Chapter 5 Her little angel

Aiyana forced her voice to remain steady. "Is that so? I-i'm so sorry, Matt. I-I made you late-"

"Enough." He cut her off. She held her breath; he must have been bored every time he heard her apology. "How's your hand? Have you treated it?"

Aiyana hesitated. Treated? She even forgot her hand was stung by a hot pan. But fortunately, it's not painful and red anymore, she muttered a yes. For a moment, there was silence between them; she didn't know what to say. She felt horrible after what he said. And her heart suddenly aches. She felt like the most failed woman in the world.

"I'll be home late; don't wait for me to have dinner." Then he hung up the phone.

Matthew massaged his temples; the documents that needed to be signed piled up on the table in front of him, but he couldn't focus his mind. He just can't stop thinking about her. Damn it. His wife is so hard to forget. This morning, when he arrived at his office, he immediately contacted Margaret, Joseph's wife. Both of whom have been friends of his since the university. Even though she didn't say anything, he knew the reason for her negligence this morning.

'Yes, Matt? How can I help you?'

'Send me the contact information for your most recommended in-house worker.'

'Is it for cooking or cleaning?'

'Both. One for cooking, the best only. And two for cleaning.'

'I will send it right now. Hold on, is this for your young wife? Has she gotten tired of taking care of you and the house?' Margaret asked with a laugh.

'Send it. Done? Don't ask too much.'

'Oh my gosh, Matt, you still can't take a joke. I wonder how your wife feels at home living with you; moreover, how could she stay under the same roof with you? By the way, can I take her out tomorrow? Just me, Esther, and Brittany, we're just going to try a new restaurant downtown.'

Matthew paused for a moment. He wasn't sure whether Aiyana would want to go out, but it would be nice if she wanted to hang out with Margaret so she wasn't staying a full day at home like a prisoner. 'Why ask me? You should ask her yourself.' He ended the call.

He wanted to phone Aiyana right then and there, but he was still a little annoyed with her. If she's tired, she should just say it to him; he'll find her as many assistants as she wants. But she never spoke or even asked for anything from him, and she ended up being careless this morning. He didn't want her to be more careless when she took care of his daughter, Penelope.

And then he remembered that her hand had been burned by a hot pan. That makes her delicate palms red. She had never been so unfocused before, so what was bothering her? She always said that everything was fine if he asked.

Has she treated her hands? Matthew suddenly became worried and wanted to go home. He blinked rapidly, resuscitating himself. How dare that woman start distracting him while he was working? He couldn't allow this to keep happening.

*****

Aiyana was about to go back to the balcony after applying the ointment to her palm when she came across Emma moving lots of white paper bags and gift boxes to an empty room used for storing unused items.

"Aren't these gifts from Poppy's friend? Why didn't she open them?"

"Miss Penelope didn't want to open these up and ask them to be moved, ma'am." Answered Emma.

Aiyana felt something off. Poppy was excited to open all the gifts she got, from anyone. Why doesn't she want this one? Then she noticed all of the luxury labels in all of the boxes and paper bags; they were all high-end brands at wonderful pricing. And she realized where all the gifts had come from: Ecclesia.

About a year and a half ago, Matthew broke up with Ecclesia, but she is still trying to win his heart back in whatever way possible. One day he has to go on a business trip abroad, and Ecclesia has the opportunity to make him fall in love again by attempting to take care of Penelope for the full three days.

But somehow she lost her temper on the last day and ended up yelling and scolding Penelope so harshly that the little girl became traumatized and began crying whenever she met Ecclesia or heard her name. Since then, Matthew has made every effort to keep Ecclesia from meeting his only daughter.

With a sudden burst of emotion, Aiyana hurried to the balcony, her heart heavy with both anger and sadness. Even Matt, Poppy's biological father, snapping at her is something she cannot accept. It was unfathomable to her that anyone could direct their fury toward innocent children.

"Mommy look! I look pretty like Mommy!"

Poppy put on the teddy bear hat that Aiyana gave her. She gave Poppy what she asked for, and besides that, it looks cute on children, so Aiyana purchased it along with a matching onesie and shoes.

"Hey, you like gifts from Mommy?"

She felt so touched that Penelope still liked her gift among all the luxuries she got. She knows that Matt built a hotel for her, Abigail, Eve, and everyone closest to her lavished her with extravagant gifts. Aiyana thought Poppy wouldn't like her gifts.

"I like it so much, Mommy. Thank you."

Aiyana spreads her arms to welcome her daughter into her embrace, not realizing her tears were dripping.