When Sarah and Stella clapped each other's hands for being successful in their plan, their brimming face joyful and the antics captured Julia and Amy's attention.
They both suspected Sarah and Stella's behavior and wanted to find out the truth as they both moved towards their daughters-in-law with slow and light steps. They stood behind them, while they were giggling at their masterstroke of making Ronald and Valerie go together.
Julia tapped on Stella's shoulder, and Amy tapped on Sarah's. Both Sarah and Stella turned around together and were surprised at seeing their mothers-in-law in front of them. They knew they had caught them and smiled sheepishly at them.
"What is going on?" Amy raised her eyebrows, pointing toward Ronald and Valerie, and asked tentatively.
Sarah didn't buy her words and answered coolly, "Nothing mom, just chill."
"Sarah, Stella, what was that? Tell us truthfully what is going on and why you both were so happy and giggling at seeing Ronald and Valerie going out together." Julia asked strictly.
She had the experience of several years.
She had easily understood that Sarah and Stella were hiding something.
How could she let them go without knowing what was amiss?
"Mom, actually the truth is......"
Stella was in a dilemma about whether to talk about it to Julia. It's a matter related to Ronald and Valerie's life, so it was not right to let more people know about it without their concern.
Sarah noticed that Stella was hesitant and was twisting her fingers, so she meddled.
"Big aunt, let me tell you the truth. Actually, Ronald has some feelings for Valerie and perhaps she also has a soft corner for Ronald. We are just trying to find out whether they can make a healthy relationship in the future or maybe our perceptive is wrong."
"How will you do that?" Julia asked calmly. She was neither looking upset with the news related to her son's life nor excited like the others.
"As I have planned, Valerie will start working in the company with Ronald and also we are trying to make some arrangements, so that they will be back and forth from the office together. Like this, they will get more time to know each other."
It thrilled Amy at listening to this news. She had two reasons. First, Valerie's presence will no more be a threat to Sarah and Stefan's relationship and Ronald will also get a delightful companion. "Elder sister, if it is true then it's really splendid news, isn't it?"
"Even though, I have some other concerns in my heart," Julia said with nervousness. Tension for her son was clear on her face.
"What was that, mom?" Stella asked.
"I am not sure about you, children's idea. They both have gone through massive blows in their life recently and both are have broken hearts. How can they welcome anybody else in their life?" Julia said in a hoarse voice. As a mother, she was very hurt for her son, somewhat guilty too, by choosing a wife like Ashley for her son.
Sarah understood Julia's concern, she held her hand and said with assurance, "I can understand your concern and that's why I have made such an arrangement for them so that they will have time to communicate with each other, get time to know each other more and with passing time when they will spend most of their time together they can decide in a better way about each other.
Also, if they are destined, then they will fall for each other.
Sarah's words gave a new ray of hope to Julia.
"Sarah, if it will happen, as you are saying, then I will be the happiest person on earth. If my son will get a suitable partner and find his lost happiness, then I can do anything. Also, Valerie is really a nice girl. When I saw her heartbroken because of our family I felt very bad for her."
Julia said with a deep grievance and was sorry for Valerie.
Amy too realized that what she was doing was wrong, at the back of her prejudiced mind.
"Yes, elder sister, even I had misbehaved with her so rudely, without thinking twice. Sarah, if you need any help from me please let me know, I will do anything to bring them together."
Amy was a clear-hearted woman now when the fog of prejudice had faded from her heart. She confessed not only her mistake but even wanted to rectify it.
"Mom, if want to rectify your mistake, then there is something you both can help us with," Sarah said hurriedly, with a confident smile.
"How?"
Sarah explained her plan to all of them and all of their faces cracked into a wide smile.
In the evening, when Valerie entered the living hall of the palace where all the ladies of the family were sitting, Amy stood up and excitedly walked towards her. "Hey Valerie, it's good that you are back. How was your day, and how was your interview?"
"Ahem, ahem......." Sarah suddenly started coughing without any food choked in her throat, because of Amy's impatient behavior.
She signaled Julia to take care of the matter and stop Amy from doing anything excessive in excitement.
Julia nodded, stood up, and held Amy's hand. "Amy, she has just come back, let her sit peacefully for some time, drink some water then question as many you want."
Amy controlled her enthusiasm.
"Oh yes, sit." Amy pointed towards the couch.
Valerie's mouth had already opened wide seeing Amy's sudden friendly behavior towards her, but she was in a shock, as when she was drinking water sitting beside Sarah, that too served by Amy and Amy was still looking at her with an admiring gaze.
Julia couldn't take Amy's stupidity, which could reveal anything, and she chased her away.
"Amy, I really want to drink green tea made by you. Even Valerie is tired, she too will like it. Can you make some for everybody?"
Amy nodded gleefully and went from there.
Valerie mumbled in Sarah's ear.
"Sarah, what's wrong with aunt Amy today, she is showering so much love? Is she alright, because it's not like her regular attitude?"
"Valerie, please don't miss understand mom. Actually, when you came back into Stefan's life, she had thought that your presence will be a threat to my and Stefan's relationship. That was only mother's instinct, otherwise, she is not bad at heart. I and Stefan have faced so many difficulties in our life that she doesn't want us to have any more challenges."
"She was emotional, that's why today I made her understand that it's nothing between Stefan and you and it's all just her fear, nothing else. Valerie please, I am sorry for mom's rude behavior towards you in the past."
"Sarah, you don't need to be sorry for anything and I can completely understand aunt Amy's fear because of my presence and I didn't mind it," Valerie said with a smile.
She was already considering herself lucky that she was getting this care and consideration from such a loving family.
"That's great, then be ready to sink in the ocean of mom's love. That's my statutory warning to you.
Sarah said playfully, and both of them laughed aloud.