“Wow!” Susan gasped in excitement.
Valerie turned over to her with arched eyebrows. She wasn't feeling very comfortable with the makeover Susan did on her face. “Must I really put on makeup just to go on a date?”
“What the… what's wrong with you, Valerie? Don't you want to captivate such a handsome man?” Susan winked at her.
Valerie shook her head. “Do I even need a man? I have a daughter, Susan. Have you forgotten?”
“Whatever! You must get that man. Don't make my makeover be a waste.” Susan teased her.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Valerie walked towards the shoe rack, and picked up her canvas. Susan freaked out and snapped. “Excuse you! What the f*** Are you doing?”
With twitched eyebrows, Valerie replied. “What else if not putting it on? Should I go barefooted?”
“You're kidding me, right?” Susan sighed.
“I'm not. What do you mean? His chauffeur will be here soon, you don't want me to be late, do you?” Valerie said.
Susan snorted. “Stop kidding me, Val. You're not putting that on.”
With that, she brought a silver pair of heels and dropped it on the ground in front of her. “Put these on instead.”
“What? How am I supposed to feel comfortable in that? Please, Susan, can I just put on the canvas?” Valerie cried out.
“Hell no! You can't wear canvas and a ball gown. Don't bother trying to convince me, okay?” Susan snapped at her.
Unwillingly, Valerie put on the heels. It was officially her first date with James. She heard a car honking loudly at the gate. “I think he's here.”
“Thank goodness, you're set. Go girl! Go get your man.” Susan smiled mischievously as they shared a laugh.
Valerie walked down the stairs with Susan and met Audrey sitting in the living room, watching cartoons. “Baby, I'm leaving now.”
“Bye, mommy. Please get me something delicious, okay?”
“Okay, child.” Valerie smiled as she walked out of the house.
Immediately, she got closer to the car, the chauffeur walked to her with smiles all over his face. “Miss Valerie Watson?”
“Yes!”
He nodded, and opened the car door for her, and she got into the car. He drove off immediately.
“Where are we heading to?” Valerie asked anxiously.
The chauffeur replied. “5-star hotels.”
“Okay!”
…
President Ethan walked into the mansion with his suitcase still in his hand. His assistant took the suitcase, and he walked towards the living room, where his daughter was seated and eating popcorn.
“My baby.” He called.
Shrieking in excitement, Audrey rushed to him and hugged him tight. “Daddy.”
“How are you doing? Why are you seated here all alone? Where's your mommy?” He asked with arched eyebrows. The Valerie he knows will always want to be with Audrey at all times, so he found it weird that she wasn't with her.
Audrey sighed. “Mommy went on a date with Uncle James.”
“What? She actually went on a date with him, huh?” Ethan half yelled.
Little Audrey turned to him with her eyes narrowed. “Of course, and she promised to buy me something delicious. Isn't that so nice of mommy?”
Ethan freaked out. “Audrey, are you really so happy that your Mom is going on a date with a stranger? Don't you feel sad about it? Why are you so excited?”
“Why not, daddy? Since you said you don't like her, she should be with someone who likes her, right? Besides, that shouldn't make you so angry.” Audrey mumbled as she munched the popcorn noisily.
Clenching a fist, Ethan scoffed. “You…”
“Daddy, I really can't wait for mommy to get married to uncle Hat. I can always go to her house for vacation.” Audrey chuckled in excitement.
Fuming with anger, Ethan walked away without saying a word. He felt like a knife was pierced into his chest. He thought within himself.
“Can't you just refuse to go out with him? Why would she go out with a stranger while living under my roof? Isn't that cheating?”
He slammed the door noisily, and sat heavily on the couch. Restlessly, he got up and took off his suit and then his Bowie before the shirt.
He glanced at the wall clock and scoffed. “Isn't it late already? It's 8pm, for goodness's sake.”
I'm still feeling uncomfortable, he picked up his cell phone and dialed the number. Unfortunately, her phone wasn't connecting.
“Dang.” He kicked the table in fury.
An hour later, he was already so annoyed. He couldn't help but keep glancing at the wall clock. Thoughts kept running through his mind.
Furthermore, he walked out of his room and headed straight to the bar. It was late, so Audrey had already gone to bed. The lights were still off.
He filled a glass with the gin and drank it all up and refilled the glass again.
“Shouldn't she be at home already? Doesn't she know that someone might be waiting for her?” He belched noisily.
Then, he heard a car honk and staggered up from the chair where he was seated.
Meanwhile, Valerie got down from the car as James brought her home. “I had fun today, Val. I hope to see you again.”
Valerie smiled. “Sure, James. See you another time.” She waved at him as she walked into the villa.
Smiles escaped her lips. At least she had a good time with him. Valerie got into the mansion, but it was dark.
“Am I really that late? Everyone is already asleep, huh? I bet Audrey waited for me.” She shrugged.
Suddenly, a strong, manly arm grabbed her wrist. A gasp escaped her lips immediately.
She tried to scream, but before she could, she felt a soft lip on her mouth, kissing her.
It tasted like strawberry. She wanted to stop, but couldn't. The stench of alcohol was accompanied by the strawberry taste.
She struggled to free herself, but couldn't. Likewise, she managed to turn the switch on.
Valerie flinched. “President Ethan?”
“You're mine, Valerie. You are mine.” He grabbed her by the waist and pinned her to the wall.