Chapter 56

I woke before Monique, my body still tingling from the night before. She was curled against me, her leg draped over mine, her breathing soft and steady. I smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to her hair before carefully slipping out of bed.

Quietly, I moved to the ensuite bathroom, freshening up and pulling on comfortable clothing. The house was still, filled only with the soft whispers of dawn breaking through the windows. I padded to the kitchen and began preparing coffee, enjoying the quiet serenity of the early morning. Monique had worn me out last night, but today, I had crucial business to attend to—business that could significantly impact both our lives.

While the coffee brewed, I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was nearly 7:30 am. Knowing it was too early to place the call to Boston, I decided this was a good time to enlist some help. Picking up my phone, I stepped into my home office and dialed Monique’s mother, Yvette.

She answered after two rings, her voice alert and cheerful. “Bonjour, John! You’re up early. Is everything alright?”

“Good morning, Yvette,” I greeted warmly. “Everything is fine, wonderful actually. But I need a small favor, if possible.”

“Of course, anything,” she replied instantly, curiosity evident in her tone.

“I need some uninterrupted time this afternoon to make an important phone call to Boston regarding Monique’s final work placement. It’s a significant opportunity, but I’d prefer Monique not know about it yet. Would you be able to invite her out for lunch or shopping, perhaps around one o’clock?”

Yvette laughed softly. “Ah, you want me to distract my daughter? That won’t be difficult; she’s always eager for an afternoon out. Consider it done.”

“You’re the best,” I said gratefully, smiling at her easy willingness to assist.

“Just take good care of her,” she added affectionately. “I’ll call Monique around noon and make sure she’s out of your hair by one.”

After thanking her again, I ended the call feeling relieved and invigorated. The morning continued leisurely; I prepared breakfast—a simple spread of croissants, fresh fruit, and yogurt. Monique eventually emerged, sleepy-eyed and beautiful, wrapped in a silk robe. We shared a relaxed meal, chatting about casual things, neither of us mentioning anything deeper or more complicated.

True to her word, Yvette called Monique just after noon, and Monique enthusiastically agreed to the outing. She showered quickly, dressing in a simple yet elegant sundress. By 1:00 pm, she had kissed me goodbye and was out the door, leaving me alone in the quiet of our home.

I glanced again at the clock, allowing myself a few minutes to gather my thoughts before the call. Just before 2:30 pm, I slipped back into my office, dialled the number I’d been given, and waited.