CHAPTER 40: LITTLE MUNCHKIN

I was currently in the middle of an important meeting with my elite team inside my executive office, the people who were exclusively chosen for me to work with, when my phone rang on top of my desk. Immediately, Rose stood up and did the liberty of getting my phone, which I gave her the instruction of doing so, while it ceaselessly rings.


My face instantly beams with utmost delight the minute I see my daughter’s name at the phone screen. As my team continued discussing among themselves, I excused myself and stood, walking towards my reclining chair and sat facing the window.


“Hello, Baby!” I uttered with glee the time my finger pressed the answer button.


“Mommy…”


At the sound of her voice, the relaxed sitting position I was at and the exuberant feeling I felt of hearing from her abruptly shifted and swiftly transformed into worry and became perplexed. The smile at the corners of my lips vanished and troubled lines immediately appeared on my forehead.


With a motherly instinct, I instantly knew that something was wrong. Just a single word from my daughter and the way she conveyed that word, I instinctively knew that something was not right to her. My heart began to beat triple times as I felt myself agitating, while my mind quickly thought of scenarios that could have happened back there, which made my daughter sound ill and unceremoniously sorrowful.


“What’s wrong, Michelle? Is something the matter? Where’s Carol?” She didn’t respond immediately and all I could hear at the other line was her uncontrollable whimpers and heavy breaths, which made me abruptly stand as panic started to crawl through my veins. I could feel my body excreting cold sweats as it began to shake on its own. “Michelle? What’s the matter? Tell Mommy what’s wrong, Baby,” My panicky tone and its timbre made my team stop from conversing as all heads turned to gaze at me, worry and puzzlement were evident in their eyes as well.


“It’s Daddy, Mommy. He did something to me last night” She said in a trembling manner as she continued to weep, which completely gave me the chill that I had never experienced before.


“What did your Daddy do to you, Michelle?”


I was in a state of hysteria and utmost nervousness as I awaited her response. I couldn’t stop my feet from pacing to and fro, clinging to my phone like my daughter’s life depended on it. My whole world collapsed, which made me lean at the window for support, the moment I heard her suddenly burst into tears. Her continuous cries followed by hiccups shattered my heart into pieces.


“He said bad things to me, Mommy. He was so mad at me last night and said a lot of harsh things to me. He told me I was lying to him and I was being rude to Aunt Pamela, that he was so disappointed in me. He even told me clearly that he didn’t love you and he didn’t want to be with you anymore, that there’s not a chance for both of you to get back together” Her last statements made her wail even more, which made me curse inside my head.


The blood in me surged up to my head as I could feel it boiling with intensity. Every muscle and veins I have were contracting and flexing with extreme fury from what I heard from Michelle that her father had the audacity to say to her. I could feel my face scorched with burning coal of anger towards the man who I never thought was capable of hurting my daughter.


If only I could be with her this instant to console her in my arms and kiss her sadness away, I would have done it right this very moment. There’s nothing more right now that I wish for than to be with her and subdue her sorrows away. But since I couldn’t, the mere thing I could do as of the moment was to console her with my words, with hopes that somehow it may soothe her disturbed emotions and somewhat relieved her crestfallen spirit.


“Baby, don’t cry now. You know how Mommy’s heart was aching every time I heard you or saw you in tears. Mommy already talked to your Grandpa and he was doing everything to bring you here with me.”


“Take me there with you, Mommy. I don’t like to be here anymore. Daddy wanted me to like Aunt Pamela and be close to her. He wished for me to be nice to her, because Aunt Pamela will soon live with us here. I heard their conversation last night. Daddy wanted Aunt Pamela to live with us. She would probably be here later with her things. I don’t like to stay here with her, Mommy. Tell Daddy not to force me to, because I don’t want to be forced. Please, Mommy, fetch me here the soonest. I want to go there with you, I missed you so much. Last night, I cried in my sleep while hugging princess teddy, because you were not here to hug me.”


It felt like her words were knives butchering my heart in agonizing slitters before pouring generous amounts of salt into its bleeding gashes. I could literally feel my heart swollen into miserable pain. Hearing Michelle in somber and hurting state, made me hate myself for not being there to protect her from harm. As a mother, I should have been there to protect her at all costs against physical, mental and especially emotional harm. I hated myself now for not being able to do that for my most beloved daughter.


Rose was kind enough to place a glassful of water on my table then after, respectfully excused themselves and left me in peace. They must have figured out that I desired to be alone and I was glad they sensed my troubled state.


“Can I talk to Carol, Baby? Is she there now beside you?” I know that my daughter must have detailed what happened the night before to her nanny and I desired to know everything that had occurred.


“Yes, she’s here with me, Mommy.”


“Give her the phone, Baby. Mommy needs to talk to her. Calm down and let Mommy handle everything, alright?”


“Okay, Mommy, I know you will. I love you so much, Mommy.”


“I love you too, Michelle, very much.”


I listened keenly as she said something at the other line to Carol then after a short while, I heard Carol’s voice addressing me. “What happened the night before, Carol? Why was Michelle so bothered and sorrowed?”


She started conveying to me what had occurred the night before, which according to her was what my daughter precisely said earlier this morning. I gripped my phone with extreme rage, listening attentively at the details. My breathing staggered while she spoke and my brain almost exploded.


“I was stunned and deeply bewildered, Penelope. I never thought Michael was even capable of saying those harsh words to Michelle. What happened the night before was the first from him. His patience must have worn out the previous day and stated those unrightful statements to the poor child.”


Her detailed story only worsened my already turmoiled feelings and rummaged thoughts. I was shaking all over and deeply unsettled from where I stood. I must do something quick. I couldn’t let another occurrence such as this happen again. Who knows, Michael might get physical with our child if ever another outburst from him takes place, which was the worst thing I ever wanted Michelle to experience.


“I will talk to my father regarding this matter now, Carol. Please kindly alleviate Michelle’s feelings for the time being. Take her somewhere where she could free her mind. I will deal with Michael as soon as possible.”


“I will take her to the park after she slightly eases down. Don’t worry, Penelope, I will look after her just like I always do.”


“Thank you so much, Carol. This means a lot to me. You’re heaven sent to Michelle and I.”


“I considered your daughter as my own flesh and blood, Penelope. I apologize for not being able to protect her, you were aware that I am not a stay-at-home nanny in Michael’s household unlike with yours before.”


“There’s no need for you to apologize, Carol. I will get in touch with you soon. Give Michelle a kiss and tight hug for me please.”


“I will, as always, Penelope.”


After an intensively bothersome call, my feet swiftly marched out of my office and determinedly headed towards my father’s office. I didn’t knock my way in and hastily barged inside unannounced. Both he and Lewis, together with his secretary, gazed at me with stunned stares as I stood in front of them.


“Can I have a word with you, Dad?” I uttered unabashed, mouthing every word with seriousness and void of any emotion but anger, which I tried to control with the presence of others.


My father eyed me for a minute before speaking. “Leave me with my daughter” He demanded with authority, which the two immediately obliged. I had a glimpse of Lewis’ face, filled with curiosity and anxiety, solely intended for me. They exited swiftly, leaving just me and my father inside his spacious office. “This must be of utmost importance, Penelope. I never saw you this adamantly hell bent on about anything before. What’s the matter, princess?”


I walked towards his desk and sat at the chair in front of him. “What’s the latest development with Attorney Sparks, Dad, regarding the issue I have with my ex-husband and your grandchild’s request to come over here and be with me?”


Although we never discussed this matter again and he never confirmed to me that he was doing anything regarding it, I knew he was on it just like how Lewis mentioned to me before. He made a promise to me and I am aware that he was a man of his words.


“Reveal to me what happened first, why do you suddenly look too disturbed and agitated now out of the blue. Did something occur to my grandchild?”


Without much of a choice, I disclosed to him every single detail I accumulated from Carol, including Michelle’s outburst when the two of us conversed minutes ago. My father’s calm demeanor abruptly became fierce and ruggish while I told him what happened. His veiny hands were both balled into fist and his eyes were fiery with darkness and scorching coals. It was as if he would devour anyone who would come his way.


“I must have Michelle as soon as possible, Dad. I would die if another one like this happens again to her.”


I was waiting for him to tell me something and disclose to me what he had in mind, but he simply held his phone and pressed something on it.


“Brandon, prepare Eagle, full tank. I will be there with my daughter later before dusk. Do the necessary preparations as always” I was about to ask him what was going on when he pressed another number. “Timothy, summoned your elite crew. I need you all on the tarmac before dusk later. We’ll be heading somewhere and I want everyone on board” He wasn’t done yet, made another call just after his second one. “Attorney Sparks, I need you right here at my office now. Bring all the necessary documents about my little munchkin, all of it” He concluded before placing his phone on his desk and determinedly gazed at me.


“Dad, what’s going on?”


“Prepare yourself, princess, we’ll pay your small town a quick visit they never expect to occur. No one dares to hurt my little munchkin and goes away with it empty handed. Michael Smith is going down. Mark my words, Penelope, your ex-husband will crumple at your feet and cry in bloody tears.”