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.

Maxine and Heather were currently in the playroom, the kid playing with her iPad. Maxine glanced at it and saw she was playing the good old game, Plants VS Zombies.

"What level are you at?" She then asked, eyes on the screen, undeniably curious.

"Already fighting with Dr. Zomboss, Mommy! This zombie doctor looks scary." She answered with a smile. Her attention was still on the screen, so focused on what she was doing. Maxine was amazed by how this seven-year-old kid could gracefully play this not-so-easy game. While there she was, a 30-year-old woman who couldn't even edit her PowerPoint presentations properly on her cheap laptop.

'World's unfair,' she thought as her friend Laura came to mind. It had been a long time since she last had a conversation with her, and she somehow missed her friend. Well, in fact, everyone in her life before she got the job.

Maxine then got her phone, opened her Facebook application, and sent Laura a message. It was in that instant when she gave her a reply. They talked for a while like how best friends would do. Maxine then told her that she was working at the Robbins household as a mom to an adorable kid and sometimes a wife to his hot dad. Of course, Laura didn't miss teasing her friend, saying she might fall in love.

Staring at her phone, then at Heather, who was still playing, Maxine thought about what her friend had said for a while. A smile appeared on her lips, thinking that it was never impossible. Yet, she said to Laura that she was just there for the money and not for the jaw-dropping, uber-handsome husband she had.

She hoped she could really make it, though.

And, of course, her best friend interfered. "You do know that it would be difficult for you not to fall for him, as well as for his child. Stanley, too could fall for you, that's for sure. The question is, was it really you whom he would fall for if ever that really happened? What if it was only because you resembled his child's mother?" That was Laura's exact text message, and upon receiving and reading it, Maxine froze to where she was seated. She was baffled and immediately lost in her thoughts, knowing that her friend had a point—a perfect one.

Having a deep attachment to the two will make everything hard for her. But, with the fact that Maureen, the birth mother, had come back, there really was a chance for her to be replaced—immediately.

"Maxine? Maxine?" A husky voice brought Maxine back to reality. It turned out that Stanley had been calling her name a few times already. She then just looked up at him without saying a word. "You seemed to be daydreaming." He said with a chuckle.

Maxine gave him a smile as she sighed. "Just thinking of my life back before my feet landed here," she lied.

Stanley grabbed a seat next to her as he stared Maxine in the eyes. It intimidated the hell of her. "Don't you have a boyfriend?" He then asked. Maxine was beyond shocked. She didn't expect Stanley to ask her that question. Wasn't that written on the contract?

"I- I don't have a boyfriend," she said in a low voice. Actually, Maxine hasn't had a relationship ever since. Her world basically just revolved around her work, family, and friends—and now to the two, Stanley and Heather, since she started working at them.

"Great. I was worried you might leave us soon if you have," Stanley playfully answered.

Maxine gave him a small grin, "you were giving me chunks of money. Why would I even want to leave?" Maxine answered even more playfully.

It made Stanley laugh as he went closer to her face, eyes piercing through her soul. "I don't believe you, honey." He let out, almost a whisper. Maxine could feel his breath. "You're staying because you liked taking care of Heather." He continued as he went closer, almost kissing Maxine. "You're staying because you liked being with me," he ended as he intently let their noses touch.

"What are- what are you talking about?" Maxine whispered, not wanting Heather to hear them.

Stanley didn't give her an answer anymore. His tease for a kiss immediately became a real kiss. Maxine closed her eyes while tasting his mouth, completely caught off guard. Again, butterflies began to rumble in her stomach. The feeling was unfathomable, and she inexplicably gave the kiss back. It went deeper and more passionate as if it was made by someone who was truly in love.

It felt real.

It felt like it was not a job.

"Daddy! Mommy! What are you doing? Are you kissing?" Heather's shout broke the kiss with her endless questions. The two immediately looked at her, then at each other, then back at the child who was complaining. In the heat of the moment, they almost forgot that they were in the playroom with Heather.

"You didn't see anything!" Stanley said in defense, it was more like a joke.

Heather had her eyebrows furrowed when she answered. "I was the only one allowed to kiss mommy!" She said as she went close to Maxine. She then hugged and gave her a kiss on her cheek—three kisses which made Maxine chuckle.

Stanley laughed at the sight while raising both hands as if he accepted his defeat. This little moment soon turned to them playing, laughing, and tickling each other. At some point, Maxine had stared at the two when they were so distracted by their playful gestures. Again, she smiled. It was a sad smile while a thought ran through her mind.

'How could I even handle losing both of you?'

"Hurry up, Mom and Dad! We don't wanna be late for the family day's first game!" Heather excitedly shouted as she ran down the stairs.

"Careful, baby. You don't wanna attend the family day with a foot injury," Maxine warned Heather as she followed her.

It was Heather's Family Day at school, the first time Maxine would show up there, standing as her mom, and the first time in many years that Heather's classmates would see her with her family, complete. If there was someone who was so excited about this, it was the child.

"The car's ready. Come on, my babies." Stanley gleefully said. It made Maxine smile while double-checking everything that they needed to bring.

Upon arriving at the school, Heather went straight to the field, where she saw her classmates and teachers. The place was full of colorful buntings and happy families in their different colored shirts. It made Maxine's heart full. She, too, was very excited about how this day would go.

"Hi, teacher! Hi classmates! Look at my mom; she's so beautiful, right? I really wanted you guys to meet her," Heather suddenly said, taking everyone's attention, which made Maxine shy and shocked. She then just waved her hand as smiles greeted her.

"Hello, I am Patty. What is your name?" One of Heather's classmates said. "You are really beautiful," she continued while looking straight at Maxine's face.

"You're so sweet, thank you," Maxine responded as she patted her head. "I am Maxine, Max for short." She continued.

"Mom's kidding. She is Maureen. That's your name, mommy," Heather interfered, making Maxine completely speechless. Some of her classmates also laughed as to why Maxine didn't know her real name.

"Hey, what's going on?" Stanley finally came back after parking their car.

"Mom said that she was Maxine. But her name was Maureen, and not Maxine, right daddy?" Heather complained. It made Stanley look at his wife, who was still speechless now.

Stanley let out an absurd laugh. "Okay, guys, listen. Heather's mom was named Maureen Maxine. Maxine was her second name," he lied, thinking that this was the only way to get out of it. The children, including Heather, thankfully believed.

"I'm sorry about that," he then said to Maxine as he held her hand.

"No problem," she responded with a smile, not letting go of his hand.

"Parents, students, our family day will start in a while. Please go to your designated areas now," one of the teachers announced.

There, the whole day went by with ease. Everyone was clearly enjoying every activity prepared, including the Robbins. They gladly join every game and do it with such teamwork, competitiveness, and joy. Like a real family, they were. That made them the school event's overall champion.

"We've made it, woohoo!" Stanley said while holding out the trophy.

"My daddy is the best! My mommy is the best! Our family is the best!" Heather excitedly said while jumping over and over. She then gave both her parents a kiss. "Thank you, mom and dad."

"All for you, baby," Maxine responded.

"I'll just go to the washroom, mom!" Heather said before she ran through the nearest bathroom.

Maxine just sat at one of the school benches while waiting for her child to finish. That was when she realized that Stanley was not around anymore. She roamed her eyes around the campus and finally saw her husband—surrounded by many girls, primarily those moms.

'Jerk,' she laughed at the odd situation.

Fifteen minutes had passed, and Heather was still in the washroom. Thinking that it was taking her too long, Maxine decided to just follow her inside.

"Our family was the best! Your mom just cheated on the game earlier; that's why you won!" A girl shouted inside the washroom. Maxine saw it when she pushed Heather hard, making her fall on the bathroom floor.

"Hey! What are you doing?" She fastly went over to Heather to help her stand up. When she did, she immediately gave her a tight hug. The child started to cry. "What are you doing? Don't you know that hurting someone is a bad thing?" Maxine said, her voice a bit loud. It made the other girl start crying too. And just as that, her mom showed up.

"Who gave you the right to yell at my child?" She was mad.

"I'm not yelling at her. I'm just telling her that hurting someone is bad because it seemed that you didn't teach her about it." Maxine retorted back.

"Excuse me?!"

"Excuse me, too, but I saw how your child pushed Heather. Miss, please teach her some manners." Maxine said as she started her way out of the bathroom.

"So, you're saying that my child is a brat!?" The mother yelled as she followed Maxine out.

"I didn't say that at all." Her calmness made the other party even more upset. She continued the yelling until other people's attention was caught. The teachers also went to stop the scene. Stanley was already there too.

The teachers sincerely talked to the two kids one by one. It took a few minutes before letting them go back to their parents. "Come on, Alice. Be a good girl and do what you have to," one of the teachers said.

The other girl, Alice, then went near Heather. "I'm sorry for pushing you inside the washroom. I will not do it again," she said.

Heather gave her a smile. "It's okay. Apology accepted," she said as she gave Alice a quick hug.

When everything was settled, the Robbins headed to the nearest bench to eat and take some rest. "Thank you for standing up for her," Stanley said while walking, and again, he held Maxine's hand.

"That would never happen if you didn't flirt with other single moms in the field," she joked, making Stanley scratch his head.

It was a long and memorable day for the three of them. It may not be as smooth and perfect as it should be, but it sure was one of those days they would go back from time to time.

"Goodnight, baby," Maxine said to the already asleep Heather. As she gave her a forehead kiss, she heard a shattering glass sound from Stanley's room.

Maxine immediately walked over to see what was going on with Stanley or if everything was alright. The door was half-open when she reached the room. Her heart sank as she saw Stanley crying while holding a beer bottle.

"Fuck it, Maxine. Why do I have to like you? Why does it have to be this fast? Fuck, I like you so much! I like you so much…" she heard him say.

Maxine was so caught off guard that she didn't even notice how Stanley had already seen him outside.

"You heard everything?" He asked as he walked closer to her. He then put strands of her hair to the back of her ear. "All of that was true, Maxine. I like you." He said with all his heart.

"Stanley… we have a contract. Remember rule number seven? Personal attachment with me is forbidden. I am your boss; you are my employee." Maxine reminded him without moving an inch away.

"Fuck that contract, Maxine. I want you." He cursed as he started kissing her.

Although shocked and barely believing what was happening, Maxine still gave the kiss back. It was far from the kisses they shared before or when Heather was around. It was more intimate, passionate, and somehow lustful. Stanley devoured Maxine as he let the kiss go deeper.

They walked inside the room, lips unseparated. "I want you," he breathlessly said as he bit Maxine's lower lip.

Stanley's hands started to wander around her body. Slowly, he undressed Maxine. And although it was her first time, she didn't make him stop. She let him consume all of her, giving up at his every touch. The night was intimate as they shared love, making their souls one. Moreover, both of them didn't regret one thing.

"I love you," Stanley breathed out while hugging Maxine from the back. But since she was already too tired… she didn't hear him clearly, lost in her sleep, inside his arms.