Free BY CHANCE NOT CHOICE: Marco's Choice - Moretti Brothers Series Book Two by Sage Young

the door.  Monica gather her belongs when she felt her phone vibrate, she looked at the caller ID “Victoria” she whispered.  “So how is my beautiful pregnant bestie?”  “Don’t try and sweet talk me, Mo.  Why didn’t you call me to let me know you arrived safely?  I had to hear it from Nick who just talked to Marco.  So while you were getting your freak on in Tokyo, you couldn’t stop for a second to call me?” 
    “Slow down and breathe, Vic.  I was going to call you when I arrived but so much craziness has happened that I didn’t get a chance, but I was going to call you this evening.” 
    She looked at her watch and it was 5:00 pm Tokyo time. 
    “Wait, it‘s 3 o’clock in the morning in Philly.  Why are you up?  Are you alright?”  Monica asked concerned.
    “I’m fine.  This morning sickness is turning into morning, noon, and night sickness.  But don’t try and change the subject, I’m still angry that you didn’t call.” 
    “I’m sorry Vic, I will make it up to you.  I will bring you one of those beautiful pieces of art work from here.” 
    Monica knew her friend could not stay mad at her; she could practically feel her smile through the phone. 
    “Okay you are forgiven, and I don’t care if Marco is there, I still want to hear from you.  I want to know that you are okay.” 
    “Yes, Mom.”  Monica joked. 
    They continued their conversation as Monica left the office and headed to the elevators.  “Hey Vic, I have been meaning to ask you for a while now if you had a chance to get any additional information on your biological mother and whether she had any other family?” she asked as she tried to balance her cell phone, briefcase, and purse.   “No, I didn’t.  What made you think about that, of all things?”  Victoria asked a little baffled.  “I don’t know.  The family structures are a big deal here and it got me to thinking about you and me and how, for a long time, we only had each other.” Monica paused for fear that she might let something slip.  “Forget about it.  I have to go.  I’m about to get on the elevator and I may lose the call.  I will call you later, I promise.  Give my god-kids a big kiss for me and tell them I love them.”  “I will.  Take care of yourself and you better call me.” 
    They disconnected the call as Monica got on the elevator and thought about the events of the day.  She knew that if everything she heard today was true, her best friend’s life will change forever; she hoped for the better.   She was so deep in thought that she hadn’t realized that the elevator reached the lobby.   Takeo was standing there when the elevator doors opened. “Is everything okay Ms. Thomas?” he asked when she didn’t step out of the elevator right away. “Huhh?”  She looked around and realized she was in the lobby.  “Everything’s fine, Takeo, as you can imagine, I have a lot on my mind, and please call me Monica.” “I think its best that while we’re in public I should call you Ms. Thomas.  Now if you come this way, the car is waiting right outside the door.”  Monica looked at Takeo; he was so handsome and so serious.  She couldn’t imagine what he has to go through every day protecting the woman he loves and unable to let anyone know how strong his love is for her.  
    Monica got in the car and Kiyomi was already sitting in the back.  Monica and Kiyomi sat in the back alone as Takeo got in the front with the driver.   “I thought it would be nice if we could have dinner together then I can explain everything to you.   I don’t trust talking on any property that’s owned by Takahashi Corporation,” Kiyomi said as they drove down the highway.  “You think our office spaces are bugged?”  Monica asked.  Kiyomi gave her a knowing look, but did not respond.  When they arrived at the restaurant Monica instantly recognized it as the restaurant that she and Marco had just eaten the night