an angel without wings

"Mrs Claudia" Gisele stood up and greeted the lady. Like the First time they met, the lady was neatly dressed in a perfectly designed Qipao that fit her build. It didn't look expensive or unnecessary extravagant but one who had done a lot of needle work would be able to tell that it was hand tailored and the material was probably the highest quality there ever could be. No doubt this woman had a lot of wealthy to her name but she was modest in showing it.

"Oh please sit Miss Gisele, I'm sorry for being late. I kind of lost track of time back home. I must have kept Miss Gisele waiting. I apologise" Claudia motioned for Gisele to sit while she also took her sit.

Gisele shook her head "Ma'am isn't late at all. I was the one a bit too early, and again, I hadn't really waited for that long"

"You haven't ordered yet?" Gisele nodded her head. She didn't bother to order since she thought they would be off to the mall immediately the woman arrived but it appears the Woman had intentions of eating first.

Claudia ordered a few dishes while Gisele ordered a glass of juice. She had eaten to her fill back at home. She might just explode literally if she forces anything down her stomach.

As they ate the two ladies used the opportunity to introduce themselves. Even though they were answering questions about their background and personality. Things like Family hierarchy and business were omitted from the discussion.

"So what do you do? Are you in college?" Claudia asked.

Gisele smiled. College was a dream that never came true for her. When she first came to the Andres family house, she had just finished high school and was having hopes of entering an Acting school but her mother told her the family didn't have that kind of money. It later turned out that she eventually went to college but not for herself but for Roxanne. She was Roxanne's body double to sit through class, do assignment and take exams whilst also shuffling through being Roxanne's assistant and the Andres family maid.

"I'm not in college. I finished high school three years ago and I'm currently looking for a job" She answered without even flinching.

Claudia nodded, "so which job do you have in mind?"

"Currently I'm auditioning in the GXJ front cover contest. I'm hoping i could use it to become a model"

"I must say, miss Gisele Is a peerless beauty, you would find it easy to succeed in the industry"

Once they were done eating, they paid the bills and immediately left to go continue their shopping.

Claudia drove the two of them to one of the biggest malls in the City. With Gisele by her side, she began scrolling through the mall, not forgetting to pick out outfits for Gisele to try.

"Let me see this" she pointed to yet another outfit. The attendants hand was already filled with tons of dresses yet she passed the clothes to the second attendant and took the dress off the mannequin.

Gisele had a complicated look on her face. She had never seen anyone shop the way this lady did. She didn't even need to check the price tags to know that those clothes would cost a fortune. Funny enough the lady had not even picked a single dress that was in her size. All the dresses she had picked were all Gisele's size.

"Ma'am this is a bit too much isn't it?" She pointed out with an awkward expression.

Claudia laughed and shook her head "no it isn't. Don't worry, these a just a few to select from. You can just test them out and select the ones you love"

After hours of changing hundreds of outfit, Gisele managed to talk Claudia into letting her pick just a few. The woman really wanted her to go with every piece of clothing in the store.

By the time they were done in the mall it was way past midday.

For the first time, Claudia had more joy spending time outside than being at home. The girl was really an angel without wings. Every laugh and every worry, every frown and every discomfort that appeared on her face was real. She was not like other girls who would put on a facade to please people plus she didn't look like she was really interested in getting close to her just because of her status. From the beginning the girl had not for once opened her mouth to ask any questions about her family. Instead she answered every question thrown at her with sincerity laced in her tone.

Every minutes Claudia spent with Gisele, she kept getting fond of her. Not only was the girl beautiful but she had a wonderful personality and she was also knowledgeable too. There was no topic that She had brought up that the girl had not had a word or two to contribute.

"Xiao G should we stop for lunch?" Claudia asked fondly abruptly dropping the honorifics. Even picking up a pet name for the girl.

Gisele looked at the woman holding unto her arms like an older sister. She smiled amusedly. This was supposed to be a shopping trip but now it had transgressed into this woman treating her so fondly. She found it funny but she didn't hate it either. The woman's personality was also good, She wasn't like all those rich ladies that thinked too highly of themselves neither was she a nosy gossip. She chose her words rightly and was equally an easy going person especially to people she had come to like. Generally she was a good woman. It was hard to not like her.

"I'm not really hungry but if ma'am feels famished then we could stop for a bite somewhere" she answered back respectfully.

Claudia was going to reply but then she paused and frowned, The girl has spent more than four hours with her yet she was still speaking so formally to her. Even though she herself had dropped the formality.

"Don't call me Ma'am, Call me Aunty Claudia_ no just call me Aunty" Claudia chided upset.

Gisele chuckled then nodded obediently "Okay Aunty"

"Good! Now let Aunty take you to have lunch. It's no good if such a beautiful girl like you stay hungry" Claudia chirped happily and pulled Gisele along with her.

Seeing the Two ladies together, it was such a delightful sight. A few passerby recognized the middle aged woman but the girl remained unfamiliar to them. It was shocking to see Claudia Eugene Montero walking on the streets with her hand wrapped with that of a beautiful young lady.

Claudia herself was a beautiful woman, now coupled with the ethereally beautiful Gisele, the sight of the two of them was beautiful. It was like the heaven had merged with the earth and now angels were free to roam.

They chose a nearby restaurant and had their lunch and after lunch the two of them moved to the spa and from there to yet another place. Claudia wanted to spend more time with the girl so she ended up taking her round town to different location just to spend time. By the time Claudia was finally able to let go of Gisele, the clouds had disappeared and the sky was dyed with a deel shade of black.

"Goodbye Aunty, safe trip back home" Gisele greeted the woman as she boarded her car.

"You're sure you don't want me to drop you off?" Claudia asked worriedly. On one hand she was worried to leave such an alluring beauty on the busy night street all by herself. On the other hand she was reluctant to separate from the girl. A few more minutes to talk with her would be delightful.

"No aunty" Gisele shook her head "I still have to meet up with a friend. It would be wrong to have you wait for me. Don't worry I'll be fine on my own. You should head back, it's equally getting cold outside. It would be bad for Aunty health to stay out late"

Claudia nodded "Fine make sure you call me when you get home. I won't be able to sleep peacefully off I don't make sure you arrived. Safely". She had only spent a day with the girl but the girl felt more of a daughter to her than an acquaintance. Which mother would be at peace knowing her daughter was left all alone outside at night.

"Mmhmm, I'll call immediately I get home" Gisele bade the woman as she watched the black car drive into the road.

A warm smile graced her lips. Spending her day with the woman was really fun. The care she felt from the woman reminded her of her grandfather, especially with the pet name Xiao G (little G). She wouldn't lie, she felt touched to have someone act like a mother to her once in her life. As pleasant as it felt, it left a tinge of hurt in her heart. How she wish she had got just one chance to have a normal conversation with her real mother like she had with this woman. What a pity that such a day would never come.