track.

Stanley then just gave her a smile.

“You looked so cute together, mom and dad.” Heather teased them with happy eyes. It was clear how happy she was.

The child enjoyed their ‘little celebration’ at McDonald’s. Maxine and Stanley too. When they decided to go back home, Heather was already asleep. Stanley then just carried her as they walked to where they parked the car.

“Look, Hayley, he’s so hot.”

“Hell yes, I want him.”

“Who would not want a guy like him, though? He must have some girls behind his wife’s back.”

Maxine overheard those words from some ladies while they were walking through the parking space. Stanley heard them too. He also noticed how Maxine bowed her head upon hearing them.

“Don’t mind them. You are my only.” He then said, not directly looking at her. Maxine couldn’t help but smile. How odd is it to have a genuine smile over a fake situation?

Heather was already awake when they arrived home. They let her rest for a few more minutes before giving her a hot bath and changing her into pajamas. Maxine, too, changed in her sleepwear.

“Have a rest now, Heather. Goodnight, I love you.” Maxine whispered through the child’s ear as she gave her a sweet kiss.

“Goodnight, mommy. I love you too.” Heather replied.

Maxine, too was already ready to sleep when Stanley entered Heather’s room, half-naked. Only a towel covered his lower body. Maxine couldn’t seem to take her eyes away from the man’s gorgeous and well-built-up body.

“Daddy,” Heather said in a low voice as she saw her dad.

Stanley came near them—nearer to where Maxine was laying. He then leaned in closer as if aiming for a kiss.

‘Holy shit, why is he going to kiss me?’ Maxine thought as she closed her eyes, waiting for Stanley’s lips to land on hers. A few seconds had passed, and no kiss had happened. She then just decided to open her eyes to see that it was Heather Stanley who was going to kiss.

“Goodnight, baby.” He then said to Heather as he walked through the door.

‘Now, this is embarrassing,’ Maxine thought as she pulled the blanket over her.

“Goodnight too, love.” With a grin on his face, Stanley said, leaving Maxine blushing.

***

Earlier that morning, Maxine was woken up by a gentle and somehow unfamiliar voice. “Oh, Heather, I missed you so much.” It was Grandma Lisa, and it had been quite a long time since she had visited the villa.

“I missed you too, Abuela! Look, mom’s back!” Heather cheerfully said as she removed the blanket from Maxine’s face. Seeing her left an unexplainable reaction towards Lisa.

‘Was she the girl in the picture?’ She thought while staring at Maxine.

“Hi… Mrs. Robbins,” Maxine stuttered.

Lisa just looked at her. “I need to talk to my son,” she then said as she walked out of Heather’s bedroom. Maxine felt nothing but nervousness upon that.

***

“What was that, Stanley? Why is that girl here?” Lisa asked upon seeing her son.

“Mom, please, calm down. You don’t wanna Heather to hear you saying these things,” he then said.

“Then explain this to me. What was that all about? Was that the reason why you prevented me from visiting Heather from time to time? Because that girl is here? She was the girl in the picture, right?” She said, this time, calmer.

“I’m sorry. Yes, she is, and I- I actually hired her to be Heather’s mom for a while. Just for a while until I have gathered enough strength to tell her everything. I am just looking for the right time,” Stanley revealed. “Please… just let me do this. Heather’s so happy with her. I- I just want my daughter to be happy,” he continued.

Lisa sighed, “I completely understand you. But don’t you think this thing will just hurt Heather even more? She will be attached to that woman, Stanley.”

“I know, I know. I just need some time. All of this will end soon,” he reasoned. Lisa just gave him one last look before she went back to Heather.

The lunch that afternoon was a bit heated, not because of the food but because of some questions Lisa was throwing to Maxine. She couldn’t deny to herself that she was seeing ‘Maureen’ in her. The two had an undeniable resemblance that she just couldn’t seem to ignore. One look, first glance, and you would think she was actually Heather’s real mom. By this, she decided to play a little—acting as if it was really Maureen she was talking to.

“Until when are you staying here?” Lisa asked, making Stanley look at her. Maxine was obviously caught off guard by the question. “Don’t tell me you’re leaving my granddaughter again,” she followed up. “How about your career? What was your actual plan?” And again, she added.

“I resigned from my job t-to take good care of- of Heather, Mrs. Robbins,” Maxine answered.

“She was staying here for good.” Stanley finally answered. Maxine had been waiting for her to do so as she didn’t actually know how to answer Lisa’s questions.

After eating their lunch, Stanley asked the house maids to prepare the guest room for Grandma Lisa. It was then she found the time to talk to Maxine privately.

She cleared her throat as she entered the room where Maxine was. “Can I have a minute with you?” She then said.

“Of- of course, Mrs. Robbins.” Nervously, Maxine answered.

“Until when did all of these started?” She asked as she sat at one of the chairs. “Have a seat,” she continued.

Maxine sat on the chair. “Since Heather’s birthday. Stanley talked to me and offered me the job while you and Heather were in the park.” She then answered. “Please don’t be mad at me. I don’t have any bad intentions towards them,” she continued.

Lisa laughed a little. “I am not mad. Everything was fine. In fact, I am happy, for Heather will finally have a mother figure because of you. The child longed for this.” She stated. “And by the way, I’m sorry for what I did earlier. I just can’t seem not to notice seeing Maureen from you,” She continued, again, with a little laugh.

“Maureen?” Maxine asked. Finally, she will have an answer to her questions.

“Maureen was Heather’s real mom. She’s an actress. Unfortunately, she left Heather when she was just three months old. She left her for her career. She chose her growing career over her baby and over my son. Stanley begged her to stay, but no, she never did. She said she was not ready to be a mom. And so, I completely understand my son for doing all of these. He just wanted Heather to have a complete family.” Lisa explained. “I wanna thank you for taking good care of them, Maxine.” She continued as she held Maxine’s hands.

“I am more than happy doing this, Mrs. Robbins.” She answered.

Lisa then stood from her seat. “Stop calling me Mrs. Robbins. Call me ‘Mom’ instead. Heather is a smart girl, and we don’t want her to suspect anything.” She said as she left the room with a smile.