Confused and shocked, President Ethan stared at his little daughter. He couldn't believe his ears. “What conversations was she having with the new nanny who brought about me falling in love with her?”
“She promised me, daddy. I trust her, she's not going to flirt with you just like the other nannies who had come to work in the villa” Audrey smiled, and President Ethan forced a smile at her.
“But Audrey, you shouldn't talk about things like this. Only adults are allowed to speak of falling in love. You're just a child” Her Father patted her hair.
Audrey grabbed his hands, and stared into his eyes, then said, “Daddy, I'm wounded and hurt. Do I still need to get tutored by that boring teacher, Vicky?”.
“Audrey?” He narrowed his eyes on her.
Audrey bowed her head in guilt with her mouth pouted. “Sorry, daddy”
“Good girl! About that, there'll be no need for it. I'll tell your teacher that you can't go to class today” President Ethan heaved a sigh, and Audrey grinned from ear to ear.
“Thanks, daddy”.
President Ethan was about to leave the room when a slight knock was heard. “Come in!” He snapped.
The door was thrown open, and Valerie walked in with a tray containing a glass of milk, and the delicious looking rice cakes.
“Yum! It smells so good, Miss old-fashioned” Audrey licked her lips.
Anxiety almost made Valerie trip and fall, but she managed to get a hold of herself. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she handed the glass of milk to Audrey.
Audrey sat up, and took the glass from her then arched her eyebrows, and said, “Was this made with condensed milk?”
“No…full cream milk” Valerie gulped.
“Good! How did you know I don't like condensed milk, Miss old-fashioned?” Audrey chuckled as she started gulping the milk down.
Valerie shook her head, and smiled mildly, “I didn't know that. Actually, I don't like condensed milk, so I decided to make you a glass of milk with whole milk, which is what I like”.
“Really? We have almost everything in common” Audrey dropped the glass on the stool beside her bed.
President Ethan, who was standing by the door, sneered before walking out. “Are they that close already? She just met her”.
“I was scared, Audrey. I thought I'd lose my job” Valerie started, and Audrey smiled warmly at her.
“None of that was your fault, nanny. I'm the one to blame. I shouldn't have touched the knife in the first place”.
Valerie held her tender hands, and shook her head negatively, “That's not true, Audrey. I didn't look after you well. If I had lost my job, then it would have been understandable”.
“Thank you, Miss old-fashioned” Audrey hugged her tight. Valerie felt complete, hugging Audrey made her feel better. She was getting increasingly attached to the little girl.
A few hours later, she was off work. Making sure she made Audrey's desserts, she hurried to the servant's quarter where she changed into her dress, taking off the uniform.
Only then, she picked up her cellphone. She realized that she had missed calls from her friends Susan and Andrew. “What's wrong? Why were they calling?”.
She returned the call immediately, and Susan picked up. “Hey, Susie!”
“Oh, where have you been, Val? We've been trying to contact you all day” Susan cried out, and that got Valerie even more worried.
Valerie exhaled deeply, and asked, “Why? Did something happen?”
“You have a letter, Val. I think the letter is from your Dad. He wants you to come back home” Susan snapped, and Valerie scoffed in disbelief.
“What?”
Patricia stormed into the bedroom where Justin was laying down, and playing games. “You explain to me, Justin. Give me a reason why you displayed such an attitude at the bar?”
Justin snorted, shaking his head and replied, “I don't have strength for all these, Patricia. And I don't see the reason you're still here, I'm so tired and stressed. You shouldn't add to it”.
“No, you answer me. Was it because of my sister? Are you still affected by my half-sister's presence?” Patricia kept on ranting.
“So what if I am? Is it bad for me to be affected by seeing someone I love after such a long time?” Justin raised his brows, Patricia felt like she was being stabbed in the chest by his words.
Gritting her teeth, she clenched her fist in annoyance and said, “What? Did you just say love? It's in the past, Justin. You should use the word 'loved'. I'm your girlfriend now, and you should respect that”.
“Enough, Patricia. I would rather not hear you say anything. I'm tired, and I need a break” Justin turned his gaze away.
“We're getting married, Justin. Don't you have respect for me at all? In my presence, you admit that you still have feelings for your god-damned ex-girlfriend” Patricia sobbed helplessly.
Justin sprang up, and grabbed her hand. Bringing her ring finger, on which she was wearing an engagement ring, close to her eyes, he yelled angrily. “Isn't this enough promise that I'm going to end up with you? What more do you want? You're unbelievable”.
Pushing her aside, Justin stormed out of the room. Patricia fell on the bed, crying.
Meanwhile, Valerie took the envelope that Susan dropped on the stool in front of her. Her palms were all sweaty, and her heart was racing faster.
To think that, after such a long time, her father could still write to her made her nervous.
She opened the envelope, and took a letter out of it. She read silently.
“What exactly is this about, Valerie? After all, they did to you?” Andrew shook his head with a snort.
Susan nodded her head in agreement with what Andrew had said. “That's ridiculous! What if you had died?”
“He wants me to visit Watson's residence, and he's apologizing.” Valerie gasped.
“What the hell?”