Wanted: Mommy for the Single Hot Daddy's Kid

For Stanley Robbins, life had always been and should always be in perfect sync. Being a top businessman in the huge and bustling city of Newark, he knew that he should never waste his time on something not business-related. He would never let any business competitors take over his place. He wanted Robbins City Wide-his trading company-to always be in the highest position.

That was the plan Stanley was more than willing to do.

That was the plan until he had a baby, and his supposed-to-be wife left him-to pursue her acting career-to raise her all alone.

Now, he changed the plan. And that was to keep his company at the top for his daughter's future.

"Heather was looking for you when she woke up, Stanley. Now, she won't stop crying. Why do you have to leave that early? 4 am was unacceptable!" Lisa, his mother, was somehow yelling over the phone.

Since then, Lisa had been Stanley's main support and help in raising his child. Sure he knew everything about the business, but nothing about babies, their daily needs, and how to make them stop crying. He was a first-time dad, after all. Clearly, he wouldn't know what he would do if he didn't have his mother with him. And bringing Heather to the company wouldn't be the best option-obviously. So, Stanley was more than thankful for everything his mother had done for him and his now three-year-old daughter, Heather.

"I'm sorry, mom. My schedule for today was really tough. Please tell Heather that I love her, and I'll make it up to her when I come back," he said.

"Why don't you say it yourself?" Lisa complained as she turned the call into a video call. She then gave it to Heather, who was still sobbing.

"Heather, baby, daddy just needs to catch up on some things at work, okay? You do know that daddy is a busy man, right? And I'm sure you understand. I will come back later, baby. Please stop crying, and eat your breakfast. Daddy loves you." Stanley said in the most adorable way. He even gave Heather a kiss.

"I love you too, Daddy, and I miss you, and I- I will wait for you." Sobbing, Heather responded. She eventually stopped, too-she just really wanted to talk to her dad.

"Thank you," Lisa said to Stanley as she took the phone back.

That day, Stanley continued with his business errands. On the other side, Lisa and Heather decided to spend their time in the park. Heather was very excited, especially about the ice cream and the balloon.

"Heather, listen carefully to Abuela, okay? I will get your favorite ice cream on the other side of the road. I want you to stay still on this bench. This is the place where I will come back for you, okay? We're doing this every time we go here, and like those times, I want you to listen to me." Lisa had carefully instructed her granddaughter.

"Okay, Abuela!" Heather cheerfully responded.

Lisa immediately went to the ice cream shop to buy the ice cream. Heather, with the balloon in her hand, doesn't have a plan to disobey her grandma. Well, not when her red balloon flew in the air. She then tried to catch it by following it. But when the balloon was high enough, Heather sat on a different bench-a bit far from where she first was-and began crying.

"Abuela! My balloon!" She cried out loud. People in the park began to look at her with worried eyes, but none tried to approach the poor little girl, except for the young lady who didn't even think twice about sitting beside Heather when she heard and saw her.

"Why are you crying? Shhh, please stop." The young lady said in a nice and pleasing way.

It was really hard to make Heather stop crying. But this girl had easily made her loud cries into silent sobs. "My- my balloon," she said as she pointed to the sky.

The young lady then patted her head and smiled, "let me buy another one for you, okay? Come," she said. Heather smiled at her as she willingly went with the girl.

Lisa, on the other hand, was so worried when they found them-the young lady holding Heather's other hand. "Heather! Thank goodness you're safe!" She said as she approached her granddaughter, who was holding her new balloon in her free hand. Lisa pulled her away from the girl.

"I'm sorry. I just saw her crying and figured that she had lost her balloon, so I decided to buy her another one." The young lady explained when Lisa gave her a sharp glare. She then eventually went away.

"She was a nice girl, Abuela!" Lisa was shocked by her granddaughter's reaction toward the lady. She must be really kind. Yet, being in the park, you should never really trust anyone. Lisa knew too that she should never let Heather alone again. Leaving her on the bench to buy ice cream wasn't a great idea after all.

"She must be. But I told you not to talk to strangers, right?" Lisa said as they sat on the bench and handed Heather the ice cream that she had bought. She had expected Heather to be happy to finally have her ice cream, but clearly, she was not.

"What's wrong? Come on, eat your ice cream before it melts down."

"Where is she, Abuela?" Heather asked, looking for the young lady who had bought her her new balloon. Then, again, she began sobbing.

"But we don't know who she was, Heather... please don't cry," Lisa said, but the more she did, the more Heather sobbed. Looking left and right, Lisa couldn't find the girl anymore. Instead, she found a book on the other side of the bench where they were sitting. She grabbed it, assuming that the owner of it was the girl.

"Where is she, Abuela?" This time, Heather was crying so bad-completely forgetting about the balloon and her now starting-to-melt ice cream. Lisa had tried to call Stanley, but it seemed that he was too busy at work, and he turned off his phone.

"Shhh, please stop crying, Heather... we will find her, okay? Abuela will find her," she was forced to say those words even though she knew there was no chance of finding her again in that huge park-or city.

Thinking of what to do, Lisa accidentally dropped the book on the ground. When she picked it up, a picture inserted between the pages also fell. Upon getting it, she noticed how Heather immediately stopped crying. In fact, she was smiling, eyes directed at the picture.

When Lisa looked at the picture, she instantly knew who it was.

It was the girl Heather was crying and looking for.

She then let the child hold the picture in her hand.

"She was so beautiful, Abuela," Heather said with a priceless smile on her face.

Since they couldn't find the girl again, Lisa just decided to keep the book and the picture with them. Even she could not explain why that girl and her picture could give Heather such calm and ease. Why, when they didn't even know who she was?

"Careful, she was already asleep. You don't wanna wake her up," Lisa said to Stanley, who had just arrived home from work. "She fell asleep while waiting for you... good thing we have that picture to calm her down," Lisa continued.

"Goodnight, baby. I'm sorry, daddy's late." Stanley whispered through his daughter's ears as he kissed her on her forehead. He then turned his gaze to his mother. "What picture?" He asked.

Lisa gets the book and the picture of the girl in it. She then handed it to Stanley. "Heather loved looking at that picture, Stanley. She even called her mommy a while ago. It was weird, yet, I still decided to keep it and let Heather have it." She said.

"Do you think it's okay? We never knew who this woman was," Stanley suggested.

"I know, but Heather loves seeing her, and she will surely cry and look for it when we take this away from her. Maybe we can just let the child have it for a while. I'm sure, sooner, she'll eventually forget this just like her old toys," Lisa explained, to which Stanley agreed.

As years passed and Heather grew up, she often looked for her mommy. What made it more complicated was she assumed that the woman in the picture they kept in her room was her mommy.

"Will mommy gonna come to my birthday tomorrow?" Heather asked her grandma. Lisa looked up at Stanley and then at Heather. "Mommy was still busy at work, Heather. But she will come home soon," she lied.

"Okay, Abuela." She understood.

"Go to your room, baby. Your Abuela and I were just gonna talk about some things for your birthday tomorrow." Stanley said. When Heather was already inside her room, he faced his mother. "Things can't always be that way, mom. She can't see that woman as her mother. We can't let Heather forever believe in these foolish lies!" He then said.

"I know, but what else can we do?" Lisa asked.

"I will tell Heather the truth now. Years of believing that that girl was her mother was enough." He exclaimed.

Lisa nodded, "you are the father. You know what to do."

Stanley then turned his back to his mother and quietly went to Heather's room. However, upon opening the door, he didn't eventually come inside as he saw his daughter holding the picture and talking to it.

"I love you, mommy. I really want to see you soon. I hope you will surprise me at my birthday tomorrow. But if not, I wish you would take care of yourself wherever you are now. I can't wait to see you and hug you real tight," those were her innocent words before she gave the picture a kiss.

Stanley had heard everything, making him back away from letting Heather know the truth.

Everyone gathered for Heather's seventh birthday party. Everybody has a smile plastered on their faces while they sing Heather a happy birthday song. But among all of them, Stanley had the most precious one. He seemed unable to believe how fast the days and years went by. His baby, Heather, was now seven years old, and she turned out to be a real pretty girl. He knew that even if she didn't have the guidance of her birth mother upon growing up, they managed to raise her well-not just a girl with a beautiful face, but also a girl with a kind heart.

"Make a wish before blowing the candles, Heather," Lisa said after they finished singing the song. Everyone was clapping as they waited for Heather to tell her birthday wishes.

"I wish for my dad and Abuela's good health. I hope they stay with me forever. I also wish to see my mom," Heather said as she blew the candles on her cake. Upon hearing what his daughter had said, Stanley couldn't help but feel sad.

While the rest were enjoying the party, Stanley approached his mother. "Last night, I could not tell Heather that the girl in the picture wasn't her mom. I tried to, but seeing how she sincerely talked to the picture made it hard to do. Mom, you know we got to tell her the truth." He then said.

"We got to tell her the truth. Heather was a smart girl, I'm sure it will hurt, but I know she will understand." Lisa said while looking at her granddaughter, who was a bit far away from where they were-enjoying her birthday party. "If only I knew that it would lead to this... I should've never let her have that picture in the first place. I'm sorry," she continued.

"It was no one's fault. Don't blame yourself, mom. Your intention of giving her that picture wasn't bad, after all. We just got to tell her everything," Stanley stated.

"After the party, we will bring her to the park where we met that girl and got her picture from years ago. There, we will explain everything to Heather-I will explain everything that happened, then you will say that she isn't her mom, she was just too young back then, and she will never understand." Lisa suggested.

"Okay..." Stanley sighed.

"She will get over it," Lisa gave her son assurance.

That was what they did. After the party, Stanley immediately drove to the town park with his mom and daughter. They were now very determined to tell Heather everything she needed to know about that girl in the picture.

"I really miss going back to that park, Abuela! And I know it will be more fun because we're with daddy! This is my best birthday ever!" Heather said in excitement, making Lisa and Stanley fake a smile. They didn't want to ruin her mood-at least until now.

Upon arriving, Stanley immediately parked his car somewhere nearby. They let Heather run for a while, of course, while keeping their eyes on her.

"You don't have to worry, Stanley. Everything is going to be fine...." Lisa reminded him again as she noticed sudden uneasiness in her son.

After a while, they called Heather, who immediately ran toward them. "I really love that swing, dad! I feel like I'm flying!" She said, while acting as if she was a bird. It gave Stanley a smile-a smile that eventually faded away.

He then held Heather tight in her hand. They walked a few steps before he managed to utter a word. "Listen, baby. Your Abuela and I need to tell you something..." he started.

"What was it, dad? Abuela?" She innocently questioned.

Stanley looked at his mom, signaling her to start everything. They took a few more steps, then sat on one of the park benches before Lisa spoke. "Do you remember that this was the place where we found the picture?" She started.

"Mom's picture?" Heather asked, and for a while, she thought. "I'm not quite sure, Abuela. I don't clearly remember..." she then said.

"It's okay. You were just three years old back then, it was normal for you not to remember. But here, let me tell you..." Lisa said as she held Heather's hand. "You were crying so badly that day because you lost your balloon, then, suddenly, a young lady approached you. She bought a new balloon for you, and you stopped crying." She continued.

"You mean, mom?" Again, she asked. Lisa then looked at Stanley, signaling him to just tell everything to his daughter.

He then moved closer to Heather and took a deep breath before speaking. "Heather, listen carefully, okay? That picture in your room was-" And just when he was about, to tell the truth, fate decided to play a little more on them.

"Mommy?!" Heather cut Stanley off as she stood from the bench and ran towards the lady standing not so far away from them. Heather hugged her with a pure genuine smile all over her angel face. She was the only one who was smiling, though. Lisa, Stanley, and even the woman Heather was hugging had the same expression-shock.

Stanley, as well as Lisa, couldn't believe their eyes.

She was the girl in the picture.

Heather, who was still hugging the lady, looked at them. "Thank you, Daddy! Thank you, Abuela! Thank you for bringing my mommy back! This was the best gift I have received today." She then said.

Stanley knew he should take his daughter away from the lady and tell her what he was supposed to do earlier. But seeing how happy she was and seeing how he could completely hurt her feelings when he let her know the truth at that exact time tore him apart. So instead of doing that, he came up with another plan-a plan that could definitely and absolutely complicate things even more.

"Heather, you and Abuela should take a stroll for now. I just need to talk to your mom," he then said as he looked to the lady who also didn't manage to utter a single word since Heather hugged her.

"Okay, daddy! Abuela, let's go!" Heather happily said as they walked away.

"Stanley," he offered her his hand.

The lady just looked at it. Without seeing the plan of taking his hand, Stanley just took it away. "That was Heather, my- my daughter, and it was her birthday tod-" she cut him off.

"First of all, I do not know all of you. Second, why was the kid calling me mommy? Third, what were all these about? I'm sorry, Sir, but I don't understand a single thing." She said out of confusion.

"Please let me explain in a nearby restaurant. Please, just let me." The lady could see such sincerity in Stanley's eyes, so she agreed.

The first few minutes in the restaurant were completely awkward. The two were basically... strangers.

"You can start your talk, Sir." She then said.

Stanley cleared his throat, "I'm sorry." He started. "So, like what I have said, she was Heather, and it was her seventh birthday now-"

"Please get to the point."

"Years ago, they went to the same park, and according to my mom, you made her stop crying, and you bought her a new balloon."

The lady seemed to be enlightened upon hearing those words, "she was that girl? Where did the time go?" She muttered.

"So, you remember?" Stanley confirmed.

"I will never forget. She was as lovely as before, and she's a big girl now. Unfortunately, that was also when I lost my favorite book..." she stated.

"We have the book."

"You, what?"

"We have the book," Stanley repeated. "And your picture," he continued.

"What? But why would you wanna keep that?" Confused, she asked.

He sighed, "it unexplainably calmed my daughter every time she cried back then. We actually just wanted to use your picture for that, but things went a little too far and a little too wrong..."

"Why?"

"She thought that you were her mother," Stanley revealed. "Until now, that was what she believed in."

"Shit. Why didn't you tell her the truth?" The lady asked.

"We tried to. Actually, we were about to when she unexpectedly saw you." He said. "Did you see how happy she was while hugging you earlier? I love her smile, but she never smiled that way before. She was the happiest. And I know that we should tell her the truth, but I just can't do it now. Not now when she already saw you. Not on her birthday. I don't want to break my child's heart." He continued his explanation.

"I understand... what are you planning to do then?"

"Please let me know your name first."

"Maxine," she finally stated.

"Maxine..." Stanley breathed out as he put his gaze outside the window. He then looked at her. "I want to hire you as my daughter's mother."

That night, Maxine was not able to sleep well. Her encounter with the Robbins kept on running through her head. And the fact that she could be a mom-a fake one-in an instant, completely made her wide awake. More than that, she could earn a lot of money if she accepted Stanley's hard-to-resist offer.

She then sat on her bed and took the calling card Stanley had given her.

"I want to hire you as my daughter's mother." His words were on repeat in her mind.

"Oh God, please tell me what to do! Give me a sign!" She screamed as she lay back on her bed.

Maxine was on her own and currently living in a small apartment in Newark, downtown. She makes a little money by being a waitress at a local diner. Although she could survive her everyday life, Maxine couldn't deny that it was really hard. She sometimes couldn't pay her bills on time, and sometimes, she needed to starve herself just to make enough money for it. She was a rat and Newark was a big city for her.

And so when Stanley gave her the offer, she knew that she had to think hard about it.

Still lost in her thoughts, she heard a loud bang from her door. "Fuck it, Maxine! Do you know what time it is already?! It's fucking 2 am! Why the hell are you screaming?!" It was the landlord.

"I'm sorry," she said in a low voice.

"Open the fucking door and let me throw your things outside! I have made up my mind and you're out in this apartment!" He was going insane. Maxine couldn't do a thing. That night, she let the night pass on the street, Stanley's calling card in her hand.

"I never knew that the sign You would give was like this..." She said as she let her tears fall.

That night, she had made up her mind. Or maybe, it was more like, she was left with no other choice.

Earlier that day, Maxine had decided to call Stanley to let him know that she was accepting the offer. Stanley then gave her a specific time and place for them to meet and talk about the rules Maxine had to abide during her stay. Before that certain time, Maxine went to the local diner where she was currently working and filed her resignation.

Maxine arrived-with all of her things with her-at the restaurant at exactly 4 pm. That time, Stanley wasn't at the place yet. So, she grabbed the time to fix herself even a little. She was a complete mess.

Maxine was already seated at one of the seats inside the restaurant when she saw a Mercedes Benz parked outside. Her heart started throbbing as she saw Stanley go down from it.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," she was in complete panic upon seeing Stanley coming her way.

"Maxine... and the bags," Stanley said as he stared at the belongings Maxine has with her.

"It was not what you think! I have that because the landlord kicked me out of his apartment last night, not because I was thinking I could already move out to your place! Don't think of it that way, Sir." She instantly defended herself which made Stanley laugh a little.

"As you said, Maxine. Why did the landlord kick you, though? Bill problems?" He asked as he looked at the restaurant's menu.

"He- he heard me," she paused for a while. "Yes, bill problems." Then she lied. She thought that telling the truth would be embarrassing.

"Right. So, like what I have mentioned yesterday, I want you to be Heather's mom for a while. With this, you will be needing to live with us-at our family villa. But since we were strangers, and you would basically work for me, I want you to sign a contract before we got to start anything." He said as he got the papers inside his suitcase. "Written here were the rules you must abide by and the monthly salary you will get," he continued as he handed Maxine the contract.

"How about the term? How long would this last?" Maxine asked as she get the contract from his hand.

"That I am not sure yet." Stanley truthfully answered.

Maxine gave her a short look before reading everything written on the contract.

-

Contract of Employment:

The following is the list of the DO'S and DON'TS of your employment. Failure to comply with them has its consequences:

1. Heather was your priority. Take care of her, and stay by her side. It will be your fault if something bad happens.

2. Try your best to act normally, especially around Heather. We do not want her to suspect anything.

3. This contract has no specific time on when to end. Signing this means you agreed to be her mom for as long as it was needed.

4. Having a relationship is forbidden. Besides Heather, people around us will also see you as her mother. Seeing you with another person would give our family such a bad reputation.

5. You will act as my wife when needed, especially in front of Heather.

6. You will live in the villa with us, get all the employment benefits, and a salary of 50,000 USD each month.

7. Personal attachment with me is forbidden. I am your boss, you are my employee.

Termination of and any changes to this contract is only upon my consent.

Signed: Mr. Stanley Robbins

Employer

Ms. Maxine Ballard

Employee

-

"Fifty thousand dollars each month?" She whispered, yet it was visible in her expression that she was surprised. Maxine didn't expect it to be that huge.

"Yes, Maxine," Stanley said as she handed her the ballpen. "Upon signing, I will let one of my drivers fetch you here then to our villa, and you can start immediately. Heather has been looking for you since last night," he explained.

Maxine got the ballpen, stared at the paper for a while, and nervously signed her name to where it was needed.

"Here, Mr. Robbins." She said as she handed the papers back to Stanley.

And just by that, her whole life had changed. Who would have thought that she would end up this way? Absolutely, no one.

**

A few months had passed and Maxine was getting warmer during her stay at her temporary home. Heather was clearly enjoying her time with her making everything easier for Maxine. She didn't expect it to be this way. She was in fact... enjoying being her mom.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Heather said in a rush. The kid just arrived home from school and in her hand was a couple of paper.

"Baby, why in such a hurry?" Maxine said as she gave 'her daughter' a hug.

"Look! I got an A+!" She said as she excitedly showed her art project to Maxine.

"Wow! You're so smart and creative!" Maxine gladly said. That time, Stanley had arrived at their home earlier than he usually was. And he silently watched the little moment the two were having. It put a smile on his face.

"Was what I heard, right? You got an A+?" He enthusiastically said as he entered the living room.

"Yes, daddy! Look! Mommy had taught me so well that's why I was able to get this grade!" She happily informed her dad. With that, Stanley went closer to where Maxine was standing and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you," he whispered. That made Maxine dumbfounded as if butterflies were dancing in her stomach. She didn't manage to utter a word.

"Where do you want to go? This calls for a celebration!" Stanley said as he lifted Heather through his arms.

"To McDonald's!" Heather was fast to answer. It was her favorite fast-food restaurant.

She was such a jolly and sweet kid. That fact made Maxine wonder why her real mother had to abandon her. Yet, she knew that she'll never know the reason why. Never did she try to ask.

"To McDonald's, we go! Love, please prepare Heather. I will just change my clothes," Stanley said as he put Heather down. Before heading to their room-yes, they were sleeping in the same room-he winked at Maxine.

"Okay, love!" She tried to fight the butterflies in her stomach and answered Stanley as naturally as she could. The man had been like that ever since her stay. From time to time, he would call Maxine different endearments such as love, honey, or sometimes, babe. He would also make some sweet gestures toward her. Maxine understood that it was all on the contract, but it was just so hard not to catch butterflies-not when your boss is 6 foot tall, looking like a god.

A few minutes had passed and the three were already at McDonald's. They literally looked like a small and happy family. Stanley ordered everything Heather had requested-of course, with her favorite sundae and fries. In the middle of their simple celebration and happy conversation, Velma, Stanley's friend, surprisingly went near their table.

"Stanley?" She suddenly spoke. Heather and Maxine's attention were instantly shifted to her

"Velma," Stanley immediately acknowledged his friend's presence, trying to avoid certain complications. But complications seemed to like him that much.

"Did you know that Maureen already came back? I thought she was staying in London for good?" Velma said out loud.

Stanley then pulled Velma away from their table. "Please watch your mouth and don't say her name in front of my daughter. You see them over there? They are my family. Do you understand?" He then said leaving Velma completely out of words.

Stanley on the other side, couldn't deny to himself that what Velma said had created an impact on him.

Maureen had come back.